Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.women.com
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Dolly Parton was a multi-hyphenate legend. Coming from humble beginnings as one of 12 siblings in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, the singer-actor-writer-philanthropist carried her values with her in everything she did. She lit up the world around her, bringing her own uniquely charismatic magnetism to every performance, album, and on-screen appearance — big and small screens alike.
Sadly, the world had to bid Dolly Parton farewell on August 25, 2026. She passed away at 80 years old after navigating a ‘brief battle with cancer,’ a little over a year after she said goodbye to her husband, Carl Dean, with whom she carved out the blueprint for love. And though she’s left a butterfly-shaped hole in our collective heart, she also left a legacy of movies and TV show cameos for us to turn to whenever we’re in need of a pick-me-up. Parton showed undeniable range as an actor, starring in comedies, dramas, musicals, and more, but always delivering a healthy dose of her signature charm. If you’ve been particularly down in the dumps and have never ventured into Dolly Parton’s filmography, let us show you the way. We’re sure there’s at least one entry on this list guaranteed to give you a pick-me-up.
9 to 5 (1980)
Even if you weren’t the biggest Dolly Parton fan, you’ve probably heard the song — or seen the film — “9 to 5”. Parton plays Doralee Rhodes, the secretary to the misogynistic corporate executive, Franklin Hart, Jr. Hart is constantly doling out his leering gaze and sexist remarks, and even goes as far as to spread false rumors about Rhodes, creating a negative reputation around her at work. Luckily, she has Violet Newstead (Lily Tomlin) and Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda) at her side, who have also reached their breaking point with this awful, arrogant man.
The ladies come together and, through a series of truly unpredictable events, exact their revenge and make their workplace a much healthier environment. This film received multiple Academy Award nominations and wins, and Dolly Parton herself was nominated for her accompanying song of the same name. While she didn’t take home the Oscar that year, she won two Grammys for the song and received multiple Golden Globe nominations for her acting. From its messaging to its music, if you’re feeling down, “9 to 5” is sure to lift you up.
Rhinestone (1984)
When our writer was putting together this list, she came across the beautifully unlikely pairing of Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone and thought, “Say no more.” “Rhinestone” is the story of a country music singer named Jake (Dolly Parton), who is tasked with turning unrefined New York cab driver Nick (Sylvester Stallone) into a singing sensation to get herself out of an unfair contract.
Similar to “Pygmalion”, “My Fair Lady”, and “She’s All That”, “Rhinestone” follows a diamond-in-the-rough storyline where romance blossoms along the way. But the best part of all is how often Parton showcases her singing voice throughout the film; she’s featured in the film’s soundtrack on nine separate tracks, along with Stallone, whose voice echoes the heartfelt grit of Bruce Springsteen. With a mixed bag of reviews and plenty of campy B-movie energy, “Rhinestone” is sure to put a smile on your face, even if it’s just through its silliness.
A Smoky Mountain Christmas (1986)
There are seemingly endless Christmas-themed TV movies out there, and not all of them are winners, but “A Smoky Mountain Christmas” deserves your time, especially if you’re in need of a pick-me-up. However, if you’re really unsure if you should dive in, know that Dolly Parton not only stars in the TV movie, and not only sings six original songs, but was also one of its writers, which means her gentle positivity and strength of character are all over this story.
Parton plays Lorna Davis, a country singer in dire need of a break from Los Angeles. She decides to take a trip through the mountains of Tennessee — where Parton herself actually grew up — and encounters an eclectic cast of characters along the way. Among them are a witch and seven orphaned children, mirroring the tale of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”; this means an inevitably happy ending. If you’re worried about not being able to stream this retro flick, fear not — it’s available for free in its entirety on YouTube.
Steel Magnolias (1989)
Now, this list is meant to be full of pick-me-ups, so our writer feels it’s her responsibility to note that this movie definitely has some heavy moments. If you’re particularly sensitive to family dramas and themes of generational trauma and grief, this may be one to avoid. But if you’re someone who needs a little rain with their rainbow, “Steel Magnolias” is a warm, deeply moving comedy featuring Dolly Parton, alongside other powerhouse actors such as Olympia Dukakis, Shirley Maclaine, Sally Field, Julia Roberts, and Daryl Hannah.
