Regal Brings Two Dolly Parton Classics Back to Theaters to Support Her Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s film legacy is returning to the big screen — and this time, the screenings are helping continue one of the causes closest to her heart.
Regal is bringing “Steel Magnolias” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” back to theaters as part of a special tribute to Parton, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Dollywood Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The screenings began with special showings across Tennessee, Parton’s home state, before expanding nationwide.
Regal Turns Dolly’s Movies Into a Fundraiser
The decision gives fans an opportunity to revisit two memorable films from Parton’s acting career while directly supporting the literacy program she founded.
Regal initially held the special screenings at 12 Tennessee locations. According to the company, the response was strong enough to help fund more than 7,500 books through the first weekend of screenings.
The theater chain has now expanded the tribute to more than 200 Regal theaters across 35 states and Washington, D.C.
The nationwide screenings are scheduled for September 4 through September 9.
“Steel Magnolias” will play on September 4, 6 and 8, while “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” will screen on September 5, 7 and 9.
Why Regal Says the Tribute Feels Personal
Regal has its own connection to East Tennessee, making Parton’s legacy especially meaningful to the company.
Vikki Neil, Regal’s senior vice president of marketing, said the company was proud to give audiences another opportunity to celebrate Parton while supporting the Imagination Library.
She noted that Regal is headquartered in East Tennessee, where Parton’s impact has long been felt particularly strongly.
That regional connection makes the tribute more than a simple movie re-release.
It ties Parton’s work in entertainment to the community where she grew up and to a literacy initiative that began in her native Tennessee.
“Steel Magnolias” Shows Another Side of Dolly
Released in 1989, “Steel Magnolias” gave audiences the opportunity to see Parton in one of her most memorable dramatic roles.
She played Truvy Jones, the owner of a Louisiana beauty salon at the center of a close-knit group of women.
The film featured an impressive ensemble cast, including Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah and Olympia Dukakis.
Parton’s performance as Truvy became an important part of her acting career and helped demonstrate that her talents extended well beyond music.
For fans revisiting the film today, the theater experience also provides an opportunity to see Parton on the big screen as she originally appeared — rather than simply watching clips or streaming the movie at home.
“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” Highlights Dolly the Performer
The second film takes audiences back even further.
“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” was released in 1982 and starred Parton as Miss Mona, alongside Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise.
The musical comedy gave Parton another opportunity to combine acting and music.
It also contains one of the most significant musical moments connected to her film career: Parton performs “I Will Always Love You.”
The song would later become globally associated with Whitney Houston after her version appeared on The Bodyguard soundtrack.
That makes the movie particularly interesting for fans who want to revisit the song in the context of Parton’s own career.
The Imagination Library Is at the Center of the Tribute
The financial side of the Regal event is perhaps the most important part.
Every dollar generated by the special screenings is being directed toward the Dollywood Foundation, home of the Imagination Library.
Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995 in Sevier County, Tennessee.
The program provides free books to children from birth through age five, regardless of their family’s income.
What began as a local initiative eventually grew internationally, becoming one of the most recognizable parts of Parton’s philanthropic legacy.
Today, children in communities across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia can participate through local Imagination Library programs.
The Tribute Connects Dolly’s Career With Her Philanthropy
There is something fitting about using Parton’s movies to support her literacy work.
Parton spent decades building a career in music and entertainment, but she also consistently used that success to support charitable causes.
The Imagination Library became especially closely associated with her because it was rooted in her own childhood experiences.
Her father never learned to read or write, and Parton has frequently spoken about how that influenced her desire to put books into children’s hands.
The program therefore represents more than a charitable project.
It is part of the personal story behind her public legacy.
Tickets Have a Dolly-Inspired Price
Regal has also added a small musical reference to the screenings.
Tickets for the nationwide event are specially priced at $9.25, a clear nod to Parton’s famous song “9 to 5.”
It is an easy connection for fans to recognize and another example of how the tribute incorporates different parts of Parton’s career.
Interestingly, neither of the two movies being shown is “9 to 5.”
Instead, Regal selected “Steel Magnolias” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” two films that showcase different aspects of Parton’s work as an actress and performer.
The $9.25 ticket price simply gives the event an additional connection to one of her most recognizable songs.
AMC Is Also Bringing the Movies Back
Regal isn’t the only major theater chain participating in the tribute.
AMC Theatres also brought “Steel Magnolias” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” back to approximately 200 locations across the country.
AMC’s engagement ran from August 28 through September 2, with the films offered at discounted Fan Faves pricing. Participating locations generally scheduled matinee screenings of both movies.
The AMC screenings were presented primarily as a cinematic celebration of Parton’s career, while Regal’s expanded event places a particularly strong emphasis on fundraising for the Imagination Library.
Together, the two theater chains are giving audiences multiple opportunities to revisit Parton’s work on the big screen.
A Different Kind of Dolly Tribute
Since Parton’s death, tributes have appeared across the entertainment world.
Some have focused on her music.
Others have celebrated her acting career, songwriting, business achievements or philanthropy.
Regal’s approach brings several of those elements together.
Fans get to watch Parton perform on screen, while their ticket purchases support a charitable program that she personally created and championed for decades.
That makes the screenings more than a retrospective.
They become a continuation of the work she started.
A Legacy That Can Keep Giving
Perhaps the most meaningful aspect of the Regal screenings is that the tribute does not end when the credits roll.
A movie ticket becomes a contribution toward children’s books.
A film from Parton’s career becomes connected to a literacy program.
And a few hours spent watching a familiar classic can help extend an initiative that has already reached millions of children.
That approach reflects the broader way Parton’s legacy is being remembered: not simply through the things she accomplished, but through the institutions and charitable efforts she created.
Dolly’s Movies Return With a Purpose
“Steel Magnolias” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” represent two different chapters of Dolly Parton’s film career.
One introduced audiences to her warmth and humor in an ensemble drama.
The other showcased her ability to combine acting, comedy and music.
Now, decades after their original releases, both films are returning to theaters for another reason.
They are helping raise money for the Imagination Library.
For Regal, the tribute offers a chance to celebrate an entertainer with deep roots in East Tennessee. For fans, it offers a chance to see two classic Parton performances on the big screen again.
And for the children who will eventually receive books through the proceeds, the impact can continue long after the theater lights come back on.
That may be one of the most fitting ways to honor Dolly Parton: by turning memories of her career into something that helps the next generation.