Like the “woman’s pictures” of the last century (a dismissive label that encompassed some of the greatest films ever made), most of these films focus on women’s stories, giving female stars a chance to show their range (like Cher in Moonstruck) and letting great actresses share juicy scenes with one another (Waiting to Exhale, anybody?). Some of them were critically maligned for being too cheesy (13 Going on 30) or too raunchy (The Sweetest Thing), when in fact, we wouldn’t want them any other way. A few are even stories about men, but filmed with a loving nod to the female gaze (we’re looking at you, Magic Mike and Step Up). Here are our picks for the best “chick flicks,” if we must use the term. But better put, they’re films perfect for a fun friends’ night: 61 movies to bond, laugh, argue about and cry over.
61 Best “Chick Flicks”
Classic Rom-Com
When Harry Met Sally (1989) The whole “can men and women really be friends?” question may be outdated, but Nora Ephron and Rob Reiner’s New York fairytale, about two best friends (Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan) gradually falling in love, is timelessly romantic and funny. Moonstruck (1987) Ah, the 80s, when Nicolas Cage could play a swoon-worthy, sensitive baker, and Cher could play a dowdy, down-to-Earth widow who thinks romance is dead. Both of them are perfect in Norman Jewison’s emotionally heightened comedy about Italian families living and loving in Brooklyn. If this film doesn’t restore your faith in love, you need to snap out of it. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) A transcendent Audrey Hepburn performance, peak Givenchy fashion, and one of the greatest party scenes ever filmed make this classic as delicious as a croissant eaten outside a robin’s egg-blue window. (Just prepare to fast-forward the jaw-droppingly racist Mickey Rooney bits.) How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998) The real-life romance that inspired it may have gone sour, but who needs facts when this movie delivers the ultimate vacation fantasy? Angela Bassett (excellent as always) is the workaholic single mom who takes a chance on love with a breathtakingly gorgeous younger man (Taye Diggs) during a scenic Montego Bay getaway. Dirty Dancing (1987) Nobody puts baby in a corner, and nobody is more fun to watch than Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey learning to find each other’s rhythms (no spaghetti arms!) in this sexy, dance-centric ode to the summer of 1963. Pretty Woman (1990) This most unlikely of Cinderella stories still works like a charm, thanks mainly to Julia Roberts’ megawatt performance as a savvy prostitute who finds love on her own terms with a wealthy client (a very suave Richard Gere). The Wedding Singer (1998) Even Adam Sandler’s haters have a soft spot for this sugar-sweet 80s homage, featuring a radiant Drew Barrymore, an unforgettable Billy Idol cameo and a story tweaked to hilarity by secret script doctor Carrie Fisher. Notting Hill (1999) An A-list American actress (Julia Roberts) falls for an ordinary Englishman (Hugh Grant, in peak adorable-bumbler mode) in this charming comic fantasy about love, friendship and pre-social media fame. Love & Basketball (2000) Sports can be romantic, as proven in Love & Basketball. The chemistry between Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) and Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) is unforgettable. This movie has become a cult classic and rightly so, as it gets everything right about a childhood crush that turns into everlasting love.
Early-Aughts Girls’ Night Faves
Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001) Renee Zellweger’s hot mess of an office worker remains oh-so-relatable to any woman who has survived her 30s, even if most of us didn’t get to choose between Colin Firth and Hugh Grant along the way. Legally Blonde (2001) Watching sunny Elle Woods’ ascendance to the top of her Harvard Law class is guaranteed to lift even the darkest mood. Like the bend and snap, it has a 98 percent success rate. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) It’s unusual for the heroine of a romantic comedy to actively torpedo her own romance, but that’s what makes this one so much fun. Kate Hudson seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself as a magazine writer pursuing the title piece, and Matthew McConaughey is well-matched as the yummy guy who takes the bait. 13 Going on 30 (2004) Highly underrated comedic actress Jennifer Garner is the heart of this breezy, female-centric twist on the Big formula: An unpopular 13-year-old wishes she could be 30, flirty and thriving, and boom, she’s drinking appletinis, working at a fashion magazine and romancing Mark Ruffalo. You know, the joys of aging. Miss Congeniality (2000) Sandra Bullock gives her most lovably goofy performance as Grace Hart, a gawky FBI agent going undercover as a beauty pageant contestant to investigate a bomb threat. Like April 25, it’s the perfect date…for you and a few friends. Brown Sugar (2002) This is one of our favorites for a few reasons, but let’s start with the unbeatable cast! Seeing Sanaa Lathan, Taye Diggs, Queen Latifah and Mos Def all in one film had us running to the theater when this came out. Plus, a couple who comes together over a shared love of hip hop? Too romantic to resist. