The Color Purple (2023 film)

This article is about the film adaptation of the stage musical. For the film adaptation of the novel, see The Color Purple (1985 film).

The Color Purple
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Blitz Bazawule
Screenplay by	Marcus Gardley
Based on	The Color Purple by Brenda Russell Allee Willis Stephen Bray Marsha Norman The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Produced by	Oprah Winfrey Steven Spielberg Scott Sanders Quincy Jones
Starring	Taraji P. Henson Danielle Brooks Colman Domingo Corey Hawkins H.E.R. Halle Bailey Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor Phylicia Pearl Mpasi Fantasia Barrino
Cinematography	Dan Laustsen
Edited by	Jon Poll
Music by	Kris Bowers
Production companies	Amblin Entertainment OW Films SGS Pictures Quincy Jones Productions Domain Entertainment [1]
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release dates	November 20, 2023 (2023-11-20)(London) December 25, 2023 (2023-12-25)(United States)
Running time	141 minutes [2]
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$90–100 million [3] [4]
Box office	$68.8 million [5] [6]

The Color Purple is a 2023 American musical period drama film directed by Blitz Bazawule. Marcus Gardley's screenplay is based on the stage musical of the same name, which in turn is based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker. It is the second film adaptation of the novel, following the 1985 film directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Spielberg and Quincy Jones. Spielberg and Jones return as producers for the 2023 film, along with its Broadway producers Scott Sanders and Oprah Winfrey, the latter of whom also starred in the 1985 film.

The film stars Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and Fantasia Barrino in her film debut. Brooks and Barrino reprise their roles from the productions of the stage musical. It tells the story of Celie, an African American woman dealing with the hardships of living with an abusive husband and living in the American South during the early 1900s.

The Color Purple premiered in London on November 20, 2023, and was released in the United States on December 25, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures. Although it received positive reviews from critics, it performed poorly at the box office grossing $68.8 million against a budget of $90–100 million. Danielle Brooks was lauded for her performance, receiving nominations for the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress. At the 55th NAACP Image Awards, the film won a record-breaking eleven awards out of sixteen nominations, including Outstanding Motion Picture and acting wins for Barrino, Henson, Domingo, and the ensemble cast.

Plot

In 1909 Georgia, teenager Celie Harris lives with her sister Nettie and abusive father Alfonso. After her mother died, Alfonso started raping Celie, causing her to become pregnant twice. When Celie gives birth to her second child, Adam, Alfonso takes the child away as he had the first, Olivia. He then forces her to marry a local farmer and father of three, Albert "Mister" Johnson.

When Alfonso tries to molest Nettie, she moves into Mister's farmhouse, but when Nettie rebuffs his sexual advances he banishes her from his land; as she leaves, she promises to write to Celie every day. By 1917, Celie is still married to Mister. His son Harpo marries fierce, defiant Sofia, and builds a house for her. Celie befriends Sofia, but in a moment of jealousy advises Harpo to beat Sofia. Sofia leaves Harpo as a result, and he converts the house into a juke joint.

Independent jazz singer Shug Avery, Mister's longtime lover, comes to town to perform at the joint and stays at Mister's house for a few days. Around the time, Mister's equally abusive father visits. Harpo has been seeing another woman, who he calls "Squeak". When he tries to dance with Sofia, Squeak cuts in and ends up starting a fight that trashes the joint. Escaping the brawl, Shug takes Celie to see a movie; the two kiss at the movie theatre and sleep together that night. In the morning, Shug picks up Mister's mail and finds a letter to Celie from Nettie; the two search the house and discover dozens of other letters from Nettie that Mister hid from Celie. The letters reveal that Nettie has been living in Africa and caring for Adam and Olivia, who were adopted by missionaries.

In 1930, the mayor's wife condescendingly offers Sofia a job as her maid; when Sofia refuses she gets involved in a physical fight, resulting in her arrest. She is released after six years and ends up having to work for the mayor's wife anyway, sinking into a deep depression that seemingly takes away all of her fierceness.

On Easter Sunday in 1943, when Shug and her new husband Grady are visiting, Celie confronts Mister in front of his father and their family. She leaves him and moves to Memphis with Shug. Squeak, whose real name is Mary Agnes, goes with them, inspiring Sofia out of her stupor. Celie vows to Mister that until he does right by her, everything in his life will crumble.

