Queer Cinema Club: The Birdcage

It really doesn’t get better than THE BIRDCAGE, and we’ve been saving it for a time when it felt like we realllly needed the boundless joy it has on offer. And the middle of this doomy winter of 2026 feels like it might be that time? So let us pierce that toast together a month from tomorrow when we finally show Mike Nichols’ ridiculously entertaining ode to coming as you are!

Released 30 years ago this winter (on March 8, 1996, to be exact), THE BIRDCAGE stars one of the greatest casts ever assembled (Robin! Nathan! Dianne! Gene! Hank! Christine! Calista?) and marks the very first cinematic collaboration between director Nichols and screenwriter Elaine May, who were a legendary comedy duo in the 50s and 60s.

All of this added up to absolute gay Miami magic, and audiences agreed: it grossed a stunning $185 million, making it by far the highest grossing LGBTQ-themed movie of all-time (a record it held for over 20 years… until a great tragedy occurred and it was beat by BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY 🤮).

One of the most quotable, rewatchable and all-around delightful movies we’ve ever been gifted, we are truly so, so excited to screen it at @paradiseonbloor this February 18th. And we’re just as excited to both have @polterguy666 offer up a BIRDCAGE drag tribute before the show, and for @timpsingleton to have designed this gorgeous poster that will be for sale in the lobby before the show. Tickets now available at link in bio!🦩🦩🦩

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