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) Late bloomer Toula (multi-talented screenwriter Nia Vardalos) discovers her own beauty when she meets the perfect man (John Corbett)–and scandalizes her family when they realize he’s not Greek!– in this classic indie comedy full of unforgettable characters. (“Inside the lump…was my twin. Spanikopita!”) Center Stage (2000) Preposterous teen drama and great dancing are a winning combination in this film about a competitive New York ballet academy, featuring a memorable dance battle and a young Zoe Saldana in her film debut. Two Can Play That Game (2001) This is the movie that taught us, “men are so predictable.” It might not be entirely true but we trust pretty much anything Vivica A. Fox says. Let’s just say, Two Can Play That Game walked so movies like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and He’s Just Not That Into You could run. The Wedding Planner (2001) Wedding planner Mary (Jennifer Lopez) breaks her cardinal rule and falls in love with the groom (Matthew McConaughey) in this comedy with a top-notch supporting cast, including rom-com MVP Judy Greer as her tried-and-true best friend and Fred Willard as a wacky tango instructor. Deliver Us From Eva (2003) It’s pretty much fact that The Taming of the Shrew makes for great modern-day rom-com fodder, and Deliver Us From Eva further proves that. Like most rom-coms, Deliver Us From Eva doesn’t really fit into the 2022 landscape (it has some sexist elements), but the pairing of Gabrielle Union and LL Cool J makes it worthy of a spot on this list!
Group Hang Movies
Hustlers (2019) Jennifer Lopez is a dazzling pole dancer with a scheme to fleece her wealthy clients, and Constance Wu is her eager protégé, in this equally fun and thought-provoking film about a sisterhood forged in a strip club. Girls Trip (2017) If you’ve ever reunited with friends from college, then you know those relationships are messy, embarrassing and worth their weight in gold. Queen Latifah, Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Tiffany Haddish totally capture that dynamic in this laugh-out-loud comedy about former besties who travel to New Orleans for a dream vacation. The First Wives Club (1996) Revenge is a dish best served by Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler. After their husbands all leave them for younger women, these baby-boomer icons join forces—and sing in three-part harmony—to go after the lives (and alimony) they deserve. Ocean’s Eight (2018) An all-star team of bold and entertaining women (Sandra Bullock, Rihanna, Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina and Helena Bonham Carter) conspires to crash the Met Gala and steal some priceless jewels. The plot is cotton-candy thin, but Blanchett’s chic suits and Hathaway’s self-parodying performance are worth the price of admission. The Sweetest Thing (2002) You’ll never hear Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” the same way again after joining Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate and Selma Blair on their raunchy, ridiculous road trip. Be sure to watch the unrated version for maximum laughs and certain inappropriate yet hilarious jokes. Bring It On (2000) This isn’t a democracy, it’s a cheer-ocracy–so if you’re going to watch a cheerleading movie you should watch the best cheerleading movie. Kirsten Dunst plays the captain of a competitive San Diego high school squad who learns that her team has been stealing moves from a rival team in East Compton, headed up by Gabrielle Union. Waiting to Exhale (1995) Watching Angela Bassett set her cheating husband’s car on fire is a necessary form of self-care for all of us. Whitney Houston, Loretta Devine and Lela Rochon round out the enviable friend group in this laughter-and-tear-provoking drama, based on the Terry McMillan novel. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) It’s four coming-of-age stories in one globe-hopping package: Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively, America Ferrera and Alexis Bledel play 16-year-old best friends spending the summer apart for the first time, who mail each other a lucky pair of jeans as a way of staying connected. Set It Off (1996) One of the all-time great heist films, F. Gary Gray’s crime thriller brings Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett (not-yet-Smith), Vivica A. Fox and Kimberly Elise together as working-class women who, fed up with the racism and misogyny that they face in their lives, decide to rob banks together. Make it a double feature with Girls Trip, which contains a cheeky nod to Pinkett and Latifah’s first film together. Coyote Ugly (2000) Admit it, you once thought your 20s would be like this: moving to the big city, working at a super-fun bar with all your friends, wearing cute halter tops and watching Tyra Banks dance with a ketchup bottle.
