As the mother of two grown daughters, I’ve watched my fair share of chick flicks. From “Titanic” and “The Notebook” — favorites of my youngest — to “Mean Girls” and “13 Going on 30,” which my older one adores, I’ve been along for the ride through every swoon-worthy romance, iconic makeover and unforgettable one-liner.
No matter your preference, these films have cemented themselves as timeless classics — perfect for a cozy night in with popcorn and your best friends. So, grab your favorite drink, settle in and let the ultimate girls’ night begin.
'Beaches'
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“Beaches” (1988)
You’ll want to have tissues handy for this one. “Beaches” stars Bette Midler as Cecilia Carol “C.C.” Bloom, a New York actress and singer, and Barbara Hershey as Hillary Whitney, a San Francisco heiress and lawyer. The two meet as children and remain friends through marriage, divorce and childbirth. Despite the many tests of their friendship, it survives.
C.C. is feisty, independent and hell-bent on becoming a star. But when she learns of her friend’s impending death, she drops everything to be by her side. It’s then that the two realize that they have been jealous of each other all their lives. After Hillary’s death, C.C., who agrees to raise Hillary’s daughter, pays tribute to her friend with what became Midler’s signature song, “Wind Beneath My Wings.” The movie was remade in 2017 for Lifetime starring Idina Menzel as C.C. and Nia Long as Hillary. While the remake has its merits, the original remains the definitive classic.
'Steel Magnolias'
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“Steel Magnolias” (1989)
This timeless classic proved its staying power even with a remake featuring an all-Black cast made 23 years later. The original movie featured a who’s who of Hollywood: Shirley MacLaine, Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts, Sam Shepard and too many others to name.
It centers around a small-town beauty parlor and a tight-knit group of friends who take a young new hairdresser under their wing. Most of the story revolves around Shelby, played by Roberts. She is a diabetic who dies from complications following childbirth. The movie is based on the real-life Susan Harling Robinson, the sister of Robert Harling, who wrote the story.
Despite the tearjerker ending, the movie delivers plenty of comic relief with its series of one-liners as the characters lovingly snipe at each other.
'When Harry Met Sally'
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“When Harry Met Sally” (1989)
“I’ll have what she’s having.” How many of us have said that with a knowing wink? The now-famous line was delivered by a customer in a New York deli after Sally Albright, played by Meg Ryan, acts out faking an orgasm while explaining to longtime friend Harry Burns, played by Billy Crystal, that men can’t tell if it’s real or fake.
The woman who delivers that famous line was the late Estelle Reiner, the mother of director Rob Reiner. “When Harry Met Sally” sought to answer the question: Can men and women be just friends?
Written by Nora Ephron, the film has viewers wondering: Will they or won’t they? In an interview, Reiner said he initially planned an ending where the two go their separate ways but had a change of heart — no pun intended — and opted for a happily-ever-after instead.
'Pretty Woman'
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“Pretty Woman” (1990)
Though “Pretty Woman,” helped make Julia Roberts a star, she wasn’t the first actress offered the role. Michelle Pfeiffer, Meg Ryan and Emily Lloyd were among those who turned it down. For the then 21-year-old Roberts, a relatively unknown actress, it catapulted her career and earned her a Golden Globe.
The story follows Vivian Ward, a struggling prostitute hired by Edward Lewis, a wealthy businessman played by Richard Gere, to be his escort for several functions. A modern-day “Pygmalion,” Vivian transforms from a sex worker into Edward’s confidante. Edward, too, is transformed — from a corporate raider without a heart to someone willing to help save a company he initially intended to dismantle.
Fans might be surprised to learn that the film was initially conceived as a dark drama about prostitution in Los Angeles in the 1980s. The original ending had Vivian tossed out of a limo by Edward, but since Hollywood is known for its happy endings, the final cut sees the two end up together in a fairy-tale romance.
'Thelma & Louise'
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“Thelma & Louise” (1991)
Could you imagine anyone else playing the titular roles in “Thelma & Louise” other than Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis? It could have been Michelle Pfeiffer and Jodie Foster had it not been for production delays.
