The Best Female Friendships In TV And Movie History
Everyday is the best day to celebrate women, but Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day are the perfect opportunities to lift up the television series and movies that put women front and center.
Throughout decades of the filmmaking industry, a typically male-dominated industry, there have been several female duos that have taught us about friendship.
It’s 2025, but women are still often pit against one another to fit into a man’s world. Patriarchal and toxic workplaces encourage women to assimilate into a male culture by stepping on other women. Young girls were once taught that their value was best defined by men, and were encouraged to fight with one another to vye for a desirable man’s attention. All of these instances are shown in classic films and series. But on the flipside, we’ve also seen several examples of duos who have put their friendship first, rebelling against society’s bad habits. So here are 7 of our favorite female duos who taught us about what true friendship looks like.
Leslie Knope and Ann Perkins (Parks and Recreation)
Right up there with The Office and Brooklyn Nine Nine, Parks and Rec gave us some of our favorite quirky characters. At its center is Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), whose relentless optimism can be overbearing to the characters around her. But it was this scrappiness that endeared her to Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones) and led to their lifelong friendship. Even when they end up in relationships, Leslie and Ann always set aside time for each other, from celebrating their friend-a-versary to Galentine’s Day, while always being honest and supportive.
Lorelei Lee and Dorothy Shaw (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes)
In this 1953 classic film, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell portray two best friends who travel to Paris together for Lorelei’s wedding to a French millionaire. However, when they discover Lorelei’s fiancé hired a private detective to trail them, wild antics ensue, testing their friendship and Lorelei’s relationship. Between Lorelei’s naivete and Dorothy’s cynicism, they make perfect foils and besties, showing us how despite the power of men in the 1950s, women can still support each other to come out on top.
Grace Hanson and Frances “Frankie” Bergstein (Grace and Frankie)
Netflix’s 2015 series was an early favorite among streaming subscribers. Starring Jane Fonda as Grace and Lily Tomlin as Frankie, they prove that you’re never too old to find a best friend. Grace and Frankie have known each other for decades, but they only grew close when their husbands had an affair with each other, leaving Grace and Frankie to reckon their senior years as single women. They move in together and support each other in life’s toughest moments through grief and heartbreak, and they even start a business together. The two Hollywood icons are proof that friendship is sometimes where we really find our soulmates.
Romy White and Michele Weinberger (Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion)
Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino star in this 1997 feminist comedy in which two best high school friends attend their reunion with the intent to look more successful than they are. But in doing so, they live out their teenage dreams. Romy and Michele grew up together and became adults together, showing us how lifelong friends can change our lives and make us better people. Their trademark style and humor is a reminder that friendship is more than just love and support; it’s also about having fun with the people you vibe best with and that you know will always be there for you.
Abbi Abrams and Ilana Wexler (Broad City)
Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer play versions of themselves in this Brooklyn-based comedy centered on two women just trying to figure it out. Its true-to-life depiction of being a 20-something in New York City inspires several hilarious scenarios that put their friendship to the test. But Abbi and Ilana always come out on top, putting their love for one another over following the law. Their friendship may fuel chaos, but it also fuels their passions and their individuality, making each other the best versions of themselves.
Molly Davidson and Amy Antsler (Booksmart)
Some consider Booksmart to be the modern-day equivalent of a John Hughes coming-of-age film—it employs all the classic tropes of a teenage movie. There’s a quest to achieve something before going to college, identity crises, a giant party … What more could we want? Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever star as two girls trying to raise their reputation from nerds to remotely cool by attending the party of the year. But as the nights play out, their lifelong friendship is tested as they realize they might want different things and grow into different people. Booksmart is a true testament to finding the path to hold onto your best friend even as life throws curveballs our way.
Maggie Caruso and Emma Crawford (Playing House)
In this severely underrated series inspired by their real-life friendship, Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair star as two best friends whose lives have gone in different directions. Also featuring Keegan Michael-Key, Zach Woods, and Brad Morris, Playing House has the comedic charm necessary to uphold any friendship. But when Emma returns home from her career in China to help her best friend, we’re shown what true friendship looks like. Even if we grow up and value different things, whether family or career or travel or individuality, we always have each other’s backs.
