Legally Blonde (2001)
77%RT Audience Score: 72%
Awards & Nominations: 6 wins & 14 nominations
Though the material is predictable and formulaic, Reese Witherspoon’s funny, nuanced performance makes this movie better than it would have been otherwise
Legally Blonde is the perfect movie to watch when you need a break from reality and just want to have a good laugh. Reese Witherspoon shines as the bubbly and determined Elle Woods, who proves that you can be both smart and stylish. The movie is a fun and empowering ride that will leave you feeling inspired to chase your dreams, even if they seem impossible. And let’s be real, who wouldn’t want to put their resume on pink paper after watching this movie?
Production Company(ies)
Romaine Film Corporation,
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Bovard Administration Building, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
PG-13
Year of Release
2001
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:DTS-Stereo DTSS DDS Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
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Runtime:1h 36m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 13, 2001 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 6, 2001
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, Jennifer Coolidge, directed by Robert Luketic, written by Karen McCullah, Kirsten Smith, Amanda Brown, comedy, PG-13, Marc Platt, Ric Kidney, box office, $96.5M, reviewed by Alonso Duralde, Christy Lemire, Nell Minow, David Ansen, Kimberley Jones, Ben Falk, Joe Lipsett, Leigh Paatsch, PJ Nabarro, Patrick Nabarro, Debbie Lynn Elias, Rachel Wagner, Elle Woods, Harvard, sorority girl, law degree, stereotypes, feminism, empowerment, romantic comedy, fashion, beauty, attention to detail, blonde moments, predictable, formulaic, nuanced performance, Reese Witherspoon’s breakthrough role, Legally Blonde videos, Legally Blonde photos, Dolby Stereo, DTS, SDDS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR, Scope (2.35:1)
Worldwide gross: $141,774,679
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $238,931,229
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 601
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 26,055,750
US/Canada gross: $96,520,674
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $162,665,177
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 474
US/Canada opening weekend: $20,377,426
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $34,341,841
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 380
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $18,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $30,335,192
Production budget ranking: 1,152
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $16,335,501
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $192,260,536
ROI to date (est.): 412%
ROI ranking: 332
Luke Wilson – Emmett
Selma Blair – Vivian
Matthew Davis – Warner
Victor Garber – Professor Callahan
Jennifer Coolidge – Paulette
Director(s)
Robert Luketic
Writer(s)
Karen McCullah, Kirsten Smith, Amanda Brown
Producer(s)
Marc Platt, Ric Kidney
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
6 wins & 14 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (150) | Top Critics (42) | Fresh (106) | Rotten (44)
If her dazzling turns in Election, Freeway, and The Man in the Moon weren’t enough to convince you that Reese Witherspoon is one of her generation’s greatest actresses, Legally Blonde will close the deal.
April 5, 2022
Alonso Duralde
The Advocate
TOP CRITIC
The movie is a lot like 1995’s Clueless, which was also totally cute, in that it has a brain and a heart. And like its heroine, it’s a lot smarter than it looks.
October 25, 2018
Christy Lemire
Associated Press
TOP CRITIC
Bombshell discovers her brainy side in fun romp for teens+.
December 25, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
Legally Blonde is a broad, glossy teen comedy that shows off Witherspoon’s wicked comic talents. Silly? You bet. But if this Popsicle of a movie melts long before it’s over, the first half has more good laughs than all of “Sweethearts.”
November 1, 2007
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
March 10, 2003 | Rating: 3/5
Kimberley Jones
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Funny, enjoyable and, above all, relaxing. You won’t need much brain power, but you’ll certainly have fun.
October 21, 2001 | Rating: 4/5
Ben Falk
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
Led by Reese Witherspoon (in a star making turn), Legally Blonde is a smart and fun adaptation that improves on its source material in every way. Shout-out to the supporting cast, especially Coolidge, Larter and Blair, for bringing the heart and laughs.
March 25, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Joe Lipsett
Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast
Unusually for fare of this type, the end results are never once annoying.
September 11, 2020 | Rating: 3/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
A crowd-pleasing, girl’s own fantasia of self-empowerment.
August 10, 2020 | Rating: 3/5
PJ Nabarro
Patrick Nabarro
Likable. Enjoyable. Funny. Entertaining. You’ll smile. You’ll laugh. You’ll even root for the blonde. And yes, it is acceptable to put your resume on pink paper.
November 14, 2019
Debbie Lynn Elias
Behind The Lens
Reese Witherspoon is just so charming in it.
June 27, 2019
Rachel Wagner
Rachel’s Reviews (YouTube)
A cut (and style) above other comedies of this ilk, Legally Blonde mainly succeeds because of Witherspoon’s winning performance.
March 1, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy…
Plot
Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) has it all. She’s the President of her sorority, a Hawaiian Tropic girl, Miss June in her campus calendar, and, above all, a natural blonde. She dates the cutest fraternity boy on campus and wants nothing more than to be Mrs. Warner Huntington III. But, there’s just one thing stopping Warner (Matthew Davis) from popping the question: Elle is too blonde. Growing up across the street from Aaron Spelling might mean something in Los Angeles, California, but nothing to Warner’s East-Coast blue blood family. So, when Warner packs up for Harvard Law and reunites with an old sweetheart from prep school, Elle rallies all her resources and gets into Harvard, determined to win him back. But law school is a far cry from the comforts of her poolside and the mall. Elle must wage the battle of her life, for her guy, for herself and for all the blondes who suffer endless indignities everyday.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film on Fresh Kernels.
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