WASHINGTON, August 31, 2026– Dolly Parton’s movies are being shown again across the country in movie theaters in honor of her life and contributions to art since her death at the age of 80 on August 25.
The nationwide retrospective features special screenings of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) and Steel Magnolias (1989). Organized across roughly 200 locations as a tribute and a charitable fundraiser, the event channels all proceeds directly into her signature early literacy foundation.
Theatrical Tributes and Philanthropic Support
Heritage screenings got started over the weekend in various cities in Tennessee such as Nashville, Knoxville, Clarksville, Chattanooga, Hendersonville, and Tullahoma. The ticket rate was set at $9.25 to commemorate her iconic song “9 to 5,” and all the revenue would be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in association with the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation.
The Imagination Library, which was founded by Parton back in 1995, is dedicated to providing free high-quality books to young children aged between birth and age 5 and has delivered over 200 million books since its inception. Due to excellent regional turnout, the screening of her movies has been extended to many more theatres throughout the US in the coming week.
Celebrating a Multitalented Screen Legacy
Even though Parton ruled the charts for decades, both in country and pop music, her film performances during the 1980s made her one of Hollywood’s most beloved screen stars. As a star of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, inspired by the Broadway musical, Parton played the role of Mona Stangley, who is the owner of Chicken Ranch next to Burt Reynolds and received a Golden Globe Award nomination as well as putting her own rendition of “I Will Always Love You” at the top of the country chart.
As a cast member of Steel Magnolias, directed by Herbert Ross and based on the stage play written by Robert Harling, Parton offered an outstanding performance as Truvy Jones, the owner of a Louisiana salon.
Communal Remembrance in Hometown Theaters
For those who have followed her for years, the screenings become a chance for group celebration and honoring. The movie-going audience can once again enjoy the unique sense of humor of Dolly Parton and support her literacy causes that she promoted in favor of children.
The transformation of cinemas into sites of cultural memorials reflects the fact that Dolly Parton was a celebrity who made a name for herself in different areas such as music, movies, and philanthropy around the world.
