Honoring a Legend: Twentieth Century Studios Brings Dolly Parton’s Iconic 9 to 5 Back to Theaters for Charity

Main Facts

In the wake of the global outpouring of grief following the passing of beloved cultural icon Dolly Parton at the age of 80, fans across the world continue to celebrate her extraordinary legacy. From her timeless musical catalog and unforgettable television appearances to her legendary philanthropic efforts, Parton’s impact on global culture remains immeasurable. To honor her memory and support a cause she held closest to her heart, Twentieth Century Studios has announced a special nationwide theatrical re-release of her cinematic landmark, the 1980 workplace satire 9 to 5.

Starting October 9, audiences will have the rare opportunity to experience the hit comedy on the big screen once again during a special weeklong theatrical run. Crucially, all ticket proceeds from this event will directly benefit The Dollywood Foundation, fueling its flagship initiative, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This program has successfully mailed millions of free books to children worldwide, championing early childhood literacy—a lifelong mission for the beloved country music superstar and humanitarian.

The announcement was made by Disney on September 25—ingeniously stylized as “9/25”—which has now been officially designated as “Give Like Dolly Day.” This newly established annual day of giving encourages individuals worldwide to make contributions that improve children’s lives, cementing Parton’s enduring ethos of radical kindness, generosity, and community support.

Chronology

To understand the magnitude of this theatrical re-release and its alignment with Dolly Parton’s enduring legacy, it is essential to trace the journey of 9 to 5 from its cinematic origins to this historic charitable return:

December 19, 1980: 9 to 5 premieres in theaters across the United States. Starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton in her feature film debut, the satirical comedy becomes an instant cultural phenomenon and box-office juggernaut.
1980–1981: Parton’s iconic title track, "9 to 5," dominates the charts, earning her Academy Award and Grammy Award nominations, and solidifying itself as an anthem for working women everywhere.
1995: Dolly Parton establishes the Imagination Library through The Dollywood Foundation, initially distributing books to children in her home county of Sevier County, Tennessee, before scaling the program internationally.
September 2026: Following the global mourning of Dolly Parton’s passing at age 80, fans flood social media with tributes, favorite performances, and memories of the icon.
September 25, 2026 ("9/25"): Disney officially designates the date as "Give Like Dolly Day" and announces the nationwide theatrical re-release of 9 to 5, with ticket proceeds dedicated entirely to The Dollywood Foundation.
October 9, 2026: The nationwide weeklong theatrical re-release of 9 to 5 begins, giving a new generation of moviegoers the chance to experience the classic comedy on the silver screen while contributing to childhood literacy.

Supporting Data and Box-Office History

When 9 to 5 debuted in December 1980, it was more than just a box-office success—it was a seismic cultural event. Directed by Colin Higgins and co-written by Higgins and Patricia Resnick, the film grossed over $103.9 million worldwide against a modest production budget, making it the second highest-grossing film of 1980, trailing only Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back.

The film’s financial triumph was matched by its cultural resonance. It captured the zeitgeist of an era defined by shifting gender roles, the rise of the second-wave feminist movement, and the influx of women entering the corporate workforce. Despite being wrapped in the shiny, fast-paced packaging of a Hollywood comedy, the narrative tackled severe structural issues—including workplace harassment, unequal pay, gender discrimination, and corporate exploitation—with razor-sharp wit.

Furthermore, Dolly Parton’s contribution to the film’s auditory landscape cannot be overstated. The theme song, driven by the rhythmic clicking of acrylic fingernails acting as a typewriter, became a chart-topping Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit, earned Parton two Grammy Awards (Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance, Female), and secured an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.

On the philanthropic side, the data surrounding The Dollywood Foundation and the Imagination Library underscores the profound weight of this re-release. Since its inception, the Imagination Library has gifted well over 200 million free books to children from birth to age five across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. Directing ticket sales from a blockbuster cinematic re-release to this foundation guarantees that Parton’s dream of fostering a lifelong love of reading in children will continue to expand unimpeded.

Official Responses and Industry Reactions

The announcement of the 9 to 5 theatrical re-release has drawn widespread praise from film critics, industry insiders, and cultural historians alike. Representatives from Twentieth Century Studios and The Walt Disney Company emphasized that the initiative was crafted with the utmost respect for Parton’s legacy, ensuring that her core values remain at the forefront of the campaign.

"Dolly Parton was a titan of entertainment, but her heart always belonged to the people—especially children and working folks," said a studio spokesperson during the announcement on September 25. "Bringing 9 to 5 back to the big screen isn’t just about celebrating a cinematic classic; it’s about channeling Dolly’s boundless generosity into tangible action. Every ticket purchased becomes a book in a child’s hands, and there is no better way to honor her memory."

Co-stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin have also expressed emotional support for the initiative. Throughout their decades-long friendship with Parton, the trio frequently spoke about the lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry they shared on set. In recent statements honoring Parton’s life, Fonda and Tomlin highlighted her fierce intelligence, business acumen, and unwavering commitment to uplifting others.

Public figures, musicians, and actors have similarly rallied around "Give Like Dolly Day," using digital platforms to share memories of Parton while urging fans to purchase tickets for the upcoming weeklong engagement. Fandango, which opened ticket sales for the event, reported an immediate surge in traffic as nostalgic fans and younger cinephiles rushed to secure seats.

Implications: A Lasting Legacy and Modern Relevance

The decision to bring 9 to 5 back to theaters holds deep implications, bridging the gap between historical pop culture and contemporary social discourse. More than four decades after its initial release, the central themes of the film—corporate greed, systemic sexism, unequal compensation, and the struggle for work-life balance—remain astonishingly relevant.

While modern office environments have evolved, many of the structural hurdles faced by Violet Newstead (Lily Tomlin), Doralee Rhodes (Dolly Parton), and Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda) mirror ongoing contemporary workplace debates. The film’s brilliant subversion of the revenge-fantasy trope allows modern audiences to process institutional frustrations through cathartic laughter, proving that sharp satire ages remarkably well.

Moreover, the institutionalization of "Give Like Dolly Day" on September 25 ensures that Parton’s legacy of philanthropy will transcend her physical absence. In an era where celebrity philanthropy can sometimes feel performative or disconnected, Parton’s lifelong dedication to the Imagination Library was personal, steadfast, and deeply rooted in her own upbringing in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. By tying a major commercial studio release directly to her charitable foundation, Disney and Twentieth Century Studios have established a powerful new blueprint for how corporate entities can honor legacy artists through community-driven impact.

As audiences prepare to pack theaters starting October 9, they will not only be partaking in a collective cultural memorial for one of America’s most treasured daughters; they will also be actively participating in the continuation of her greatest dream: a world where every child has access to the magic of reading. Tickets are currently available on Fandango, inviting everyone to step back into the office, sing along to that unforgettable theme song, and, above all, do it for Dolly.