The First Wives Club

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The First Wives Club

PG

1996

1h 45m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

139 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Despondent over the marriage of her ex-husband to a younger woman, a middle-aged divorcée plunges to her death from her penthouse. At the woman's funeral, her former college friends (Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton) reunite for the first time in nearly 30 years. When the three discover the reason for their friend's suicide, they realize that all of their ex-husbands have taken them for granted -- and deciding it's time for revenge, they make a pact to get back at their exes.

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Critics Consensus

First Wives Club is headlined by a trio of comedic dynamos, but the script lets them down with tepid plotting and a fatal lack of satirical bite.

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Judy Gerstel

Toronto Star

Sep 19, 2026

It's a one-note joke and a sour one at that.

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Ellen Futterman

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Sep 19, 2026

Wears thin quickly.

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Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

Sep 19, 2026

2/4

Shrill, depressing farce.

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Romey Norton

InSession Film

Sep 22, 2026

A+

The First Wives Club remains gloriously funny, wonderfully performed, and surprisingly empowering. Sometimes the best way to deal with heartbreak is to get your friends together, put on a fabulous outfit, and make an enormous amount of trouble.

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Randall King

Winnipeg Sun

Sep 19, 2026

2.5/5

So much of this movie consists of desperate padding.

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Michael D. Reid

Victoria Times Colonist (B.C., Canada)

Sep 19, 2026

2/5

Haring's dialogue is as trite as the farcical complications are annoying

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Cfunk D

@Cfunk2085 Oct 17, 2026

I call these movies cute. Not really funny. Pretty silly plots conveniences. The uncle should have beat and threatened the appliance owner from the beginning. Crying about not getting money after never working lol. The end was just a simple wrap up. This movie is made to hate ex husbands when they should be mad at marraige.

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Pete S.

@Pjbullet Oct 4, 2026

Great actresses at their comic best

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Hans D

@RT69071167 Sep 29, 2026

In spite of pretty much an all-star cast, this film underwhelms on several levels. The direction is pedestrian and the script runs out of steam early in the first act. For a movie that purports to be a comedy, the laughs are few and far between. Spend your one hour and 43 minutes watching paint dry instead.

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David F

@dfulmer Aug 20, 2026

Funny, feminist comedy.

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Jeanette A

@RT94081610 Jun 9, 2026

This is classic 90s comedy that is a joy to watch. Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton are a formidable trio working together. I got such a good laugh out of this feel good movie. Although it starts on a sad note, it takes you on an entertaining and highly relatable ride that ends on a beautiful positive note. I've watched this movie several times and it never disappoints.

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R T

@Jonathanbing Apr 28, 2026

Their revenge is well organized n an inspiration to women faced with similar betrayal. The final musical scene should be the manta of all women. Please ignore all the negative reviews n view yourself!

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Hugh Wilson

Director

Goldie Hawn

Elise Elliot

Bette Midler

Brenda Cushman

Diane Keaton

Annie Paradis

Maggie Smith

Gunilla Garson Goldberg

Sarah Jessica Parker

Shelly Stewart

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The First Wives Club: Official Clip - The Club Comes to Order

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The First Wives Club: Official Clip - Sweet Revenge

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The First Wives Club: Official Clip - Hit Me!

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Synopsis

Despondent over the marriage of her ex-husband to a younger woman, a middle-aged divorcée plunges to her death from her penthouse. At the woman's funeral, her former college friends (Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton) reunite for the first time in nearly 30 years. When the three discover the reason for their friend's suicide, they realize that all of their ex-husbands have taken them for granted -- and deciding it's time for revenge, they make a pact to get back at their exes.

Director: Hugh Wilson
Producer: Scott Rudin
Screenwriter: Olivia Goldsmith, Robert Harling
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 20, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 17, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $105.5M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Surround

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