After years of helping their hubbies climb the ladder of success, three mid-life Manhattanites have been dumped for a newer, curvier model. But the trio is determined to turn their pain into gain. They come up with a cleverly devious plan to hit their exes where it really hurts - in the wallet!
Ratings
Curator score: 4.9/10
IMDb: 6.5/10
Letterboxd: 3.68/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 51%
Metacritic: 59
TMDB: 6.7/10
Director
Hugh Wilson
Production
Scott Rudin Productions
Cast
Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, Maggie Smith, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dan Hedaya, Stockard Channing, Victor Garber, Stephen Collins, Elizabeth Berkley, Marcia Gay Harden, Bronson Pinchot, Jennifer Dundas, Eileen Heckart, Philip Bosco, Rob Reiner, James Naughton, Ari Greenberg, Ivana Trump, Kathie Lee Gifford
Where to watch
fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential
Curator Review
Verdict
A glossy, crowd-pleasing revenge comedy with a sharp premise, big star chemistry, and a satisfyingly cathartic feminist streak. It’s uneven in places, but the wit, pace, and iconic finale make it a strong watch for anyone in the mood for a mid-90s studio comedy with bite.
Best for
fans of ensemble comedies
viewers who like revenge fantasies with a light touch
audiences interested in women-led 90s comedies
people who enjoy glossy New York-set movies
fans of feel-good empowerment stories
Skip if
you want subtle or realistic divorce drama
you dislike broad studio comedy
you need tightly modern jokes and pacing
you prefer male-led buddy comedies
you’re looking for a serious legal or domestic thriller
Overview
The First Wives Club is pure wish-fulfillment with a polished studio sheen. It turns betrayal, aging, and social invisibility into a gleeful comeback story, and the three leads make the whole thing feel larger than life even when the script leans broad.
Worth noting
What gives it staying power is the chemistry: this is a movie built on star timing, shared outrage, and the pleasure of watching women reclaim the narrative. It’s funny, a little savage, and often more emotionally pointed than its feather-light surface suggests.
Bottom line
It’s not a perfectly balanced comedy, but it lands where it matters most: as a cathartic fantasy of solidarity, style, and payback. The ending alone has enough force to explain why it remains such a durable favorite.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Caris Rianne (3.5★) · 4054 likes
I can't wait for my first divorce
abby (3.5★) · 3788 likes
they should’ve killed their husbands but this will do
nick (5★) · 3340 likes
ivana trump saying "dont get mad, get everything" about her divorce to donald trump is THE most powerful line of dialogue to ever come out of cinema
Aimee McCague (4.5★) · 2751 likes
The end scene where they sing 'You Don't Own Me' was honestly a spiritual experience for me.
maya (5★) · 1990 likes
this has such a low rating wtf people really do hate women succeeding
1994 · Comedy, Drama, Romance · 1h 46m · R · Curator 4.7/10 (45.3K ratings) · Where to watch: Netflix, Paramount Plus Essential, Netflix Standard with Ads
A funny, bittersweet story of self-worth, reinvention, and social pressure.