32 Movies About Friendship to Watch with Your BFFs
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As much as I love a good romantic movie, it's always rewarding to see films that celebrate the beauty (and complexity) of platonic friendships. Whether it's a tight-knit group of BFFs who embark on a wild trip to New Orleans or a pair of rivals who form an unlikely bond, these titles remind me that friendships can be as rewarding as they are complicated.
Perhaps you’re in the mood for an insightful drama that speaks to the challenges of maintaining friendships throughout adulthood (because let’s face it, making adult friends is hard), or maybe you’d prefer a lighthearted comedy that follows the misadventures of close pals. Thankfully, streaming services like Hulu and Netflix have all the best options available to watch at your leisure. Keep reading for 32 of the best movies about friendship.
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1. Joy Ride (2023)
Who's in it: Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu
Run time: 94 minutes
The Hangover meets Girls Trip in this laugh-out-loud comedy, where four unlikely friends—Audrey, Lolo, Kat and Deadeye—embark on a wild international adventure after Audrey's business trip goes south. Yes, it's incredibly raunchy, but I appreciate the film's authentic portrayal of how complicated friendships can be—especially when different friend groups are mixed.
Director Adele Lim told ScreenRant, "This movie came about because Cherry and Teresa, my co-writers and producers on this movie, we've been friends for a long time. We would just hang out together and crack each other out with nasty dating stories or stories from our friends, our completely unhinged, ridiculous friends. And we thought, 'We're professional writers. We can put this movie together.' We set out to make the kind of movie we wish we had growing up."
2. You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah
Cast: Idina Menzel, Jackie Sandler, Adam Sandler, Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler
Run time: 103 minutes
If you need proof that talent runs un the Sandler family, do yourself a favor and watch this charming comedy, which stars his wife and two daughters. It tells the story of a teenager who enlists the help of her BFF to plan the perfect bat mitzvah (and win over her crush). However, things go south when her bestie starts dating her crush. Operations Director of Branded Content, Rachel Gulmi, said, "[This movie] made me feel like I was that age again, with all the drama and friendship circles and party invites. It was so cute and hit on all the right notes."
3. Bridesmaids (2011)
Who's in it: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Ellie Kemper, Melissa McCarthy
Run time: 124 minutes
Annie’s life may be in shambles, but it’s not stopping her from stepping up as her best friend’s maid of honor. Although she’s determined to make the most of her BFF’s milestone occasion, another successful friend tries to upstage her, leading to a messy rivalry and a wild adventure that the bride-to-be certainly didn’t sign up for.
Reflecting on the film's legacy, director Paul Feig told Observer, "It just launched this super group of hilarious people to the world and showed the industry that movies starring women can make money. And it doesn’t even matter that it was good; by Hollywood’s definition, something’s only valid if it makes money. And had we done Bridesmaids and got these amazing reviews and it was beloved but it didn’t make any money or lost money, it would not have made any difference."
4. Stand By Me (1986)
Who's in it: Wil Wheaton, Jerry O’Connell, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman
Run time: 88 minutes
In the summer of 1959, four young boys—Gordie, Vern, Chris and Teddy—set out to find the body of a missing local, who was recently discovered in the woods. And during the trek, they learn quite a bit about loyalty and friendship. Kiefer Sutherland, who played Ace, told The Guardian that the film bore some resemblance to his own experiences. He said, "In many ways, the story that was being told in the movie was actually happening to me in my life. Those are the summers and friends I will never forget."
5. Girls Trip (2017)
Who's in it: Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Tiffany Haddis
Run time: 122 minutes
Allow us to introduce the fabulous Flossy Posse, a group of four girlfriends who decide to make the most of their getaway to New Orleans. While it’s overflowing with raunchy scenes and laugh-worthy moments, the ladies’ friendship remains the core focus of this brilliant comedy, and it features the absolute best cast. During her appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Hall said, "It has a lovely message. It's [about] sisterhood, being true to yourself and being courageous enough to walk in your truth."
