Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Longstreet
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Classic 1980s workplace comedy takes on sexual harassment.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
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9 to 5
What's the Story?
Consolidated Industries is a terrible place to work in 9 TO 5. Franklin M. Hart, Jr. (Dabney Coleman) is a nightmare masquerading as a boss. Sexually harassing Doralee (Dolly Parton), his charming secretary; stealing ideas and credit from Violet (Lily Tomlin), the smartest woman in the office; and setting down rigid rules and ridiculous regulations for an entire staff that's filled with women who desperately need their jobs, the no-nothing Mr. Hart has all the power in the world ... plus a flunky, Roz (Elizabeth Wilson), to spy on everyone. That's what innocent divorcee Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda) finds on her first day on the job. But between farcical poisoning, kidnapping, an errant corpse, and making extravagant changes to the office status quo, Doralee, Violet, and Judy just might get payback on a monumental scale.
Is It Any Good?
The movie is outrageous and silly—but, oh, how satisfyingly to-the-point. When 9 to 5 was released in 1980, this farcical tale struck a chord with viewers who were in early-stage awareness of sexual harassment at the workplace. Making fun of longstanding indignities heightened both consciousness and consciences. The actors, including the vanity-free Coleman, go all out, doubling down on the quirky characters and wacky situations. Decades later, it's still funny, miraculously off the wall, and relevant. Well-paced and directed with gusto, for the most part, it can be forgiven for a little sluggishness as the story winds down to a satisfying ending.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about 9 to 5's core topic: sexual harassment in the workplace. Since this film was released in 1980, how much has changed? What's stayed the same? What resources do employees have to help them if they're being mistreated at work?
Movies often inspire cultural and social change. Can comic movies such as this one be a part of this process? How does laughing at questionable behavior help alter our perceptions?
What is a "character arc"? Which of the three leads has the most vivid and life-changing character arc? How do the filmmakers show this progression?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 19, 1980
- On DVD or streaming : April 17, 2001
- Cast : Jane Fonda , Lily Tomlin , Dolly Parton
- Director : Colin Higgins
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Awards : Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee
- Last updated : August 27, 2026
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