These Are Our Favorite Female Friendships In Film and TV
It’s officially Women’s History Month and, one thing I can say for certain, is that there's nothing better than true female friendship. Throughout the years, we've witnessed many friendships on our screens, so here are a few that we absolutely adore.
Grey’s Anatomy
These twisted sisters have found love in their tragedies. From season one to season 10, Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) and Meredith Grey's (Ellen Pompeo) friendship remains the best love story of Grey's Anatomy. Their love knows no bounds, and as Meredith said, if they didn't "screw boys like whores on tequila," everyone would probably think they were together. Though they couldn't be more different, they are also the same, especially in the "dark and twisty place." They look after each other in an attempt to ensure they're happy, as they are the only ones who truly understand each other.
Cristina sometimes even finds herself in Meredith and Derek's bed, which may be a little weird for Derek, but he knows they need each other. She's her person, after all. These doctors have experienced quite a lot, from explosions to plane crashes. They have suffered so much, but they always find a way to dance it out. Meredith even ensures she doesn't miss her plane when Cristina leaves for Zurich. We all know letting her go wasn't easy, but she could never hold back her one true love from the moment she worked so hard for. In the final scene, where Tegan and Sarah's "Where Does The Good Go," they laugh, they giggle, and they cry. This is their friendship, and though it has come with so much loss, it has also come with so much love.
Grey’s Anatomy is streaming on Netflix.
Someone Great
This is a friendship we all can learn from. While Someone Great centers on moving on from a great love and acceptance, the incredible bond between Jenny, Erin, and Blair shines as a beacon of inspiration. They are truly iconic and, despite being polar opposites, they complement each other perfectly and bring out their wildest sides. The moment Erin busted into Jenny’s house, joining in on her jamming to Lizzo's "Truth Hurts," we knew we were embarking on a journey filled with infectious female energy.
As Erin and Blair join Jenny on her quest for one final night in NYC before bidding farewell to this era of her life, they encounter their own challenges. Despite being adults, they find themselves stuck in the rut of complacency. So, what better time to seize control of their destinies than when their best friend is navigating a life-altering heartbreak? Together, they offer support and encouragement, helping each other embrace their realities and shape their futures. This isn't your typical romance ending in a reunion kiss. Instead, it celebrates the power of friendship, offering a refreshing twist on the traditional happy ending.
Someone Great is streaming on Netflix.
The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants
Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget are the owners of a magical pair of jeans in The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants. These four teenage besties go their separate ways for the summer, which is unusual as they are typically attached at the hip. They are each approaching their sixteenth birthday and are figuring out who they are on their own and together. Though distance is typically known as something that breaks friendships, it instead serves as a catalyst for these girls and shows them how precious and valuable their friendship is.
Through the course of their summer adventures, they pass along a cherished pair of jeans that miraculously fit them all. During each exchange, they share their experiences, their growth, and the questions they have for each other through letters. Their friendship reminds us that we all rely on our friends and its okay to need them, especially when you’re struggling.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants can be found on Apple TV+.
The Bold Type
Navigating New York City as a 20-something is no easy task, but Sutton Brady, Kat Edison and Jane Hunter can always count on each other to be sure they aren't alone in The Bold Type. Over the span of five seasons, we witness their journey at Scarlet Magazine, showcasing the profound impact of friendship and the complexities of womanhood. Addressing issues ranging from white privilege to immigration, sexual harassment to relationship dynamics, and even the occasional rift in their own friendship, these women fearlessly confront the trials of modern life.
Kat, as a social media manager, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and sexual exploration. Sutton, an aspiring stylist, navigates a complicated relationship with a colleague on the Scarlet board. Meanwhile, Jane, promoted to writer at Scarlet, is being pushed by the Editor-in-Chief to channel her personal experience. Despite coming from different backgrounds and pursuing distinct passions, these three women remain in sync, offering unwavering support during life's darkest moments. While their friendship is not perfect, whose truly is? When it matters most, they consistently step up for each other, inspiring one another to strive for their best selves. And amidst it all, you can always find them huddled in a shoe closet, navigating the latest drama in their lives.
The Bold Type is available on Hulu.
Insecure
Molly and Issa have been inseparable since their college days at Stanford, embarking on adulthood together as working women. Molly, a driven and successful lawyer, is searching for perfection in her career and her quest for the ideal partner. However, she finds herself continually evading commitment. On the other hand, Issa finds herself trapped in an unfulfilling relationship and a job that fails to ignite her passion, navigating the complexities of being the only Black woman often tasked with addressing societal expectations.
