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Legally Blonde

Play trailer Poster for Legally Blonde PG-13 Released Jul 13, 2001 1h 36m Comedy Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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72% Tomatometer 151 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) has it all. She wants nothing more than to be Mrs. Warner Huntington III. But there is one thing stopping him (Matthew Davis) from proposing: She is too blond. Elle rallies all of her resources and gets into Harvard, determined to win him back.
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Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde

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Critics Consensus

Though the material is predictable and formulaic, Reese Witherspoon's funny, nuanced performance makes this movie better than it would have been otherwise.

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Critics Reviews

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Alonso Duralde The Advocate If her dazzling turns in Election, Freeway, and The Man in the Moon weren’t enough to convince you that Reese Witherspoon is one of her generation’s greatest actresses, Legally Blonde will close the deal. Apr 5, 2022 Full Review Christy Lemire Associated Press The movie is a lot like 1995's Clueless, which was also totally cute, in that it has a brain and a heart. And like its heroine, it's a lot smarter than it looks. Oct 25, 2018 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Bombshell discovers her brainy side in fun romp for teens+. Rated: 4/5 Dec 25, 2010 Full Review Michael D. Reid Victoria Times Colonist (B.C., Canada) Clueless meets Election in this breezy, utterly disposable high-concept chuckler. Rated: 2.5/5 Apr 30, 2024 Full Review Dan DiNicola The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) See this delightfully silly comedy just for the performance of Reese Witherspoon, who, after her Oscar-worthy coup in Election, proves once more that she is for real an American treasure. Rated: B Apr 30, 2024 Full Review Michael Cuby them. Legally Blonde is chock-full of instantly iconic lines, but I’ve always adored the scathing specificity of, “Don’t stomp your little last season Prada shoes at me, honey!” Sep 27, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member At first glance, Legally Blonde (2001) seems to be just another 2000s teen romantic comedy. You could expect a predictable story of fashionable girls, cute love interests, and high school drama. I thought it was just about a sorority girl trying to win back her boyfriend. But, the film turned out to be something much more than that. It mixes humor with empowerment in a surprising way. Legally Blonde is not just about fashion and love. It is a motivational story that shows the journey of self-discovery and defying expectations. The main character is Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School in attempt to win back her ex-boyfriend. At first, Elle struggles to fit into the competitive environment, but soon she discovers that her unique approach, knowledge, and determination help her stand out. The movie follows Elle as she learns to embrace her intelligence and challenge the stereotype of the “dumb blonde.” She proves that you can be both “beautiful and brainy,” and that’s a powerful thing. The movie centers around Elle’s journey of breaking stereotypes, both societal and self-imposed. Elle’s transformation from a pink-wearing, fashion-obsessed student into a confident law student challenges the idea that women, especially those who embrace femininity, can’t succeed in demanding fields like law. As Elle excels in her studies and legal cases, Legally Blonde becomes an exploration of self-confidence and empowerment. It shows that intelligence and beauty can coexist and complement each other. This “beauty with brains” theme runs throughout the movie, showing that confidence, determination, and Elle’s signature charm can help her succeed in the competitive male-dominated world like law school. Elle’s self-confidence is one of the most inspiring parts of “Legally Blonde”. From the start, she walks into any room with pride, whether it’s a party or a Harvard classroom. As the movie progresses, her confidence deepens. By the time she’s in the courtroom proving her legal skills, it’s clear how much she’s grown. The movie sends a strong message about believing in yourself, no matter what others think. Success isn’t about where you come from or how you look. It’s about pushing past doubts and proving your worth to yourself and to the world. The success of “Legally Blonde” isn’t just about its empowering message. It’s also driven by its strong performances. Reese Witherspoon brings Elle Woods to life with charm and depth, perfectly capturing her journey from a naive sorority girl to a confident lawyer. The supporting cast, including Luke Wilson and Selma Blair, add to the film’s mix of humor and heart, making the story even more enjoyable. Visually, the bright cinematography and energetic soundtrack enhance the movie’s fun and uplifting atmosphere. Of course, the film isn’t without it’s flaws. Some might find the plot predictable, as it follows a familiar rom-com formula. But what makes “Legally Blonde” stand out is how it balances comedy with a powerful message about self-confidence and breaking stereotypes. Even with its lighthearted moments, the film leaves a lasting impact, proving that it’s much more than just another teen comedy. In conclusion, Legally Blonde is much more than a rom-com. It’s an empowering story about self-confidence, challenging stereotypes, and proving that you can be both smart and stylish. It’s a movie that leaves you feeling inspired and reminds you that confidence is key. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a fun movie with a strong, positive message about being yourself, and defying what others think you can or can’t do. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/11/25 Full Review Harley R I knew i should've watched this movie sooner, and yet, even in 2025 it still stands to be an amazing movie. For context, ya' girl is 15 and born a good 9 years before this movie. Still watched it regardless.. and I think this is one of my favourite movies of all time. I dislike movies in general, I would rather not get into it.. but was this everything I wanted AND more! No doubts to anyone even considering it. Watch it. For I will put my heart and soul into saying- yes, it is one of the best movies made in history. No doubt. Enjoy!<3 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/27/25 Full Review Rob A I just watched it for the first time and thought "I wish I hadn't waited so long." A very cute early 2000's comedy/drama with several laugh-out-loud moments. You'l have a smile on your face at the end of this one. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/13/25 Full Review Audience Member Legally Blonde: A Brainy, Fashionable, and Surprisingly Inspirational Legally Blonde (2001) seems like a lighthearted rom-com but turns out to be an uplifting story of confidence, intelligence, and beating stereotypes. Directed by Robert Luketic and starring Reese Witherspoon in one of her best performances, this movie offers laughs, tears, and an empowering message wrapped in pink. A Story That Goes Beyond the Cliché: Early in the movie, Elle Woods (Witherspoon) appears to be the quintessential "dumb blonde"—a wealthy, fashion-forward sorority girl whose end goal is to marry her perfect boyfriend, Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis). But when Warner dumps her, claiming he needs someone more "serious" for his political career, Elle decides to prove him (and everyone else) wrong by getting into Harvard Law School on her own merit. This setup is what makes Legally Blonde a rom-com. Instead of changing herself to fit into the "serious" arena of law, Elle succeeds by staying true to herself. She initially wants to win Warner back, but by the end, she realizes she never needed him—she was already meant to be great for herself. Elle's character development is one of the best aspects of the movie. Many "strong female-led" films remove traditional feminine traits to appear strong, but Legally Blonde does the opposite—Elle is successful, not in spite of herself, but because of herself. She doesn’t lose her sense of fashion, beauty, and niceness to be taken seriously. Instead, she shows that you can be fashionable and witty, bubbly and intelligent. There are several times in the film where people don’t believe in Elle's capabilities: when she walks into Harvard Law, everyone assumes she won’t last. She is greeted by snobbish professors, disapproving students, and sabotage from Warner’s new fiancée, Vivian (Selma Blair). But Elle not only lasts, she thrives. The film never turns Elle into a bitter, revenge-driven person. Instead of tearing other women down, she builds people up. She grows from competitiveness to friendship with Vivian, and even helps Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge) regain her self-esteem by showing her that Paulette can go beyond her capabilities, like standing up to her ex-husband. Quite possibly the best moment in the film is when Elle has her first major courtroom success. Instead of using conventional legal tactics, she applies the insider’s wisdom she gained from fashion and beauty to crack the case. The moment when she corners a lying witness with her knowledge of hair shampoo is not only hilarious, but it also exemplifies the idea that intelligence comes in many forms. It doesn’t tell women they need to be more masculine to succeed; it tells them that the strength they already possess can be used in new ways. "Always believe in yourself"—one of the best lines in the movie—might not be the easiest to follow, but it teaches important lessons. Even though it was released over 20 years ago, Legally Blonde remains fresh. The themes of empowerment, defying expectations, and self-acceptance are just as relevant today. In a world where women are constantly told to fit into a mold, Elle’s story is more inspiring than ever. Not only does the movie make you laugh (Elle's Harvard misadventures are side-splitting), but it also makes you proud. It's the kind of film that encourages you to stand up, set your goals, and prove others wrong. While most rom-com heroines focus on romance, Elle’s journey is one of self-discovery. Romance is part of the movie, but the greatest relationship Elle develops is with herself. Final Verdict: A Must-Watch Classic. If you're in the mood for a movie that's smart, funny, and surprisingly deep in aspects like law and empowering feminism, Legally Blonde is the perfect choice. It's the kind of movie that makes you laugh, makes you think, and most importantly, makes you believe in yourself. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/10/25 Full Review Ellie A In my opinion it is the best movie I have ever watched I can watch it 1 million times without getting bored it gives me motivation to do good in school and shows how powerful women are when we set our mind to something it’s a beautiful movie I recommend showing to young girls there is swearing just so you know but it’s a beautiful story Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/02/25 Full Review jolin t unapologetically pink. 10/10, no explanation needed. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/02/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Legally Blonde