In 1945, when Alfonso dies, his wife reveals to Celie that he was not Celie or Nettie's biological father, and the sisters now own the grocery store and the home they were brought up in. Celie moves back to Georgia and becomes a tailor, selling pants in the former grocery store. Meanwhile, Mister has become a miserable drunk. He vows to do right by Celie and plots to reunite Celie and Nettie, selling some of his land to pay for Nettie to return from Africa. Later he visits her shop and buys a pair of pants; while she is hesitant to see him, she agrees to maintain a friendship with him.

In 1947, Celie reunites with Nettie, along with Adam and Olivia. She joins hands with them as she and everyone else thanks God for how far they have come.

Cast

• Top row: (left to right) Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks and Colman Domingo
• Bottom row: (left to right) Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey and Ciara

• Fantasia Barrino as Celie Harris-Johnson
  • Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as young Celie
• Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery
• Danielle Brooks as Sofia
• Colman Domingo as Albert "Mister" Johnson
• Corey Hawkins as Harpo Johnson
• H.E.R. ^[a] as Mary "Squeak" Agnes
• Halle Bailey as Nettie Harris
  • Ciara as older Nettie
• Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol' Mister Johnson. This was Gossett's final role released before his death in 2024.
• Jon Batiste as Grady
• Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Mama
• David Alan Grier as Rev. Samuel Avery
• Deon Cole as Alfonso
• Tamela Mann as First Lady
• Elizabeth Marvel as Miss Millie
• Stephen Hill as Henry "Buster" Broadnax

Additionally, Whoopi Goldberg makes a cameo appearance as a midwife who helps young Celie give birth. Goldberg previously portrayed Celie in the original film. ^[7]

Production

Development

Director Blitz Bazawule (left), and producers Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.

In November 2018, it was reported that a film adaptation of the musical was in development at Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, the same companies that made the 1985 film adaptation of the novel, with Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders, and Oprah Winfrey all signed on to produce. ^[8] In August 2020, it was announced that Marcus Gardley will pen the screenplay and Black Is King 's Blitz Bazawule will direct. ^[9] Winfrey praised the selection of Bazawule as director, after she and the producers saw his work on The Burial of Kojo , saying that they "were all blown away by Blitz's unique vision as a director and look forward to seeing how he brings the next evolution of this beloved story to life." It was also announced that Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, and Mara Jacobs will executive produce the film. ^[9] Siedah Garrett joined Brenda Russell and Stephen Bray (in place of the late Allee Willis) in contributing new material to the film's score. ^[10]

Casting

In August 2021, Corey Hawkins was cast in a lead role. ^[11] That same month, H.E.R. was cast in her feature acting debut. ^[12] In February 2022, Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, and Halle Bailey joined the cast, with Barrino and Brooks reprising their roles from productions of the stage musical. ^{[13] [14] [15]} In March 2022, Louis Gossett Jr., David Alan Grier, Tamela J. Mann, Phylicia Mpasi, Deon Cole, Stephen Hill, and Ciara joined the cast. ^{[16] [17]} In April 2022, Aunjanue Ellis, Elizabeth Marvel and Jon Batiste joined the cast. ^{[18] [19] [20]}

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter , Oprah Winfrey reported that the film had difficulty getting the cast that Bazawule wanted, as there were other productions with African American artists in progress. ^[21] However, Winfrey explained that "if you were making this film for $30 or $40 million, the interest in the cast would be very different", but some producers put pressure on the names of the cast when the film hit $90–100 million in production, asking to include Beyoncé or Rihanna in the cast. ^{[21] [22] [23]}

Filming

Filming began in March 2022, with production taking place at Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island from March 16 to March 25. ^[24] Filming officially wrapped in July 2022.

Allegations of unfair working conditions

In a 2024 interview with The New York Times , Taraji P. Henson spoke out against unfair pay and working conditions while working on the film. ^[25] Henson said the studio forced her to audition despite being the director's first choice. She said, "At this point I’m a Golden Globe-winner and Academy Award–nominated...So I went in there with a chip on my shoulder because I was like, ‘You will never second-guess me again". ^{[26] [27] [28]} Henson also alleged the production forced the cast to drive in production cars to set. She disagreed with the decision, citing safety and liability concerns, and alleged that she asked, "'Can I get a driver or security to take me?' I’m not asking for the moon. They’re like, 'Well, if we do it for you, we got to do it for everybody.' Well, do it for everybody! It’s stuff like that, stuff I shouldn’t have to fight for." ^{[29] [30]} Fellow actor Danielle Brooks revealed the actors did not initially get their own dressing rooms when they showed up for rehearsals, nor was food provided to them at that time. ^[31] The cast reached out to Oprah Winfrey, one of the film's producers who eventually resolved the issue. ^{[32] [33] [34]}

