Thebuddy comedy movieis a popular genre for many moviegoers. Known for its lovable characters and fast-paced action that occurs around a singular mission, adventure, or event, buddy comedies are an easy watch for viewers of all ages and demographics. Though many buddy comedies are known for featuring male leads,over the years there has been an increase in the number of female-led casts in the genre.
With the push for more female-led stories in Hollywood over the years, it is no surprise that more female buddy comedies are given the proper spotlight. SZA and Keke Palmer’s latest film,One of Them Days, has generated a fair amount of buzz in the media, and has been performing well at the box office, currently having made $25 million domestically. However, before this, several female buddy comedies have quickly become classics, such as the 1980 film,9 to 5, known for its hilariously heartwarming ensemble of Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda, or the entertaining satire about a cappella groups,Pitch Perfect.In the end,all of these films share something deeper about the power of female friendship and allyship.
Girls Trip
Cast
Girls Trip follows four lifelong friends—played by Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish—as they embark on a trip to the annual Essence Festival in New Orleans. Directed by Malcolm D. Lee, the film explores themes of friendship, personal growth, and rediscovery. The narrative interweaves comedy with poignant moments, showcasing the dynamic bond and varied life experiences of the central characters.
This ensemble buddy comedy is a hilarious watch with a star-studded cast that issoon to get a sequel.Girls Triptells the storyof four longtime girlfriends who reunite in New Orleans for the Essence Festival, where one of them will be speaking. Amidst the chaos of the festival, drama, romance, and confusion ensue, causing the women to reevaluate their happiness at home in their prospective life paths.
Girl’s Tripis riddled with slapstick comedy throughout that is sure to make viewers laugh. For example, Dina (Tiffany Haddish) jumps Ryan’s (Regina Hall) husband when she spots him with his great aunt, mistaking her for a woman he is cheating on her friend with. To make matters worse, the women are crammed into a cheap motel when they are promised a suite.It is also entertaining to see how each woman relaxes on the trip, from Dina’s embrace of the chaos as a party girl who never grew up, and Lisa (Jada Pinkett-Smith), learning to let go as a tightly-wound divorcee. By the end, despite a series of disagreements, the trip is restorative for the women who are glad to be close even after all the years.
Ocean’s Eight
Oceans Eight is a sequel/spin-off from the Ocean’s Eleven franchise that follows the equally capable sister of master thief Danny Ocean. Fresh out of jail after being framed for art fraud by her former lover, Debbie enlists the help of her best friend and several other talented women to perform a massive heist of the Toussaint necklace, all while getting revenge. Assembling a crack team isn’t easy, but Debbie will pull it off in style.
Ocean’s Eightis a follow-up to the popularOcean’s Elevenmovie franchise, but this time, Gary Ross' film features an all-female cast of master thieves. In this heist buddy comedy, Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), a former thief,reassembles a female crew of thieves, hackers, and con artists to pull off the heist of a lifetime at the New York Met Gala.
Hustler and Pick Pocket
Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway)
Actress
This film uses the mission of the heist as the main adventure in this buddy comedy, and a series of hilarious challenges and obstacles emerge. For example, Daphne (Anne Hathaway), the vapid actress whom the team are planning to steal the diamond necklace from, learns of their plans and, instead of turning them in, wants to join them because she is lonely and looking for female friends. Additionally, team members like Constance (Awkwafina), have small moments of comedy sprinkled in, such as her decision to pick-pocket her fellow crew members.By sticking together, these womenpull off the heist by the end ofOcean’s 8, as well as find meaningful new relationships that change them for the better.
Adele Lim’s Comedy Scored A 6.4/10 On IMDB
Joy Ride
Joy Ride (2023) is a comedy film directed by Adele Lim. The story follows four Asian American friends as they embark on a journey to Asia in search of one of their birth mothers. The film explores themes of friendship, identity, and cultural connection, featuring performances by Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu in major roles.
A recent buddy comedy hit isAdele Lim’s 2023 well-reviewed comedy,Joy Ride. This film follows a group of four Asian American friends, led by Audrey (Ashley Park), who reunite to travel across China and seek out her birth mother.Along the way, they not only reconnect with each other, but also with their connection to their cultural roots.
