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Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)
There’s a reason why girls are still dressing up as Romy White (Mira Sorvino) and Michele Weinberger (Lisa Kudrow) for Halloween almost three decades after Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion premiered. The 1997 comedy follows the trendy, party-loving BFFs’ journey to their 10-year high school reunion, where they lie about achieving post-grad success in order to impress their former mean-girl classmates. While they may not have invented Post-Its, they sure delivered one hell of a movie to queue up with your besties—after ordering the business woman special, of course.
Barbie (2023)
One of the biggest pop-culture phenomenons in recent memory, Barbie is certainly deserving of a rewatch. Greta Gerwig’s beloved 2023 film has everything you could ask for: strong messages of girlhood, the picture-perfect Dream House, Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie, and Ryan Gosling’s Oscar-nominated rendition of “I’m Just Ken.” The movie follows Barbie (Margot Robbie) on her quest to live in the real world, but for those of us already in the human realm, Barbie Land offers a fun and colorful break from reality. Come for the pink costumes, stay for America Ferrera’s powerful monologue about being a woman. And remember, as Ken says, “Every night is girls’ night.”
Bring It On (2000)
If you don’t already know the opening cheer in Bring It On by heart, then it’s time to grab your girlies and get to practicing. The teen comedy embodies early-aughts movie magic at its finest: Torrance (Kristen Dunst) lands her dream gig as high school cheer captain of the Toros, only to discover that the squad has been stealing their award-winning routines from the East Compton Clovers—led by Isis (Gabrielle Union)—for years. With the help of the newest and decidedly pep-less cheerleader Missy (Eliza Dushku), she finds herself scrambling to come up with an original routine just in time for nationals. All in all, it’s a lesson to never ever drop the Spirit Stick at cheer camp.
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Hustlers (2019)
Inspired by a viral New York Magazine article, Hustlers follows a group of street-smart strippers—led by Jennifer Lopez’s Ramona—who steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from their rich Wall Street clients amid the 2008 financial crisis. A wild romp that features flashy costumes and an incredible cast that includes Constance Wu, Julia Stiles, Lili Reinhart, Keke Palmer, Lizzo, and Cardi B, the 2019 heist drama is an empowering tale of a group of badass—albeit criminally-minded—women who decide to take what they feel they’re owed, and then some.
Pitch Perfect (2012)
In the mood for a girls’ night singalong? Pitch Perfect is an aca-awesome choice. The 2012 college-set comedy follows the ongoing rivalry between the Barden Bellas, an all-female a cappella group, and their male counterparts, the Barden Treblemakers. From catchy musical numbers to the often absurd antics of the film’s characters (the ensemble cast includes Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, Skylar Astin, Adam Devine, and Ben Platt), there’s something for everyone to enjoy. In fact, the movie was such a hit that it spawned two sequels; but if you don’t have time for a three-peat, the OG film is a feel-good choice to watch with your besties and then see who can perform the best rendition of “Cups.”
Legally Blonde (2001)
If you’ve been anxiously awaiting Legally Blonde 3 and the upcoming prequel spinoff series Elle, take girls’ night as your opportunity to relive the glory of Elle Woods’ (Reese Witherspoon) transformation from SoCal sorority princess to Harvard Law School power player. In her attempts to prove herself worthy of her shallow ex, Warner (Matthew Davis), Elle discovers her passion for the legal system—second only to her passion for her dog, Brewster, and manicures by Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge)—and teaches us all a few valuable life lessons—namely, the rules for washing permed hair and how to do the now-iconic “bend and snap.”
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Mean Girls (2004)
It doesn’t need to be a Wednesday to wear all pink and watch Mean Girls, but if your schedule allows, that would be so fetch. The 2004 teen comedy is one of the most quotable films of all time—and understandably so, since it’s written by Tina Fey (as is the 2024 musical of the same name). No matter how many times you’ve seen the movie, it never gets old watching 15-year-old Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) go from homeschooled outcast to full-on Plastic when she joins queen bee Regina George (Rachel McAdams) and co. Break out your Burn Book and get in girls, we’re…hitting the couch.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Crazy Rich Asians is the kind of glitzy rom-com that sucks you in and offers a blissful 121-minute escape. Based on Kevin Kwan’s novel, it follows NYU economics professor Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), for a wedding. The modestly-raised New Yorker is shocked to discover that her beau comes from serious generational wealth—and is considered to be one of the most eligible bachelors in the country. To further complicate things, Rachel also learns that when it comes to prospective partners, Nick’s mother, Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh), is one tough crowd. A sequel to the 2018 film is reportedly in the works, and we can only hope it gives us more screen time with Awkwafina and Gemma Chan.
