Our Favorite Female Duos in Film

By Tara Bennett

It’s no secret that when it comes to buddy movies, guys have the edge. Mel and Danny, Channing and Hill…they barely scratch the surface of buddy bromances. But what about the ladies? With the success of Bridesmaids and perhaps the one-two punch of Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy in The Heat, maybe we'll see more female bonding onscreen. Meantime, here are some of our favorite sis-mances.

Thelma & Louise

Twenty-two years later and Thelma & Louise is still the benchmark for female buddy empowerment on screen. Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon are at the top of their game as besties that go on a road trip that goes very, very wrong. Sarandon’s tough and savvy Thelma balances out Davis’ ditzy Thelma which ultimately makes them the perfect foils on their doomed adventures in vigilante justice.

C.C. and Hillary, Beaches

In Beaches, Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey chart a life-long friendship from their first meeting under the boards of Atlantic City to a sad ending that cuts one down in their prime. Men, children, careers and even their own jealousy of one another can’t dilute their friendship in the end. Make sure you stock up on Kleenex for the big “Wind Beneath My Wings” ending.

Idgie and Ruth, Fried Green Tomatoes

What do a fierce, young tomboy and a genteel Southern girl have in common? In Fried Green Tomatoes, it’s their shared love of Buddy Threadgoode – brother to Idgie and girlfriend of Ruth. When he dies tragically, the women’s bond is forged and their own friendship spans domestic violence, murder and the evolution of the South. Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker create a female friendship for the ages.

Enid and Rebecca, Ghost World

Daniel Clowes’ indie graphic novel Ghost World was lovingly adapted to screen by director Terry Zwigoff. Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson played Enid and Rebecca, respectively, as two suburban, social outcast teens who hate the shallow lives of their peers. After high school graduation, their bond starts to show strains as the film realistically portrays that heartbreaking transition from childhood to adulthood that sometimes lays waste to friendships.

Jess and Jules, Bend It Like Beckham

The charming Bend It Like Beckham put Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley on the map playing two girls from very different ethnic backgrounds united by their all-encompassing love of British footy. Both are great players but their parents don’t understand their prowess or obsession with the sport. Together, they help each other play and excel in a girl’s league that ends up opening doors for both of their futures.

Romy and Michele

They may not be the brightest bulbs to graduate Sagebrush High but Romy White and Michele Weinberger have each other’s backs for life in the cute Romy and Michele's High School Reunion. Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino play spacey pals who still haven't figured out what to do with their lives as their 10-year high school reunion rolls around. Returning home, they face some hard truths and embarrassments while managing not to destroy their friendship.

Annie Walker and Lillian Donovan, Bridesmaids

As the maid of honor and the bride-to-be, Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph realistically portray the complexities of lifelong friends who know the very best and very worst of one another. When Lillian gets engaged and asks Annie to stand with her, it opens the door for their every insecurity (financial, creative, social and more) to emerge in the ugliest of ways. However, their friendship comes back from the brink, making them more than their problems in the end.

May-Alice and Chantelle, Passion Fish

This indie gem from director John Sayles features Mary McDonnell as famous soap actress May-Alice who is rendered paralyzed by a car accident. She has to return home to rural Louisiana for her care and to basically restart her life. Bitter, angry and caustic to everyone, May-Alice gets an attitude readjustment at the hands of her nurse Chantelle (Alfre Woodard), another woman who has experienced devastating tragedy.

Lillian Hellman and Julia, Julia

Julia is based on Lillian Hellman's book Pentimento, which tells the story of her friendship with an anti-Nazi activist. Lillian (Jane Fonda) and Julia (Vanessa Redgrave) grew up together as childhood friends and become celebrated professionals. After Julia is murdered, Lillian sets out to piece together the truths of her friend’s hidden life and raise her orphaned daughter. Now that's a real friend.

Cher and Dionne, >i>Clueless

The Queen Bees of Beverly Hills High School, Cher and Dionne (Alicia Silverstone and Stacey Dash) are the fashion plate BFF’s at the center of their social scene. Valley girls with rich parents and more than a few credit cards, these two are hardly mean girls. They’re more shallow girls living in a bubble which makes them fun to spend time with even if they’re extremely clueless. For more on summer movies, see our Summer Movie Guide!