Although we question why categories such as buddy comedy are limited to male friendships, chick flicks, which are geared at women, are classified as conventional film genres. The term “genre” has historically been used to describe films that primarily target the teen and female demographics; many romantic comedies fit under this broad heading. Though a genre is merely a label, here are a few films you should watch on HBO Max if you’re planning a girls’ night in.
Barbie (2023)
Greta Gerwig, the director, is the master of a social satire that went viral. The movie is a commentary on the male-dominated real world and how Barbie handles it after entering it after a crisis that could endanger her very existence, all the while showcasing America’s, if not the most iconic and popular doll in the world (the first live-action version), Barbie, who lives in the matriarchal Barbieland alongside other Barbies and Kens. Ryan Gosling portrays Ken, while Margot Robbie plays Barbie. Will Ferrell, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Emma Mackey, and Simu Liu make up the remaining cast. This masterwork is available for viewing right now.
Casablanca (1942)
The timeless black-and-white romance featuring the legendary Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman comes in first place on this list. Michael Curtiz, the film’s director, narrates the tale of Rick Blaine (Bogart), the proprietor of a nightclub in Casablanca, Morocco, which provides sanctuary to individuals escaping Germany for America in the early years of World War II. Rick is faced with a difficult decision: assisting her husband Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), a leader of the Czech resistance, escape Casablanca and the Germans, or going back to his old flame Ilsa (Bergman), whom he runs into at his café.
Every element of the picture, including the language, theme song, and main characters, gained notoriety over time, and “Casablanca” is now regarded as one of the greatest films ever created. Murray Burnett and Joan Alison’s 1940 unproduced drama, “Everybody Comes to Rick’s,” served as the inspiration for the movie’s plot. The vintage movie is available to watch online.
Celeste And Jesse Forever (2012)
What would happen if two best friends got married, then split up? Will their friendship continue to be the best? Do they still have to be best friends? Many unanswered questions that are difficult to address are present in the atmosphere. Celeste and Jesse, who have been closest friends since high school, are married, but their marriage doesn’t last long. Still, they maintain their best-friend relationship, so this doesn’t keep them apart. They don’t think it’s wrong, even though their buddies do. But Celeste finds it hard to accept reality when Jesse starts seeing someone else. Lee Toland Krieger’s “Celeste and Jesse Forever” stars Rashida Jones as Celeste and Andy Samberg as Jesse, respectively. It is tragic in the loveliest way imaginable. Watch the movie right here.
Grease (1978)
Speaking of cult favourites, here’s a musical about teenagers in high school discovering friendship and love. Sandy Olsson and Danny Zuko, played by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, respectively, are shown in “Grease” falling in love but having to part ways when Sandy has to go back to Australia. Nevertheless, that doesn’t work out, and she ends up going to Rydell High, which is Danny’s high school. Sandy joins The Pink Ladies, a group of ladies in pink led by Rizzo (Stockard Channing), while Danny heads the T-Birds, a group of greasers dressed in leather.
We find out in the most amazing way how Danny and Sandy end up together again. The film, which was directed by rookie Randal Kleiser, is based on the stage production of “Grease” by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. It went on to become the highest-grossing musical picture of all time. The first best-selling album of 1978 was “Saturday Night Live,” which also included Travolta, and this one came in second. You can get “Grease” from this link right now if you want to feel the exhilaration of falling in love while shaking a leg.
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
This horror-comedy centres on Jennifer (Megan Fox), who, following a botched ritual by a boy band that planned to offer her up to Satan as a virgin, becomes possessed by a demon and rises from the dead. She wasn’t a virgin, though, and she’s returning with a craving for boys’ flesh and blood. It is up to Amanda Seyfried’s character, Needy, to figure out how to stop her. “Jennifer’s Body,” despite being an unusual chick film, is dark, sexually suggestive, and graphic. Director Karyn Kusama is in charge. It is available for streaming here.
Just Like Heaven (2005)
In this charming romantic comedy, directed by Mark Waters and starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo, newly widowed architect David (Ruffalo), who has recently moved into his new flat, meets Elizabeth (Witherspoon), a previous resident. There’s a catch, though. Despite being a ghost and having few memories of her past, Elizabeth feels that she is still alive. Even though David tries to exorcise Elizabeth by getting hold of Darryl, a psychic and bookstore employee, it doesn’t work. Days go by, and David gradually begins to develop feelings for Elizabeth and vice versa. But is it even possible to fall in love with a ghost? This query is addressed later. Enjoy the blossoming relationship here for the time being.
