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The 2011 film "Bridesmaids" | Source: Facebook.com/Bridesmaids
The 2011 film "Bridesmaids" | Source: Facebook.com/Bridesmaids

The Best Movies like 'Bridesmaids' about Complex Female Friendships

Christell Fatima M. Tudtud
Apr 15, 2023
08:15 P.M.

Movies like "Bridesmaids" have become increasingly popular in recent years. These movies explore the intricate dynamics between women and their challenges in maintaining relationships.

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Over the years, the movie industry has been blessed with numerous female-led films, and "Bridesmaids" reigns supreme. These cinematic treasures have brought nothing but joyous grins and a heartening sense of viewers' satisfaction.

By featuring female protagonists, filmmakers highlight women's exceptional talent in comedy and provide audiences with a relatable lens to explore the complexities of female friendships.

Judd Apatow, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Jon Hamm, and Ellie Kemper arrive at the premiere of Universal Pictures' "Bridesmaids" held at Mann Village Theatre on April 28, 2011, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Judd Apatow, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Jon Hamm, and Ellie Kemper arrive at the premiere of Universal Pictures' "Bridesmaids" held at Mann Village Theatre on April 28, 2011, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

The female-led comedy movie "Bridesmaids" has garnered immense popularity and critical acclaim for its hilarious storyline. The 2011 film centers around Annie, portrayed by actress Kristen Wiig, who, as a woman facing personal and financial challenges, takes on the role of maid of honor for her best friend's wedding.

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The plot becomes even more complicated when Annie clashes with Helen, played by actress Rose Byrne, a perfect and wealthy bridesmaid. One of the actresses who stole the show in the movie was comedian Melissa McCarthy.

It is true that "Bridesmaids" is a much-loved film, but its success cannot be attributed to a single factor. The movie is a unique combination of various elements that make it truly exceptional.

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For one, the chemistry between the characters is spot-on, and their interactions are hilarious and heartwarming. The film has impacted the world of female-led comedies, serving as a game-changer and paving the way for more films highlighting women's comedic talents.

It also paved the way for more diverse and inclusive storytelling in film. Below are nine fantastic movies similar to "Bridesmaids" that viewers can enjoy.

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Bride Wars (2009)

The 2009 film "Bride Wars," directed by Gary Winick, gained popularity among audiences, primarily due to the star power of lead actresses Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway. In the movie, Hudson plays Liv, and Hathaway takes on the role of Emma.

Emma and Liv have been best friends since they were children. They always envisioned getting married at the Plaza Hotel and had prepared details of their momentous occasion.

However, they become rivals when important events fall on the same day. They find themselves in a tricky situation when they both get engaged simultaneously, and the Plaza agrees to host both weddings on the same day.

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As each is the other's maid of honor, neither Liv nor Emma wants to delay their wedding, resulting in fierce competition between the two friends, where they go to great lengths to ruin each other's wedding day.

Sisters (2015)

The 2015 film "Sisters" stars comedic powerhouses, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, delivering a hilariously entertaining experience. The story centers around sisters Maura and Kate Ellis, both grappling with anxiety in their daily lives.

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Fey's character Kate is a single mother and a hairstylist who enjoys partying but struggles to handle her exasperated teenage daughter. On the other hand, in Poehler's role, Maura is a nurse who tends to be more reserved and frequently serves as the designated driver at parties.

When the siblings' parents announce plans to sell their childhood home and move into a retirement apartment for a more relaxed lifestyle, the sisters decide to throw one last wild house party.

Much like "Bridesmaids," "Sisters" is a well-written story that boasts a talented cast of comedians, many of whom are "Saturday Night Live" alumni.

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Celebrities like Kate McKinnon, Bobby Moynihan, Rachel Dratch, and Maya Rudolph all deliver plenty of laughs throughout the movie with Poehler and Fey.

Girls Trip (2017)

Directed by Malcolm D. Lee, "Girls Trip" is another female-centric movie that features actresses Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish, and Jada Pinkett-Smith and is worth watching.

The exciting film, released in 2017, follows the lives of four longtime friends—Ryan, Sasha, Lisa, and Dina—as they travel back to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival.