6. Friend (2001)
Who's in it: Jang Dong-gun, Yu Oh-seong, Kim Bo-kyung
Run time: 117 minutes
Four kids from different backgrounds become the closest of friends, but as they get older, their different paths begin to pull them apart. While two of them pursue their education in college, the other two get involved with drugs and, worse yet, become each other’s rivals. Fun fact: This film is a semi-autobiographical, based on director Kwak Kyung-taek's personal exoeriences with friends in his hometown, Busan.
7. The Wood (1999)
Who's in it: Taye Diggs, Omar Epps, Richard T. Jones
Run time: 106 minutes
It's not too often that I get to see a film that explores the messiness of male friendships, so I have a special appreciation for this gem. When Roland gets cold feet and suddenly disappears on his wedding day, it’s up to his closest pals, Mike and Slim, to find him before the wedding begins. And along the way, they relive some of their wildest stories from their teenage years.
8. Booksmart (2019)
Who's in it: Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jessica Williams
Run time: 102 minutes
After spending the entirety of their high school years sticking their noses in books, close friends Amy and Molly decide to make up for lost time and squeeze as much fun as possible into a single night. As expected, mayhem ensues.
Regarding the film's portrayal of Amy and Molly's bond, Dever told Gold Derby, “It was so refreshing to read a story about female friendship that was so true…I think we all have had that friend at one point in time. And the great thing about them is that they aren’t afraid that they’re smart. They’re not self-conscious about it. They are so proud, and they have so much drive."
9. Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)
Who's in it: Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, Janeane Garofalo, Justin Theroux
Run time: 91 minutes
Desperate to impress their high school peers at their 10-year reunion, best friends Romy and Michele decide to pose as mega-successful women and lie about their careers. However, it’s only a matter of time before their classmates start to expose the cracks in their outlandish stories. The fashion inspo in this film is fantastic, and Kudrow and Sorvino's chemistry is so convincing that I nearly took them for real-life BFFs.
10. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
Who's in it: Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively, America Ferrera
Run time: 118 minutes
Based on the bestselling YA book, this movie follows Lena, Tibby, Bridget and Carmen, four close friends who try to stay connected while spending their first summer apart. The solution? A pair of jeans that magically fits each of them perfectly, despite their different body types.
Curtis said, "When I was a kid, finding confidence in the shape of my body was a tough thing to do in the early '00s. Magazines and TV shows glorified skinny bodies, but I’ll never forget the moment when America Ferrera, the curviest girl in the friend group, tried on the magic pants and they fit her like a glove. It made me feel seen and beautiful. A great film about friendship, connection and self-acceptance."
11. Dumb and Dumber (1994)
Who's in it: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels
Run time: 106 minutes
When two dim-witted friends, Lloyd and Harry, find a suitcase full of money, they embark on a road trip to return it to the rightful owner—not knowing that they are being pursued by authorities and killers determined to get their hands on that suitcase. Is it borderline absurd? Yep. But does it also depict how friendships can overcome even the biggest challenges? Absolutely.
12. Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
Who's in it: John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick Harris, Paula Garces
Run time: 87 minutes
The buddy comedy follows the misadventures of Harold and his best friend, Kumar as they set out to find a White Castle location after smoking marijuana and seeing one of their ads. Somehow, it turns into a bizarre trip that involves a stoned Neil Patrick Harris and an altercation with police—but you’ll be impressed by the smart humor. (Do yourself a favor and watch the entire franchise.)
13. Thelma & Louise (1991)
Who's in it: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel
Run time: 126 minutes
Easily one of the best road trip movies of all time, the film follows Thelma Dickinson and Louise Sawyer, two women who take a road trip to escape their dull lives…but it eventually turns out to be more than they bargained for. With feminist themes and amazing depictions of friendship, it’s easy to see why it won so many accolades.