BFF Goals
Little Women (2019) No fictional sisters in history have a more enviable bond than the March girls (Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen), four very different women who manage to support each other through love, war, poverty, debutante balls and the rich boy next door that only one of them gets to marry (a perfectly cast Timothee Chalamet). Greta Gerwig’s brilliant, heartfelt adaptation may be the best film version of Louisa May Alcott’s coming-of-age novel. I Feel Pretty (2018) An insecure IT worker (Amy Schumer) wakes up believing that she looks like a supermodel–and her delightful best friends (Aidy Bryant and Busy Philipps) have her back–in this breezy comedy about the transformative power of self-confidence. Booksmart (2019) Olivia Wilde gives the last-party-before-high-school-graduation comedy a Millennial makeover, starring the very lovable Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever as studious besties who decide to cut loose for one night. Full of wild tangents (like a scene where the girls accidentally take hallucinogens and believe they’re Barbie dolls), it’s an instant cult classic. Practical Magic (1998) Sisterhood is the best kind of witchcraft in this fable about magically-gifted siblings (Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman) who, along with their maiden aunts (Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest), must fend off an undead ex and a family curse. Fortunately, they have plenty of midnight margaritas. Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion (1997) Take it from Romy (Mia Sorvino) and Michele (Lisa Kudrow): the only person whose opinion should matter to you is your best friend, and the only way to slow-dance to Cyndi Lauper is with three people. Bridesmaids (2011) Written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, Bridesmaids is not just a laugh-out-loud comedy about how weddings drive women to outrageous actions; it’s also a thoughtful look at how female friendships grow and change in adulthood. With poop jokes. Thelma & Louise (1991) Watch it for Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis kicking the patriarchy’s butt, watch it for a timeless story of friendship against the odds, but most of all, watch it for shirtless Brad Pitt. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) In Audrey Wells’ dreamy rom-com, Frances (Diane Lane) gets a fresh start when she spontaneously buys a fixer-upper in the Italian countryside. Even more enviable than her European life do-over is her friendship with Patti (Sandra Oh), who gets the ball rolling by giving newly divorced Frances a ticket to Tuscany. Crazy Rich Asians (2018) Jon M. Chu’s lavish comedy offers plenty of eye candy (a partially-underwater wedding, Henry Golding in a tux), but also has one of the all-time great movie best friends: Peik Lin (Awkwafina), who gives her naive bestie Rachel (Constance Wu) a makeover from her own closet and a place to stay after she fights with her boyfriend, and even flies her mom from New York to Singapore to help Rachel through a breakup. She’s the friend we’d all like to be if we were born obscenely wealthy.
High School Hilarity
10 Things I Hate About You (1999) Forget Brokeback Mountain, forget Batman Returns—this fresh, funny high-school romance (loosely based on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew) is the film we always want to remember Heath Ledger by. She’s the Man (2006) Amanda Bynes is thoroughly unconvincing—but delightful to watch!—as a teenage girl who masquerades as her twin brother to join a prep-school soccer team in this convoluted, gently subversive comedy. Mean Girls (2004) This Tina Fey-written comedy has more great one-liners than Gretchen Weiners’ hair has secrets. Enjoy Amy Poehler’s immortal cameo (“I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom!”) and pour one out for Lindsay Lohan’s post-2004 career. Blockers (2018) There are plenty of films about teenage boys plotting to lose their virginity on prom night. Kay Cannon’s sex comedy turns the tables, telling the story of three female seniors (Kathryn Newton, Geraldine Viswanathan and Gideon Adlon) who make a prom-night sex pact—much to the horror of their spying parents (Leslie Mann, John Cena and Ike Barinholtz). The result: a sweet, sex-positive coming-of-age story with big laughs. Clueless (1995) Leave Cher Horowitz off this list? As if! Amy Heckerling’s Jane Austen-inspired comedy is a flawless time capsule of 90s fashion, valley-girl slang and Paul Rudd’s unchanging hotness. Lady Bird (2017) Watching Saoirse Ronan navigate her senior year of high school, and a difficult relationship with her mother (Laurie Metcalf), you may feel like writer-director Greta Gerwig has been spying on your memories. Fortunately, they’re a lot funnier when they’re happening to someone else. Easy A (2010) Emma Stone has the confidence we all longed for in high school, as a girl who decides to own her undeserved reputation at school in this hilarious twist on The Scarlet Letter. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018) Lana Condor and Noah Centineo make the cutest will-they-or-won’t-they couple in this YA adaptation about a shy teenage girl who writes letters to her secret crushes, never intending to send them…until fate (or a certain person close to her) intervenes.
