Steel Magnolias

Play trailer

Steel Magnolias

PG

1989

1h 58m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

82 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

M'Lynn (Sally Field) is the mother of bride-to-be Shelby Eatenton (Julia Roberts), and as friend Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton) fixes the women's hair for the ceremony, they welcome a helping hand from aspiring beautician Annelle Dupuy Desoto (Daryl Hannah). Diabetic Shelby has a health scare, which is averted but doesn't bode well for her hopes of having children. Time passes, and the women and their friends encounter tragedy and good fortune, growing stronger and closer in the process.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Steel Magnolias has jokes and characters to spare, which makes it more dangerous (and effective) when it goes for the full melodrama by the end.

Read Critics Reviews

Peter Goddard

Toronto Star

Director Herbert Ross' attempts to tart up the original are fussy and clumsy by turns.

May 3, 2024

Full Review

Joe Pollack

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

MacLaine is wonderful, and she ought to be. She has all the best lines, and is the freest spirit in the Louisiana community.

May 3, 2024

Full Review

Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

For all of its faults, Magnolias is in good company.

Rated: 2.5/5

May 3, 2024

Full Review

Carolyn Clay

Boston Phoenix

Director Ross has so overburdened and overdecorated the little comedy that it goes as flat as uncorked Coke.

May 3, 2024

Full Review

Hal Lipper

Tampa Bay Times

Knowing the story hardly lessens Steel Magnolias impact or its humor, still its strongest element.

May 3, 2024

Full Review

Bob Ross

Tampa Tribune

Herbert Ross is such a pro that his works is as unobtrusive as it is effective.

Rated: 3/4

May 3, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Virginia B

What a great cast I almost forgot it what it was like to see such a great movie. A total lady flick in my humble opinion. Glad I got to see it. Thanks for the re-release.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/02/25

Full Review

Geri H.

Stellar cast. So well written. True story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/20/25

Full Review

VITALII H

Very nostalgic, happy, sad, entertaining & joyful! I am obsessed with Dolly Parton's character! She was bringing so much to the movie. Small town life during the 80s, that's all I'm gonna say! The movie is full of life!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/26/25

Full Review

Ava S

It falls into cliché territory and stereotypes occassionally but Steel Magnolias still provides strong social commentary, heartfelt emotion, and an amazing sense of female camaraderie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/12/25

Full Review

Jay W

The main group of ladies in this movie, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah, are right up there with the Magnificent 7, as the best ensemble group of characters in film history. This is very much a character driven story. The 'what' that is going on, is important only because of 'who' it is happening to. And because we, the audience, care about them, we care about what happens. They are not perfect people, they are not the sweetest of people or the nicest of friends, but they feel like real people going through real problems. And it made me real sad.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

Full Review

Nicholas B

Steel Magnolias is a heartfelt five-star drama that truly moved me. The incredible ensemble cast delivers powerful performances, bringing humor, warmth, and deep emotion to the story. Its themes of friendship, love, and resilience made a lasting impact on me, and I found myself completely invested in its touching moments. A beautifully crafted film that balances laughter and tears perfectly.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Herbert Ross

Director

Sally Field

M'Lynn Eatenton

Dolly Parton

Truvy Jones

Shirley MacLaine

Ouiser Boudreaux

Daryl Hannah

Annelle Dupuy Desoto

Olympia Dukakis

Clairee Belcher

Steel Magnolias: Official Clip - The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways

1:36

Steel Magnolias: Official Clip - Life Support

2:12

Steel Magnolias: Official Clip - I Wanna Know Why

2:13

Steel Magnolias: Official Clip - Not Exactly Great News

1:40

Steel Magnolias: Official Clip - A Guardian Angel

1:30

Steel Magnolias: Official Clip - A Very Bad Mood for 40 Years

1:28

Steel Magnolias: Official Clip - 30 Minutes of Wonderful

2:18

Steel Magnolias: Official Clip - Too Much Insulin

2:13

View more videos

Miss Firecracker

82%

52%

Miss Firecracker

Watchlist

Driving Miss Daisy

85%

81%

Driving Miss Daisy

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Driving Miss Daisy

Housekeeping

92%

84%

Housekeeping

Watchlist

Curly Sue

13%

50%

Curly Sue

Watchlist

Mr. North

50%

38%

Mr. North

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

M'Lynn (Sally Field) is the mother of bride-to-be Shelby Eatenton (Julia Roberts), and as friend Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton) fixes the women's hair for the ceremony, they welcome a helping hand from aspiring beautician Annelle Dupuy Desoto (Daryl Hannah). Diabetic Shelby has a health scare, which is averted but doesn't bode well for her hopes of having children. Time passes, and the women and their friends encounter tragedy and good fortune, growing stronger and closer in the process.

Director: Herbert Ross
Producer: Ray Stark
Screenwriter: Robert Harling, Robert Harling
Distributor: TriStar Pictures
Production Co: Rastar Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 15, 1989, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 5, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $79.4M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, Dolby
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

Most Popular at Home Now