Sometimes, instead of a night out on the town, we would rather sit at home, surrounded by our girlfriends, a variety of snacks, and a stack of our favorite movies. Since the start of the film industry, “chick flicks” have worked their way up to become box office hits. From romantic comedies to dramas, these movies can provide us with a good cry, a good laugh, and a range of emotions in-between. Here at The Untitled Magazine, we’ve compiled a list of our top fifteen must see chick flicks, for your next girls-night-in.
Sixteen is a monumental age for teenage girls, so it makes sense why Samantha Baker, the main character of Sixteen Candles, experiences a range of emotions when her birthday is overshadowed by her sister’s wedding. Played by 80’s Brat Pack star, Molly Ringwald, viewers get a glimpse into the typical teen struggles as Samantha goes through the awkward phase of adjusting to her body and longs for the hot and popular senior, Jake Ryan. Not to mention, she’s also being chased by a geeky freshman, played by Anthony Michael Hall. No one can forget that classic scene where Hall shows off Ringwald’s underpants, as sure proof that they hooked up, to a group of freshmen boys freshman crowded into the bathroom. Samantha spends the film lusting over Jake, but will it turn out that he feels the same way? You have to watch to find out.
Pretty Woman is a classic 90’s movie, starring celebrity favorite, Julia Robert’s, in her breakout role. In a Cinderella-story twist of fate, Vivian Ward, a hooker, meets an established business man, Edward (played by Richard Gere) and eventually the two fall in love. What at first was an arrangement to be Richard’s guest at social appearances turns into a beautiful love story. Our hearts break during the scene where Vivian goes shopping and the sales girl acts condescending towards her because she doesn’t look like she “belongs in that store.” Through laughter and tears, Vivian goes from a girl on the streets to a classy woman, determined to continue on the path to a better life. “Pretty Woman, walking down the street….”
3. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s has been rated as one of the most iconic romantic comedies of all time and has also been deemed one of Audrey Heburn’s most memorable roles. She plays an eccentric, New York City socialite, Holly Golightly, who is only interested in marrying men for their money. She meets her new neighbor, Paul, who is a writer that hasn’t had any of his works published in recent years. While they both have relationships with other people, the pair become closer and ultimately falls in love. Through a series of events, Holly refuses to admit her true feelings. After Paul finally reveals his feelings for her, he tells her she needs to re-examine her behavior and leaves Holly in a cab alone. She runs after him, but it’s up to you to watch and see how their story ends!
Molly Ringwald is at it again in another cult classic, Pretty in Pink! This time, she plays Andie Walsh, a working class high schooler who is semi-okay with being an “outsider.” In a classic tale, her best friend, Duckie, is secretly in love with her. Andie catches the attention of a senior, Blane McDonough (played by 80’s heartthrob Andrew McCarthy). As the two try to maintain a relationship, they are being pulled in different directions by their friends. Blane backs out of taking Andie to prom, leaving her (and viewers) heartbroken. She ends up going with Duckie in an iconic pink dress that she, of course, made herself. Blane comes to his senses, shows up at prom, and they decide no one’s opinion matters but their own. Not only is this film worth a watch, but it boasts an amazing soundtrack featuring the title track including tunes such as, “Pretty in Pink” by the Psychedelic Furs and “If You Leave” by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, which put both of those bands on the map.
Gone With The Wind is so much more than a chick flick, but the love affair between Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler gives us all the feels. Scarlett, who is used to getting her way, is adored by all of the men in the South. Set during the Civil War era, the men are going off to war and are looking for wives. Scarlett only has her eye on one man, Ashley Wilkes. He is set to be married to a shy girl, Melanie Hamilton, which makes Scarlett furious. One evening during a party, Rhett Butler overhears Scarlett going on about Ashley and vows to keep her secret despite being clearly smitten with her. After two husbands and multiple tragic events that occurred during the war, Scarlett gives in to Rhett’s advances and marries him. Although everyone is rooting for a great ending to a love story, tragedy strikes and they lose their daughter. Finally realizing he cannot change her, Rhett leaves Scarlett. One of the most memorable quotes from the film is when he leaves and Scarlett says, “Where shall I go? What shall I do?” He replies, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.”
