The Best Female Buddy Movies

Ranker Film
Updated June 23, 2023 5.6K votes 436 voters 21.8K views
Over 400 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Female Buddy Movies
Latest additions: Joy Ride, Book Club 2: The Next Chapter
Most divisive: Ghostbusters

The female buddy movie is an elusive and rare little sister to the buddy cop. It's an under appreciated genre that's always a nice surprise at the cinema. From modern hits like Bridesmaids, to older classics like A League of Their Own, the female buddy movie can definitely attract viewers and cult success.

Hollywood is getting better about green-lighting female lead films - The Hunger Games helped matters immensely (hell yeah, Katniss!). We're beginning to see the rise of the strong female character driven film, and yet we still don't have all that many BUDDY movies.

In honor of the ever growing wave of female blockbusters let's look back at a genre that frankly, doesn't get enough love. Vote up your favorite female buddy movie then go watch it with all your best girlfriends!
Ranked by
  • Clueless
    1

    Clueless

    Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy
    144 votes
    • Released: 1995
    • Directed by: Amy Heckerling
    In the heart of Beverly Hills, high schooler Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) reigns as a self-proclaimed fashionista and matchmaker. Clueless, a comedy-drama flick directed by Amy Heckerling, sees Cher navigating the tricky waters of adolescence while attempting to handle love interests and maintain her social status. Alongside Cher is her best friend Dionne Davenport (Stacey Dash), who aids in her various escapades. The film, an amusing modern adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma, cleverly taps into teenage angst and the complexities of young love. Despite its light-hearted tone, it subtly addresses pertinent social issues, making it a timeless classic.

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  • 9 to 5
    2

    9 to 5

    Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton
    27 votes
    • Released: 1980
    • Directed by: Colin Higgins
    In the comedic whirlwind 9 to 5, three office workers, Doralee Rhodes (Dolly Parton), Violet Newstead (Lily Tomlin), and Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda) find themselves at the mercy of a tyrannical boss, Franklin Hart Jr. (Dabney Coleman). The trio endures sexist, egotistical, and hypocritical treatment until chance events empower them to seize control of their workplace. As they navigate this new territory, hilarity ensues, revealing the absurdities of corporate life. This satirical comedy won two Golden Globe awards, reflecting its blend of humor and social commentary.

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  • Mean Girls
    3

    Mean Girls

    Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey
    155 votes
    • Released: 2004
    • Directed by: Mark Waters
    In the teen comedy Mean Girls, Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) is a naive newcomer to public school, having been homeschooled in Africa. She finds herself in the whirlwind of high school politics and cliques, especially when she crosses paths with Regina George (Rachel McAdams), the queen bee of North Shore High School's most popular clique, The Plastics. As Cady navigates this new terrain, she becomes entangled in The Plastics' manipulative games. Tina Fey, who also wrote the screenplay, stars as Ms. Norbury, a teacher who provides guidance for Cady. Mean Girls was nominated for multiple awards and won a Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Comedy.

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  • Thelma & Louise
    4

    Thelma & Louise

    Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel
    123 votes
    • Released: 1991
    • Directed by: Ridley Scott
    In the engaging road film Thelma & Louise, friends Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) embark on an impromptu road trip. Their journey spirals into a chaotic flight from law after an unexpected incident, evolving from a simple getaway to a symbol of rebellion against societal norms. Directed by Ridley Scott, this movie is lauded for its strong female leads and won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1992. As the plot unveils, viewers witness the transformation of Thelma and Louise as they navigate through their unforeseen predicament.

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  • Steel Magnolias
    5

    Steel Magnolias

    Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine
    101 votes
    • Released: 1989
    • Directed by: Herbert Ross
    In Steel Magnolias, a delicate interplay of humor and heartache unfolds. This dramedy, set in a small Louisiana town, centers around a close-knit circle of friends. M'Lynn Eatenton (Sally Field), her vivacious daughter Shelby (Julia Roberts), beauty salon owner Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton), elegant widow Clairee Belcher (Olympia Dukakis), irritable Ouiser Boudreaux (Shirley MacLaine), and timid newcomer Annelle Dupuy Desoto (Daryl Hannah) form the core cast. Their lives intertwine in the comforting confines of Truvy's beauty salon, where they navigate life's ups and downs together. The film earned Julia Roberts an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

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  • A League of Their Own
    6

    A League of Their Own

    Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna
    96 votes
    • Released: 1992
    • Directed by: Penny Marshall
    In the heart of World War II, A League of Their Own unfolds. This comedy-drama, brimming with historical significance and a dash of humor, is directed by Penny Marshall. Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) and Kit Keller (Lori Petty), two sisters from Oregon, are recruited to the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The league was formed when the male baseball players were drafted into the war. Under the guidance of their hard-drinking coach Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks), they and their teammates struggle to keep the league alive amidst societal expectations and personal conflicts. Their journey redefines women's roles in sports and society, challenging stereotypes along the way. To this day, it remains a classic for its portrayal of a significant chapter in American history.

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