Not to be dramatic, but when Leslie Knope coined the term "Galentine's Day" on Parks and Recreation (2009), lives were changed. The show has become a cultural staple, with influences on our pop culture zeitgeist that have changed us significantly. Things like "treat yo self" as well as the holiday that celebrates women's friendships aren't just silly things now, but they're spreading wider and farther into the lives of those who've never seen it either.
And with all the hype around Valentine's Day every year, it's high time we make Galentine's Day just as significant, with movie marathons featuring iconic feats like Thelma & Louis (1991) as well as Bridesmaids (2011), to some underrated ones. Streaming on platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, and more, here are the best Galentine's Day movies to watch with your besties.
Thelma & Louis (1991)
You don't even have to watch Thelma & Louis to know that they're essentially synonymous with Galentine's Day, and perhaps even more than that. The idea of ride or die is born from the loyalty that the titular characters have for one another, and their impact on pop culture, as well as how women are portrayed in media, making it hugely influential for countless reasons.
Loyalty is the very foundation of friendship and romantic relationships, and the faith the titular characters place in one another takes the notion to literal new heights every time. There's something new and exciting about the movie every time you watch it, making it the absolute staple that it is. Plus, the performances that Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon bring to the center make it just as legendary. Leslie and Ann would definitely have this on repeat, so you should, too.
Bridesmaids (2011)
The early 2000s were brimming with great movies centered around strong female friendships, but later it started dwindling until we got the absolute riot that is Bridesmaids. Wildly hilarious and genuinely stunning in its depiction of what it means to keep old friendships and build new ones, few things nail the notion as brilliantly as Bridesmaids.
Starring some of the biggest legends in comedy, like Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, and more, everything about Bridesmaids also shines because of its incredible cast. Comedies have to be well-written, but they’re brought to life by actors who get the genre, too. You won't just hold your stomach and laugh at the top of your lungs, but in the end, you'll feel so much lighter for what the movie brings as a roaring comedy and a love letter to friendships.
9 to 5 (1980)
Like Thelma & Louis, in a lot of ways, 9 to 5 is also about the women who band together and fight for a better future. It's for this reason that it's another iconic treasure, but it also stands as a staple because of its cast. Starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin, the three women alone are enough reason to watch.
As a film from the '80s, its influence on how we've created workplace comedies shines so beautifully, and it's the kind of movie that Leslie Knope would be especially proud of. While the premises aren't remotely similar, fans of the show would undoubtedly adore it if you haven't seen it. It's fun, utterly worthwhile, and surprisingly progressive in the best way, as it showcases how much inequalities are present in the workplace between men and women. The message alone is worthwhile, making it the perfect watch for Galentine's Day.
Now and Then (1995)
Heartbreaking at times and deeply moving, Now and Then is a perfect movie centered around friendship that fans of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002) and even Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005), would enjoy. Packed with a mystery and featuring women of different personalities, the movie gorgeously serves as a testament to friendship and hope.
There's a type of sadness that's present in most movies that feature coming-of-age friendships. But there's also an even deeper nostalgia, especially if you grew up in the time the movies were made. Now and Then is one of those movies, and it's a lovely one at that, which effectively evokes a sense of hope that's ultimately so hard to describe, it feels like it needs its own word. Still, if you've somehow never seen it, now's the perfect time to do so.
Beaches (1988)
I first watched Beaches because it was mentioned on One Tree Hill (2003) as I was watching live, and the riveting parallels clarified just how many tropes and formulas are part of so many great movies and TV shows. Because of this, Beaches is an inimitable testament to friendships and what it means to withstand betrayals, pain, and losses while allowing friendship to remain anchored in loyalty.
Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey deliver some of their best performances as the kind of team that cannot be replicated. It's not an easy movie to watch with death and loss as well as heavy fights, but the end result is a reminder of what it means to be a friend in trying times, as well as how strong female friendships can have such a lasting impact.
Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar (2021)
Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar is the most fun I've had with a movie since Bridesmaids. Wildly hilarious and a breath of fresh air from start to finish, it's the best kind of comedy to celebrate women's friendships. Utterly bonkers in all the most unexpected ways, the most appropriate way to enjoy the film is to go in without any knowledge of what's in store.
A movie like Barb & Star only works if its wildly outlandish script is paired with great actors who can bring the material to life in a manner that feels believable, and that's exactly what the cast does. Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo are hilarious, and Jamie Dornan steals the show in a way you'd never expect from him. The absolute perfect movie to pair with a Galentine's Day night of fun and all the junk food, this one's an underrated gem that deserves so much more hype.
Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion (1997)
You can't have a Galentine's Day list without the women who "invented Post-its," obviously. Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion is the '90s girlfriends gem that's not to be missed and perfect for anyone who loves stories like Now and Then. The only difference is that this one's significantly lighter and an absolute blast from start to finish.
On a list of movies that are informative and vital, there's something about how Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion speaks to the importance of holding female friendships and why they matter. High school reunions are glamorized in movies, yet the movie is precisely why there's even a modicum of joy in the idea of revisiting the places that hurt us with the people who matter most. In other words, it's a comedy staple for anyone who loves celebrating friendships and successes.
