With Wicked flying into theaters, fans can look forward to meeting young Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande), two unlikely friends whose lives take very different paths.
Of course, Elphaba and Glinda are far from the first twosome to light up the big screen. From legendary comic teams and iconic Disney-Pixar pairs to partners in crime and stoner best buds, the concept of dynamic duos being more entertaining than a single star has been around since Laurel and Hardy first scored big laughs during the silent film era.
With that in mind – and to celebrate the release of Wicked, which you can purchase tickets for right now – Fandango polled nearly 2000 film fans, tasking them with ranking their favorite duos. So whether you're curious about the results, want to see where your favorites ranked or just feel like reuniting with some old friends, read on.
Too Long, Didn't Read summary:
• The release of Wicked brings us into the story of unlikely friends Elphaba and Glinda.
• But popular movie twosomes are nothing new, as comedians, action stars and animated pals have been teaming up, partnering up and pairing up for almost as long as the medium's existed.
• Fandango recently polled nearly 2000 film fans, asking them to rank their favorite film duos going all the way back to Abbott and Costello.
29. Harold and Maude
Chosen by 9% of survey participants
As seen in: Harold And Maude (1971) - 86% on the Tomatometer
Plenty of film fans of a certain age still hold a soft spot for Harold and Maude's titular, darkly comedic duo. The cult-favorite black comedy subverted genre expectations upon its release in 1971 – and continues to do so today – with its quirky tale of an unconventional friendship-come-romance between a young, death-obsessed man (Bud Cort) and an eccentric, life-embracing octogenarian (Ruth Gordon.)
28. Tango and Cash
Chosen by 15% of survey participants
As Seen in: Tango & Cash (1989) - 31% on the Tomatometer
Thanks to the success of 48 Hours and Lethal Weapon, the late '80s spawned enough "buddy cop" flicks to fill the next several decades. And while the likes of the mostly-forgotten Running Scared and Red Heat scored better with critics, the widely panned Tango & Cash – starring Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russel as the titular, rival Los Angeles narcs – has become a cult favorite that continues to resonate with fans.
27. Hobbs and Shaw
Chosen by 15% of survey participants
As seen in: Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) - 67% on the Tomatometer
It's not often a successful duo spawns from one popular franchise, then goes on to star in their very own spin-off – but not all team-ups include two of Hollywood's most beloved badasses, either. Thanks to Dwayne Johnson (Hobbs) and Jason Statham's (Shaw) magnetic chemistry, the pair's ability to kick backside and drop one-liners in equal measure works even when they're not supported by their Fast and Furious "family."
26. Dory and Marlin
Chosen by 15% of survey participants
As seen in Finding Nemo (2003) - 99% on the Tomatometer
When you think of the best comedic duos, your mind might lean toward legendary live-action pairings, like Laurel and Hardy, Cheech and Chong and Steve Martin and Martin Short. But if you dig a bit deeper – like, beneath the ocean's surface – you'll discover one of cinema's funniest pairings in Finding Nemo's clownfish father Marlin and forgetful blue tang fish Dory – played by iconic comedians in their own right, Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres.
25. Harold and Kumar
Chosen by 16% of survey participants
As seen in: Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) - 75% on the Tomatometer
Given just a passing glance, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle could be mistaken for another dumb, copycat stoner comedy (sorry, Dude, Where's My Car?) But thanks to its appealing co-stars – as well as its smart, subversive script – Kal Penn and John Cho's slider-seeking buddies became a cult-favorite duo that ultimately spawned their own hit film trilogy.
24. Turner and Hooch
Chosen by 16% of survey participants
As seen in: Turner & Hooch (1989) - 52% on the Tomatometer
Coming off an impressive string of '80s comedy blockbusters, such as Splash and Big, ubiquitous star Tom Hanks decided to take a stab at the "buddy cop" genre – but eschewed a human partner for an adorable French Mastiff. The film isn't regarded as highly as Hank's other hits of the era, but its premise and cop-canine pairing has endured, even spawning a less successful Hanks-less Disney+ series in 2021.