While the show primarily revolves around Issa's life, offering an insightful glimpse into her character, mainly through her comical mirror rapping sessions, it also delves deep into the authentic bond between her and Molly. They have open communication, sometimes even bordering on oversharing, leading to occasional hurt feelings. Their friendship, though imperfect, is undeniably genuine. They may often find themselves entangled in their own issues and even fallout at one point. Still, they ultimately reconcile, maturing from girls to women and gaining a deeper understanding of each other.
Insecure can be found on Max, Netflix, and Hulu.
Set It Off
Set It Off is a masterpiece that showcases the epitome of ride-or-die friendship. From start to finish, Stony, Cleo, Frankie, and T.T. stand by each other through thick and thin. While a movie centered on a bank robbery may not typically evoke heavy emotions, Set It Off defies expectations, allowing audiences to delve into the characters' complexities and the unbreakable bonds of their friendship. These four set out to rob a bank and skip town, however, they don't all get through. We watch as they lose each other one by one, leading the game police on a chase, only to get caught in the end. While they lose more than expected, the story still follows a friendship that is willing to survive it all, exploring the complex and rich nature of Black female friendship.
Set It Off is streaming on Tubi.
The Fosters and Good Trouble
They are sisters, but they’re also best friends. Callie and Mariana Adams Foster are a perfect example of a family, not bound by blood, but by love. As the song goes, "It's not where you come from, it's where you belong." They are individually complex, but they have found a safe space within each other. Neither of their journeys was easy. Callie quite literally comes into the foster life, opening up all the floodgates of disaster, but also motivating them to not just accept what life hands them, but to fight for change. Mariana and Callie's relationship builds throughout the seasons so much that we even see them get a spin-off dedicated to their journey in their young adult life called Good Trouble.
They don't always get along because Callie is a bit uptight while Mariana is more explorative and wild. But they find a way to use their strengths to their advantage, relying on each other for guidance. This is what holds them together, as well as their endless love for their family. The connection between Maia Mitchell and "Miss Thang," aka Cierra Ramirez, on screen is off the charts. These women are truly remarkable. As we've watched them grow, we have also witnessed them become true sisters in the face of everything.
The Fosters and Good Trouble can be found on Hulu.
Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies
We love a classic and the original Grease from 1978 is unforgettable. Fast forward to 2023 and we were introduced to Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, spotlighting the rise of the Pink Ladies. This group, bonded by loyalty and the drive to express themselves freely, pushes against societal norms.
The story shines a light on Jane, Olivia, Cynthia, and Nancy — four Rydell High misfits who turn their reputations into their strength. Olivia battles rumors of a scandalous romance, Nancy dreams of fashion design over dating, top student Jane faces gossip after a summer fling that leads her to challenging her ex for student council president, while Cynthia aims to join the T-Birds, breaking gender barriers.
Together, these girls stick up for their rights and discover themselves, setting the stage for future Pink Ladies. Their journey is a mix of personal growth, friendship, and the power of authenticity.
On My Block
Jasmine and Monse weren't always besties, but that's precisely what makes their friendship growth so entertaining to watch. We observed as Monse and Jasmine figured out who they are: Monse learning to not be so consumed by the needs of others, especially Cesar, and Jasmine finding acceptance within herself rather than seeking the approval of others.
It's often said that differences in a friendship make it stronger, but these two demonstrate that it's not just differences that fortify a bond — communication and a genuine understanding of each other play crucial roles too. Their friendship, as it blossomed, was both hilarious and real. Jasmine, as we know, never hesitated to call out Monse when she was off track, and Monse was there for Jasmine, offering her someone to share her life with. Their friendship is a true testament to the importance of growth.
On My Block is streaming on Netflix.
Joy Ride
Friendship sometimes isn't always chosen. Occasionally, it falls into your lap when you need it most and these four prove just that.
Audrey was adopted by white Americans and her parents introduced her to Lolo in an attempt to help her feel safe in her community. They become best friends, with Lola always protecting Audrey and Audrey now supporting Lola, a sex-positive starving artist. The pair embark on a work trip to Beijing to seal a deal for Audrey's job. Lolo brings along her non-binary cousin Deadeye who is awkward and struggles to fit in. They eventually meet up with Audrey's college friend Kat who takes the adventure to a new level. These four could not be anymore different, but when they take the time to learn more about each other they begin to see the beauty in their uniqueness.
Throughout the story, we witness Audrey's struggle with her Asian identity. However Lolo encourages her to explore the details of her past, even if it means meeting her biological mother. They go through a crazy journey getting themselves into so much trouble. They learn more about themselves and each other, tearing down walls and revealing insecurities along the way. It explores how cultural identity can affect a friendship and contribute to personal growth. This story is fun, wild, explosive, and leaves us wanting to continue the joy ride.
Joy Ride can be found on Starz.
