Movie Countdown: The Top 10!

It's the moment you have all been so eagerly anticipating! It is our top 10 girlie friendship movies of all time! We are fairly certain somethings have slipped off the list so please leave us a line in the comments informing us of the egregious error or if you think we are cinematic geniuses with incredible taste in movies, we would love to hear that too! Without further ado...

Christine's Picks

 

5. Bad Girls (1994)

One part camp, one part western cliche, one part tousled hair- Bad Girls captivated me as a little girl. (After watching the opening minutes today, I definitely question some of my mother’s parenting decisions.)  After Cody Zamora, a lady of the night in the wild, wild, west, finds herself on the wrong side of the law her best friends and fellow harlots rescue her from the gallows.  From this point on the beautiful Drew Barrymore, Andie McDowell, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Madeleine Stowe overcome bad cowboys by using their natural charms and fearless spirits.  Grab a friend, a chopped beef sandwich, and a cowgirl hat to fully enjoy this slice of the old west.

 

4. Iron-Jawed Angels (2004)

So, this selection definitely shows I’m a history nerd.  What better gift to give to a friend than enfranchisement? This made for HBO movie is so much more than a stuffy period piece- it tries to portray these feminists as stylish, educated, opinionated, edgy - don’t these adjectives describe someone you’d consider a kick-ass girlfriend.  At times, this film gets real- achieving suffrage wasn’t easy, but Patrick Dempsey definitely helps temper any feelings of discomfort.  *Hello, McDreamy* If this movie doesn’t encourage you to go out and vote in the next election, albeit for president or local city council, I don’t know what will.  

3. A League of Their Own (1992)

“There’s no Cry-ing in baSE-ballll. . .”  So, I tried to type that line in such a way that you’d hear it the way Tom Hanks delivered it.  Please, leave some comments and let me know how close I got!  There aren’t many movies that center around females in sports other than gymnastics or ice skating, so that makes A League of Their Own all that more important.  The dream cast tells the tale of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during World War II. It focuses on the relationship of two sisters, Dottie and Kit, but they are quickly joined by a crew of friends including a colorful “taxi-dancer” and the aptly named Marla Hooch.  One night instead of watching the boys of summer, celebrate when women kept America’s pastime alive during a precarious time.  

2. Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)

This movie will make you laugh, cry, and want a glass of sweet tea!  What’s not to love about this film?  It features a cross-generational friendship that frames a series of vignettes that delve into the friendship of two feisty southern belles named Idgie and Ruth. Fried Green Tomatoes tackles controversial issues with grace.  Everything from racism, ageism, feminism, and a woman’s right to change her mind is addressed.  On top of all of this, there’s even a mystery to solve.  Pay it forward and visit a nursing home for a few hours to share your friendship with someone who may have more to give than expected, then go home, kick back and enjoy this film with your best friend!

1.  The First Wives Club (1991)

I can’t put into words how much I love this movie.  It has a special place in my heart because the women in my family quote this film almost every time I see them.  Although, I’ve never been anyone’s first wife, or anyone’s wife for that matter, the comedy these leading ladies deliver transcends this fact.  This modern classic centers around three college friends who are reunited almost 30 years after graduation due to a tragedy.  After reconnecting, these witty women help each other to regain confidence and revenge on their ex-husbands.  First Wives Club stars three legends: Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, and Bette Midler, but the supporting cast includes incredible talent as well: Maggie Smith, Sarah Jessica Parker, that guy with a funny French accent, the dad from 7^th Heaven, Stockard Channing, etc.  As the women dance off the screen in the closing credits, I know you and your bestie will agree you just discovered a film worth watching again and again!   

Mary's Picks 

 

5.  Spice World (1997)

Naturally the ultimate girl power group would have one of the ultimate girl power movies. This is a campy classic. If you are looking for intellectual stimulation and thought provoking themes, probably not the movie for you. If you want to rock out to the Spice Girls greatest hits and laugh a lot, look no further. The Spice Girls are struggling to learn the balance between embracing their fame and remembering their roots. Between the standard Spice Girls fashion, tons of performances and awesome puns Spice World definitely does not disappoint.

4. Mamma Mia (2008)

  

There are so many fun relationship dynamics in this movie but the relationship between Donna and the Dynamos is what I can only dream my friends and I are like at that age. They know everything about each other. They are pieces of a whole. They wear crazy costumes and sing ABBA while running around a Greek island. I cannot imagine how it could possibly get any better. I also really like the parallels between Donna and her friends and her daughter, Sophie and Sophie’s friends. And if you want to feel happy to be a girl crank up the Dancing Queen scene.  

3.  Now and Then (1995)

I can’t really put into words how much I adore this movie. Now and Then highlights how even though you may grow apart, true friends are there for you in your time of need. Featuring a fabulous cast including a young Christina Ricci and Thora Birch, and Rosie O’Donnell before she started screaming at the Donald. And appearances from 90’s heart throb Devon Sawa. Watching the girls grow up in 1970s suburban America has a wonderful element of nostalgia. Truth be told, the parts of the movie that flashback to the characters at 12-years old are by far the better than those set in the present despite all the great actresses. As children, the girls rely on each other when their families fail them. The feeling of a familial bond allows the girls to reunite after spending time apart. 

2. Steel Magnolias (1989)

Please. Would you even have any respect for us if this movie was not on our list? Probably not. If you haven’t seen Steel Magnolias stop reading and Netflix it, immediately. The southern accents alone are worth watching this movie. And the cast couldn’t get more incredible with Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley McClaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, and Darryl Hannah in the lead roles. Unlike some of the other movies on this list, this film is truly about the relationships between the women. The few males in the movie are really there just for the women to play off. Watching these women lean on each other to make it through tragedy is so inspiring. You will honestly laugh and cry. I’m pretty sure this cliché was created because of this movie!

 

1. The Sweetest Thing (2002)

Apparently this movie has received some pretty bad review but please don’t let that stop you! To me, it is the perfect amount of raunchy. Christina and Courtney and other roommate Jane are looking for love, or maybe just a good time. When Christina finds herself falling for a handsome stranger, Courtney puts her in the car and a roadtrip commences to track him down. Does anything say best friends like driving across the state to crash a wedding? I didn’t think so. Let’s be honest, only a best friend would still love you after finding maggots in your car. And as a bonus, guys, there is a dress up montage! A dress up montage! Finally, best friends can see through all your bullshit and force you to go after what you really want.  In true Mary’s favorite’s fashion there is a musical number. I am starting to notice a theme in my favorite movies… if it has an epic musical number (or 5) sign me up!!

*     *     *     *     *     *      *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *    

Alright lovelies! That is our list. Some notable mentions: We left off Beaches. We know. Beaches is now getting an honorable mention. Also, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pant - we are planning on doing a book list some time soon and we intend on including the books as they are better than the movies in our opinion. Things we learned from making this list, the 90's were awesome for girlfriend movies, Mary loves musical movies and Christine is a history nerd. Okay, 2 of those things we may have already known...