Good Cries
A Star is Born (2018) The movie so good that Hollywood made it four times, A Star is Born is the quintessential tragic romance about a household-name celebrity (Bradley Cooper) who discovers a talented nobody (Lady Gaga), and then crashes and burns as her star eclipses his. Cooper and Gaga’s version is a knockout, thanks to their great chemistry and a killer soundtrack. Carol (2015) Swoon over the immaculate period details and long, meaningful gazes in this 1950s-set romance, in which a glamorous, unhappily married lesbian (Cate Blanchett) and a shy, rebellious photographer (Rooney Mara) pursue a forbidden affair. Titanic (1997) What’s the point of having friends over, if not to argue all night about whether Rose (Kate Winslet) could have made room for Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) on that raft? The romantic tragedy that dominated the late-90s is still a great night at the movies. Beaches (1988) If you reach for a tissue at the first notes of “Wind Beneath My Wings,” chances are you’re well acquainted with this epic tale of a lifelong friendship between ambitious singer C.C. (Bette Midler) and single-mom lawyer Hillary (Barbara Hershey) that begins under the Atlantic City boardwalk and ends in so many tears. Steel Magnolias (1989) Whether you’re a steely Southern lady or just like to sip sweet tea, there’s nothing like spending a couple of hours at Truvy’s salon with Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Sally Field, Olympia Dukakis, Daryl Hannah and (sniffle) Julia Roberts. The Notebook (2004) He wrote her 365 letters! Nick Cassavetes’ romantic drama delivers all the feels, and the chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams (who either hated each other’s guts or fell in love during shooting, depending on who’s telling the story) is impossible to resist.
Modern Romance
Always Be My Maybe (2019) Stars Ali Wong and Randall Park co-wrote this comedic gem about childhood friends turned lovers—a sort of updated When Harry Met Sally, featuring a genius cameo from Keanu Reeves as the worst possible person your ex could date. The Big Sick (2017) It’s the age-old story of boy meets girl, girl ends up in the hospital with a life-threatening infection, and boy decides to try and make their relationship work while dealing with the frightening possibility of death and the pressure from his family to pursue an arranged marriage. OK, so it’s not an age-old story, but Kumail Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan shine in this memorable film based on Nanjiani’s real-life romance with his wife, co-writer Emily V. Gordon. Trainwreck (2015) Amy Schumer stars in this semi-autobiographical comedy about a woman trying to get her life together—like a more cynical, raunchier Bridget Jones. Bill Hader is perfect as the love interest worth sobering up for. Magic Mike (2012) There’s some darkness to Steven Soderbergh’s drama about a male strip club, but it’s a legitimately great film that also features Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey and Joe Manganiello tearing their clothes off. For a girls’ movie night, it doesn’t get any better than this. Emma. (2020) Counting Clueless and the Gwyneth Paltrow version, Hollywood already gave us two perfectly good adaptations of this Jane Austen tale. Then along came Autumn de Wilde’s tart, stylish and hilarious take on the novel, starring Anya Taylor-Joy as the social-butterfly matchmaker of the title. It’s essential viewing whether you’ve seen the others or not.
Dance and Sing-a-long Flicks
Grease (1978) Like shoo-bop sha wadda wadda yippity boom de boom, this John Travolta-Olivia Newton-John musical is forever. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) The first Mamma Mia! is fun but the second one is a straight-up blast, with flashbacks showing younger versions of all the characters (Lily James in the Meryl Streep role, for instance) and a scene-stealing Cher as the prodigal grandmother of pregnant Sophie (Amanda Seyfried). You’ll be singing “Super Trooper” for days. Step Up (2006) Real-life sparks fly between now-exes Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan (who married three years after the film premiered) in the winning first installment of the love-and-street-dancing franchise. If you’re up for a marathon, Step Up 2: The Streets and Step Up 3D are both worth a watch (though the third is sadly Tatum-free). Pitch Perfect (2012) As college comedies go, this raucous film about a female singing group is aca-mazing. Once your friends have finished their drinks, you can all try pulling off Anna Kendrick’s “Cup Song.” Dreamgirls (2006) Prepare to feel all the emotions as you watch Effie White (Jennifer Hudson) rise to stardom in a 60s girl group, experience utter betrayal, then claw her way back to the top. The stellar musical features a double album’s worth of terrific songs, including a show-stopping solo number for Beyoncé. Save the Last Dance (2001) Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas give memorable performances as an interracial high school couple in this surprisingly complex teen drama featuring one of Kerry Washington’s earliest performances. The chart-topping R&B soundtrack will take you right back to the turn of the century. Spice World (1997) Spice up your life! Posh, Baby, Scary, Sporty and Ginger are the center of a pop-music whirlwind in this daffy musical comedy, featuring cameos by every British star from Elvis Costello to Ab Fab comedienne Jennifer Saunders. Next, laugh and love with the best romantic comedies of all time.
