Entertainment
Every year as February dawns, the time comes where many women give praise and thanks to our patron saint of strong ladies, Parks and Recreation's Leslie Knope, who brought the phrase "Galentine's Day" into the larger pop culture lexicon. There is no question that women and nonbinary folks have been celebrating each other since the dawn of time, especially around Valentine's Day, when we're meant to show our love to the ones we care about. But Leslie Knope helped solidify the specific phrase and make Galentine's Day just as significant of a cultural event as good ol' V-Day itself, and for that I am thankful. Now, it's a popular enough concept that folks across the world plan their own friendship celebrations, complete with some great Galentine's Day movies you can watch with your BFFs.
Friendship is one of the strongest and most complex loves in the world, and the movies on the list below examine and celebrate the pure bonds of friendship that allow our lives to feel full, supportive, and just plain fun. Some of these Galentine's Day movies will make you cry, many will make you laugh, and they'll all make you thankful for the pals you've got at your side as you grow, change, and take on the world.
1
'Romy And Michele's High School Reunion'
The perfect Galentine's Day movie. All Romy and Michele need is the undying support of each other and they can rule the world.
2
'Steel Magnolias'
A tearjerker and reminder that all women are as strong as steel and as lovely as magnolias. And we stick together.
3
'Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants'
Deciding which member of the Sisterhood you are is even more fun than figuring out if you're a Carrie or Miranda.
6
'First Wives Club'
Highly recommended Galentine's Activity: memorize the dance from the end of The First Wives Club.
7
'Hidden Figures'
This Galentine's Day, head straight to the theater to catch the best film about friendship in years, the award-winning Hidden Figures.
8
'Divine Secrets Of The Ya Ya Sisterhood'
It's all there in the name, and it delivers. Go full Ya-Ya Sisterhood this Galentine's Day.
9
'Head Over Heels'
This romcom is poorly remembered , but I loved it when I was younger and the plot is perfect for Galentine's Day: a regular gal becomes best friends with a group of supermodels and they all become involved in an international heist because of a secret agent played by Freddie Prinze Junior. I mean, come on.
10
'Bridesmaids'
I'm such a sucker for stories where women don't get along at first but eventually become super good friends. Bridesmaids is the best example of that, and so so funny.
11
'Frances Ha'
Nothing does a better job than Frances Ha of portraying the feeling that comes when you realize that sharing your whole life with your best friend will eventually drift into both of you giving parts of yourself to other people and things. This Galentine's flick might make you and your besties feel a lot of feelings.
12
'To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar'
Three amazing drag queens bond with some amazing (but repressed) small-town ladies, and hearts are warmed. They're all BFFs by the end.
13
'Pitch Perfect'
A loner finds a group of amazing gal pals that love what she loves, and they sing sing sing. This movie is perfect for an uplifting Galentine's Day.
14
'Beaches'
My best friends and I used to sing "The Wind Beneath My Wings" at our loudest volume during sleepovers and it is still one of my favorite memories.
15
'Life Partners'
You never knew you needed a warm, realistic comedy where Leighton Meester and Gillian Jacobs are best friends, one gay, one straight, who struggle to figure out their friendship as their romantic lives evolve.
16
'Thelma & Louise'
Obviously. Thelma and Louise are there for each other 'til the very, very end.
Galentine's Day is all about the love that comes with friendship, and these films will all make you want to give your besties some big old hugs.
