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Miss Firecracker

Miss Firecracker

An explosive comedy!

1989102 minPGMidcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films
Director
Thomas Schlamme
Starring
Holly Hunter, Alfre Woodard, Mary Steenburgen, Tim Robbins

Unhappy Carnelle Scott is desperate to escape her reputation as Yazoo City's 'Miss Hot Tamale.' She throws herself into a do-or-die effort to win the Mississippi town's big talent contest, an honor won ten years ago by her older sister and unattainable role model Elain.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Miss Firecracker?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Miss Firecracker streaming on Cineverse via Prime Video, Fandor via Prime Video, Prime Video, Shout! TV via Prime Video, The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free).

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Miss Firecracker?

Miss Firecracker earns 5 badges, led by Standout acting and Before they were famous.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Miss Firecracker worth watching?

Miss Firecracker's Midcredits score is the 43rd percentile of all films, from 3.7K ratings across 5 sources. 41% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

43rd percentile

Better received than 43% of films

48th percentile among Comedy45th percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)47th
Approval (how many liked it)39th

61 /100

47th percentile of all films

53rd percentile among Comedy49th percentile among 1980s

Critics 58 · Audience 61

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.2 — solid but not unanimous.

41% liked it

39th percentile of all films

43rd percentile among Comedy41st percentile among 1980s
41% rated it 7–1059% rated it 1–6

Critics 82% · Audience 52%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

54th percentile

3.7K ratings across platforms

47th percentile among Comedy50th percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 22% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$45K
Domestic gross$1.9M
Worldwide gross$1.9M

50th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film features strong performances, especially from Holly Hunter, but differ on whether the material and execution succeed.

Fans praised

  • Holly Hunter's radiant, committed lead performance
  • Vibrant, quirky ensemble cast
  • Warm, funny satire of small-town Southern beauty pageants

Detractors panned

  • Uncomfortably unfunny comedy and strained humor
  • Clichéd, cornpone depiction of Southern characters and setting
  • Feels stagebound and poorly adapted to film

What stands out

Acting88

Holly Hunter, Tim Robbins, Mary Steenburgen, and Alfre Woodard praised as vibrant and committed, though some say misused

Emotional impactDivisive72

Warm, poignant feel-good story about self-acceptance

CharactersDivisive70

Quirky, memorable oddballs — but some find them clichéd or underdeveloped

HumorDivisive68

Laugh-out-loud Southern humor vs. unfunny, strained attempts

AtmosphereDivisive65

Vivid small-town setting, but some call it clichéd or suffocating

DialogueDivisive65

Witty, Southern-flavored lines, though some find them forced

OriginalityDivisive60

Fresh take on Southern oddballs vs. familiar formula

Plot and storyDivisive55

Thin, predictable pageant storyline; some see deeper themes, others see confusion

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 12 points higher than men.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 12 points higher than non-US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is Miss Firecracker like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Funny and bittersweet: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want to laugh and feel something too.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Funny and bittersweet.

Moods
HopefulMelancholic
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
WarmSatirical · 5% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its quirky characters and beauty pageant setup with affection while gently satirizing the event, balancing humor with sincere emotion.
The rideThe film is gently comic with a melancholy undercurrent; the emotional low comes after Carnelle loses the pageant and confronts Elain's deceit.
StructureThe story follows Carnelle's preparations, the pageant, and its aftermath in linear order.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

The answer rests on this: BittersweetHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you with the sense that Carnelle has found her own value despite losing the contest, a mix of sadness and optimism.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rebirth
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% (this title) · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Liberation: Breaking free of a confining life (Room).

13% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeCarnelle enters a beauty pageant seeking validation and escape, but through failure and confrontation learns to value herself independently of others' opinions.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSelf-worth
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% (this title) · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Self-worth · 7% of filmsIdentity · 14% of filmsCommunity · 14% of films: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeCarnelle seeks validation through external approval, but the film is about her learning to value herself beyond others' judgments.
StanceThe film questions the value of external validation and the pursuit of beauty pageants, but doesn't condemn Carnelle's hopefulness.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticRealistic
Orchestral modernFolkSupportive music · original score · David Mansfield
SettingYazoo City, Mississippi, during Fourth of July pageant preparations
MusicThe score blends folk and orchestral elements to reflect the Southern small-town atmosphere.

Content guide

Is Miss Firecracker okay for kids?

PG

Miss Firecracker is rated PG. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at mild (17/100), language at minimal (0/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Profanity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (6 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Miss Firecracker have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Miss Firecracker?

Cast

Holly Hunter
as Carnelle Scott
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Alfre Woodard
as Popeye Jackson
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Mary Steenburgen
as Elain Rutledge
Tim Robbins
as Delmount Williams
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Scott Glenn
as Mac Sam
Trey Wilson
as Benjamin Drapper
Ann Wedgeworth
as Miss Blue
Amy Wright
as Missy Mahoney
Veanne Cox
as Tessy Mahoney
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Christine Lahti
as Clara Archer

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Miss Firecracker?

Movies like Miss Firecracker include Meet Cute (2022), Girl Most Likely (2012) and Meet Bill (2007). Of the 10 closest matches, most are films about self-worth, and most are films set among the suburban middle class.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

6 of these 10 share its story type: liberation. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Miss Firecracker?

12K other films share the rarest tag below, premise: coming of age. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.