The Fabulous Four, the star-studded comedy that hit theaters on July 26, 2024, brought together a powerhouse ensemble of legendary actresses for an uproarious, sun-drenched trip to Key West, Florida. This movie, directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, was highly anticipated as a vehicle celebrating female friendship and aging with irreverent humor, featuring Oscar and Emmy winners in the lead roles of a group of estranged college friends reuniting for a surprise wedding.
As of December 15, 2025, the film has completed its theatrical run, distributed by Bleecker Street, and is now a staple on streaming platforms, allowing new audiences to discover the chemistry between its iconic leads. The narrative centers on the complex dynamics that resurface when Dr. Lou, Marilyn, Alice, and Kitty are unexpectedly brought back together. Here is a deep dive into the complete cast, their characters, and the latest updates on their careers in late 2025 and beyond.
The Fabulous Four: Complete Cast and Character Profiles
The film’s core strength lies in its four leading ladies, whose combined experience spans decades of Hollywood history. The final lineup featured a notable last-minute substitution, with Sheryl Lee Ralph stepping in for another screen legend.
- Susan Sarandon as Lou (a.k.a. Dr. Lou)
- Role: Lou is portrayed as the workaholic surgeon and the "mousy doctor" of the group, who was jilted by her boyfriend decades ago when he left her for Marilyn. Her character is central to the emotional tension and serves as a potential love interest for Bruce Greenwood's character.
- Biography Snapshot: Born October 4, 1946. An Academy Award winner (Dead Man Walking) and known for iconic films like Thelma & Louise and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
- Latest Updates (2025): Sarandon continues her prolific career. She is slated to appear in the upcoming 2024 film *The Gutter*. Fans are also keeping an eye on the development of the rumored comedy sequel, *Bad Moms' Moms*, which is listed as a potential 2025 project.
- Bette Midler as Marilyn
- Role: Marilyn is the friend who stole Lou's boyfriend, creating a decades-long rift. Her character is described as the flamboyant and attention-grabbing force that sets the plot in motion when she needs bridesmaids for her surprise wedding.
- Biography Snapshot: Born December 1, 1945. A true entertainment icon, known as "The Divine Miss M," with four Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, and two Grammy Awards. Her filmography includes Hocus Pocus, Beaches, and The Rose.
- Latest Updates (2025): While Midler's acting projects are selective, she remains highly active in her philanthropic work. The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of her founding the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), a non-profit dedicated to reclaiming and restoring green spaces in New York City, and she recently hosted her annual Hulaween gala in October 2025.
- Megan Mullally as Alice
- Role: Alice is characterized as a singer and is one of the friends Marilyn recruits as a bridesmaid. Her character provides a significant source of the film's comedic energy, including a memorable scene where she performs with a surprise musical guest.
- Biography Snapshot: Born November 12, 1958. Best known for her Emmy-winning role as Karen Walker in the sitcom *Will & Grace*. She is also a singer and performer with her band, Nancy And Beth.
- Latest Updates (2025): Mullally is touring with her band, Nancy And Beth. Additionally, she and her husband, Nick Offerman, were confirmed as the latest stars for the Vivid Sydney Global Storyteller series in 2025, where they will appear on stage together to discuss their lives and careers.
- Sheryl Lee Ralph as Kitty
- Role: Kitty is the fourth member of the group, a weed-growing botanist who becomes a bridesmaid. Ralph stepped into the role after Sissy Spacek had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts, a key piece of trivia about the production.
- Biography Snapshot: Born December 30, 1956. A Tony Award and Emmy Award winner, celebrated for her roles in the original Broadway cast of *Dreamgirls* and the hit series *Abbott Elementary*.
- Latest Updates (2025): Ralph remains one of the busiest stars on television, continuing to star as Barbara Howard in the critically acclaimed sitcom *Abbott Elementary*, which earned her a third consecutive Emmy nomination in 2024. She also has an upcoming film, *Ricky*, slated for release in 2025.
The Supporting Cast: Unexpected Cameos and Love Interests
While the four leading ladies drove the narrative, the film benefited from a strong ensemble of supporting actors who provided both romantic and comedic foils to the main characters.
Bruce Greenwood as Ted: Greenwood plays Ted, a local bar owner in Key West. He serves as a potential love interest for Susan Sarandon’s character, Lou, adding a layer of romantic comedy to her storyline. Greenwood is known for his extensive work in films like *Star Trek* and the TV series *The Resident*.
Timothy V. Murphy as Ernie: Murphy, known for his gritty roles, appears as a sea captain named Ernie. His character is one of the devices used to play off the female dramas, particularly in the Key West setting.
Michael Bolton as Himself: In one of the film's most bizarre and memorable appearances, singer Michael Bolton has a cameo where he performs alongside Megan Mullally's character, Alice. This meta-casting choice added an unexpected celebrity entity to the Key West shenanigans.
The Fabulous Four: Plot, Reception, and Topical Authority
The movie is a classic "girls' trip" comedy, a sub-genre that has seen renewed interest in recent years for films focused on older female leads, such as *Book Club* and *80 for Brady*.
The Key West Reunion and Plot Details
The core of the plot involves the three lifelong friends—Lou, Alice, and Kitty—traveling to Key West, Florida, to be bridesmaids in the surprise wedding of their estranged college friend, Marilyn. The surprise element and the forced proximity lead to the inevitable resurfacing of old resentments, particularly between Lou and Marilyn over the long-ago boyfriend betrayal. The film explores themes of forgiveness, rekindling old bonds, and the challenges of female friendships across decades. The tropical setting of Key West provides a vibrant, celebratory backdrop for the emotional and comedic chaos.
Box Office and Critical Reception
Despite the star power of the cast—including an Oscar winner, multiple Emmy winners, and a Divine Miss M—the film's commercial performance was modest. *The Fabulous Four* opened in the US on July 26, 2024, and debuted with an estimated $1.01 million domestically, ultimately grossing around $1.91 million domestically and $673,758 internationally, for a worldwide total that placed it modestly on the all-time international box office list for comedy movies.
The film was positioned as counter-programming to major summer blockbusters, aiming for a demographic often ignored by Hollywood. Critics generally praised the chemistry and talent of the four lead actresses, acknowledging their commitment to the comedic material. However, some reviews suggested that the starry cast deserved a more polished and less silly script, indicating a mixed critical reception for the overall production.
LSI Keywords and Topical Entities
The film's production and themes touch on several topical entities relevant to its genre and cast:
- Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse (*The Dressmaker*)
- Producers/Distributor: Bleecker Street Media
- Genre: American Comedy Film, Female Ensemble Comedy, Road Trip Movie
- Setting: Key West, Florida, offering a tropical backdrop.
- Casting Note: The Sissy Spacek replacement by Sheryl Lee Ralph.
- Supporting Entities: Bruce Greenwood, Timothy V. Murphy, Michael Bolton.
In conclusion, *The Fabulous Four* provided a delightful, if commercially muted, reunion for four of Hollywood's most enduring talents. The film serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of its cast, who continue to dominate both film and television, with new and exciting projects lined up well into 2025. The movie's legacy lies in its celebration of the vibrant, complex, and often hilarious relationships between women of a certain age.
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