If you’re looking for a good cry, get a box of tissues and put on The Notebook. This movie has all the elements necessary for a timeless love story. It won the award for “Best Kiss” at The MTV Movie Awards in 2005 and it’s clear why. The chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams appears undeniable, although rumors spread that they did not get along during filming. Their characters, Noah and Allie, are from different backgrounds, but they have a whirlwind summer romance. When the summer is over, Noah is feeling the pressure and decides to let Allie start fresh in college in a new town. Allie doesn’t want to believe it’s over and leaves for college lost and devastated. They both go through the next several years on different paths, but as we watch, we hope it isn’t over. While preparing for her wedding to a handsome war vet, (played by hunk, James Marsden), Allie sees in the newspaper that Noah bought the old barn where they lost their virginities to each other and turned it into her dream house (swoon!). Will Allie react to this romantic gesture?
The Titanic became a well-known part of history when the large ship sank in 1912, killing thousands of people. For movie purposes, we are more drawn to the Titanic love story between passengers Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet). It is a love story between different social classes. Rose is a well educated, first class woman who is engaged to a successful, upperclass man. Jack is a lower class artist who won tickets for the trip through a bet. Did the pair meet under chance circumstance, or was it fate? During their trip, the two become closer despite their different classes and fall in love. As we know, the Titanic went down, taking Jack with it. Since the film debuted in 1997, fans have speculated that Jack could have fit on that wooden plank with Rose. But, come on people, it’s a movie! There has to be some type of drama!
Get ready to cry again when you watch A Walk to Remember. This is another unexpected love affair. Jamie Sullivan, a quiet girl, was okay with keeping to herself and being alone. Landon Carter, a popular bad boy, gets in trouble and must participate in the school play or be expelled. He asks Jamie for help learning his lines and she agrees on one condition; that he promises not to fall in love with her. Landon laughs, but her prediction actually comes true. After realizing that he did fall for her, Jamie is upset and confesses she has remained reclusive due to a personal issue. Will the two end up together? Only watching the film will reveal the truth beyond the relationship.
This is a romantic comedy that gets us thinking, “Can men and women just be friends?” Recent college graduates, Harry Burns and Sally Albright, of When Harry Met Sally, share a long drive from Chicago to New York City after graduation. Harry is dating Sally’s friend at the time and during the car ride, they discuss their opinions on men, women and relationships. Sally gets mad when Harry calls her attractive because he is in a relationship with her friend and they part ways. Five years later, the two coincidently meet again and are both in relationships with other people. They end up parting ways yet again. Another five years pass and they run into each other a bookstore. This time, they are both single. They decide to have coffee and find themselves talking about what had gone wrong in their previous relationships. Their friendship takes a sexually heated, awkward turn, but it seems that Harry and Sally just can’t stay away from each other.
One of the most notable dance movies, Dirty Dancing, doubles as a chick flick to get us in the mood for both fun and romance. Seeing Patrick Swayze roll those hips is enough to make any girl melt. We get to watch seventeen year old Frances “Baby” Houseman turn from a daddy’s girl to a confident, mature woman during her family vacation. She becomes smitten with the resort’s older dance instructor, Johnny (Swayze), who introduces her to the “dirty dancing” afterhours parties. The most iconic scene is definitely the big dance number at the end, where Baby and Johnny invite the “dirty dancers” to join them at the end of the season talent show to the hit “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.“
Whether you want a good laugh, a good cry, or want to see a bunch of celebrities in one movie, He’s Just Not That Into You, should be your go to. The film interweaves the relationships and lives of characters portrayed by an all-star cast. The list includes, Jennifer Aniston, Ginnifer Goodwin, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Connelly, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Justin Long, and Kevin Connolly. We get to see it all, people falling in love, people falling out of love, affairs, betrayal, comedy, and more. It’s pretty interesting to see the in between interview type scenes where people share their comments on relationships. The movie is ultra-relatable because of all of the situations that occur throughout the film.
