Dolly Parton’s death on August 25 at age 80 has not slowed the extraordinary wave of tributes surrounding her life and work. Instead, September has brought new ways for fans, communities and organizations to carry forward the causes she championed. From Nashville to California and New York, the tributes increasingly point beyond her music toward the legacy she built through generosity and literacy.

There is perhaps no more fitting way to mark that legacy than by returning one of Parton’s most recognizable movies to the big screen, with the celebration itself turning into an opportunity to help children.

The 1980 comedy 9 to 5 will return to theaters across the US for one week, running from October 9 through October 15. The theatrical event arrives shortly after Parton’s death and on the same date as the newly established Give Like Dolly Day, September 25, creating a striking connection between one of her most enduring pop culture titles and the philanthropic work that became just as important to her public legacy. All US ticket sales from the engagement will be donated to The Dollywood Foundation to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

The timing also gives 9 to 5 a different resonance than a standard anniversary screening. The Imagination Library, founded in 1995, has now gifted more than 325 million books, with more than 3.5 million books distributed each month to children across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and Ireland. The program sends age-appropriate books directly to participating children from birth through age five, turning Parton’s belief in the power of imagination into something families can experience every month.

Dolly Parton’s Hometown Is Going All Out With 145+ Events for Dolly Day

The tribute calendar, as per Variety, is becoming a story of its own, with September 25 emerging as a date dedicated to remembering what Parton gave beyond the recording studio and movie set.

California has now made that idea official by establishing September 25 as Dolly Parton Day. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 931, jointly authored by Senators Shannon Grove and John Laird, making the date an annual commemoration and deliberately choosing 9/25 as a nod to Parton’s signature song and film. The legislation specifically recognizes her contributions as a musician, philanthropist and advocate for children’s literacy.

California is not alone in turning September 25 into a Dolly celebration. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal proclaimed the date Dolly Parton Appreciation Day, while Nashville has organized its own Dolly Day around music, kindness and charitable giving. The common thread is striking: the tributes are not simply preserving memories of a country music legend, but keeping her favorite causes active. 

As tributes to Dolly Parton continue to appear across music, film and communities around the country, the return of 9 to 5 gives fans another chance to celebrate a part of her remarkable legacy while supporting a cause that remained close to her heart. Her influence clearly extends far beyond the songs and characters that made her famous.

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What do you think about 9 to 5 returning to theaters in honor of Dolly Parton? Share your thoughts in the comments.