There’s a certain unique charm to the South that makes films based there so famous. Whether a touching friendship story or intense drama, Southern movies showcase the culture, history and lifestyle of the South. Here are 12 Southern movie classics that everyone should see.
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Gone with the Wind
This epic tale set during the Civil War should be seen by all interested in the South. It tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara, a determined woman facing the forces of love and loss. It’s a classic because of how it beautifully captures the South and its history. Although it has been criticized for its portrayal of slavery, it’s still an important part of Southern cinema.
Steel Magnolias
Steel Magnolias, which takes place in a small town in Louisiana, is an emotional movie about love, courage and betrayal. The all-female cast (including Dolly Parton and Sally Field) creates an emotional – and at times funny – take on Southern life. The film is famed for its catchy one-liners and it’s portrayal of Southern women’s strength.
To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird is based on Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and an American Southern classic that explores racism, justice and goodness. It is set in 1930s Alabama, and follows a lawyer named Atticus Finch who helps defend a black man accused of rape. This movie documents the struggles and social conditions of the South during the Great Depression.
The Princess and the Frog
The Princess and the Frog is a contemporary Disney classic set in New Orleans, and feels very Southern. This is the story of Tiana, the first black Disney princess, set in New Orleans. It’s a celebration of the South with music, food & architecture — an excellent representation of the region’s identity and culture.
Deliverance
Deliverance is a crime thriller set in rural Georgia. It shows the dangers of the backwoods. Though controversial, it’s an unforgettable depiction of the dark side of the South. It is a violent film about a group of friends who come upon violent locals on a canoe trip. It captures the tension between urban and rural life in the South.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried Green Tomatoes tells a sweet but complicated tale of friendship, romance and survival. Filmed in Alabama, the film centers on two women who become unlikely friends during the Great Depression. The movie has strong themes of community and resilience. It resonates with Southern values and is known for its strong, female-driven storyline.
The Help
The Help is set in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement, and follows the lives of African American maids in white homes. The film tells their tales of struggle, resilience & promise — and underscores the racism of the era. Based on the #1 best-seller, it’s an important Southern film that takes a stand on both the beauty and suffering of the South.
Sweet Home Alabama
This is a romantic comedy about a successful New York fashion designer, Melanie, who returns to her Alabama home town to get a divorce from her long estranged husband – to marry the perfect bachelor in New York. With sweeping Southern landscapes and poignant scenes, Sweet Home Alabama is a film not just about small-town charm but also about love, identity, and family.
A Streetcar Named Desire
A Streetcar Named Desire, based on Tennessee Williams’ play, is a powerful drama set in New Orleans. The film is about Blanche DuBois, an alcoholic woman who lives with her sister Stella and abusive husband Stanley. The intense performances and exploration of Southern life and class make it a timeless classic. It dives deep into the complexities of the South.
The Long Hot Summer
Set in Mississippi, The Long Hot Summer is a story of family, rivalry and passion. It stars Paul Newman as a drifter who arrives in a rural town in the South and raises tensions. With themes of love, betrayal and social conflict, it captures the South as it is changing and growing.
No Country for Old Men
Although the movie is set in West Texas, its gritty depiction of rural Southern life resonates throughout the area. Directed by the Coen brothers, the movie involves a fierce cat-and mouse fight between a hunter, a hitman and a sheriff. With its haunting atmosphere and southern landscape, No Country for Old Men explores fate, right vs. wrong, and harsh realities of life in the South.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
This movie is based on a true crime book by John Berendt and takes place in Savannah, Georgia. It’s about a murder trial and the complex characters that surround it – including an eccentric antiques dealer & a Southern journalist. The movie captures the charm, mystery, and old-world elegance of the South. It also explores Southern traditions, superstitions, and the intricate dynamics of a small Southern town.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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