Films about female friendships that remind me that togetherness outlives every stage of life

Carrie Bradshaw didn’t exactly deliver many coherent insights in the controversial sequel And Just Like That, but one line I’ll give her credit for echoed a scientifically proven fact — that women tend to live longer than men, which is yet another reason to stick together, at every age. I was raised by women; they taught me how to speak, walk, and eat — as Savinčević-Ivančević once wrote — and every one of my mother’s friends was like a second, third, or fourth mom, someone I could call at any hour for a shoulder to cry on or a push forward. Today, as most of them are retired and living alone — whether widowed or divorced — they’re closer than ever. They clean each other’s apartments, cook, iron, and swap domestic chores based on who prefers what; they leave clothes at each other’s homes, travel together, visit exhibitions, and never fail to send me cringe selfies from their get-togethers, captioned Sex and the City (not always spelled correctly).

Following their example, I can’t imagine my life without my girlfriends. They are my fortress, my safe house, the pillar that keeps me standing, no matter what happens. Lately, I often think about that force — and about the thirties: a time of distancing, solitude, adaptation, and new points of connection and disconnection along the same emotional axis. In that spirit, here’s a selection of films about female friendships — timeless reminders of their quiet, unwavering power.

Frances Ha 

Long before Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig co-wrote a series of indie films with her partner Noah Baumbach. Their 2012 film Frances Ha became a cult classic thanks to its distinct portrayal of the confusing in-between stage that is young adulthood. Shot in lush black and white, the film follows the ups and downs of a friendship between Frances (the impulsive, free-spirited Gerwig) and Sophie (the more grounded and pragmatic Mickey Sumner). What sets Frances Ha apart is its depiction of platonic intimacy that borders on romance: they share a bed, read to each other, and a local barista assumes they’re “a couple who no longer has sex.” Yet as life pulls them in different directions, they drift apart — only to leave us with a quietly hopeful reminder that true friendship can endure, even if it changes form.

Clueless 

How do you recognize true friendship in a world obsessed with appearances? Cher, Dionne, and Tai are teenage girls navigating glamour, school chaos, and first crushes — but beneath the laughter and witty banter lies a deep sense of loyalty. Clueless is more than a teen comedy; it’s a story about growth, mistakes, and learning to show up for your friends when it matters most. Cher may come across as someone who only leads with style and trends, yet through her bond with Tai and Dionne we see how genuine friendship can shape identity and inspire courage. Their world is colorful, wild, and occasionally chaotic — but through togetherness, they find both balance and belonging.

First Wives Club

Rewatching this film last weekend actually inspired the idea for this piece. Three college friends reunite years later and rediscover that true strength lies in sisterhood. The First Wives Club is a funny, warm, and sharp story about women who lift each other through life’s ups and downs — divorce, careers, and all the little (and big) dramas in between. The brilliant trio of Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, and Bette Midler laugh, plot, and empower one another, showing that friendship can be the best antidote to heartbreak — and a gateway to rediscovering joy. The final scene, of course, is iconic: a definition of friendship that is freeing, joyful, and unbreakable.

A League of Their Own 

In a world filled with expectations and limitations, four women prove they can lift an entire team. A League of Their Own follows a group of women who come together during World War II to play professional baseball. Each arrives from a different place, with her own story and struggles, yet the game unites them — forging friendships that last a lifetime. The film reminds us that true connection often grows from shared challenges, sustained by trust and mutual respect. Humor, rivalry, and laughter through tears make this story vibrant and unforgettable, showing that real friendship transcends differences and distance alike.

Beaches

Some bonds don’t fade, even as everything else in life changes. Beaches tells the story of two women who meet as little girls and remain a part of each other’s lives, no matter how far their paths diverge. Hillary and C.C. are opposites — one quiet and composed, the other loud and flamboyant — but it’s precisely in that contrast that their friendship finds its strength. Over time, the film evolves from a sentimental drama into a profound study of loyalty, loss, and love in its purest, most enduring form. It’s a poignant reminder that lifelong friendships aren’t always easy, but they are deep, defining, and impossible to sever — only to transform.

Crossroads 

Three girls on a road trip that changes everything — every mile a reunion with the past and with themselves. Crossroads follows Lucy, Kit, and Mimi as they confront old rivalries, insecurities, and expectations. Their childhood friendship now faces the challenge of being redefined. The film reminds us that the best friends are the ones who know you better than you know yourself — the ones who stand by you through life’s hardest, wildest moments. Every obstacle, every argument, every burst of laughter along the way becomes part of their lasting bond.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 

My ultimate guilty-pleasure teen film, one that takes me back to the days when my friends and I practically lived together. One pair of jeans, four different girls, and a summer that changes them forever. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is a heartfelt ode to loyalty, trust, and the kind of friendship that knows no boundaries. Through letters, phone calls, and little shared rituals, Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget show that real connection endures even when life takes you in different directions. The film is a tender reminder that true friendship offers comfort, strength, and the reassuring sense that we are never truly alone — even when the world feels far apart.

The Women 

In a world brimming with gossip, rivalry, and envy, The Women proves that even amid “cattiness,” there can exist genuine connection among women. This film — almost entirely free of male characters — laid the groundwork for nearly a century of portraying female friendship on screen. Every plot twist, every argument or moment of support between the characters reveals layers of empathy, solidarity, and shared understanding. The Women reminds us that real connection between women knows no limits, and that friendship can endure even when the world around them insists on competition. It stands as an ode to feminine energy and the power of togetherness — showing how friendships shape our lives through laughter, tears, and unforgettable moments.

Thelma and Louise 

What happens when two women finally say “enough” and hit the road, leaving behind the confines of everyday life? The story follows Thelma and Louise as they set off on what seems like a harmless weekend getaway — only to find themselves drawn into a series of unpredictable turns. What begins as an escape from monotony transforms into a liberating journey of friendship, self-discovery, and defiance against social constraints. Ridley Scott’s feminist classic shows that freedom isn’t just about running away from the world — it’s about the bold decision to live on your own terms.