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During their trip, the ladies eventually rekindled their sisterhood, rediscovered their wild sides, and engaged in enough dancing, drinking, brawling, and romancing.

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The movie shares many thematic similarities with "Bridesmaids" and boasts excellent chemistry between its main characters. Fans of the latter film will surely enjoy this one, particularly with the recent announcement of "Girls Trip 2."

Even though it has some cheesy elements, the Robert-Mulroney-led movie teaches important lessons about love and friendship, making it a beloved romantic comedy from the 1990s.

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27 Dresses (2008)

The 2008 romantic comedy "27 Dresses" centers around Jane Nichols, a young woman who has never been a bride but has served as a bridesmaid 27 times. As an expert in the role of a bridesmaid, Jane is tasked with planning her sister's wedding to George, whom she secretly loves.

While in the middle of the wedding planning, Jane meets Kevin Doyle, a reporter who dislikes weddings and the wedding industry and prefers a serious career. Initially, Jane is skeptical of Kevin's views, but as they work together on the wedding arrangements, she becomes closer to him.

The movie has an impressive cast, with actress Katherine Heigl as Jane and actor James Marsden as Kevin. Although categorized as a romantic comedy, the female characters added spark and energy to the film.

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Sex and the City: The Movie (2008)

In 2008, the iconic romantic-comedy film "Sex and the City" was released, featuring the story of New York City writer Carrie Bradshaw, played by actress Sarah Jessica Parker, as she prepares to marry Mr. Big, played by actor Chris Noth.

However, when Mr. Big leaves Carrie at the altar due to the unintentional actions of one of her best friends, Carrie's closest companions must rally to support her. Like "Bridesmaids," "Sex and the City" has characters that are relatable to viewers.

Besides Parker, actresses Cynthia Nixon, who starred as Miranda Hobbes, Kristin Davis as Charlotte York, and Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones, gave standout performances. Additionally, "Sex and the City" has successfully spawned two TV series and a 2010 sequel.

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Booksmart (2019)

Released in 2019, the comedy film "Booksmart," which features female leads, received high praise for its clever and entertaining dialogue. Actress-turned-filmmaker Olivia Wilde directed the movie.

Actresses Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever starred as two high school seniors, Molly and Amy, who both realized that history's greatest creative minds were rule-breakers.

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Unlike these geniuses, academically-inclined girls have always followed the rules. So, Amy and Molly decide to have a night of mischief to catch up and experience life to the fullest before graduation.

The movie was well written; many think it's one of the greatest comedies since "Bridesmaids." Although the film may seem like a departure from "Bridesmaids," it offers a fresh and unique take on the coming-of-age comedy genre.

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My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)

Fans adore "My Best Friend's Wedding," a 1997 romantic comedy directed by P.J. Hogan, and consider it a cherished classic. The story follows Julianne Potter, played by actress Julia Roberts, and her male best friend, Michael O'Neal, played by actor Dermot Mulroney.

The duo made a deal to marry each other if they were both single at 28. In an unexpected turn of events, just three weeks before Julianne's birthday, Michael reveals to her that he is getting married to Cameron Diaz's character Kimberly Wallace.

As Julianne's feelings for Michael grow stronger, she sets out on a mission to win back his heart before he gets married. Even though it has some cheesy elements, the Robert-Mulroney-led movie teaches important lessons about love and friendship, making it a beloved romantic comedy from the 1990s.

Julia Roberts in the 1997 film "My Best Friend's Wedding." | Source: Getty Images

Julia Roberts in the 1997 film "My Best Friend's Wedding." | Source: Getty Images

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Pitch Perfect (2012)

The endearing American musical comedy "Pitch Perfect," directed by Jason Moore and starring actresses Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, and Brittany Snow, was released in theaters in 2012.

In the movie, Beca Mitchell joins the infamous Barden Bellas, an all-girl acapella group at Barden University. The group competes against their male rivals in a national collegiate competition, aiming to win the top prize.

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Since its successful release, "Pitch Perfect" has captured millions of fans' hearts worldwide and cemented its place as a treasured gem among female-led musical comedies.

The movies mentioned above deliver captivating experiences with their talented casts, witty humor, and engaging storylines. As such, "Bridesmaids" fans will surely enjoy these movies and many others like them.

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