Sweet Home Alabama
“Sometimes what you're looking for is right where you left it.”
Synopsis
New York fashion designer Melanie Carmichael suddenly finds herself engaged to the city's most eligible bachelor. But her past holds many secrets—including Jake, the redneck husband she married in high school, who refuses to divorce her. Bound and determined to end their contentious relationship once and for all, Melanie sneaks back home to Alabama to confront her past.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Back Home & Behind BarsOfficial
Type: Clip • Published 2026-07-03
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Reese Witherspoon
Melanie Smooter
Josh Lucas
Jake Perry
Patrick Dempsey
Andrew Hennings
Candice Bergen
Mayor Kate Hennings
Mary Kay Place
Pearl Smooter
Fred Ward
Earl Smooter
Jean Smart
Stella Kay Perry
Ethan Embry
Bobby Ray
Melanie Lynskey
Lurlynn
Courtney Gains
Sheriff Wade
Mary Lynn Rajskub
Dorothea
Rhona Mitra
Tabatha Wadmore-Smith
Nathan Lee Graham
Frederick Montana
Sean Bridgers
Eldon
Fleet Cooper
Clinton
Kevin Sussman
Barry Lowenstein
Thomas Curtis
Young Jake
Dakota Fanning
Young Melanie
Release History & Theatrical Window
September 27, 2002
Wide Cinema Exhibition
October 21, 2003
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$30M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$180.6M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
6.02x
+$150.6M net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Andy Tennant
- Screenplay & Story
- C. Jay Cox
- Original Score
- George Fenton
- Original Title
- Sweet Home Alabama
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 48m
- Production Budget
- $30M
- Worldwide Gross
- $180.6M
- Production Studios
- Touchstone Pictures, Original Film, D&D Films, Pigeon Creek Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Andy Tennant
C. Jay Cox, Douglas J. Eboch
George Fenton
Andrew Dunn
Tracey Wadmore-Smith, Troy Takaki
Neal H. Moritz, Stokely Chaffin, Michael Fottrell, Jon Jashni, Wink Mordaunt
Department Leadership Roster
Andy Tennant
Director
C. Jay Cox
Screenplay
Neal H. Moritz
Producer
Stokely Chaffin
Producer
Andrew Dunn
Director of Photography
Tracey Wadmore-Smith
Editor
Troy Takaki
Editor
George Fenton
Original Music Composer
Sophie de Rakoff
Costume Design
Clay A. Griffith
Production Design
Lonnie R. Smith Jr.
Stunt Coordinator
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.
Parental Guidance Suggested.
FSK 0 — Approved without age restriction.
12 Accompanied — Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult.
Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Sweet Home Alabama.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Sweet Home Alabama.
Mid Hunting List
A list of mids found by Mid Hunters
Movies Watched
Movie Collection
This is a list of my Film Collection.
Watched
I watch way too much but not everything till the end.
Limelight Watchlist
Now Showing at Cain Cinema
Cain Cinema features a 4K UHD picture on a 120" (16:9) screen, and a 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos audio experience.
Similar Titles to Sweet Home Alabama
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
7.2
6.4
7.0
6.9
6.5
7.5
7.4
7.3
7.2
3.8
7.4
6.4
7.2
6.9
7.7
3.0
7.7
7.7
7.4
More Like Sweet Home Alabama
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sweet Home Alabama
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Sweet Home Alabama about?
New York fashion designer Melanie Carmichael suddenly finds herself engaged to the city's most eligible bachelor. But her past holds many secrets—including Jake, the redneck husband she married in high school, who refuses to divorce her. Bound and determined to end their contentious relationship once and for all, Melanie sneaks back home to Alabama to confront her past.
Who directed Sweet Home Alabama?
Sweet Home Alabama was directed by Andy Tennant.
Who stars in Sweet Home Alabama?
The principal cast of Sweet Home Alabama includes Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey, Candice Bergen, Mary Kay Place.
When was Sweet Home Alabama released and how long is it?
Sweet Home Alabama was released in 2002 with a total runtime of 1h 48m.
What was the box office and production budget of Sweet Home Alabama?
Sweet Home Alabama had a reported production budget of $30M and grossed $180.6M at the worldwide box office (6.02 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for Sweet Home Alabama?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Sweet Home Alabama was composed by George Fenton.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Sweet Home Alabama?
Sweet Home Alabama holds official age classifications: AU: PG (Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.); CA: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested.); DE: 0 (FSK 0 — Approved without age restriction.); FR: TP; GB: 12A (12 Accompanied — Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult.); US: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.).