Stop! That! Train! (2026) Review: A Drag-Powered Disaster Parody Full of Heart

This Stop! That! Train! review starts with a simple question: can a drag-powered disaster parody sustain a full feature? Adam Shankman's 2026 action comedy mostly says yes, thanks to loud jokes and a lot of heart. It arrives in US theaters on June 12, 2026.

Stop! That! Train! Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The plot follows two best friends who work as train attendants. They are tired of their worn-out route, so they jump at the chance to join a lavish luxury service. It looks like a career upgrade and a fresh start.

Then a violent storm closes in on Los Angeles. The pair must team up with haughty first-class staff and a president to stop a catastrophe. The film is billed as an action comedy and a disaster parody, and it plays both angles with a wink.

The script comes from Christina Friel and Connor Wright. Shankman keeps the pace brisk at about 90 minutes, so the setup never drags.

What Works in Stop! That! Train!

The best thing here is the friendship at the center. Critics have singled out the warm chemistry between the two leads, and it shows. Their bond gives the silliness something to hold onto.

The humor is daffy and unashamedly camp. Rotten Tomatoes' critics consensus calls it a propulsive farce with a sweet celebration of drag culture, and that is a fair summary. The film never mocks its world. It throws a party in it.

• Pace: the short runtime keeps the gags moving.

• Tone: it spoofs disaster movies without turning cynical.

• Heart: the jokes land better because you care about the friends.

Fans of the action movie reviews on this site will spot the genre beats being gently skewered. Expect a runaway-vehicle thriller, played for laughs.

Stop! That! Train! Cast and Performances

The Stop! That! Train! cast is built around stars of the drag world. Ginger Minj plays Tess and Jujubee plays DeeDee, the two friends at the heart of the story. Their rapport is the film's engine.

RuPaul appears as President Gagwell, a fittingly grand presence for a crisis comedy. Marcia Marcia Marcia plays Alli, and Symone plays Ayshleiygh. Brooke Lynn Hytes is also in the cast.

The ensemble has a big, theatrical energy that suits the material. Some of the playing is broad, but that is the point. The leads add sincerity, which stops the camp from floating away.

Where Stop! That! Train! Stumbles

Not every joke lands. One critic called the film very hit-or-miss, and another described it as a deliriously flamboyant but somewhat repetitive romp. Both comments ring true.

The same style of gag returns often, and the middle stretch can feel like it is circling the same station. The disaster plot also stays fairly thin. It exists mainly to move the characters from one punchline to the next.

The R rating is worth noting. It covers sexual material, language, brief nudity and some drug material, so this is not family viewing. If you like your comedy movie reviews loud and raunchy, that may be a plus.

Is Stop! That! Train! Worth Watching?

Yes, if you enjoy high-camp comedy and don't mind some uneven stretches. The film has a strong critical response, with an 85% Tomatometer score from 81 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience scores are a bit lower, at 79%.

The film is not a masterpiece of the disaster genre, and it does not try to be. It is a cheerful, silly ride with real affection for its characters. For a lighter night out, that is enough.

If you want another action pick afterward, try Matchbox the Movie for a different kind of big-screen mayhem. For background on the production, see the Stop! That! Train! Wikipedia page.

Who Will Enjoy Stop! That! Train!

• Fans of RuPaul's Drag Race and its stars who want to see them lead a feature.

• Viewers who like disaster-movie spoofs with plenty of camp and a big heart.

• Adults looking for a short, rowdy comedy that doesn't take itself seriously.