After seven seasons of wit, warmth, and unapologetic honesty, Grace and Frankie returns with a new chapter that feels both like a homecoming and a heartfelt evolution. New Beginnings (2026) proves that aging doesn’t mean slowing down — it means getting louder, bolder, and a whole lot funnier. Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris bring the duo back with the same bite and brilliance that made the original series so beloved, but this time, there’s an extra layer of reflection — a tender acknowledgment that time changes everything… except the bond between two women who refuse to give up on life.
Grace (Jane Fonda) and Frankie (Lily Tomlin) are back — feisty, fabulous, and as gloriously mismatched as ever. The film opens with a twist that perfectly sets the tone: a family bombshell involving a business inheritance none of them saw coming. Suddenly, Grace and Frankie find themselves pulled back into the world of startups, board meetings, and financial chaos, armed only with their irreverent humor and decades of hard-earned wisdom. It’s a scenario ripe for conflict, but also for the kind of cathartic, clever humor that’s always been the show’s signature.
Fonda once again brings steel and sophistication to Grace, whose sharp tongue and relentless drive conceal a deep fear of irrelevance. Opposite her, Tomlin radiates free-spirited defiance — her Frankie remains a whirlwind of energy, still painting, protesting, and philosophizing about the meaning of life over a joint and a cup of herbal tea. Together, they strike the perfect balance: Grace keeps Frankie tethered to reality, while Frankie reminds Grace that life isn’t something to control — it’s something to live.
The chemistry between Fonda and Tomlin is as electric as ever — it’s the kind of synergy that can’t be manufactured, forged through friendship as genuine off-screen as it is on. Their banter feels effortless, their timing precise, their affection palpable. When the two argue, it’s not out of malice but love — two women who’ve seen too much of life to take each other’s nonsense seriously for long. Whether they’re pitching a new product to investors or drunkenly dancing to Fleetwood Mac in the middle of the night, their partnership remains the show’s beating heart.
The supporting cast shines as well. Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen return as Sol and Robert, now retired but still navigating the complexities of long-term love and legacy. Their subplot — a gentle exploration of health, memory, and the fear of being forgotten — adds quiet poignancy to the laughter. June Diane Raphael also delights as Brianna, whose sharp humor hides her growing realization that maybe, just maybe, she’s becoming her mother. The generational humor remains sharp, but it’s the emotional truth beneath it that lingers.
New Beginnings doesn’t shy away from heavier themes. Aging, loss, mortality, and reinvention pulse through every scene — yet the tone never drifts into melancholy. Instead, the film celebrates the courage it takes to keep starting over, even when the world tells you it’s too late. One of the most moving sequences sees Grace and Frankie attending the funeral of a mutual friend, where instead of mourning, they decide to throw a “life party” — complete with champagne, jazz, and an impromptu speech about gratitude. It’s a moment that encapsulates everything the series has stood for: confronting life’s inevitabilities with humor, dignity, and a defiant sparkle in the eye.
Director Ken Whittingham’s touch is light but assured, keeping the film brisk and buoyant while giving its quiet moments the space they deserve. The California coastline, once again, becomes a silent character — a shimmering metaphor for renewal and continuity. The cinematography bathes everything in warm sunlight, a visual echo of the show’s belief that even in your seventies and eighties, there’s always a new dawn waiting to be claimed.
What truly elevates New Beginnings is its writing. Kauffman, Morris, and Alexa Junge deliver dialogue that crackles with intelligence and heart. The jokes land effortlessly, but it’s the undercurrent of wisdom that makes them resonate. Frankie quips, “You can’t age gracefully if you’re still fighting the tide,” to which Grace replies, “Then I guess I’ll build a boat.” It’s funny, poignant, and deeply symbolic — the kind of exchange that defines who these women are: flawed, fearless, and utterly unforgettable.
Midway through the film, a rekindled romance brings Grace face-to-face with vulnerability, while Frankie’s artistic ambitions lead to a hilarious yet touching confrontation with an influencer trying to “rebrand” her as “quirky grandma chic.” These storylines reflect the modern world’s obsession with youth — and the power of women who refuse to be defined by it. Grace and Frankie: New Beginnings ultimately becomes a rallying cry for authenticity, for laughter that defies the clock, and for friendship that defies everything else.
By the film’s end, as Grace and Frankie sit side by side watching another California sunset, there’s no grand resolution, no need for closure. Just two women, still talking, still laughing, still living. Grace raises a glass and says, “To whatever comes next.” Frankie grins and replies, “As long as it comes with tequila.” It’s the perfect goodbye — or perhaps, just another hello.
⭐ Rating: 9.2/10
Grace and Frankie: New Beginnings is a triumphant, tender, and laugh-out-loud return that captures the essence of growing older without ever growing dull. It’s not just a sequel — it’s a celebration of resilience, reinvention, and the friendship that makes every new beginning worth the journey.