Producer Oprah Winfrey said of the matter, "I’m not in charge of the budget," adding" "whenever I heard there was an issue or there was a problem, there was a problem with a cars or the problem with their food, I would step in and do whatever I could to make it right. And I believe that [Taraji] would even vouch for that and say that is true.” ^[35] In 2024, Henson told Today , that she hopes the film's negative press surrounding the working conditions doesn't distract from the film. She said, "I hope they can focus back onto this film, because right now, to me, it feels like what I said is now becoming louder than this beautiful film". She also defended Oprah saying, "What you’re not gonna do is pit two Black women together". ^[36]

Differences between stage and screen versions

On December 1, 2023, BroadwayWorld revealed that the film will not be a direct copy-and-paste adaptation of the stage musical, with elements from the novel and the 1985 film also being featured, including "Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister)," the song sung by the character of Shug Avery in the 1985 film. 13 songs from the musical were cut from the film, including "Somebody Gonna Love You," "Our Prayer," "Big Dog," "Dear God - Sofia," "Brown Betty", "Uh-Oh," "African Homeland," "Celie's Curse," "Any Little Thing," "What About Love (Reprise)," "That Fine Mister," "A Tree Named Sofia," and "All We Got to Say," while a song cut from the stage production, titled "She Be Mine," was reinstated for this film. ^{[37] [38]}

Music

Soundtrack

Main article: The Color Purple (2023 soundtrack)

On November 27, the soundtrack's musicians and singers were revealed to be executive produced by Quincy Jones, Larry Jackson and Scott Sanders via Warner Bros. records, WaterTower Music and Gamma. ^{[39] [40] [41]} The soundtrack features songs by Alicia Keys, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Megan Thee Stallion, Jennifer Hudson, Tamela Mann, Mörda, Brenden Praise, Keyshia Cole, Ludmilla, Jorja Smith, Coco Jones, Mary Mary, Missy Elliott and the film's actors Halle Bailey, H.E.R, Fantasia and Ciara. ^{[42] [43]} Compositions from the Broadway production will be included, such as "She Be Mine" and "Shug Avery Comin' to Town", along with new, original music for the film. ^[44]

American record production and songwriting duo Nova Wav, composed by Denisia Andrews and Brittany Coney were involved in the project by the director Bazawule. ^[45] The duo wrote and composed original song "Keep It Movin'", with Morten Ristorp and Halle Bailey, and it is performed by Bailey and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi. ^[46] The song was published on November 11, 2023. On November 27, 2023, "Lifeline" was published as the second original song from the film, written and performed by Alicia Keys. ^[47]

The soundtrack album was released on December 15, 2023, by WaterTower Music with the title The Color Purple (Music From and Inspired By). ^[41] A second official soundtrack album showcasing the film's score, which was composed by Kris Bowers, was released alongside the film itself on December 25, 2023. ^[48]

Musical numbers

• "Huckleberry Pie" - Nettie and young Celie
• "Mysterious Ways" - First Lady, Rev. Samuel Avery, Nettie and Ensemble
• "She Be Mine" - Young Celie and Ensemble
• "Keep It Movin'" - Nettie and young Celie
• "Workin" - Harpo and Ensemble
• "Hell No!" - Sofia and Ensemble
• "Shug Avery" - Celie, Mister and Ensemble
• "Dear God – Shug" - Celie
• "Push Da Button" - Shug
• "What About Love?" - Celie and Shug
• "Agoo" - Ensemble
• "Hell No! (Reprise)" - Celie
• "Miss Celie's Blues (Sister)" - Shug
• "Miss Celie's Pants" - Celie, Sofia, Shug, Squeak and Ensemble
• "I'm Here" - Celie
• "Maybe God Is Tryin' To Tell You Somethin" - Shug and Rev. Samuel Avery
• "The Color Purple" - Celie, Sofia, Shug, older Nettie, Harpo, Mister and Ensemble

Release

The film had its world premiere in London on November 20, 2023, and was released theatrically on December 25, 2023. ^[49] It was originally scheduled to be released on December 20, 2023, but later switched release dates with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom . ^{[50] [51]}

Home media

The Color Purple was released for digital platforms on January 16, 2024, and followed a Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K UHD release on March 12, 2024. ^[52] The film was available to stream on Max beginning February 16, 2024. ^[53]

