Thelma & Louise is a 1991 American buddy comedy-drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Callie Khouri. The film stars Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon as Thelma and Louise, two friends who embark on a road trip that ends up in unforeseen circumstances. The supporting cast includes Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Christopher McDonald, and Brad Pitt. Filming took place in California and Utah from June to August 1990.

Following its premiere at the 44th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 1991, Thelma & Louise was theatrically released in the United States on May 24. It became a critical and commercial success, receiving six nominations at the 64th Academy Awards, with Khouri winning Best Original Screenplay. Scott was nominated for Best Director, and both Sarandon and Davis were nominated for Best Actress.

Thelma & Louise has influenced other artistic works, and became a landmark of feminist film. In 2006, the American Film Institute ranked it 78th on its list of most inspiring films. In 2016, the Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry, finding it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Two friends, Thelma Dickinson and Louise Sawyer, set out for a weekend vacation at a fishing cabin. Thelma, a housewife, is married to disrespectful and controlling Darryl, while sharp-tongued Louise works as a waitress. When Louise arrives to pick her up, Thelma admits that she was too timid to ask Darryl if she could go, so she left him a note instead. She packed Darryl's gun in her purse and showed it to Louise, who admonished her for bringing it.

The pair stops at a roadhouse bar. The waitress brings them drinks paid for by Harlan, a regular at the bar. Thelma is happy to have the attention of a man other than Darryl and dances with him, despite Louise's disapproval. When Thelma says she feels sick, Harlan takes her outside to the parking lot and tries to rape her. Louise intervenes with Darryl's gun and threatens to shoot him. As Thelma and Louise walk away, Harlan yells that he should have continued the rape, causing Louise to fatally shoot him in a fit of rage. The two women immediately drive off. Thelma wants to go to the police, but Louise fears that no one will believe a claim of attempted rape, as Thelma was seen drinking and dancing with Harlan. She tells Thelma she's going to flee to Mexico.

At a gas station, Thelma calls Darryl, who demands that she come home immediately. She tells him off and lets Louise know she's coming to Mexico. J.D., a handsome and charming young drifter, approaches the women asking for a lift out west, and a reluctant Louise allows it when Thelma takes a liking to him. Louise contacts her non-committal musician boyfriend Jimmy, asking him to wire her life savings to her, but refuses to give a reason. He surprises her by delivering the money in person. He becomes angry in the hotel room when Louise doesn't answer his questions, and she goes to leave. He then apologizes and gives her a diamond ring, prompting her to question his timing. They spend the night together.

Meanwhile, J.D. talks his way into Thelma's room. She learns he is a convicted armed robber who has violated the terms of his parole. They make love, the first time Thelma has had an enjoyable sexual experience.

The following morning, Louise tells Jimmy that she won't marry him. Jimmy leaves, devastated. Thelma later tells Louise about her night with J.D. Louise panics when she realizes Thelma left him alone with the money, and the women run to the room to discover he has stolen Louise's savings and fled. Louise is distraught, so a guilt-ridden Thelma takes charge and later robs a nearby convenience store using tactics she learned from J.D.