Over twenty years after it first hit theaters, the popular romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama is now available to stream on Netflix. The movie, which came out in 2002, stars Reese Witherspoon as a fashion designer living in New York who goes back to her hometown in the South to finalize her divorce.
It’s surprising to see Sweet Home Alabama trending on Netflix, considering the movie came out over 20 years ago. While it’s no longer in the top 10, it was the fifth most popular movie on the platform for the week of February 2nd to 8th. Viewers watched it for a total of 8 million hours, adding up to 4.4 million views – enough to make it more popular than newer films like the 2018 remake of Overboard, Ben Stiller’s Night at the Museum, and the thriller Copshop.
‘Sweet Home Alabama’ Held an Impressive Record for 10 Years
The romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama, directed by Andy Tennant and written by C. Jay Cox, features a cast including Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey, Fred Ward, and Melanie Lynskey. Made with a $30 million budget, the film went on to earn $180 million worldwide – a great result for a mid-budget romantic comedy, especially since it wasn’t released around Valentine’s Day.
Even more remarkably, Sweet Home Alabama earned over $35 million during its opening weekend, setting a new record for the highest September debut ever. Before 2002, that record belonged to the 1998 film Rush Hour. Interestingly, Sweet Home Alabama kept this title for ten years, until Hotel Transylvania surpassed it in 2012. It’s quite a story!
Why Did ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ See a Sudden Resurgence on Netflix?
Everyone loves the romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama, but its recent jump to the top 10 on Netflix is surprising—unless you consider what’s been happening online. A little research reveals the reason for its newfound popularity.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, romantic comedies are becoming increasingly popular. These movies often see a boost in viewers around the holiday as people seek out feel-good entertainment. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, Sweet Home Alabama remains a fan favorite, boasting a 78% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
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Having Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey in the film is a definite plus, especially since both actors are currently enjoying renewed attention. Lucas recently appeared in flashbacks on Yellowstone, and Dempsey is starring in the Fox series Memory of a Killer. This has led many viewers to revisit some of their older films, like Sweet Home Alabama.
Recently, Sweet Home Alabama has become popular again on Netflix, thanks to a boost from TikTok creators recommending it for Valentine’s Day and other factors. If you haven’t seen this delightful romantic comedy, consider adding it to your watchlist and enjoying it this weekend.
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2026-02-13 16:17