In an interview Bette Midler mentioned that all three main cast members wanted to make a sequel, but the studio was not agreeable as they viewed the success of this movie as a "fluke." Midler also said that just before the movie opened she was told it would not do very well because it was competing against action movies with male stars such as Bruce Willis. This movie opened at number one and out-grossed those action movies.
Olivia Goldsmith, the author of the original book on which this movie is based, appears in a cameo at Cynthia Swann Griffin's funeral, as the short-haired woman who first notices Cynthia's ex-husband and his new wife as they arrive.
During her acceptance speech after winning the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for Happiness Therapy (2012), Jennifer Lawrence remarked, "Oh what does it say? It says 'I beat Meryl!'" in reference to a line from this movie. Unfortunately, many of the viewers (and fellow celebrities) did not get the reference and criticized Lawrence for her seemingly insensitive comment.
Doctors created Goldie Hawn's simulated collagen treatment by injecting her lips with a harmless saline solution. Though temporary, Hawn later remarked in interviews that the experience was quite painful and that it had discouraged her from ever getting collagen for real.
When the three ladies meet after the funeral, they are talking about Elise's (Goldie Hawn) plastic surgery. Brenda asks Elise, "Did you just have a little bit or the whole enchilada?" This line was originally "I got the whole Ivana," but was changed once Ivana Trump was cast in a cameo.