Parton plays Truvy Jones, an esthetician who owns a salon in Louisiana, serving as the backdrop and beating heart of the film. The group of six women who frequent Truvy’s salon all carry their own unique challenges and strengths, and grow closer over time, through all of life’s ups and downs. As Parton’s character says in the film, “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion,” and if you watch it, you’ll feel the same way. Plus, you might pick up some old school beauty tips from Dolly Parton you can still use today.
Straight Talk (1992)
In the 1992 film “Straight Talk,” Dolly Parton plays Shirlee Kenyon — a dance instructor from Arkansas who’s fired for spending too much time doling out advice to her students. She moves to Chicago and is hired as a receptionist at a radio station, but after a misunderstanding puts her in the recording booth, she assumes the seat at the microphone and finds herself on the receiving end of callers searching for guidance.
Turns out, she’s a natural. The only hitch is that her managers insist she be called Dr. Shirlee — but she’s not an actual doctor. After an investigative journalist is tasked with exposing the truth, Shirlee’s undeniable charm proves to be his biggest hurdle. Naturally, Dolly Parton brings her signature kindness and charisma to the role, and any plot that relies on her sweet speaking voice and natural candor to dole out guidance is sure to make anyone smile. If you need a proper pick-me-up, let Shirlee Kenyon add some levity to your day.
Unlikely Angel (1996)
If you’ve seen “It’s a Wonderful Life,” you’re probably familiar with a few tropes that show up in the 1996 TV movie, “Unlikely Angel”: a preoccupied father who’s lost sight of what’s important during the holiday season, and an angel on a mission to earn their wings. In “Unlikely Angel”, Dolly Parton plays Ruby Diamond, a country music star (naturally) who gets into a fatal car accident. When she tries to get into heaven, she’s turned away, tasked with helping a widower reconnect with his children by Christmas. If she succeeds, she’ll earn her wings.
Even if you’re not a fan of Christmas movies, viewers tout the value of sitting down and watching “Unlikely Angel” for the mere joy of watching Parton do her thing. If you need even more of an endorsement, just turn to the reviews. Per one user on IMDB, “This is a typical Christmas movie, but anything with Dolly Parton will put a smile on your face. The story is very simple and predictable, but it doesn’t make it any less enjoyable to watch. If you want a simple, cheery Christmas movie that’s light and heartwarming, then this will check all the boxes.” Consider us hooked.
The Magic School Bus Holiday Special (1996)
If there’s one thing Dolly Parton has a track record for, it’s good, clean family fun. And what’s more fun than “The Magic School Bus”? In Season 3, Episode 13 entitled “The Magic School Bus Holiday Special,” Parton links up with “9 to 5” costar Lily Tomlin, the voice behind Ms. Frizzle, to play Katrina Eloise Murphy, aka “Murph” — Ms. Frizzle’s cousin. Murph owns and operates the local recycling plant and helps the students understand the value of recycling before they head out for winter break.
At the plant, chaos ensues when one student accidentally loses a very special toy, which ends up getting processed with all the other recyclables. This leads to a very upset student wishing that recycling didn’t exist, and though Murph advises against it, Ms. Frizzle grants the wish, resulting in a mass un-recycling event. This leaves piles of trash and broken-down recyclables everywhere, replacing all aspects of the town they love, ultimately demonstrating the importance of recycling in maintaining a healthy environment. After a slew of shenanigans and collective problem-solving, the class (and audiences) are rewarded with an original song performed by Parton herself called “What Goes Around Comes Around Again.” Would it really be a Dolly Parton cameo if she didn’t get to sing?
Hannah Montana (2006, 2007, 2010)
For those not in the know, Dolly Parton was Miley Cyrus’ godmother — two country queens with uniquely powerful voices and a fervent dedication to advocacy work. So, it makes perfect sense that Parton would appear in Cyrus’ Disney Channel TV show, “Hannah Montana,” playing the character of Aunt Dolly. In fact, she appears in three separate instances throughout the show’s four-season run. If you’re not in the mood to parse through the entire series to find those Aunt Dolly moments, we’ve got you.
Parton appears in Season 1, Episode 16, “Good Golly, Miss Dolly”, Season 2, Episode 20, “And I Will Always Loathe You”, and Season 4, Episode 11, “Kiss It All Goodbye”. In each appearance, she steps in as Aunt Dolly to provide guidance, warmth, and comic relief to Miley, friends, and family against the backdrop of Malibu, California. Whether it’s through her dating advice or guidance on navigating the pressures of being a public figure, it’s clear Dolly Parton brought her genuine, real-life self to the role. And it’s especially fitting that she showed up toward the end of the series to help Miley prepare for life in the spotlight.
