It finally happened. After years of building an army of fans through stand-up specials and Facebook videos about Jell-O salad and big panties, the "Southern Mama" of comedy has made it to the big screen. If you’ve been looking for the movie with Leanne Morgan, you're likely thinking of the 2025 Prime Video hit, You’re Cordially Invited.
Leanne Morgan isn't just a cameo here. She’s part of a heavy-hitting ensemble that includes Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell. Honestly, seeing a Knoxville native go toe-to-toe with Hollywood royalty is the kind of mid-life pivot we all dream about.
The film dropped on January 30, 2025, and it’s been a massive talking point for anyone who follows the "I'm Every Woman" star. It’s a chaotic wedding comedy directed by Nicholas Stoller, the guy behind Forgetting Sarah Marshall. If you know his work, you know it’s usually equal parts heart and R-rated disaster.
What is You’re Cordially Invited Actually About?
Basically, it’s a logistics nightmare turned into a movie.
The plot kicks off when two different weddings are accidentally booked at the exact same venue on an island off the coast of Georgia. On one side, you have Will Ferrell as Jim Caldwell, a father of the bride who is—predictably—stressed out of his mind. On the other, Reese Witherspoon plays Margot Buckley, a high-strung TV executive trying to pull off the perfect wedding for her sister.
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Neither side is willing to budge. Naturally, they decide to share the venue. It goes about as well as you’d expect.
Meet Gwyneth: Leanne’s Big Break
Leanne plays Gwyneth, who is Margot’s (Reese Witherspoon) sister.
Now, if you’re a fan of Leanne’s stand-up, you know she has a very specific "sister energy." In the movie, Gwyneth is a bit of a wildcard. She complains. She makes observations that are a little too close to the truth. She’s essentially the grounded, slightly cynical Southern voice in the middle of a high-society meltdown.
Critics have pointed out that while the movie itself got mixed reviews—sitting around 48% on Rotten Tomatoes—the chemistry between the cast is what keeps it afloat. Seeing Leanne interact with Will Ferrell is particularly surreal for long-time fans. It feels like your funniest aunt accidentally walked onto a movie set and just started being herself.
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Why This Movie With Leanne Morgan Matters for Her Career
For a long time, Leanne was the best-kept secret in the South. She spent decades doing the "jewelry party" circuit and small clubs before her Netflix special I'm Every Woman exploded in 2023.
This movie represents a massive shift. It wasn't just a small indie project; it was a major Amazon MGM Studios production. It proved that her brand of "homestyle" humor has legs in a scripted, big-budget environment.
Beyond You’re Cordially Invited, 2025 and 2026 have been huge for her. Here’s a quick look at how her acting slate filled up right after the film’s release:
- Leanne (The Sitcom): She teamed up with Chuck Lorre (the man behind The Big Bang Theory) for a Netflix series that premiered in July 2025. It’s a semi-autobiographical show about a woman starting over after her husband leaves her.
- Unspeakable Things: A brand new Netflix comedy special that hit screens in late 2025.
- The 2026 Tour: Even with the movies and TV shows, she’s back on the road this year, with dates in Syracuse, Brea, and Ontario.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Film
One common misconception is that this is a "clean" Hallmark-style wedding movie. It is not. You’re Cordially Invited is rated R.
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There’s drinking. There are some raunchy jokes involving exotic dancers (Jimmy Tatro plays a former military medic turned stripper). It’s a "hard comedy," which might surprise fans who only know Leanne from her more family-friendly Dry Bar Comedy days.
However, the core of her character remains very "Leanne." She isn't playing a caricature; she’s playing a woman many of us recognize. She’s the person at the wedding who’s mostly there for the cake and to keep the peace, but she isn't afraid to roll her eyes at the drama.
How to Watch It Right Now
If you want to catch the movie with Leanne Morgan, you don’t have to look far.
- Platform: It is an Amazon Original, so it’s exclusively on Prime Video.
- Release Date: It officially became available for streaming on January 30, 2025.
- Runtime: It’s a tight 109 minutes. Perfect for a Friday night when you want to laugh but don't want to commit to a three-hour epic.
Actionable Insights for Leanne Fans
If you've already seen the movie and want more, here is what you should do next to keep up with her "Hollywood era":
- Check out the Sitcom: If you liked her acting in You're Cordially Invited, her Netflix show Leanne (co-created by Chuck Lorre) is the logical next step. It allows her more room to breathe and dive into the character work she started in the film.
- Grab the Book: In late 2024, she released What in the World?! A Southern Woman’s Guide to Laughing at Life’s Unexpected Curveballs and Beautiful Blessings. It gives a lot of context to her journey from Tennessee to the red carpet.
- See Her Live in 2026: Leanne is currently touring. Tickets for 2026 dates are selling out fast in places like Syracuse and Ontario, California. Seeing her stand-up live is a completely different experience than watching her on Prime Video—it's more raw, more conversational, and much longer than a film cameo.
Leanne Morgan’s transition into film wasn't an overnight success; it was a thirty-year slow burn. You’re Cordially Invited isn't just a movie; it’s the victory lap of a comedian who refused to go away.