Jul 16
Drag Race Stars Shine in World’s First Animated Drag Superhero Film, Championing Queer Heroes
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
On June 17, 2025, "Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero" made history as the world’s first animated feature film centered on a drag queen superhero, starring an ensemble cast of "RuPaul’s Drag Race" legends including Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCrème, Heidi N Closet, Monét X Change, and Rosé. The film, created and directed by queer filmmaker Anthony Hand, is a vibrant, campy musical fantasy that follows Simon, a quiet barista who discovers a magical wig that transforms him into the dazzling, powerful Maxxie LaWow. With this newfound identity, Maxxie must confront Dyna Bolical, a villainous drag scientist bent on harvesting drag queen tears—an apparent anti-aging elixir—threatening to drain the world of its fabulousness.
The creation of "Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero" reflects a growing demand for authentic queer stories in mainstream media. Anthony Hand, the film’s director, stated, “Simon’s journey is about learning to believe in yourself… His transformation into Maxxie represents that pivotal moment we all experience—when we stop waiting for permission and start embracing who we truly are”. Hand emphasized that, given the current political and social challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community, the film’s message of self-empowerment is especially relevant.
The cast, composed largely of drag performers and queer voice actors, brings both star power and lived experience to the project. Erika Ishii, a celebrated queer voice actor in gaming and animation, also joins the lineup, further cementing the film’s commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility. Newcomer Grant Hodges voices both Simon and Maxxie, while Broadway and TV star Terren Wooten Clarke delivers a memorable performance as the antagonist, Dyna Bolical.
"Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero" has already garnered critical acclaim, winning Best Animated Film at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival. The film’s visual style draws inspiration from classic cartoons like Scooby Doo and Sailor Moon, blending vibrant colors with heartfelt storytelling. Its themes resonate deeply within the LGBTQ+ community, where drag is often seen as a form of personal armor and self-expression.
Rosé, who voices multiple characters in the film, reflected on the parallels between drag and superheroism: “It’s kind of a common phrase, or the idea of it at least, to refer to your drag as a suit of armor… It kind of gives you both a shield and also, I don’t know, just a costume that kind of becomes an amalgamation of super powers”. She added, “I was like a superhero version of myself when I was in drag”.
The release of "Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero" arrives amid a global context of increasing visibility for LGBTQ+ stories in animation, but also amid rising political and social challenges for queer communities. Creators and cast members stress that it is vital for queer people to see themselves represented not just as sidekicks or victims, but as heroes with agency, power, and complexity.
The film’s narrative of chosen family and self-acceptance speaks to the resilience and creativity of LGBTQ+ communities, offering both escapism and affirmation. For younger audiences, especially, seeing a drag queen as the central hero in an animated feature can be transformative—a reminder that their identities are not just valid, but extraordinary.
