There’s nothing more that I love than seeing three-dimensional female characters in strong and well developed friendships with one another. It leaves me feeling reinvigorated and hopeful about life. These friendships offer me a cathartic release and a look into relationships that I can actually relate with. Even with the progress we’ve made, unfortunately, there still aren’t enough three-dimensional female characters who are talking to each other about more than just men these days. Here are my top fifteen female friendships in both film and television that are written well and speak to my soul.
Madeline, Renata, Celeste, Bonnie, and Jane – Big Little Lies
True friendships aren’t just sunshine and rainbows. There are conflicts, and like every relationship, they require work. These women stand behind and support one another through the darkest of times and through situations that real people would never want to go up against. They face these issues head on together. Even when one of them is being stubborn or not exactly honest, they all understand that no one is perfect, and they are only human. Time and time again they come together and prove how much they love each other, and that’s what makes this show so powerful.
Molly and Amy – Booksmart
In high school, all you really want is to be accepted even if it’s just by one person. Molly and Amy are two peas in a pod who delight in being weird together. Their friendship is so beautiful and will have you cry-laughing along with them. Even through the growing pains they’re able to be absolutely thrilled by each other’s successes and wins. It is readily apparent how much they love each other and how proud they are of one another. Grab your best friend, some popcorn, and maybe take a page out of Molly and Amy’s book by spending a little more time having good old fashioned “compliment offs” after this movie.
All of the women of GLOW
These women have complicated and strained friendships at times, but through it all they still manage to come together when it means keeping each other employed, safe, and healthy. If one of the women is uncertain about her abilities, there is always someone there to practice with her and encourage her. They have been through so much, and always come around to supporting one another’s aspirations outside of wrestling. This show is hilarious, heartwarming, and exciting. You can’t go wrong with badass women kicking ass in the professional world and killing it in the friendship department. Please, un-cancel this show and at least finish the fourth season. Since the cancellation news, I’ve been baking pies….pies of RAGE!
Ashburn and Mullins – The Heat
A comedy duo made in heaven, Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy are here to bring the heat both on your ass and in their chemistry on screen. As Ashburn and Mullins work together, they begin to learn more about on another and soon find themselves in the thick of a lasting friendship. The genuine look of concern and worry in both of their eyes when they think that something bad has happened to the other warms the cockles of my heart.
Meredith and Cristina – Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy took a steep decline in quality after Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) left the show. The heart and soul of the show was in the relationship between Meredith and Cristina. They taught us that no matter how dark and twisty you are, you’re still worthy of love and capable of loving someone. The TV show was ultimately about the love story between Meredith and Cristina which is why it isn’t quite working now. If you find your person be sure to appreciate them and always find the time to dance it out.
Julie Powell and Julia Child – Julie & Julia
Yes, this one is a bit unconventional. During the course of this movie Julie forms a friendship with Julia Child but in her own head. It is the version of Julia that she created for herself by watching TV clips of her show and reading her cookbook. She even finds herself talking to Julia in her head as if she would answer. This friendship with Julia is something that Julie needed at that point in her life, and it pulls her out of a stagnant period and a sadness. She also becomes a great cook herself and realizes how cooking a meal for yourself and your loved ones can be therapeutic. Friends and food are always a winning combination.
Daria and Jane – Daria
Ah, the show that was almost perfect in the late ‘90s: Daria. Jane and Daria are traditional misfits together in a wacky town that makes them look like the only normal people. They immediately understand each other from their very first interaction. Even when the unthinkable happened—a boy came between them—it wasn’t enough to destroy their friendship. No matter the difficulties that arose in their relationship, they always seemed to find their way back to one another and hash it out over some pizza.
Frances and Sophie – Frances Ha
Getting older is a tough thing to go through. Friendships are often a casualty of people maturing, getting married, or moving across the country. Frances experiences this bittersweetness with Sophie. Greta Gerwig flawlessly encapsulates so well that true heartache and pain that comes with feeling like you’re losing your best friend, but ultimately learning that you have to move on with your own life too.
Lucy and Ethel – I Love Lucy
The one true pairing of female friendships, the OGs: Lucy and Ethel. Let’s face it, their relationship was the reason why we all loved I Love Lucy. It was way more interesting than either of their marriages. The dynamic between the two women is pure magic. Ethel is always down for helping Lucy in whatever scheme she comes up with to take her one step closer to her dream of being in show business, and Lucy adores Ethel and trusts her implicitly. Even though it’s a little one-sided in the activities, Ethel finds fun and excitement in Lucy’s ideas, and Lucy is always there for Ethel when she needs her. What more can you ask for?