14. The Brothers (2001)
Who's in it: Morris Chestnut, D.L. Hughley, Bill Bellamy, Shemar Moore
Run time: 102 minutes
Think Waiting to Exhale, except with four Black men, rather than four Black women. It follows the lives of four men as they navigate their friendships and romantic relationships. But when the playboy of the group announces that he’s tying the knot, it forces his friends to deal with their own commitment issues.
15. Brian's Song (1971)
Who's in it: James Caan, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Warden
Run time: 74 minutes
Set during the Civil Rights Era, football players and teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers start off as rivals. But when Gale suffers an injury, Brian helps him recover, and it leads to an unlikely, lasting friendship that symbolizes progress and hope.
16. Set It Off (1996)
Who's in it: Vivica A. Fox, Kimberly Elise, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith
Run time: 122 minutes
Vivica A. Fox, Kimberly Elise, Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith star as four Black women, who are desperate for financial security. They all agree to rob a bank together, but when one heist turns into multiple, it puts their friendship to the test—and their futures at risk.
Two decades later, Fox got emotional while reflecting on the project. She told People, "We made history together. I am so proud of the director, F. Gary Gray, who over 20 years ago when we made that film, he really was a stickler for making the storyline believable. He was so professional, we were throwing out pages, and rewriting it and making things work."
17. Now and Then (1995)
Who's in it: Demi Moore, Rosie O'Donnell, Melanie Griffith, Rita Wilson
Run time: 102 minutes
If you're down for a thoughtful coming-of-age film about loss, friendship, body image and puberty, then I implore you to watch this classic. Longtime friends Samantha, Roberta and Tina decide to have a special reunion with their childhood pal, Chrissy. Together, they reminisce about some of their favorite memories together from the summer of 1970.
18. Superbad (2007)
Who's in it: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Seth Rogen
Run time: 113 minutes
When Seth and Evan, two unpopular high school seniors and BFFs, get invited to a house party, they concoct a plan to supply plenty of booze and hopefully lose their virginity before heading off to college. But of course, things don't quite pan out as planned.
19. The Nice Guys (2016)
Who's in it: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice
Run time: 115 minutes
Set in Los Angeles during the ’70s, a pair of detectives, Holland March and Jackson Healy, are tasked with solving a case that involves the mysterious disappearance of a woman. But when they realize that dangerous people are also involved, they become fast allies and, eventually, good friends.
20. Sex and the City (2008)
Who's in it: Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Noth
Run time: 145 minutes
The movie finds Carrie Bradshaw in a committed relationship with Mr. Big, and as always, she and her friends continue to support each other as they balance their careers with relationships. Things go south, however, when one particular friend puts Carrie’s relationship in jeopardy…
21. Sunny (2011)
Who's in it: Yu Ho-Jeong, Sim Eun-kyeong, Kee-kyung Jin, So-ra Kang
Run time: 125 minutes
Grab your tissues, because this film will tug at the heartstrings. More than two decades after high school, six estranged friends agree to reunite and fulfill their dying friend’s wish. Told through two separate timelines, the film offers a glimpse of their adventures back then and their relationships now.
22. Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
Who's in it: Maribel Verdu, Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna
Run time: 105 minutes
Looking for a great film that portrays authentic male friendships? Add this one to your queue. The racy Spanish drama follows two teenage best friends who go on a road trip with an attractive woman in her 20s—but there’s more to her than meets the eye. It deals with weightier themes like classism and sexuality. (FYI, expect a lot of steamy intimate scenes.)
23. Confession (2014)
Who's in it: Ji Sung, Joo Ji-hoon
Run time: 114 minutes
In a perfect world, childhood friends would remain close well into adulthood—but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. In Confession, an unfortunate incident causes three close friends, Hyun-tae, In-cheol and Min-soo, to grow apart.