Reception

Box office

The Color Purple grossed $60.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $6.9 million in other territories, for a worldwide gross of $67.5 million. ^{[5] [6]} Variety reported that the film lost the studio $40 million, when factoring together all expenses and revenues. ^[54]

In the United States and Canada, The Color Purple was released alongside Ferrari and The Boys in the Boat , and was projected to gross $8–10 million from 3,203 theaters on its first day. ^[55] It exceeded expectations and grossed $18.2 million, finishing third at the box office for the day. ^{[3] [56]} Its opening day was the second-highest domestic opening for a film on Christmas Day of all-time (behind Sherlock Holmes ' $24.6 million in 2009), and the highest-grossing domestic opening day for a musical post-COVID 19 pandemic. ^[57] The following weekend the film made $11.7 million, finishing fourth at the box office and totaling $44 million over its first week of release. ^[58] In its second weekend, the film made $4.8 million, finishing seventh. ^[59]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 81% of 255 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.2/10.The website's consensus reads: "Building on the legacy of the previous film adaptation while incorporating elements of the stage musical, The Color Purple is a crowd-pleasing testament to resilience in the face of trauma." ^[60] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 72 out of 100, based on 49 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. ^[61] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported 92% of filmgoers gave it a positive score. ^[3] Multiple publications listed it as one of the best films of 2023, including the New York Post , ^[62] Deadline Hollywood , ^[63] and People. ^[64]

Pete Hammond, reviewing the film for Deadline Hollywood , reports that although "Spielberg’s version still resonates", the direction of Bazawule "brings a unique vision that makes this version stand on its own as an authentic and valuable addition to The Color Purple legacy", appreciating the photography of Dan Laustsen, which "gives a vision of the early 20th century South rarely seen in films depicting the period, particularly Black lives". ^[65] Katie Walsh of Los Angeles Times described the director's approach as "modern, while paying homage to the traditions of Broadway musicals", while the cast "takes your breath away", praising Barrino for her "stunning performance as Celie, holding the emotional center over decades" and Brooks, who "steals the whole movie, [...] She brings fire, humor and grit to a character who undergoes a dramatic, tragic arc". ^[66]

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian wrote that although "the plot strands are to finally tie up with startling serendipity", with "warmth and vehemence in this movie, especially in the big ensemble numbers", the film "is less successful in the solo scenes and the evocation of loneliness and suppressed despair", appreciating "an absolute powerhouse trio of female leads here, supercharging the action with their fierce charisma" by Barrino, Henson and Brooks' performances. ^[67] Peter Debruge of Variety pointed out that the film made "a satisfying improvement" from the original film adaptation, adding "expressionistic flourishes". Even if "some of these tricks work better than others", the journalist wrote that "all work to expand the experience, making The Color Purple feel even more monumental than it did in Spielberg’s hands". ^[68]

Accolades

With her nomination for Best Supporting Actress, Danielle Brooks became the second actor nominated for playing the role of Sofia, after Oprah Winfrey's Oscar-nominated performance from the 1985 film.

The Color Purple led the nominations at the 55th NAACP Image Awards with sixteen nominations, and ultimately won eleven, including Outstanding Motion Picture, Outstanding Lead Actress (Fantasia Barrino), Outstanding Supporting Actress (Taraji P. Henson), Outstanding Supporting Actor (Colman Domingo), and Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture. The film surpassed the ten-nomination record jointly held by Black Panther, The Best Man, and Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey to become the most awarded and nominated film in the history of the ceremony.

