Synopsis

A determined waitress from Missouri enters a Los Angeles boxing gym and asks veteran trainer Frankie Dunn to help her become a professional fighter. Initially reluctant to train a woman, Frankie gradually recognizes Maggie Fitzgerald's discipline and talent. Their partnership develops into a deeply personal bond, but a devastating injury forces both to confront questions of loyalty, dignity, family, faith, and personal choice.

Factoids & Trivia

• The screenplay was adapted from F. X. Toole's 2000 collection Rope Burns: Stories from the Corner. The film primarily follows the novella "Million $$$ Baby," while incorporating elements from another story in the book.

• Rope Burns was used as an alternate title for part of the production before the film returned to Million Dollar Baby.

• Production took place in Los Angeles and at Warner Bros. Studios between June and early August 2004. The shoot lasted approximately 39 days.

• The film's music includes compositions by Clint Eastwood, as well as pieces written by his son Kyle Eastwood with Michael Stevens and David Potaux-Razel.

• At the 77th Academy Awards, honoring films released in 2004, it won four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. It received seven nominations overall.

• The film was made on a reported $30 million budget and earned approximately $217 million worldwide.