Films that are set in the South have a unique charm that other films seem to lack. They capture the spirit of Southern culture, even while documenting the struggles and problems that have gone down there.
Often featuring actors with iconic Southern accents, ranging from Julia Roberts and Sally Field to Kathy Bates, Southern movies manage to entertain audiences and warm their hearts, while also eliciting messages about Southern values, such as friendship and hospitality. Keep reading to discover 10 popular Southern films, ranked by their IMDb rating, from Steel Magnolias to Walk the Line.
Forrest Gump (8.8)
Forrest Gump isn’t just considered one of the best movies set in the South. It’s widely thought of as one of the best movies of all time, thanks to its endearing protagonist and exciting storyline. The film follows the fascinating life of Forrest Gump, a kind but simple man who unwittingly becomes involved in several historical events.
Forrest comes from the fictional town of Greenbow, Alabama, and although he travels all over the country and even overseas to Vietnam, much of the film is still set in a scenic Alabama landscape.
To Kill A Mockingbird (8.2)
Released in 1962, To Kill a Mockingbird is an iconic Southern story that began as a novel and has since been adapted to screen. With a rating of 8.2, To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the highest-rated Southern films on IMDb.
The story is told by Jean Louise Finch, the six-year-old daughter of Atticus Finch, a lawyer who defends a black man against a false charge of rape.
The Help (8.1)
One of the most popular Southern films dealing with the civil rights movement of the 1960s is The Help, which received an impressive 8.1 on IMDb. The film, released in 2011, follows an aspiring author who writes a book from the perspective of African-American maids.
The story explores the prejudice faced by the women and the struggles they have to endure on a daily basis due to systematic racism in the United States.
A Streetcar Named Desire (8.0)
When it comes to classic Southern movies, none might be so beloved as A Streetcar Named Desire, which was released in 1951. Receiving an 8.0 on IMDb, the film centers on the life of Blanche DuBois, who moves to New Orleans to live with her sister.
Vivien Leigh stars as Blanche, while Marlon Brandon portrays her brother-in-law, Stanley.
Walk The Line (7.8)
Of all the gifts that the South has given the rest of the world, Johnny Cash might be the very best. The late country legend’s life is chronicled in the 2005 film Walk the Line, starring Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon as the love of his life, June Carter.
Walk the Line shows Johnny Cash as a young poor boy growing up in Arkansas before taking audiences on the ups and downs of the musician’s life, detailing his struggles with substance abuse, rejection by his father, and how he became the Man in Black.
Fried Green Tomatoes (7.7)
It’s a rite of passage for all Southerners to watch Fried Green Tomatoes at least once. Starring Kathy Bates and Mary Stuart Masterson, the film received an IMDb rating of 7.7 following its 1991 release.
Fried Green Tomatoes tells the story of an unhappy housewife who befriends a lady in a nursing home and learns lessons through the lady’s stories of people she used to know in her youth.
The Blind Side (7.6)
In 2009, Sandra Bullock starred in The Blind Side as Leigh Anne Tuohy, a real woman who took a homeless and neglected high-school student under her wing and nurtured him until he reached his full potential.
The film also features country legend Tim McGraw as Leigh Anne’s husband Sean, and Kathy Bates as Miss Sue. The Blind Side is set in Memphis, Tennessee, although it was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia.
Driving Miss Daisy (7.4)
Even more than 30 years after its initial release, Driving Miss Daisy still captivates audiences around the world and sends the message that friendship can be found in the most unlikely of places.
Starring Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Aykroyd, the film follows the story of an African-American driver whose relationship with the Southern Jewish woman he drives improves over 20 years.
Steel Magnolias (7.3)
When it comes to quintessential Southern films, Steel Magnolias is the cream of the crop. Released in 1989, the film focuses on a group of Southern women who help each other through life’s various struggles.
The movie is set in a small Louisiana town and stars legends such as Sally Field and Shirley MacLaine. Even a young Julia Roberts makes an appearance. And of course, Dolly Parton herself also plays a role in the Southern classic.
Sweet Home Alabama (6.2)
With a rating of 6.2 on IMDb, Sweet Home Alabama is one of the most popular and highly-rated Southern films in history.
Released in 2002, the story follows the life of Melanie Carmichael, who abandons her life in Alabama to live her dreams in New York City. But when her dreamy boyfriend proposes, she must return home to tie up a few loose ends.