Clueless (1995)
Could turning on Clueless ever be a bad idea? As if! The coming-of-age satire—which is loosely based on Emma by Jane Austen—is just as entertaining today as it was in 1995. Rich and popular Beverly Hills high schooler Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) seems to have it all: good friends, good intentions, and good clothes, which are digitally cataloged on her clunky desktop computer and organized by color in her iconic rotating closet. When she’s not playing matchmaker for her teachers or giving an epic makeover to transfer student Tai (Brittany Murphy), Cher stays busy. She learns to drive, with the help of her BFF Dionne (Stacey Dash) and Dionne’s boyfriend, Murray (Donald Faison). She dates a guy who’s not into girls. She flirts with her ex-stepbrother, Josh (Paul Rudd). And she gets robbed and begs the gunman not to take her Alaia. You know, typical teenage things.
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Girls Trip (2017)
Girls Trip and girls’ night go hand in hand. The 2017 comedy follows four friends from college, known as the “Flossy Posse,” who embark on a bonding-filled reunion trip when lifestyle guru and author Ryan Pierce (Regina Hall) is selected to be the keynote speaker at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. By turning her work trip into a responsibility-free, absinthe-fueled girls’ getaway, Ryan gives her pals—party animal Dina (Tiffany Haddish), nurse Lisa (Jada Pinkett Smith), and gossip reporter Sasha (Queen Latifah)—the ultimate opportunity to unleash their wild sides. And, of course, to reconnect with one another in the process.
13 Going on 30 (2004)
On her 13th birthday, Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen) wishes that she was 30, flirty, and thriving. And that’s exactly what she gets when she wakes up as Poise magazine’s very grown up, very successful fashion editor in the charming 2004 rom-com, 13 Going on 30. Played by Jennifer Garner, the adult Jenna seems to be everything that her preteen self wasn’t: She’s confident, she’s ruthless, and she’s left any semblance of her moral compass back in 1987. With no memories of the past 17 years and the social skills of a 13-year-old, Jenna tries to right her wrongs and reconnect with her childhood best friend, Matty (Mark Ruffalo), all while trying to save the struggling Poise and being sabotaged by her frenemy coworker, Lucy (Judy Greer).
Bridesmaids (2011)
There’s no better film to watch with your own future wedding party than Bridesmaids. The hit 2011 comedy sees down-on-her-luck Annie (Kristen Wiig) struggle when her lifelong bestie, Lillian (Maya Rudolph) gets engaged. Despite the fact that she’s Lillian’s maid of honor, Annie feels threatened by the other bridesmaids—namely, the very wealthy Helen (Rose Byrne). In her attempts to prove herself worthy of the role, she spirals and unintentionally ruins everything, including her friendship with Lillian. From the absurd bachelorette plane ride to the ill-fated dress fittings, there are too many hilarious scenes to count. Surely laughing with your best GFs while watching Melissa McCarthy play with a bunch of puppies is some form of therapy, right?
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The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
Is it believable that one pair of jeans could legitimately fit four teen girls who are totally different sizes? No. Are we willing to look past that for the magic that is The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants? Absolutely. Based on Ann Brashares’ novel, the 2005 dramedy centers on a quartet of Maryland-based best friends who are spending their first-ever summer apart. Lena (Alexis Bledel) is heading to see her grandparents in Greece; Bridget (Blake Lively) is going to soccer camp in California; Carmen (America Ferrera) is visiting her dad in South Carolina; and Tibby (Amber Tamblyn) is staying put at home. On the eve of their solo adventures, the girls find one mysteriously perfect pair of jeans—and they decide to take turns sharing them over the summer in order to stay connected. For even more warm-and-fuzzies, play the sequel, too.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003
Kate Hudson was just 23 years old when she starred as ambitious women’s magazine writer Andie Anderson in the 2003 rom-com How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. As far-fetched as it would be for a recent college grad to even be in pitch meetings—let alone writing large-scale features—for a major publication, we’re willing to forgive the oversight given Hudson’s undeniable onscreen chemistry with Matthew McConaughey. His character, ad exec Ben Berry, is the subject of Andie’s latest piece about how to get a man to break up with you in 10 days. What she doesn’t know: Ben’s made a bet that he can make a woman fall in love with him in the same amount of time. Grab your love ferns and press play.