Knocked Up (2007)
Career-focused writer Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) is taken aback by a one-night fling with a douche named Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) because she ends herself pregnant. But instead of raising the child alone, she decides to share the burden with Ben and hopes he’ll grow up to be a father figure. This includes her trying to fall in love with Alison and vice versa. Being a father is difficult, especially for Ben, who is still a child at heart. This is Seth Rogen’s first feature picture role, and he demonstrated he could play a humorous role with it. Katherine Heigl plays Alison wonderfully. The ensemble of “Knocked Up,” which is helmed by Judd Apatow, also includes Leslie Mann, Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, and Jason Segel. You can view it right here.
Legally Blonde (2001)
“Legally Blonde,” which was directed by Robert Luketic, is a timeless girl film that everyone should watch. It stars Jennifer Coolidge, Luke Wilson, and Reese Witherspoon. It narrates the tale of Elle (Witherspoon), who gets dumped by her lover and moves to Harvard Law School, where his ex-girlfriend is enrolled. Elle makes the decision to win him back by using whatever legal means necessary to gain admission to the School and demonstrate that she is more than just a pretty face. Her hair will be “legally blonde.” Even though this film was released more than 20 years ago, moviegoers still adore it and it remains a timeless classic. Here is a link to stream “Legally Blonde.”
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
“My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” directed by Joel Zwick, follows Toula (Nia Vardalos), a thirty-year-old single Greek woman, as she eventually falls in love with Ian Miller (John Corbett), a non-Greek. Her parents are enraged, wanting her to marry a decent Greek boy, even if she is prepared to wed him. Now, Toula’s parents and Ian must come to terms with Ian being a non-Greek son-in-law as well as figure out how to get Toula’s extended family to accept him. “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” tells the story of how these hardships become a massive romantic comedy. This wedding movie looks like a lot of fun, and you can watch it right here if you’re game.
Serendipity (2001)
“Serendipity,” which was directed by Peter Chelsom, features Jeremy Piven, Bridget Moynahan, John Cusack, and Eugene Levy. It centres on Jonathan and Sara, who meet by chance while Christmas shopping in New York and spend a romantic evening together. Sara, though, says that she makes decisions about her life with the assistance of fate, so she decides to let fate determine whether or not they should be together. As a result, the two part ways, but decide to reunite ten years later after becoming engaged twice. Will they be allowed by fate? It seems that fate had a hand in arranging for them to cross paths at that particular juncture in their lives. Will their romance force fate to bend in their favour, or will it prevent them from meeting? You can watch “Serendipity,” a timeless romantic comedy, right here.
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Jean Hagen star in the iconic musical romantic comedy “Singin’ in the Rain,” which was directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. The film uses a scenario set in Hollywood in the 1920s to illustrate the transition from silent to talkies. Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) are a well-known romantic combination, but with the introduction of talkies, strong voices became necessary, and in this instance, Lina’s voice suffers. Kathy Selden, a rising theatre actress (Debbie Reynolds), will be her stage name. A timeless moment in movie history serves as the perfect backdrop for the most exquisite and melodic portrayal of the events as they happen. Here is a link to stream “Singin’ in the Rain.”
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
With Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Emily Blunt in the lead roles, David Frankel’s film “The Devil Wears Prada” has, very rightly, become ingrained in American culture throughout time. The narrative centres on Andrea “Andy” Sachs (Anne Hathaway), who is employed by the haughty, icy, and exacting Miranda Priestly (Streep) as a second assistant. For Andy, though, the position is really a stepping stone towards his goal of investigating a career in journalism. But as the days go by, Miranda’s daily directives, chores, and assignments threaten her personal life, and her icy demeanour makes matters worse. What follows will be how Andy responds to this harsh treatment and whether she is able to overcome it. With flawless performances from each actor, the film seems to age like a good wine. Here, you are able to taste it.
Uptown Girls (2003)
The film, which was directed by Boaz Yakin, centres on the relationship between eight-year-old Ray (Dakota Fanning) and her new nanny Molly (Brittany Murphy). Molly has lost all of the money given to her by her deceased rock star father Tommy Gunn, who perished in a plane crash along with Molly’s mother. Molly had never known responsibility since she was a child, yet she must suddenly shoulder the most difficult of all. Ray is all order, yet she is freewheeling. Can these two diametrically opposed personalities coexist under one roof? In this timeless chick flick, we see how well the two get along as well as the experiences and results that each of them goes through. Here is a link to stream “Uptown Girls.”