The First Wives Club (1996)

39% of critics liked it
(33 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(60,774 ratings)

Three women plot revenge on their two-timing husbands in this comedy. Brenda (Bette Midler), Elise (Goldie Hawn), and Annie (Diane Keaton) were close friends in college, but 27 years after graduation they've lost touch with each other, and it's not until a mutual friend of the three commits suicide… More Three women plot revenge on their two-timing husbands in this comedy. Brenda (Bette Midler), Elise (Goldie Hawn), and Annie (Diane Keaton) were close friends in college, but 27 years after graduation they've lost touch with each other, and it's not until a mutual friend of the three commits suicide that they meet at the funeral for the first time in years. It seems that their friend grew despondent after her husband left her for a younger woman, and all three find themselves in similar situations. Elise is an actress who finds herself out of work now that she's seen the shady side of 40, and her husband and producer Bill (Victor Garber) is demanding a divorce (and half of her fortune). Brenda helped her husband Morton (Dan Hedaya) open a profitable chain of discount electronics stores, but now that his commercials have made him a minor celebrity, he's taken up with a much younger (and thinner) woman. Annie has allowed her husband Aaron (Stephen Collins) to use her as a doormat throughout their marriage, and she's at a loss now that he's leaving her. After comparing notes, Brenda, Elise, and Annie decide that it's time to do something about their problems, and they hatch an elaborate blackmail scheme that will win them control of their ex-husband's businesses and allow them to do something positive with the money they helped earn. Heather Locklear and Ivana Trump both make cameo appearances. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Hugh Wilson
Written By: Robert Harling
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 20, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Dec 1, 1998
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Frothy divorce-revenge comedy with iffy messages.
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Funny film with the three leads in top form.
Fred Topel, About.com
Suprisingly funny lighthearted comedy dealing with divorce. Lackluster conclusion, but good "feel good" tone.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

♥Robyn

loved this chick flick! is revenge sweet? hell yeah these chicks kick ass!!!!
Anthony L

It feels really dated now, it probably did then too, it?s was easily made 7 years too late! Still, Goldie Hawn is sexy and...well, that's about it. Its predictable and schmaltzy, very Jewish but, like I said, a bit late. Keaton looks uncomfortable in the role, Midler has been in… More
It feels really dated now, it probably did then too, it?s was easily made 7 years too late! Still, Goldie Hawn is sexy and...well, that's about it. Its predictable and schmaltzy, very Jewish but, like I said, a bit late. Keaton looks uncomfortable in the role, Midler has been in worse I suppose and Jennifer Annison owes a lot to Hawn big time! It had a few funny moments but overall its forgettable (and ends in a song, *ugh*)
Cherry D

"Ladies, you have to be strong and independent, and remember, don't get mad, get everything."
Mason W

I absolutely love this movie....I love all three ladies in this movie; Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, and Bette Midler...they are all hilarious in this movie. This film shows when these three women get together and there men leave them that they can be strong and get even.....wish all of… More
I absolutely love this movie....I love all three ladies in this movie; Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, and Bette Midler...they are all hilarious in this movie. This film shows when these three women get together and there men leave them that they can be strong and get even.....wish all of these ladies would star in another movie.
Candy R

Funny comedy about how first wives get their own back on their husbands when their friend dies.
jay n

okay, but I must have missed something
Jason S

Funny. The cast worked well together and made the movie work.
Michael G

i remember liking it at the time but that was a long time ago.
Leigh R

Hilarious.
Dannielle A

A powerfully girl powered chick flick that is full of laughs and feel-good moments. Feminists will love this one because it's all about three women who plot revenge on their two-timing husbands. The three characters are very well developed and I felt like they could almost be… More
A powerfully girl powered chick flick that is full of laughs and feel-good moments. Feminists will love this one because it's all about three women who plot revenge on their two-timing husbands. The three characters are very well developed and I felt like they could almost be real people going through real problems. I felt their pain and cheered for them all the way!
Steven V

The First Wives Club should have been a much better movie than it is. All of the elements are there to make its comedy not only dark, but biting, cruel, politically incorrect and not tack on the saccharine, cloying mess that pretends to be an ending. Bette… More
The First Wives Club should have been a much better movie than it is. All of the elements are there to make its comedy not only dark, but biting, cruel, politically incorrect and not tack on the saccharine, cloying mess that pretends to be an ending. Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn do better with what little material they've been given while still being little more than caricatures. Goldie Hawn at least does poke fun at Hollywood's treatment of actresses which may also be at her own "persona" which has refused to age, but other than that, there's not much bite in her resolve to do her husband in. Then we have the supporting characters, none which fare any better. None of the younger women are written as little more as props, though at least Sarah Jessica Parker has a couple of lines that hint of a different version of Carrie Bradshaw. Stockard Channing's death scene is so badly filmed it might as well been an afterthought from another movie that somehow found its way here. It just proves that a bad screenplay filled with unsympathetic characters will kill the central idea in a story, but also, that an equally bad direction with odd takes and bad editing will further the damage.
Deb S

Three former college chums, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton and Bette Midler now middle-aged wives, have been brought together by the death of one of their group, who committed suicide when her husband ditched her. As the plot develops it turns that each of their husbands is ditching them… More
Three former college chums, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton and Bette Midler now middle-aged wives, have been brought together by the death of one of their group, who committed suicide when her husband ditched her. As the plot develops it turns that each of their husbands is ditching them for a younger girl/woman. They form the "First Wives Club" to plot exquisite revenge against their philandering husbands. Look out for cameo guest appearances by Ivana Trump and Heather Locklear. I think some women will relate to this because it is all about revenge on the males and a terrific movie to watch if you have just been dumped, broken up with someone, and would love to get back at your scum partners.
Yinalí R

Super funny!! I absolutely love it!
Sunil J

This is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. I've seen it a few dozen times since it came out on vhs and more since it was added to the instant netflix. it's just a lot of silly fun.
Marion R

I thought it was cool
Sarah B

If you want to see actors like Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton having fun alongside Sarah Jessica Parker and Maggie Smith, then this is the film for you. If you want anything more though... Watch out for the magnificent Victor Garber.
Erin C

So many stars! SJP was so pretty when she was younger. The movie was ok...lots of overacting though. Diane Keaton drives me crazy! She is SO annoying.
Leo L

Hilarious!