Nine to Five

Verdict

A sharp, crowd-pleasing workplace comedy with a genuinely feminist bite. Its revenge-fantasy energy, star power, and quotable escalation make it both historically significant and still easy to enjoy.

Best for

• fans of workplace comedies with a satirical edge
• viewers looking for an early mainstream feminist comedy
• people who like ensemble chemistry and broad, energetic humor
• audiences in the mood for a satisfying underdog-versus-boss story

Skip if

• you want subtle or understated comedy
• you dislike broad 1980s sitcom-style humor
• you need a tightly realistic workplace drama
• you are looking for a dark or cynical ending

Overview

Nine to Five works because it understands how exhausting everyday sexism can be, then turns that frustration into a fast, funny power fantasy. The setup is simple, but the movie keeps finding new ways to sharpen its jokes, especially once the three leads start imagining what they’d do to their boss if they could get away with it.

Worth noting

Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton make the film feel bigger than its premise. Their rhythms are different enough to create constant comic friction, but they also sell the friendship and mutual recognition that gives the movie its emotional lift. Parton, in particular, brings an effortless charisma that helps the whole thing feel buoyant rather than preachy.

Bottom line

It’s very much of its era, with broad comic beats and some dated workplace attitudes, but the core appeal is durable: watching women outsmart a smug, abusive man never really gets old. As a mainstream studio comedy, it’s unusually clear-eyed about labor, power, and resentment, while still being light on its feet.

Top Letterboxd reviews

nora (4★) · 8117 likes

feminism is getting stoned with your gal pals and fantasizing about how you'd murder your misogynistic boss

jarod (4★) · 6970 likes

dream blunt rotation

justine ✨ (3.5★) · 3733 likes

one day, after one of her concerts, dolly parton found a little boy crying by the doors of the venue. she wiped his tears away and told him to believe in his dreams, and that one day he’d inspire millions too. that little boy was karl marx.

Karsten (4.5★) · 2958 likes

This one goes out to my professor from last year who didn't go one class without letting us know that 'Nine to Five' was a perfect movie. You were right, Matt.

Marian (5★) · 2642 likes

the direct anti capitalist action we need, the lesbian lily tomlin we deserve

Themes

workplace sexism, female solidarity, revenge fantasy, labor politics, office comedy, empowerment, gender roles, satire

Topics

workplace comedy, feminist satire, ensemble comedy, revenge fantasy, office politics, 1980s comedy, female friendship, labor unrest, broad humor, feel-good