6 Best Vaudeville and Burlesque Movies

By Vlad Zakh · April 20, 2026

The fading glamour of vaudeville and burlesque inspires nostalgic backstage dramas and musicals. The Sunshine Boys has two former comedy partners reluctantly reuniting, Gypsy has a domineering stage mother pushing her daughters, and Lady of Burlesque has a performer investigating murders among the cast. The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle, 42nd Street and The Broadway Melody round out the six.

The Sunshine Boys (1975)

TMDB ★ 7.3

Two former vaudeville comedy partners reluctantly reunite for a television special decades after their split.

Directed by Herbert Ross · 1h 51m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Darkroom · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Gypsy (1962)

TMDB ★ 6.9

A domineering stage mother pushes her daughters towards stardom on the vaudeville and burlesque circuit.

Directed by Mervyn LeRoy · 2h 23m

Where to watch

Stream: YouTube TV · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A pioneering husband-and-wife dance team revolutionises ballroom dancing in the early 20th century.

Directed by H. C. Potter · 1h 33m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Lady of Burlesque (1943)

TMDB ★ 6.9

A burlesque theatre's star performer investigates a series of murders among the show's cast.

Directed by William A. Wellman · 1h 31m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, MGM+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, IndieFlix, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

42nd Street (1933)

TMDB ★ 7.4

A demanding Broadway director stakes everything on one lavish musical during the Depression.

Directed by Lloyd Bacon · 1h 29m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Broadway Melody (1929)

TMDB ★ 6.0

Two vaudeville sisters navigate romantic rivalry while chasing their dreams on Broadway.

Directed by Harry Beaumont · 1h 41m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

6 Best Vaudeville and Burlesque Movies

The Sunshine Boys (1975)

Gypsy (1962)

The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939)

Lady of Burlesque (1943)

42nd Street (1933)

The Broadway Melody (1929)

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