Steel Magnolias is a 1989 American romantic comedy-drama movie directed by Herbert Ross and was based on the 1987 play of the same name by Robert Harling. It stars Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Dolly Parton, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts (in her Oscar nominated role), Tom Skerritt, Ann Wedgeworth, Sam Shepard, Dylan McDermott and was distributed by Tri-Star Pictures.