Joyful Noise (2012)
In a rare instance that’s not a children’s show, Christmas film, or TV movie, Dolly Parton starred in the 2012 blockbuster “Joyful Noise” alongside acting/singing powerhouses Keke Palmer and Queen Latifah. The story follows a church gospel choir in need of an updated sound, on the cusp of losing their funding, and aiming to win the national Joyful Noise singing competition. We see Dolly Parton as G.G. Sparrow, the widow of the former choir director with tons of big ideas, and Queen Latifah playing Vi Rose, the new, no-nonsense choir director with an affinity for tradition.
The two butt heads as they try to decide the choir’s new direction, but Vi’s daughter Olivia, played by Keke Palmer, and G.G.’s grandson breathe new life into the arrangements, and their own chemistry forces the two matriarchs to find a compromise and lean into the future of their choir. This movie tackles heavier themes of grief and economic downturn, but ultimately demonstrates the beauty of what can happen when you put your differences aside, work together, and lean into the beauty of creating something new. The name of the film alone should be enough to spark a little joy, and Parton, Latifah, Palmer, and the cast of talented singers all get ample time at the microphone. What could be better?
Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings (2019)
Dolly Parton’s discography is massive, so what does one do with such a deep reserve of subject matter? Turn it into a Netflix series, of course! “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings” is an anthology series on Netflix featuring a new story every episode, tailored to a corresponding Dolly Parton track. Every episode kicks off with an intro from Parton herself, and the first episode — “Jolene” — stars Julianne Hough as the titular redhead. Full of life, a bit of a flirt, deeply misunderstood, Jolene is determined to become a star, and Parton explains that the origin of “Jolene” stems from the universal experience of feeling insecure. Whether it’s in life, love, career goals, or hobbies, insecurity is a feeling everyone can relate to.
Episode two, “Two Doors Down,” tackles the concepts of identity, love, and chosen family. As Parton says in the intro, “If you’re feeling low and down in the dumps, have faith that there can always be happiness just as close as two doors down.” Parton was a well-known advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and this episode confronts the importance of representation and embracing your loved ones for exactly who they truly are. In a fun bonus that’s sure to make you smile, drag queens Trixie Mattel and Katya reacted to the episode on YouTube, praising it for its portrayal of the difficult conversation that is coming out to your family. “I had nightmares about this conversation my whole life, and when it happened, it was nothing,” Mattel shared, continuing, “Because we [didn’t] see movies like this when we were young, and it gets drummed up to be much worse.”
Grace and Frankie (2022)
In a full-circle moment, our final selection sees Dolly Parton reuniting with both “9 to 5” co-stars, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Are you smiling yet? Fonda and Tomlin starred in their own Netflix series, “Grace and Frankie,” for seven seasons, and in the series finale, Season 7, Episode 16, entitled “The Beginning,” Dolly Parton makes a particularly fitting cameo. She plays Agnes, a self-described ‘working-class angel’ who serves as the receptionist at heaven’s door.
When Grace and Frankie both unexpectedly find themselves in a purgatory-like waiting room, they grapple with how they’ve spent their lives, trying to make sense of whether or not they should live on, or accept their new eternal destiny. As Grace and Frankie lament their shared fate, expressing feelings like “I wish I knew you when I was a little girl,” and “We haven’t had enough time together,” Agnes is moved and cheekily turns a blind eye, allowing both women to return to their lives on Earth. Seeing these three stars come back together one last time, 42 years after they teamed up for “9 to 5,” will surely bring a smile to your face, if not a tear to your eye.
How we came up with this list
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To put this article together, our writer started by pouring over Dolly Parton’s IMDb page and rounding up a list comprised of a few categories: her own favorite titles, TV movies written by Dolly Parton herself, as well as highly-reviewed TV shows and films featuring the late, great star. From there, she narrowed down the list by carefully reviewing each plot point and synopsis, keeping the values Parton touted her whole career top of mind.
Through this, she selected stories that thematically tackle the importance of sisterhood, giving to those less fortunate, lending a shoulder of support, upholding the environment, and accepting people for exactly who they are. Once she narrowed down her list to 12 distinct titles, she placed them in chronological order. While there are plenty of other programs starring Dolly Parton that are worth your time, our writer kept the focus on feel-good titles and excluded some of the heavier, darker dramas in Parton’s repertoire.