The film centers on two best friends who embark on a road trip only to experience one disaster after another. It begins with Thelma Dickinson, a housewife, nearly being raped in a parking lot, and Louise Sawyer coming to her defense, fatally shooting the perpetrator in a fit of rage.
The two take off for Mexico. Along the way, they meet a young drifter and convicted felon, played by Brad Pitt, who steals their money. With no other options, the two decide to rob a convenience store, all the while being pursued by the FBI. As the law closes in, they decide to drive off into the sunset — literally — sending Louise’s 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertible over a cliff.
'Titanic'
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“Titanic” (1997)
James Cameron’s fascination with shipwrecks and undersea exploration led to the creation of “Titanic.” Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the film won 11 Oscars, including Best Director for Cameron.
Part history, part fiction, the story follows Rose and Jack, who fall in love despite their different social classes. The two meet on the ill-fated ship and embark on a short-lived love affair that ends when the ship sinks and Jack dies of hypothermia. Rose is saved by a passing lifeboat.
The story unfolds through Rose’s memories as an old woman recounting her experience to a treasure hunter after seeing a television report about his discovery of a sketch Jack made of her 84 years earlier. “Titanic” was the first film to reach the billion-dollar mark in box office sales.
'The Notebook'
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“The Notebook” (2004)
Based on Nicholas Sparks’ debut novel released in 1996, “The Notebook” tells the story of Noah Calhoun and Allie Hamilton, played by Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.
The story is narrated by an elderly man, played by James Garner, to a fellow nursing home resident. He tells her of a romance he once had with a woman in the 1940s and how they lost and found each other over the years. It’s a classic boy-meets-girl story — he comes from a lower social class family and her parents disapprove. Despite their efforts to keep them apart, she finds her way back to him, and they marry. In the end, it’s revealed that the woman listening to the story is his wife, Allie, who has dementia. Through his retelling, he keeps their love and memories alive.
'Mean Girls'
Photo Courtesy Of Paramount Pictures
“Mean Girls” (2004)
A teen comedy written by comedian Tina Fey (who plays a math teacher), “Mean Girls” explores the effects of high school cliques and social hierarchies.
Lindsay Lohan stars as Cady Heron, a 16-year-old who, after years of homeschooling in Africa, is thrown into the chaotic world of an American high school. She quickly learns the rules of popularity when she falls in with “The Plastics,” a trio of mean girls led by the ruthless Regina George (Rachel McAdams). What starts as an undercover attempt to take Regina down turns into a full-fledged transformation as Cady becomes just as manipulative as the girls she once despised — all over a boy.
Fey based the film on the self-help book “Queen Bees and Wannabes,” which explores how bullying and peer pressure shape teenage girls. The movie became a cult classic, spawning a Broadway rock musical in 2018 and a 2024 film remake.
'13 Going On 30'
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“13 Going On 30” (2004)
Imagine waking up one day not remembering what happened to the last 17 years of your life. That’s what happens to nerdy 13-year-old Jenna Rink, who yearns to be popular.
Played by Jennifer Garner (with Christa B. Allen as the younger Jenna), she makes a birthday wish after a humiliating moment at her party. Her wish comes true overnight and she wakes up in 2004 as a 30-year-old successful magazine editor.
Jenna soon realizes adulthood is not all that it’s cracked up to be. She misses her best friend Matt (played by Mark Ruffalo), who was secretly in love with her. Realizing what a jerk she has been as an adult, she searches for Matt to help her. She finds him as he is about to get married. But through the fantasy of movies and some magic dust, she makes her way back to her childhood and realizes being popular isn’t as important as being kind.
'The Idea Of You'
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“The Idea of You” (2024)
Starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, this romantic drama follows the unexpected love affair between a 40-something single woman and a much younger boy band superstar.
The story begins when Solène Marchand, played by Hathaway, meets Hayes Campbell, played by Galitzine, at Coachella while chaperoning her teenage daughter and her friends. What starts as a chance encounter quickly turns into something more — and despite their age difference, the two embark on a passionate romance.
The paparazzi get wind of it and she is worried about the impact it is having on her teenage daughter, so eventually she breaks it off. Fast forward five years and Hayes returns to the art gallery where she works and the two have a tearful reunion.