This adventure is a classic buddy comedy, centering around the mission of finding Audrey’s mom. Naturally, there are a series of humorous and raunchy challenges and scenarios that complicate the friends' journey along the way. Among these is a dance they must do while posing as K-pop stars in disguise, or hiding drugs that are thrown onto them by a drug dealer they encounter on the train. Beyond this, the friendship is made up of a variety of clashing personalities, such as Kat (Stephanie Hsu) the reformed party girl turned religious Chinese actress. In the end, the women’s support of Audrey while finding her mom is a testament to the power of good female friends.
Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow are brilliant in the 1997 buddy comedy,Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, where they play a duo of two ditzy friends who are invited to their ten-year-high school reunion.In an effort to impress their former classmates, the two women decide to create a string of lies about their lives and careers, and mayhem ensues. It is currently slated to return withRomy and Michele’s High School Reunion 2.
Romy and Michelle were first created as characters in the 1988 stage play, Ladies Room, by Robin Schiff.
Much of the comedy in the film stems from Romy and Michelle’s strange character traits, from their odd catchphrases to bold wardrobe choices. In the end, these idiosyncrasies are sure to get a laugh out of audiences, especially when the women clash with their mundane peers from high school. For example, Michelle’s lie involves inventing post-its and Romy’s fat-free diet plan consists of candy eating solely. In the end, the women’s mission to impress their former bullies and classmates is thwarted by a series of challenges, butthat doesn’t stop them from embracing their uniqueness and learning that it is better to have fun than worry about fitting in.
Colin Higgins' Classic Earned 6.9/10 On IMDB
9 to 5
Three secretaries, fed up with their overbearing and chauvinistic boss, concoct a scheme to get even. Initially just daydreaming about retaliation, circumstances lead them to actually capture their boss and run the office in his absence.
This classic buddy comedy,9 to 5,is one of the most enduring examples of a film in its genre, having been made into a hit song, spinoff show, a popular stage musical adaptation, and9 to 5may be getting a new remake. In the film, employees Judy (Jane Fonda), Violet (Lily Tomlin) and Dora Lee (Dolly Parton) come together and decide to turn against their boss after growing tired of his sexist behavior.
9 to 5is a relatable comedy for viewers who have dealt with a difficult boss in the workplace, especially for women who have dealt with sexism in this way. Thus, the film’s premise is appealing and entertaining at its start. Several slapstick moments are hilarious to watch, such as the women daydreaming about hunting their boss through the office as if he is a wild animal or the accidental rat poisoning mistake that ends up in the boss’s hospitalization. In the end,the women, although different in personality and social standing, use the power of their friendship to demand better treatmentand deal with their trauma.
Paul Feig’s Film Earned A 6.8/10 On IMDB
Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids is a comedy film featuring Kristen Wiig as Annie, who becomes the maid of honor for her best friend Lillian amidst personal turmoil. As she navigates the costly and eccentric demands of wedding preparations, Annie strives to prove her devotion despite numerous comedic challenges. Released in 2011, the film explores friendship and rivalry among bridesmaids.
Paul Feig’s 2011 comedy,Bridesmaids, pokes fun at the stresses and drama that emerge from the grueling role leading up to the planning of a wedding.Bridesmaidsfocuses on Annie (Kristen Wiig), an out-of-work chef who struggles to uphold her role as maid of honor in her best friend’s wedding while feuding with a jealous bridesmaid.
The film is a classic buddy comedy for a reason, with hilarious use of situational and slap stick comedy scattered throughout the film, there are manyfunny moments inBridesmaids.For example, a bout of food poisoning causes the entire bridesmaid party to get sick during a wedding dress fitting, and Annie’s overdose on sleeping pills on a flight, causes the party to be kicked off of the plane.Though there are many humorous moments of in-fighting within the bridesmaid group, the women decide to put aside their differences and make sure Lillian’s (Maya Rudolph) wedding is successful. Along the way, they find unlikely friendships despite their earlier competition.