24. Mean Girls (2004)
Who's in it: Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, Amanda Seyfried
Run time: 96 minutes
When Cady Heron, the homeschooled new girl, attends public school for the first time, she agrees to infiltrate "The Plastics," better known as the most popular clique at North Shore High. But when she actually starts to become like them, it causes a rift between her and her outsider friends. Aside from giving us the best one-liners ever, Mean Girls also touches on several themes, from peer pressure to finding your identity.
25. 50/50 (2011)
Who's in it: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anjelica Huston
Run time: 99 minutes
Adam Lerner is shocked to learn one day that he has cancer, and he has a 50/50 chance of surviving his diagnosis. This new discovery tests his closest relationships and causes him to reconsider what truly matters.
26. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Who's in it: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller
Run time: 98 minutes
The film chronicles Charlie’s first year of high school, when he befriends two seniors, who help him navigate his biggest challenges. In the process, he enjoys the perks of experiencing first loves and genuine friendships. The indie classic deals with heavy themes like mental health, trauma and loneliness, while also highlighting how friendships can help one cope with those challenges.
27. Someone Great (2019)
Who's in it: Gina Rodriguez, Brittany Snow, DeWanda Wise
Run time: 92 minutes
After getting dumped by her boyfriend, Jenny, a music journalist, sets out to distract herself by having one last wild adventure with her best friends before moving to San Francisco for her dream job. A great reminder that quality time with your gal pals can fix almost anything.
While chatting with HelloGiggles, director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson revealed that she wanted to highlight the ups and downs of female friendships. She said, "For me, it was about putting this friendship and this sisterhood on screen and saying, 'It’s not always going to be perfect, and it’s not always going to be rainbows and sunshine, but it’s always, always, always rooted in that really deep place of love and sisterhood.'"
28. The First Wives Club (1996)
Who's in it: Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton
Run time: 102 minutes
Nothing brings people together quite like a common enemy. In First Wives Club, Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton shine as a trio of old friends who band together to seek revenge on their husbands, who left them for much younger women. Alexa, please play “You Don’t Own Me.”
29. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
Who's in it: Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke, RJ Cyler
Run time: 105 minutes
Inspired by Jesse Andrews' novel of the same name, this moving comedy-drama follows Greg Gaines, a teen whose views are challenged when he befriends a classmate with leukemia. The insightful and moving coming-of-age tale speaks to the importance of genuine friendships, effortlessly balancing drama with humor.
Director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon told San Diego Reader, "It was very important to me that the bitter and the sweet would coexist the way they do in real life. Little things that keep pushing back on you and reminding you that [even in the midst of drama], we share the space with comedy."
30. The Intouchables (2011)
Who's in it: Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny
Run time: 112 minutes
Philippe, a quadriplegic millionaire who resides in a mansion in Paris, hires Driss, a young criminal, to be his new caretaker. Despite their vastly different backgrounds and personalities, they bond and become good friends.
Omar Sy told Awards Daily, "I think it is at its core a very simple, human story that transcends culture and politics. Each of us has advantages and disadvantages in our lives, and to see these unlikely people helping one another through it, with warmth and humor, it strikes a chord. In a time when life has become difficult for a lot of people, when they have become very isolated, it’s nice to see a story about triumph and friendship."
31. Waiting to Exhale (1995)
Who's in it: Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon, Loretta Devine
Run time: 121 minutes
Bassett, Houston, Devine and Rochon play four best friends who support each other as they navigate their relationship woes in this '90s classic. Adapted from Terry McMillan’s best-seller, the film explored the complexities of female friendships and tackled themes like racism, body image and infidelity. It also gave us iconic scenes (like Bassett burning her husband’s car) and the best soundtrack. Cue Houston's "Exhale."
32. The Breakfast Club (1985)
Who's in it: Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Michael Hall, Paul Gleason
Run time: 96 minutes
This ‘80s classic is a testament to what can happen when you spend time with people who aren’t in your social circle. Emilio Estevez, Paul Gleason, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy play very different high school students, who are forced to spend their Saturday together in detention. Though they initially keep their distance, they all start to form an unlikely friendship.
