The ninth season of the television series Dallas aired on CBS during the 1985–86 TV season. As the entire season was annulled as a dream of the character Pamela Barnes Ewing (Victoria Principal) in the season 10 premiere, it has since been referred to as the "Dream Year" or the "Dream Season".
 In alphabetical order:
 William Smithers (Jeremy Wendell) continues to appear, and Joshua Harris takes on the role as Christopher Ewing. Merete Van Kamp (Grace) and George Chakiris (Nicholas) appear in a major story arc, as does Solomon Smaniotto (Tony Krebbs), but none of them will return beyond the season.
 After years of only minor changes in the creative staff of the series, the ninth season sees several overhauls: while Philip Capice and Cliff Fenneman remain executive producer and associate producer respectively, James H. Brown replaces Leonard Katzman as producer, who is now the program's creative consultant. Peter Dunne as supervising producer replaces Katzman as showrunner, while Joel J. Feigenbaum as executive story consultant replaces David Paulsen, and Hollace White and Stephanie Garman join as story editors.
 Among the three main writers for the two previous seasons, only Leonard Katzman returns for season nine. Other writers for the season are Peter Dunne (who had written two season eight episodes), Will Lorin (who had worked on the show during seasons five and six), and newcomers Joel J. Feigenbaum, Hollace White, Stephanie Garmin, Deanne Barkley, Bill Taub, and series star Susan Howard (Donna).
 Season nine of Dallas' was released by Warner Bros. Home Video, on a Region 1 DVD box set of four double-sided DVDs, on July 15, 2008. In addition to the 31 episodes, it also includes the featurette "Seasons of Change".
 On March 23, 1986, between the 26th and the 27th episode of the season, CBS aired the three-hour-long telefilm prequel Dallas: The Early Years, the only Dallas movie made during the series' original run. Written by series creator David Jacobs, the film was introduced by Larry Hagman as his character J.R., and starred David Marshall Grant, Dale Midkiff, and Molly Hagan as Digger Barnes, Jock Ewing, and Ellie Southworth, respectively. Taking place from 1933 to 1951, the film dealt with the creation of Ewing Oil and the origins of the Barnes – Ewing feud.
 The Ewings gather at Southfork to mourn Bobby. Cliff and Jamie try to comfort Pam, who blames herself for Bobby's death and frets one day Christopher will blame her as well. Miss Ellie decides to bury Bobby on a beautiful green hill overlooking Southfork near a tree house Jock built for him. Gary returns to Southfork and provides a shoulder for Ellie to lean on. Sue Ellen goes on a bender after J.R. insults her for not being there when Bobby said goodbye to everyone on his deathbed. Dusty wants to take care of Sue Ellen, and J.R. seems more than happy to get Sue Ellen out of his life. Pam tries her best to explain what happened to Christopher, as J.R. does to John Ross as well. Ellie tries to explain to Sue Ellen that she is an alcoholic, and that Dusty cannot offer her the kind of help she needs. Dusty, however, takes extraordinary measures to stop one of her binges. Bobby’s funeral is a small family event. Most of the family members move away and return to the house, leaving J.R. alone with the casket to say a personal and emotional final goodbye to his brother.
 J.R. pledges himself anew to Sue Ellen; Angelica brings her revenge plot to fruition; Ray and Donna learn if they'll be allowed to adopt Tony; Pam and Mark are married, but she awakens to a surprise in her shower.