12. Clueless (1995)
Back in the 90’s, Cher Horowitz was the ideal Beverly Hill’s teen. She was a typical blonde beauty with an awesome, rotating closet and the ability to argue her way out of anything. Who can possibly forget the funky meets preppy fashion from Clueless? Plaid skirt suits, crazy hats, exposed midriffs; it had all the cultural aspects of teens at the time. The lingo used by the actors also became iconic. Sayings such as, “Ugh, as if!”, “Betties and Baldwins”, and “You’re a virgin who can’t drive” are still quoted by many. Loosely based on Jane Austen’s iconic novel, Emma, Cher makes it her mission to makeover “clueless” new girl, Tai while she plays match maker for two of her school teachers. Towards the end, Cher realizes she needs to focus on her own needs and finds true love unexpectedly.
This movie SCREAMS girl power. Pitch Perfect empowers women to strive for their best, while staying funny and down-to-earth. Beca Mitchell, played by Anna Kendrick, arrives at college knowing she wants to pursue a career with music. She gets an internship at the college radio station and befriends Jesse Swanson, who later becomes her love interest. While singing in the shower one day, she is overheard by Chloe Beale, played by Brittany Snow, who persuades her to join their acapella group, The Barden Bellas. Jesse ends up joining the male group, The Treble Makers, and the groups embark on various competitions leading to the finals. Within the girl group, there’s struggle for power and adhering to tradition, while Beca also struggled with her determining what her feelings with Jesse mean. The romantic ending incorporates the song “Don’t You Forget About Me”.
At every high school, there’s always a group of popular, pretty, Mean Girls. In this case, it’s The Plastics, comprised of Regina George (Rachel McAdams), Gretchen Weiners (Lacey Chabert), and Karen Smith (Amanda Seyfried). New girl Cady Heron, played by “it girl” at the time, Lindsay Lohan, befriends outsiders Damian and Janis. They put Cady on a mission to infiltrate The Plastics and destroy them once and for all. Along the way, Cady falls for the cute Aaron Samuels, who was also Regina’s boyfriend. As their plan succeeds, Cady gets sucked into the life of the Plastics and ruins her friendship with Damian and Janis. She realizes the damage she’s done and everything comes to a head at the prom. The Plastics finally break up and go their separate ways for senior year. Cady and Aaron end up together, and everyone finds their own new niche. We catch a glimpse of the underclassmen, rising Plastics, setting us up for Mean Girls 2. Filled with typical teen drama and early 2000’s fashion, this is definitely a must see for high school girls.
The Holiday follows the story of two women who are fed up with their current lives and relationships and decide to swap places for a “holiday.” Amanda Woods, played by Cameron Diaz, lives in Los Angeles, California and finds out her live-in boyfriend has been cheating on her with his secretary. Iris Simpkins, played by Kate Winslet, lives in London, England and is heartbroken when she finds out the love of her life is engaged to another woman. They find each other on a home swapping site and decide it’d be best to get away and switch places, where they find themselves each in a new and unexpected romantic situation. Amanda falls for Iris’ brother, Graham (Jude Law) and Iris falls for Amanda’s ex-boyfriend’s friend, Miles (Jack Black). There are obvious struggles along the way but the two couples end up spending New Year’s Eve together with a night full of dancing and celebration.
Although there are many more movies that could be added to this list, these are the few that have really stood out over the years. To create an iconic chick flick, many elements need to be involved within the film. Romantic interests, heartbreak, drama, laughter, dramatic love confession, and more serve as the recipe to get us girls to keep watching. Make sure to add these to your next girl’s night in along with a box of tissues, chocolates, and maybe some wine for a great night.