23. Murtaugh and Riggs
Chosen by 18% of survey participants
As seen in: Lethal Weapon (1987) - 80% on the Tomatometer
If you're a big fan of "buddy cop" films, you can thank Lethal Weapon for not only reviving a genre that'd grown stale by the late '80s, but significantly elevating it beyond its predecessors' tired template. While the movie's three sequels leaned more heavily into the series' sillier side, the original – anchored by Mel Gibson and Danny Glover's intoxicating chemistry – offered the perfect cocktail of comedy, action and conflicting-partner dynamics.
22. Bonnie and Clyde
Chosen by 18% of survey participants
As seen in: Bonnie and Clyde (1967) - 90% on the Tomatometer
Long before the "true crime" genre blew up, real-life robbing/murdering duo Bonnie and Clyde fascinated the film- and TV-consuming public to the tune of countless dramatic retellings and documentaries. The infamous outlaws – who've also influenced and inspired many films, like Natural Born Killers – were famously played by Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty in 1967, but were portrayed most recently in The Highwaymen, which focused on the Texas Rangers attempting to apprehend the pair.
21. Wallace and Gromit
Chosen by 18% of survey participants
As seen in Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) - 95% on the Tomatometer
Wallace and Gromit walked so Chicken Run could, well, run. While the latter stop-motion animation comedy franchise tends to get all the love here in the states, creator Nick Park's most famous characters are the well-intentioned-but-inept British inventor Wallace and his highly intelligent, chess-playing canine Gromit, who've appeared in numerous short films and features since the late '80s. The clay-like couple are also set to star in a new movie later this year.
20. Jules and Vincent
Chosen by 19% of survey participants
As seen in Pulp Fiction (1994) - 92% on the Tomatometer
Few directors' oeuvres are filled with as many colorful, quotable characters as Quentin Tarantino's films – so it's saying something that Pulp Fiction's pair of smartly-dressed hitmen stand out among both the director's body of work and within the medium as a whole. Toss in the fact the infectious characterizations revived Travolta's career while cementing Jackson as an obscenity-spewing badass, and it's no wonder Jules and Vincent remain fan-favorite partners in crime 30 years on.
19. Barbie and Ken
Chosen by 21% of survey participants
As seen in: Barbie (2023) - 92% on the Tomatometer
Barbie and Ken were cool long before Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling brought the plastic playthings to life in last summer's blockbuster. Thankfully, Barbie put the spotlight back on the pair – as well as their relationship-subverting dynamics – to finally prove what fans of Mattel's 65-year-old toy line have always known: It's Barbie's world, we're just living in it.
18. Thelma and Louise
Chosen by 22% of survey participants
As seen in: Thelma & Louise (1991) - 86% on the Tomatometer
Following more than a decade of summer blockbusters mostly dominated by muscle-bound, gun-toting dudes or male-starring duos, Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis' on-the-lam ladies proved audiences craved more than Stallone and Schwarzenegger emptying clips and dropping quips. 30-plus years later, Thelma & Louise not only holds up, but has a faithful following of fans wishing the medium featured far more female pairings to root for.
17. Jay and Silent Bob
Chosen by 22% of survey participants
As seen in: Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) - 52% on the Tomatometer
Kevin Smith's View Askewniverse has tackled everything from relationships and religion to the mundanities of hanging out at the mall and working the counter at a convenience store. But the one reliable constant in the director's many films is Jay and Silent Bob, the lovable stoner buddies prtrayed by Jason Mewes and Smith. Their enormous popularity has spawned spin-off movies, video games, and even superhero alter egos Bluntman and Chronic. Snoochie Boochies, indeed.
16. Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling
Chosen by 22% of survey participants
As seen in: The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - 95% on the Tomatometer
Anthony Hopkin's portrayal of brilliant serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter tends to get all the attention and credit for the crime thriller series' enormous popularity. But without the riveting, tension-ratcheting dynamic established between the liver-loving, Chianti-swilling cannibal and Jodie Foster's fledgling FBI agent Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs, Lecter would just be another sociopath with a taste for human flesh.
15. Mario and Luigi
Chosen by 23% of survey participants
As seen in: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) - 59% on the Tomatometer
Nintendo's portly, mustachioed plumber mascot and his ghost-busting little brother established themselves as one of pop culture's most appealing twosomes long before Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo brought the video game characters to life in their disappointing, live-action big screen debut. But thanks to last year's much better, more successful animated film adaptation, the polygon pair can comfortably claim “favorite duo” status in two mediums. Chris Pratt and Charlie Day lend their voices to the iconic duo.
14. Cheech and Chong
Chosen by 24% of survey participants
As seen in: Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke (1978) - 47% on the Tomatometer
Stoner comedies – and often, the weed-loving best-bud duos at their center – have long been a popular subgenre. But while movies like Dazed and Confused and pairings like Jay and Silent Bob have become synonymous with cannabis culture, Cheech and Chong were getting high and scoring laughs long before it was cool... or legalized.
13. Abbott and Costello
Chosen by 26% of survey participants
As seen in: Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955) - 25% on the Tomatometer
If you want to check out one of the most popular pairings of all time, head back about 80 years, when Abbott and Costello were re-defining the comedy duo concept on radio, TV and film. And while even younger generations might have heard of the legends' famous “Who's on First?” routine, they probably aren't aware that the two weren't just popular comedians, but some of the biggest movie stars – featured in nearly 40 films throughout the '40s and '50s – of their day.
12. Maverick and Goose
Chosen by 27% of survey participants
As seen in Top Gun (1986) - 57% on the Tomatometer
2022's Top Gun: Maverick might be one of the highest grossing movies of all time, but for fans of the original, it was still missing one key ingredient: the awesome, high-fiving dynamic between Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and his best friend Nick “Goose” Bradshaw. Whether dominating the skies above or the beach volleyball court below, the pair's strong bond resonated with fans, making Goose's shocking, tragic death all the more heartbreaking.
11. Lilo and Stitch
Chosen by 27% of survey participants
As seen in Lilo and Stitch (2002) - 87% on the Tomatometer
The Disney and Pixar universes are packed with enormously popular iconic duos, from Chip and Dale and Timon and Pumbaa to Mike and Sulley and Woody and Buzz. But while those more mainstream duos are adored by millions of kids and adults alike, cult-favorite, unconventional paring Lilo and Stich can count the most passionate, faithful fans among their more modest following.
10. Mike Wazowski and Sulley
Chosen by 28% of survey participants
As seen in: Monsters, Inc. (2001) - 96% on the Tomatometer
As both co-worker besties and college buddies, Mike Wazowski and James P. "Sulley" Sullivan's relationship resonates with just about anyone who ever built a close friendship at a job or on campus. It didn't hurt that the pair's very relatable partnership is brilliantly brought to life by Billy Crystal and John Goodman, two performers who seem as likeable and down-to-earth as their monster-in-closet counterparts.
9. The Blues Brothers
Chosen by 29% of survey participants
As seen in: The Blues Brothers (1980) - 72% on the Tomatometer
You needn't look further than fans' and critics' negative reaction to 1998's Blues Brothers 2000 to realize the original cult hit was less about the movie and more about the dynamic duo at its center. Saturday Night Live's Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi – complemented by an amazing soundtrack and a wealth of cameos from musical and movie legends – captured lightning in a bottle as the titular musicians on “a mission from God,” an act that can't be duplicated no matter how badly Hollywood would like to get the band back together.
