6 Dolly Parton Movies and TV Shows to Watch in Honor of the Late Country Icon

Dolly Parton plays the character Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5, a screwball comedy released in 1980. Rhodes works as an executive secretary for the obnoxious and sexist boss, Franklin Hart Jr. (Dabney Coleman). Her coworkers wrongly believe that she is having an affair with the boss, which becomes a major source of frustration for her. Rhodes then decides to turn the tables and team up with her coworkers, Violet Newstead (Lily Tomlin) and Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda). They kidnap their ungrateful boss and decide to run the business themselves (don't try this in real life). In the United States, 9 to 5 is available to stream on Philo with a subscription. Fans can also rent or buy it digitally on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.

Dolly Parton stars as Jake Farris in Rhinestone, a 1984 musical comedy film. Jake is a country music singer who wants to get out of an unfavorable contract with her ex-boyfriend and nightclub manager, Freddie Ugo (Ron Leibman). She makes an impulsive bet that she can turn the next person she sees into a Nashville-style crooner. As luck would have it, that person turns out to be cocky New York City cabbie Nick Martinelli (Sylvester Stallone), who can’t sing to save his life. But that does not break her spirit, and she takes it upon herself to train him and turn him into a country singer. Unfortunately, Rhinestone is not available to stream on any OTT platform. Viewers can occasionally find physical DVD copies on Amazon or check their local library for availability. 

Dolly Parton's Heartstrings, also known simply as Heartstrings, is an American anthology drama series that premiered on Netflix in 2019. The series brings stories inspired by some of Parton’s most beloved songs to the screen, with each episode telling a different story. Netflix’s official synopsis reads: “Eight stories celebrating family, faith, love and forgiveness come to life in this series inspired by Dolly Parton’s iconic country music catalog.” All eight episodes of Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings are accessible on Netflix with an active subscription.

In the 1989 film Steel Magnolias, Dolly Parton takes on the role of warm-hearted hairdresser and beautician Truvy Jones. Her beauty shop in a small Louisiana town serves as the main hub where the women gather to share gossip, life advice, and everything in between. The film also stars Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts, and Olympia Dukakis. Steel Magnolias is currently available to stream on Paramount+ with a subscription. It can also be rented or purchased digitally through platforms including Apple TV and Prime Video.

Dolly Parton brings to life Miss Mona Stangley in the 1982 musical comedy film The Best Little Wh*rehouse in Texas. In it, “Texas madam Miss Mona (Dolly Parton) and her sheriff boyfriend (Burt Reynolds) try to save her Chicken Ranch from a TV muckraker (Dom DeLuise).” The Chicken Ranch is not what you might think. It is a brothel with a long history in a small Texas town. So, now you know where the name comes from. The movie is not available through any subscription service in the U.S. right now. The only way to watch it digitally is to rent or buy it through platforms such as Prime Video or Apple TV.

Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square is a 2020 American Christmas-themed musical film in which she plays an angel simply named Angel. The holiday movie follows Angel as she tries to change the heart of Regina Fuller (Christine Baranski), a wealthy woman who returns to her hometown with plans to evict the residents and sell the land to a mall developer. The synopsis reads, “Seasonal cheer comes to a screeching halt when a cold-hearted woman tries to sell her hometown’s land. Can music, magic and memories change her mind?” To find out if Angel can save the town, viewers can catch Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square on Netflix with a subscription.