“Beaches”, 1988
Director: Garry Marshall
This film follows the lifelong friendship between two women from different backgrounds. The wealthy debutante, Hillary played by Barbara Hershey, and the brash child performer, CC played by Bette Midler, go through the years of ups and downs, sharing joys and hardships, and proving the strength of their bond.
Starring: Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey, John Heard, Spalding Gray, Lainie Kazan, James Read, Grace Johnston, Mayim Bialik, Marcie Leeds, Carol Williard;
Production year: 1988;
Genre: drama, comedy, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 123 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “Beaches” on the website imdb.com
“Fried Green Tomatoes”, 1991
Director: Jon Avnet
Told in both past and present, this film intertwines the story of a dissatisfied housewife and her friendship with an elderly woman, with a tale from the 1920s about the friendship between two women, Idgie and Ruth, in the American South.
Starring: Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker, Jessica Tandy, Cicely Tyson, Chris O'Donnell, Stan Shaw, Gailard Sartain, Timothy Scott, Gary Basaraba;
Production year: 1991;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 130 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Fried Green Tomatoes” on the website imdb.com
“Waiting to Exhale”, 1995
Director: Forest Whitaker
This film is about four African-American women who navigate their complex personal and professional lives while supporting each other through heartbreak, loss, and triumph.
Starring: Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Lela Rochon, Gregory Hines, Dennis Haysbert, Mykelti Williamson, Michael Beach, Leon, Wendell Pierce;
Production year: 1995;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
More information about the film “Waiting to Exhale” on the website imdb.com
“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”, 2005
Director: Ken Kwapis
Based on the novel of the same name, this film follows four teenage friends who share a pair of jeans that magically fits each of them, despite their different shapes and sizes, as they spend their first summer apart.
Starring: Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Jenna Boyd, Bradley Whitford, Nancy Travis, Rachel Ticotin, Mike Vogel, Michael Rady;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” on the website imdb.com
“Bridesmaids”, 2011
Director: Paul Feig
A comedy that centers around Annie, played by Kristen Wiig, whose life unravels as she leads her best friend Lillian, played by Maya Rudolph, and a group of colorful bridesmaids on a wild ride to the altar.
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Chris O'Dowd, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Jill Clayburgh, Rebel Wilson, Matt Lucas;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Bridesmaids” on the website imdb.com
“Girls Trip”, 2017
Director: Malcolm D. Lee
This laugh-out-loud comedy stars Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish as four lifelong friends who travel to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival, rekindling their sisterhood and rediscovering their wild sides.
Starring: Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Tiffany Haddish, Larenz Tate, Mike Colter, Kate Walsh, Kofi Siriboe, Lara Grice, Deborah Ayorinde;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, comedy, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 122 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Girls Trip” on the website imdb.com
“Booksmart”, 2019
Director: Olivia Wilde
On the eve of their high school graduation, two overachieving friends realize they've missed out on key life experiences. They decide to cram four years of fun into one night, leading to a wild and transformative adventure.
Starring: Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jessica Williams, Jason Sudeikis, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, Victoria Ruesga, Mason Gooding, Skyler Gisondo, Diana Silvers;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Booksmart” on the website imdb.com
“Wine Country”, 2019
Director: Amy Poehler
Directed by and starring Amy Poehler, along with a cast of SNL alumni, this comedy is about a group of friends who travel to Napa Valley to celebrate a 50th birthday, only to reevaluate their life choices and friendships in the process.
Starring: Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph, Paula Pell, Emily Spivey, Jay Larson, Tina Fey, Maya Erskine, Rachel Hamilton;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: drama, comedy, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 103 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,5;
More information about the film “Wine Country” on the website imdb.com
These films offer a broad spectrum of narratives that reflect the diversity and richness of female friendship through various genres, from comedy to drama, providing audiences with an array of emotions and insights into the bonds that women share.
In conclusion, films centered on female friendship provide a vivid canvas to explore the complex dynamics of platonic love, loyalty, hardship, and triumph among women. These narratives celebrate the strength that comes from togetherness, offering audiences a look into the multifaceted relationships that profoundly shape our lives. From the nostalgic revelry in “Thelma & Louise” to the comedic heart of “Bridesmaids,” to the nuanced portrayal of racial and societal issues in “Hidden Figures,” these films transcend mere entertainment. They act as cultural touchstones that reflect and influence how women's friendships are perceived and valued in society. As the film industry continues to grow and diversify, we anticipate an even richer tapestry of stories that highlight the intricacies of women's experiences and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