8. Bill and Ted
Chosen by 29% of survey participants
As seen in: Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) - 82% on the Tomatometer
Not unlike Jay and Silent Bob, Bill and Ted have built a surprisingly loyal and passionate following over the years, appearing in everything from a film trilogy to comic books, video games and even their own Universal theme park show. More slackers than stoners, the time-traveling pair's enduring popularity is a credit to their extreme likability, laid back attitude and positive outlook on life – the world would totally be a better place with more Bill and Ted shenanigans in it.
7. Kermit and Miss Piggy
Chosen by 29% of survey participants
As seen in: The Muppet Movie (1979) - 89% on the Tomatometer
To less faithful fans, Kermit and Miss Piggy might appear to be just a cute Muppet couple that's been around since spilling from Jim Henson's creative mind. But as the pair's passionate following is well aware, much of their appeal comes from the fact their relationship – marked by multiple breakups and an illegitimate marriage – is treated more like the tumultuous romances of Hollywood couples. Of course, it only helps that their rocky relationship is endlessly entertaining.
6. Woody and Buzz Lightyear
Chosen by 34% of survey participants
As seen in: Toy Story (1995) - 100% on the Tomatometer
With a fifth Toy Story film in development, it's no wonder Woody and Buzz rank so high on this list. More than just headlining the enormously popular, nearly 30-year-old computer-animated franchise, though, the likable, loyal cowboy and his trusted, brave Space Ranger bestie have become synonymous with Disney's Pixar brand, while also tugging at the heartstrings and piquing the imaginations of billions of fans.
5. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock
Chosen by 37% of survey participants
As seen in: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) - 87% on the Tomatometer
Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock don't just make up one of science fiction's most esteemed and enduring duos, but also one of pop culture's most famous and beloved pairings. From their introduction in the original '60s Star Trek TV series to their continued space-faring adventures on the big screen – not to mention their countless crossovers into other mediums – their loyal friendship, and fans' undying admiration of it, has gone to the final frontier and beyond.
4. Shrek and Donkey
Chosen by 38% of survey participants
As seen in: Shrek (2001) - 88% on the Tomatometer
Duos don't get much more unconventional than DreamWorks' swamp-dwelling ogre and waffle-loving jackass. But after four films and numerous spin-offs, the fairy tale-satirizing besties – brilliantly played by Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy – continue to be fan favorites, begging the question: What escapaes will they get into in the upcoming Shrek 5?
3. Thor and Loki
Chosen by 38% of survey participants
As seen in: Thor (2011) - 77% on the Tomatometer
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is ridiculously stacked with epic heroes and iconic villains, but it's pretty rare for a favorite character from each of those camps to come together and form a duo. And that's what makes Chris Hemsworth's Thor and Tom Hiddleston's Loki so special, as the bickering, adoptive brothers have not only made for an entertaining figurative pair – sharing some of the MCU's funniest scenes – but also a literal team, occasionally joining forces to vanquish common enemies.
2. Dr. Emmett Brown and Marty McFly
Chosen by 41% of survey participants
As seen in: Back to the Future (1985) - 93% on the Tomatometer
Nearly 35 years after the time-traveling trilogy sped off into the sunset – at 88 mph, of course – Back to the Future's Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown are as beloved as ever. Their popularity stems from their endearing relationship, which resonates as an unwavering friendship, but also as a loyal bond shared between apprentice and mentor, and even father and son. The fact nice-guy actors Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd seem just as worthy of our adoration as their on-screen personas further solidifies their impressive spot on the list.
1. Han Solo and Chewbacca
Chosen by 49% of survey participants
As seen in: Star Wars: A New Hope - 93% on the Tomatometer
Even the most skeptical of Star Wars fans were sold on the sequel trilogy's potential the second Han Solo stepped on board the Millennium Falcon and capped The Force Awakens' second teaser trailer with, “Chewie, we're home.” That's because, while the galaxy's lightsaber-swinging, Force-flinging light and dark sides wield the ultimate power in George Lucas' epic sci-fi saga, the scoundrel and his Wookiee sidekick have always been the heart and soul of the series. Not bad for a scruffy-looking Nerfherder and a walking carpet.