Award	Date of ceremony	Category	Nominee(s)	Result	Ref.
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards	January 17, 2024	Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups	The Color Purple	Nominated	[69]
		Best Supporting Actor	Colman Domingo	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress	Taraji P. Henson	Nominated
		Best Ensemble	The cast of The Color Purple [70]	Won
Academy Awards	March 10, 2024	Best Supporting Actress	Danielle Brooks	Nominated	[71]
African-American Film Critics Association Awards	January 15, 2024	Top 10 Films of the Year	The Color Purple	3rd place	[72]
		Best Musical		Won
		Best Supporting Actress	Danielle Brooks	Won
		Best Ensemble	The cast of The Color Purple [70]	Won
		Best Music	Kris Bowers	Won
Alliance of Women Film Journalists	January 3, 2024	Best Actress in a Supporting Role	Danielle Brooks	Nominated	[73]
Artios Awards	March 7, 2024	Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Big Budget Feature (Drama)	Bernard Telsey, Tiffany Little Canfield, and Destiny Lilly	Nominated	[74]
Astra Film and Creative Awards	January 6, 2024	Best Picture	The Color Purple	Nominated	[75]
		Best Actress	Fantasia Barrino	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress	Danielle Brooks	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Colman Domingo	Nominated
		Best Cast Ensemble	The cast of The Color Purple [70]	Won
	February 26, 2024	Best Hair and Makeup	Carol Rasheed, Saisha Beecham, Lawrence Davis, and Tym Wallace	Nominated
		Best Costume Design	Francine Jamison-Tanchuck	Nominated
		Best Casting	Bernard Telsey, Destiny Lilly, and Tiffany Little Canfield	Nominated
Austin Film Critics Association Awards	January 10, 2024	Best Supporting Actress	Danielle Brooks	Nominated	[76]
BAFTA Film Awards	February 18, 2024	Best Actress in a Leading Role	Fantasia Barrino	Nominated	[77]
		Best Actress in a Supporting Role	Danielle Brooks	Nominated
Black Reel Awards	January 16, 2024	Outstanding Film	The Color Purple	Nominated	[78]
		Outstanding Director	Blitz Bazawule	Nominated
		Outstanding Lead Performance	Fantasia Barrino	Nominated
		Outstanding Supporting Performance	Danielle Brooks	Won
			Colman Domingo	Nominated
			Taraji P. Henson	Nominated
		Outstanding Ensemble	Tiffany Little Canfield, Destiny Lilly, and Bernard Telsey	Won
		Outstanding Emerging Director	Blitz Bazawule	Nominated
		Outstanding Breakthrough Performance	Fantasia Barrino	Won
			Danielle Brooks	Nominated
			Phylicia Pearl Mpasi	Nominated
		Outstanding First Screenplay	Marcus Gradley	Nominated
		Outstanding Editing	Jon Poll	Nominated
		Outstanding Production Design	Paul D. Austerberry	Won
		Outstanding Costume Design	Francine Jamison-Tanchuck	Won
		Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup	Lawrence Davis and Carol Rasheed	Won
		Outstanding Score	Kris Bowers	Won
		Outstanding Song	"Keep It Movin'" [b]	Won
		Outstanding Soundtrack	The Color Purple	Won
Black Film Critics Circle	December 20, 2023	Top Ten Films	The Color Purple	3rd Place	[79]
		Best Supporting Actress	Danielle Brooks	Won
Celebration of Cinema and Television	December 4, 2023	Ensemble Award – Film	The cast of The Color Purple [70]	Won	[80]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards	January 14, 2024	Best Picture	The Color Purple	Nominated	[81]
		Best Supporting Actress	Danielle Brooks	Nominated
		Best Acting Ensemble	The cast of The Color Purple [70]	Nominated
		Best Hair and Makeup	The Color Purple	Nominated
		Best Costume Design	Francine Jamison-Tanchuck	Nominated
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association	December 18, 2023	Best Supporting Actress	Danielle Brooks	2nd place	[82]
Denver Film Critics Society	January 12, 2024	Best Supporting Performance by an Actor, Female		Nominated	[83]
		Best Original Song	"Keep It Moving"	Nominated
Georgia Film Critics Association Awards	January 5, 2024	Best Supporting Actress	Danielle Brooks	Nominated	[84] [85]
		Best Ensemble	The cast of The Color Purple [70]	Nominated
		Oglethorpe Award for Excellence in Georgia Cinema	Blitz Bazawule and Marcus Gardley	Nominated
GLAAD Media Awards	March 14, 2024	Outstanding Film – Wide Release	The Color Purple	Nominated	[86]
Gold Derby Film Awards	February, 2024	Best Supporting Actress	Danielle Brooks	Nominated	[87]
Golden Globe Awards	January 7, 2024	Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy	Fantasia Barrino	Nominated	[88]
		Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture	Danielle Brooks	Nominated
Grammy Awards	February 2, 2025	Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media	The Color Purple – Various Artists	Pending	[89]
		Best Score Soundtrack Album for Visual Media	The Color Purple – Kris Bowers	Pending
Heartland Film	2023	Truly Moving Picture Award	The Color Purple	Won	[90]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards	November 15, 2023	Original Song — Feature Film	"Keep It Movin'" [b]	Nominated	[91] [92]
		Song — Onscreen Performance (Film)	"Keep It Movin'" [c]	Nominated
Houston Film Critics Society Awards	January 22, 2024	Best Picture	The Color Purple	Nominated	[93]
		Best Actress	Fantasia Barrino	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress	Danielle Brooks	Nominated
		Best Original Song	"Keep It Movin'" [b]	Nominated
Las Vegas Film Critics Society	December 13, 2023	Best Costumes	The Color Purple	Nominated	[94]
		Best Ensemble		Nominated
Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild	February 18, 2024	Best Period Hair Styling and/or Character Hair Styling	Andrea Mona Bowman, Lawrence Davis, and Tym Wallace	Nominated	[95]
NAACP Image Awards	March 16, 2024	Outstanding Motion Picture	The Color Purple	Won	[96]
		Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture	Fantasia Barrino	Won
		Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture	Danielle Brooks	Nominated
			Halle Bailey	Nominated
			Taraji P. Henson	Won
		Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture	Colman Domingo	Won
			Corey Hawkins	Nominated
		Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture	Phylicia Pearl Mpasi	Won
		Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture	The cast of The Color Purple [70]	Won
		Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)	Blitz Bazawule	Won
		Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture	Marcus Gardley	Nominated
		Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film	Kris Bowers	Nominated
		Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album	The Color Purple (2023 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)	Won
		Outstanding Costume Design	Francine Jamison–Tanchuck	Won
		Outstanding Make-up	Carol Rasheed, Saisha Beecham, Ngozi Olandu Young, Manny Davila, and Milene Melendez	Won
		Outstanding Hairstyling	Lawrence Davis, Tym Wallace, Andrea Mona Bowen, Angela Renae Dyson, and Jorge Benitez Villalobos	Won
North Texas Film Critics Association	December 18, 2023	Best Newcomer	Halle Bailey	Nominated	[97]
Palm Springs International Film Festival	January 4, 2024	Spotlight Award - Actress	Danielle Brooks	Won	[98]
People's Choice Awards	February 18, 2024	The Drama Movie of the Year	The Color Purple	Nominated	[99]
		The Drama Movie Star of the Year	Fantasia Barrino	Nominated
		The Movie Performance of the Year	Danielle Brooks	Nominated
Satellite Awards	February 17, 2024	Best Actress in Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical	Fantasia Barrino	Nominated	[100]
		Best Costume Design	Francine Jamison-Tanchuck	Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards	February 24, 2024	Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture	The cast of The Color Purple [70]	Nominated	[101]
		Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role	Danielle Brooks	Nominated
Seattle Film Critics Society Awards	January 8, 2024	Best Actress in a Supporting Role	Danielle Brooks	Nominated	[102]
The Queerties	February 28, 2023	Next Big Thing	The Color Purple	Nominated	[103]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards	December 10, 2023	Best Supporting Actress	Danielle Brooks	Nominated	[104]
		Best Original Score	Kris Bowers	Nominated
Women Film Critics Circle Awards	December 18, 2023	Best Movie About Women	The Color Purple	Nominated	[105]
		Best Supporting Actress	Danielle Brooks	Nominated
		Adrianne Shelly Award	The Color Purple	Won
		Josephine Baker Award		Runner-up

