9 to 5 (titled Nine to Five in the opening credits) is a 1980 American comedy film directed by Colin Higgins, who wrote the screenplay with Patricia Resnick, and starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Dabney Coleman, Elizabeth Wilson, and Sterling Hayden.

It tells the story of three working women who live out their fantasies of getting even with and overthrowing their company's autocratic, "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" vice president.

A television series based on the film ran for five seasons in the 1980s, and a musical stage adaptation with new songs written by Parton opened on Broadway in 2009.

[5][6] Reserved housewife Judy Bernly must start work as a secretary at Consolidated Companies after her divorce, and is placed under the supervision of experienced and sharp-tongued widow Violet Newstead.

Both work under egotistical, sexist vice president Franklin Hart, whom Violet once trained and who encourages the rumor that he and his attractive married secretary, Doralee Rhodes, are having an affair.

When Hart turns down Violet for a promotion in favor of Bob Enright who is below her, she reveals to Doralee the rumor about the affair, leading both women to take the afternoon off drinking at a local bar.

Judy joins them after learning of Hart's dismissal of Maria Delgado after his loyal administrative assistant Roz told him about her derisive comments.

Thinking the dead man is Hart, Violet steals the body to prevent an autopsy, but while arguing with Judy and Doralee, she crashes her car, damaging a fender.

Hart summons Doralee to his office and offers her a choice: if she spends the night with him, he will not report her, Judy, and Violet for attempted murder.

Days before the invoices arrive, Hart's adoring wife, Missy, returns from a cruise and frees him, giving him the time to buy back the inventory he sold.

A postscript states that Violet is promoted to vice president, Judy marries the Xerox representative, and Doralee leaves Consolidated to become a country western singer.

"[7] Patricia Resnick wrote the first draft drama, and Fonda cast herself, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton in the leads, the last in her first film role.

[14] These shots include an electric MUNI bus fitted with a KFOG 104.5 FM advertisement, the Ferry Building clock, and a brief glimpse of the San Francisco twins, Marian and Vivian Brown.

Roger Ebert gave the film 3 stars out of 4 and called it "pleasant entertainment, and I liked it, despite its uneven qualities and a plot that's almost too preposterous for the material."

"[17] Variety stated, "Although it can probably be argued that Patricia Resnick and director Colin Higgins' script at times borders on the inane, the bottom line is that this picture is a lot of fun.

"[18] Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the film "appears to be an audience pleaser that never misses an intended laugh.

However, it strays so far from reality for so long that it threatens to become mired in overly complicated silliness and to lose sight of the serious satirical points it wants to make.

"[19] Gary Arnold of The Washington Post thought the film "runs a merely weak comic premise into the ground with coarse, laborious execution".

"[22] While the film received mixed reviews from critics during its initial theatrical release, it has since been reappraised for its commentary on workplace sexism and the gender pay gap.

[23][24] In a 2018 review for The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw wrote, "Thirty-eight years on, this tale of misogyny, kidnap and rattling typewriters is a boldly progressive piece of film-making.

In an interview aired on September 30, 2005, on Larry King Live, Parton revealed that she was writing the songs for a musical stage adaptation of the film.

In the DVD commentary, the three reiterate their enthusiasm; Fonda suggests a sequel should cover outsourcing and they agree Hart would have to return as their nemesis.

[45] In July 2018, Jane Fonda also confirmed that a sequel was in the works with herself, Tomlin and Parton returning to their roles as mentors to a new generation of women.

[49] In April 2024, Variety revealed that Jennifer Aniston and her Echo Films partner Kristin Hahn are producing a 9 to 5 reimagining for 20th Century Studios.