Galentine's Day is here! Celebrate with your besties by watching these 10 TV shows, movies

Charles Trepany and Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
Updated ·5 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Galentine's Day is upon us, which means it's time to gather with those near and dear for a celebration of friendship.

What is Galentine's Day, you may ask? Well, according to one seminal sitcom character, it's "only the best day of the year!" Galentine's Day, which falls the day before Valentine's Day and traces its origins to an episode of the popular workplace comedy "Parks and Recreation," embodies the spirit of Valentine's Day — but rather than doling out mushiness and affection to your lover, you dole it out to your best gals.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate Galentine's Day (which you can read all about here), but, in our opinion, no celebration is complete without viewing a TV show or movie that celebrates friendship.

Happy Galentine's Day! Here's how to bring the love and celebrate the February 13 holiday

Here are some Galentine's Day viewing recommendations:

1. 'Parks and Recreation' Galentine's Day episode (2010)

For Valentine's Day: "Parks and Recreation" not only has great romances worthy of Valentine's, it actually has led to a semi-recognized holiday on February 13: Galentine's Day.
For Valentine's Day: "Parks and Recreation" not only has great romances worthy of Valentine's, it actually has led to a semi-recognized holiday on February 13: Galentine's Day.

Of course, the origin of the pop culture holiday has to be mandatory viewing. Season 2, episode 16 of "Parks and Recreation," entitled "Galentine's Day" sees the show's lead Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) celebrating the holiday with a group of her girlfriends at a local diner.

In the episode, Knope lays out the pillars of a proper Galentine's Day celebration:

  • Leave the boyfriends and husbands at home

  • Kick it breakfast style (i.e. grab waffles or pancakes at a local spot)

  • Have ladies celebrate ladies

2. 'Bridesmaids' (2011)

Perhaps the ultimate comedy about female friendship, the 2011 film "Bridesmaids" will have you and your besties cracking up at the antics of an iconic female ensemble featuring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph and more.

3. 'Girls Trip' (2017)

What's more Galentine's than a group of female friends embarking on a zany adventure? The 2017 film "Girls Trip," starring Tiffany Haddish, Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah and more, will inspire you to plan a wild vacay with your besties for next year's celebration.

4. 'Mean Girls' (2004) or 'Mean Girls (Musical)' (2024)

Left to right: Lindsay Lohan as Cady, Amanda Seyfried as Karen, Lacey Chabert as Gretchen and Rachel McAdams as Regina in a scene from the motion picture u0022Mean Girls.u0022
Left to right: Lindsay Lohan as Cady, Amanda Seyfried as Karen, Lacey Chabert as Gretchen and Rachel McAdams as Regina in a scene from the motion picture u0022Mean Girls.u0022

Sure, girls can be mean. But, in the end, the 2004 comedy "Mean Girls," starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried and Lacey Chabert, is all about women deciding to lift each other up rather than tear each other down. What's more Galentine's Day than that?

And if one "Mean Girls" movie isn't enough, we have good news. The film was recently revamped with a musical adaptation starring pop singer Reneé Rapp.

Avantika plays Karen Shetty, Angourie Rice plays Cady Heron, Renee Rapp plays Regina George and Bebe Wood plays Gretchen Wieners in "Mean Girls" from Paramount Pictures.
Avantika plays Karen Shetty, Angourie Rice plays Cady Heron, Renee Rapp plays Regina George and Bebe Wood plays Gretchen Wieners in "Mean Girls" from Paramount Pictures.

5. 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' (2005)

Out? Friendship bracelets. In? Cryptic pants. In the 2005 film "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," starring America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively and Alexis Bledel, a pair of jeans that somehow magically fits all of the women in a friend group, despite their different sizes, is what keeps each of the besties connected as they drift down different life paths.

6. 'Magic Mike's Last Dance' (2023)

Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek nearly had a mishap while rehearsing for their steamy routine in "Magic Mike's Last Dance."
Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek nearly had a mishap while rehearsing for their steamy routine in "Magic Mike's Last Dance."

In what seems to be an increasingly polarized society, there is at least one thing many women can unite behind: shirtless Channing Tatum. "Magic Mike's Last Dance," which came out Feb. 9 and earned $8.2 million its first weekend in North American theaters, sees Tatum back in his role as Mike, a retired male stripper who helps a socialite played by Salma Hayek produce a stage play. (Read our ★★½ out of four review of the film here.)

7. 'Clueless' (1995)

Stacey Dash (left), as Dionne, and Alicia Silverstone, as Cher, appear in the 1995 film "Clueless."
Stacey Dash (left), as Dionne, and Alicia Silverstone, as Cher, appear in the 1995 film "Clueless."

Cher and Dionne are one of the most iconic BFF pairings in cinematic history in this charming teen comedy starring Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy and Paul Rudd. Plus, Cher's mentorship-turned-friendship with new student Tai is as hilarious as it is heartwarming. Come for the stylish plaid ensembles; stay for the endearing camaraderie.

8. 'Crossroads' (2002)

Zoe Saldaña as Kit, from left, Britney Spears as Lucy and Taryn Manning as Mimi appear in a scene from the 2002 film "Crossroads."
Zoe Saldaña as Kit, from left, Britney Spears as Lucy and Taryn Manning as Mimi appear in a scene from the 2002 film "Crossroads."

In her feature film debut, pop icon Britney Spears stars as Lucy, a shy and sheltered teen who longs to connect with her absentee mother (Kim Cattrall) against the wishes of her dad (Dan Aykroyd). Lucy is joined by best friends Kit (Zoe Saldaña) and Mimi (Taryn Manning) on a road trip to California, along with the handsome Ben (Anson Mount).

The film was panned by critics upon its release, but come on: road-trip shenanigans with friends + Britney nostalgia? You can't go wrong.

9. 'The Craft' (1996)

Friends don't let friends take revenge alone.

In this horror fantasy starring Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell and Rachel True, a group of teen witches use their supernatural powers to dole out vigilante justice against those who've wronged them.

10. 'Aquamarine' (2006)

Emma Roberts, from left, JoJo and Sara Paxton appear in a scene from the 2006 film "Aquamarine."
Emma Roberts, from left, JoJo and Sara Paxton appear in a scene from the 2006 film "Aquamarine."

Emma Roberts, JoJo and Sara Paxton star in this sweet fantasy comedy about boy-crazed BFFs Hailey (JoJo) and Claire (Roberts), who discover a mermaid named Aquamarine (Paxton) sitting by the pool one summer night. The girls help their new amphibious pal, who fled a forced marriage, prove to her father that love exists by setting her up with a hunky lifeguard (Jake McDorman).

More stories celebrating love, Valentine's Day

Contributing: Anna Kaufman, Erin Jensen and Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY; Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Galentine's Day viewing guide: 10 movies, shows on female friendship