Tully and Marlo – Tully
Another friendship that is a little less conventional is that between Marlo and Tully. Not only does the movie show the darkness of postpartum depression and how much it can get swept under the rug by others, it also shows the importance of having someone to talk to during that time and loving the pieces of yourself that you thought were long gone. With the generational gaps between the two women, Marlo is able to counsel Tully in some of her problems but is also able to see some of her own mistakes and past in a new light. Tully shows her how to appreciate every moment and to remain present. Something that is desperately needed in this life.
Abbi and Ilana – Broad City
Abbi and Ilana’s real life friendship gives them perfect on-screen chemistry. This show is absolutely hilarious, and their relationship is funny yet heartwarming. Can it be a bit codependent at times? Yes, but throughout the show’s run they both learn how to have a healthier friendship and how to let go of one another when it is necessary. For being a comedy, these women know how to punch you right in the heart sometimes. I sure do miss these broads.
Jo, Meg, Amy, Beth, and Marmee – Little Women (2019)
There are not enough words to describe how wonderful Greta Gerwig’s masterful adaptation of this story is, but of course, the majority of the credit goes to Louisa May Alcott for creating such strong and brilliant female characters in the first place. These women are family, but they are all also best friends. They spend the entire movie loving and lifting one another up even through the minor scrapes. The chemistry is electric, and I feel like I’m whole again after I watch this movie. It is one of the best examples I’ve ever seen of how to write women well.
Leslie Knope and Ann Perkins – Parks and Recreation
This friendship almost seemed unlikely at the beginning, but oh, how it turned into one of the best. Sure, like Lucy and Ethel, there are lots of comedic moments thrown in, but these two do not shy away from expressing how they feel about one another. Leslie Knope is a very intense person anyway, so when she finds something or someone she loves, she is all in and loves them so much it can be a lot for some people to take (April, for instance). Ann is the perfect balance to Leslie’s intensity; her friendship is more gentle, but she is fiercely protective of those that she cares for. I love seeing the two of them interact; it is one of the highlights of the show. Not to mention it gave us one of the best holidays we have: Galentine’s Day!
Samantha, Roberta, Teeny, and Chrissy – Now and Then
Some may call it the female version of Stand By Me. I just call it Now and Then, and you know what? I think it’s better than Stand By Me. Yeah, I said it. These girls are the best of friends and have a truly memorable summer together, and as adolescence can often be, it is both sweet and painful. They catch glimpses of adulthood and realize the changes that are quickly approaching them. Maybe it’s not as pressing to be in a rush to grow up as they previously thought. It’s a great coming of age movie to watch when you’re feeling nostalgic, and the cast is superb.
Annie and Lillian – Bridesmaids
Of course this movie would be included! Not only is it about the friendship between Annie and Lillian but also about new friends. It is amazing how long it took for Hollywood to realize that women love going to the movies, and both men and women enjoy seeing stories about women, but here you have it! Bridesmaids was a box office hit in 2011 and finally gave them the data that they’ve barely done anything with since then. Even though Annie has a love interest, the movie isn’t solely focused on whether they get together or not. It’s more of a side story. Wow! Imagine female characters being fun, smart, likable, fully fleshed out, and hilarious because the movie is focused on developing their characters and the friendships amongst them all instead of them needing to find a suitable mate. It’s almost as if women can be interesting humans…I digress. The friendship between Annie and Lillian is very relatable. Watching your best friend make new friends can make you feel like you’re on the outside looking in. It can be painful to see her have inside jokes with someone else, but it is part of life, and I think this movie does a good job showing Annie’s growth and acceptance of this. She learns about the silver lining that Lillian’s new friends can be hers too!
I know there are a good amount of female friendships in TV and film that I’ve missed, but I thought fifteen might even be pushing it for a listicle, and I’m a little stunned to actually have such a problem. What are some of your favorite female friendships that I haven’t listed here?
When I’m not busy daydreaming or having an existential crisis, I can usually be found watching a movie or TV, listening to music or a podcast, or with my nose in a book.