“RuPaul’s Drag Race” is back for its 18th season after shifting to MTV in 2023. Now, RuPaul, the cast and crew, as well as the network, have reason to celebrate, as the show just delivered its highest-ever live viewership. This comes ahead of the upcoming movie based on the hit reality competition series.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Is More Popular Than Ever
GettySeason 18 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” premiered on MTV on January 2. According to Deadline, the series drew in the highest season premiere rating and shares in the history of the long-running show. This is among the P18-49 demographic.
According to the report, “Drag Race” delivered a 0.674 share among the all-important demographic. Notably, this is up 37% from the show’s season 17 premiere, which delivered a 0.577 share. This was also the highest-rated cable broadcast in the P18-34 and P18-49 demographics.
That’s not all. The premiere for season 18 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” was also popular on social media. It generated 24 million views across platforms, a 7% increase over the season 17 premiere.
This season, the queens competing for the crown and $250,000 are Athena Dion, Briar Blush, Ciara Myst, Darlene Mitchell, DD Fuego, Discord Addams, Jane Don’t, Juicy Love Dion, Kenya Pleaser, Mandy Mango, Mia Starr, Myki Meeks, Nini Coco, and Vita VonTesse Starr.
RuPaul serves as the host and main judge, and he’s joined by Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, and Ts Madison. The first episode featured rapper Cardi B as the guest judge. Teyana Taylor, Benny Blanco, Law Roach, Jamal Sims, and Dove Cameron are also set to appear during season 18.
The Movie Centered Around the Show Has an Update
Variety announced in September 2025 that RuPaul would star in a new action comedy set in the “Drag Race” universe. Adam Shankman, known for “Hairspray,” was also announced as the movie’s director.
Per the plot description, “best friends Tess and DeeDee, train stewardesses who trade their dreary shifts on the Stank Rail for the glitzy Glamazonian Express. When a catastrophic ‘Stormganza’ threatens to derail the high-speed train and crash it into Los Angeles, the duo in coach must join forces with the snobby first class attendants, and President Gagwell (RuPaul), to save the day.”
RuPaul said of the film, “President Judy Gagwell is the part I was born to play. Finally, a role I can sink my dentures into.”
Shankman said of directing, “I’ve been friends with RuPaul for 30 years, and in that time I’ve watched him and the folks at World of Wonder help change culture writ large with Drag Race. When they asked me to come aboard this hilarious and truly unhinged project, in a time so desperate for escapist entertainment and laughter, I couldn’t resist.”
More recently, the team behind the movie revealed the title, “STOP! THAT! TRAIN!”
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs Friday nights on MTV. The show’s “All Stars” seasons are available on Paramount+.