John Tucker Must Die (2006)
Nothing brings high school girls together quite like a case of revenge. In John Tucker Must Die, three teens from different cliques team up to take down the titular John Tucker (Jesse Metcalfe) after learning that the popular jock has been playing them all. To give him a taste of his own medicine, Beth (Sophia Bush), Heather (Ashanti), and Carrie (Arielle Kebbel) enlist the help of new student Kate (Brittany Snow) in their elaborate attempt to ruin his reputation and break his heart. As expected, things do not go according to plan—but amid the chaos, you will get to see Jesse Metcalfe wearing a thong.
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Coyote Ugly (2000)
Coyote Ugly is a true cult classic. Based on the real-life saloon of the same name, the dramedy stars Piper Perabo as Violet Sanford, a small-town aspiring songwriter who heads to New York City with big plans for her career. Soon, she’s broke—and desperate for cash. So, she finagles her way into a job at the titular local watering hole that’s famous for the raunchy behavior of its Coyotes, or the barmaids who spend more time dancing on the bar, teasing male customers for huge cash tips, than behind it. Maria Bello, Tyra Banks, Bridget Moynahan, Izabella Miko, Melany Lynskey, and Adam Garcia round out the cast.
27 Dresses (2008)
Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. That sentiment rings way too true for Katherine Heigl’s character, Jane Nichols, in the 2008 romantic comedy 27 Dresses. Having been in a whopping 27 wedding parties—including two on the same night—she’s content to coast along in life as a supporting character. That is, until her sister Tess (Malin Akerman) shows up and quickly becomes engaged to Jane’s boss—and secret object of her affection—George (Edward Burns). As she plans her sister’s wedding to the man she loves, Jane spends time with a charmingly cynical newspaper reporter, Kevin Doyle (James Marsden), for what she thinks is a piece about her sister’s big day. Turns out, it’s time for her main character arc, whether she likes it or not.
Freaky Friday (2003)
With its Freakier Friday sequel currently in production, a Freaky Friday viewing party is in order. Revisit the original 2003 comedy, starring Lindsay Lohan as rebellious teen Anna Coleman and Jamie Lee Curtis as her widowed mom, Tess. The two are fighting—Anna wants to attend an audition for her all-girl garage band on the same night as Tess’s wedding rehearsal—at a Chinese restaurant when the owner gives them mysterious fortune cookies that, well, rock their worlds. The next morning, Anna and Tess unceremoniously wake up in each other’s bodies. And because the mother-daughter duo can’t figure out how to switch back (who could?!), they have no choice but to live each other’s lives—and learn to understand one another along the way.
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Ocean’s 8 (2018)
If you’re looking for something action-packed, Ocean’s 8 is your girls’ night movie. The 2018 women-led installment of Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s series tracks a group of eight thieves—mastermind con artist Debbie (Sandra Bullock), bar owner Lou (Cate Blanchett), jeweler Amita (Mindy Kaling), actress Daphne (Anne Hathaway), suburban mom Tammy (Sarah Paulson), hacker Nine Ball (Rihanna), pickpocket Constance (Awkwafina), and fashion designer Rose (Helena Bonham Carter)—as they attempt to pull off the ultimate glamorous heist: stealing a $250 million diamond Cartier necklace during the Met Gala.
The Princess Diaries (2001)
When The Princess Diaries was released in 2001, Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) gave unpopular girls everywhere hope that they, too, could someday awaken to find out that they were actually royalty in a faraway land called Genovia. Based on Meg Cabot’s novel, the movie still resonates today for its relatability factor: Awkward and clumsy, Mia struggles to adapt to the polished expectations that come with her newfound status as heir to the throne. But she does offer plenty of comic relief as she begins “princess lessons” under the watchful eye of her grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews), and her glamorous makeover ultimately pays off. Two decades after its sequel brought us to Genovia, a third film is finally in development.
Samantha Simon is a writer, editor, and pop culture enthusiast living in New York City. She previously served as Features Editor at InStyle. If she’s not in the middle of a Law & Order: SVU marathon, she’s probably on a 4-mile walk with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dexter (named after the fictional vigilante serial killer, naturally), shopping, or searching for the best cacio e pepe that the city has to offer. Her favorite topics include celebrity memoirs, emo bands of the early aughts, and the weekly Sakara Life menu.
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