Start with Booksmart (if you want laughs), Someone Great (if you want a breakup anthem), or The Half of It (if you want a quiet, queer coming-of-age gem).
Whether you are looking for a film to watch with your partner, a movie to heal a broken heart, or a story that validates your singlehood, the "girlfriend movie" is a cultural staple. In this article, we explore what defines this genre, why we love them, and the essential films that belong on your watchlist.
For a long time, the "girlfriend movie" was synonymous with the romantic comedy. The 90s and early 2000s were the golden age, offering up stories where love conquered all and the guy always got the girl.
: Tense dynamics between a protective maternal figure and a new partner, as seen in the upcoming adaptation of Michelle Frances's novel. Artificial/Idealized Partners
Around the mid-2010s, the "girlfriend movie" grew up. Audiences began craving stories that reflected the messy reality of relationships rather than the fairy tale. This gave rise to films that were less about meeting the person of your dreams, and more about staying with them.
The best girlfriend movies usually fall into one of four categories:
In a world that often tells women their feelings are too much or their stories are too small, girlfriend movies say: Your love, your friendships, your heartbreaks, your ridiculous schemes to win back a guy or get a promotion—they are worthy of the big screen.
A critically acclaimed period drama exploring a deep romantic bond between two women.