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Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde: Official Clip - He's Gay! Legally Blonde: Official Clip - He's Gay! 2:26 Legally Blonde: Official Clip - Elle Wins! Legally Blonde: Official Clip - Elle Wins! 3:00 Legally Blonde: Official Clip - First Day of School Legally Blonde: Official Clip - First Day of School 1:32 Legally Blonde: Official Clip - Kicked Out of Class Legally Blonde: Official Clip - Kicked Out of Class 2:47 Legally Blonde: Official Clip - I'm Going to Harvard Legally Blonde: Official Clip - I'm Going to Harvard 2:12 Legally Blonde: Official Clip - I'm Taking the Dog, Dumbass Legally Blonde: Official Clip - I'm Taking the Dog, Dumbass 2:29 Legally Blonde: Official Clip - Awarded an Internship Legally Blonde: Official Clip - Awarded an Internship 1:00 Legally Blonde: Official Clip - The "Bend & Snap" Legally Blonde: Official Clip - The "Bend & Snap" 2:10 Legally Blonde: Official Clip - Warner Breaks Up With Elle Legally Blonde: Official Clip - Warner Breaks Up With Elle 2:45 Legally Blonde: Official Clip - Harvard Video Essay Legally Blonde: Official Clip - Harvard Video Essay 1:36 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) has it all. She wants nothing more than to be Mrs. Warner Huntington III. But there is one thing stopping him (Matthew Davis) from proposing: She is too blond. Elle rallies all of her resources and gets into Harvard, determined to win him back.
Director
Robert Luketic
Producer
Marc Platt, Ric Kidney
Screenwriter
Karen McCullah, Kirsten Smith, Amanda Brown
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Marc Platt Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual References|Language)
Genre
Comedy, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 13, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 29, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$96.5M
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, DTS, SDDS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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