Lawrence Lamont’s Comedy Earned 7.1/10 On IMDB
One of Them Days
One of Them Days, directed by Lawrence Lamont, follows best friends and roommates Dreux and Alyssa as they scramble to prevent eviction after discovering Alyssa’s boyfriend has squandered their rent money. This comedic adventure highlights their desperate and humorous attempts to save their home and friendship.
One of Them Daysis one of the newest female-led slapstick comedies to hit the theaters and has already earned a 96% rotten tomatoes score. The film stars SZA as Alyssa, and Keke Palmer as Dreux, two roommates and friends who lose their rent money to Alyssa’s irresponsible boyfriend.The girls race against the clock to get the money before being evicted, encountering a series of hilarious challenges along the way.
One Of Them Days Ending Explained: Where Do Dreux And Alyssa End Up?
One of Them Days is an extremely solid comedy, with an ending that, while not too complex, has enough going on that is worth discussing in depth.
Both SZA and Keke Palmer shine in their prospective roles in the film, playing off of and balancing each other well: Alyssa is the free-spirited artist, and Dreux, a type A hustler who has higher priorities that are complicated by her friend’s mess.One of Them Daysis full of slapstick moments, as the girls get into a fight with an angry drug dealer, King Lolo, and manage to get kicked out of a blood bank. By the end,the girls put aside their differences to solve their rent issue, learning the power of their friendship comes from putting together their unique strengths.
Jason Moore’s Film Scored A 7.1/10 On IMDB
Pitch Perfect
Pitch Perfect is a musical comedy film directed by Jason Moore, starring Anna Kendrick as Beca, a college freshman who reluctantly joins her school’s all-female a cappella group, the Barden Bellas. The Bellas strive to win the national competition in the male-dominated world of collegiate a cappella by reinventing their dated repertoire with new, dynamic arrangements. The cast also includes Rebel Wilson and Brittany Snow.
This female-led buddy comedy cleverly satirizes the world of college a capella and was so popular it resulted inseveralPitch Perfectmovies. This film focuses on Beca, a college freshman who finds herself joining The Bellas, a prestigious a capella group that is in need of saving.By the end, Beca and her friends help to strengthen The Bellas for the better.
Pitch Perfectis a quintessential buddy comedy, full of slapstick moments, an ensemble of wild characters, and a high-stakes central goal. For example, characters like “Fat Amy” (Rebel Wilson), the group’s jokester, andLilly (Hana Mae Lee), a mysterious student who speaks quietly, are highly entertaining due to their wild character descriptions.Several iconic moments fromPitch Perfecthave also become pop-culture references,such as the notorious “riff-off” between a capella groups, or Amy’s invention of “horizontal running.” Set against the exciting backdrop of college, the film highlights the importance of acceptance of others and embracing one’s unique qualities.
Olivia Wilde’s Comedy Scored A 7.1/10 On IMDB
Booksmart
Booksmart is a comedy film directed by Olivia Wilde and follows two studious and by-the-book high school seniors who decide on their final day of school to shake up the formula and break some rules. Having lamented missing four potential years of fun and friendship, the best friends attempt to cram four years of the “high school experience” into a single night.
Booksmartmay only be a few years old but has already cemented itself as a classic in the genre, equally entertaining as it is heartwarming. Thisfemale coming-of-age comedyabout friendship follows Amy (Kaitlyn Denver) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein), two high-achievers in high school who realize they should have partied more. The night before graduation, the two hatch a plan to check off all the items on their bucket list of “fun.”
While the leads may lean into stereotypes at times, shy follower Amy and bossy queen B Molly balance each other well, creating a sense of comedy out of their competing interests and personalities that is hard not to find amusing.Their simple task of partying goes awry in a myriad of ways, with antics from a drug-induced trip where the two become Barbie dolls, to sharing an awkward Uber with their high school teacher. By the end, the film drives home its slapstick moments when the girls race to graduation after busting out of jail. Ultimately, though,Booksmartcelebrates the joys of being young, restless, and silly with friends.