Notes

1. Credited onscreen as Gabriella Wilson "H.E.R."
2. (Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Denisia Andrews, Brittany Coney and Morten Ristorp)
3. (Halle Bailey and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi)

References

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2. "The Color Purple (12A)". BBFC . Retrieved January 11, 2024.
3. D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 26, 2023). "'The Color Purple' Wins Christmas Day With $18M+ & A CinemaScore As Warner Bros Dominates Holiday Box Office – Tuesday Update". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Media Corporation . Retrieved December 26, 2023.
4. Moody, Nekesa Mumbi (December 12, 2023). "Oprah and The Color Purple Stars on the New Musical Remake: "It's Bright. It's Vibrant. It's Us"". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 25, 2023.
5. "The Color Purple (2023)". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved February 21, 2024.
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7. Mumbi Moody, Nekesa (December 28, 2023). "Oprah Winfrey on That Surprise Cameo in 'The Color Purple': "A Wonderful Easter Egg"". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 28, 2023.
8. Kit, Borys (November 2, 2018). "Spielberg, Oprah Bringing Color Purple to Big Screen (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
9. D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 24, 2020). "The Color Purple Feature Musical: 'Black Is King's Blitz Bazawule Set To Direct". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
10. Culwell-Block, Logan (April 19, 2022). "Carlinhos Brown, Siedah Garrett Board Creative Team of Upcoming Black Orpheus Stage Musical". Playbill . Retrieved April 21, 2022.
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External links

• Official website
• The Color Purple at IMDb  
• The Color Purple at Rotten Tomatoes
• The Color Purple at Metacritic
• The Color Purple at AllMovie