Girl power wasn't just relegated to the '90s, as evidenced by all these great female-led films released in the 2010s.
Sometimes referred to as romantic comedies— or even the occasionally offensive "chick flick"— there's no doubt that "girly" films have carved out a special place in the world of Hollywood. These films tend to feature storylines that focus on female friendships and how they evolve over different periods of life.
While the themes may be the same, the execution of these films is all different. From raunchy female comedies exploring the highs and lows of motherhood to feel-good romantic comedies and heartfelt films about the power of friendship in the wake of heartbreak, there's a "girly" film from the 2010s for everyone.
Released in 2011, Something Borrowed stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson as two best friends whose friendship is threatened after Rachel (Goodwin) sleeps with Darcy’s (Hudson) fiancé— who also happens to be Rachel’s longtime crush. John Krasinski also stars in the film as Ethan, Rachel’s other best friend who happens to have an unrequited crush on her.
The film was inspired by an Emily Giffin novel that was published in 2005. Though Giffin has written a book sequel, the rights have not been optioned for a film.
Mothers are supposed to be put together and have life figured out, or at least that's what the world wants us to think. The truth is, moms can be just as wild and unsure of life as anyone can be. That message is at the heart of the 2016 comedy film Bad Moms.
The film centers on Amy (Mila Kunis) who decides to revolt against conventional motherhood after learning that her husband is having an affair. She befriends two other stressed-out mothers and together they take down the PTA moms while proving that motherhood can be messy, fun, and rewarding all at the same time.
Released in the summer of 2017, Girls Trips followed a group of best friends who have grown apart but decide to reconnect to support their friend during a keynote speech in New Orleans. The film features a star-studded comedic cast that includes Jada Pinkett Smith, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, and Queen Latifah.
The film went on to be the first 2017 comedy film to earn $100 million at the North American box office. In addition, it marks the first time an African American female screenwriter had a film earn $100 million.
In 2019, the romantic comedy genre got flipped on its ear when Netflix released the original film Someone Great. The film details the aftermath of Jenny Young's (Gina Rodriquez) long-term relationship with Nate (Lakeith Stanfield) and how her two best friends help her get over her broken heart.
Gina Rodriquez stars opposite Brittan Snow and DeWanda Wise who prove to be not only a great comedic trio but also a perfect example of millennial female friendship.
Ten years after the original Mamma Mia! released in theaters, the sequel to the jukebox musical romantic comedy once again founds its way into theaters around the world. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again follows Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) in the present as she attempts to renovate her mother's hotel.
In addition, the film takes viewers back to 1979 as a young Donna goes on a love adventure that lands her sleeping with three men over the course of a few weeks. The film was success, earning $365 million worldwide against a $75 million budget.
Arguably one of the most hilarious female lead comedies of all time, Bridemaids also makes the cut for best girly films of the 2010s. SNL alumni Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph star opposite each other as best friends who find themselves in the midst of some wedding drama.
The film was written by Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig and went on to be a commercial and critical success. In fact, the film is currently the top-grossing film produced by Judd Apatow. It also went on to be nominated for a Golden Globe and two Academy Awards including one for Best Original Screenplay.
The Ocean's franchise had mainly been a boys club but in 2018 the series got a much need and much overdo female team of criminal masterminds. The film centers on Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) who recruits a team of talented women to help her pull off the biggest heist of her entire life.
The film enlisted a star-studded cast that includes Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, and Awkwafina. It was a commercial success though critics were mixed, the latter of which which tends to be an unfortunate side effect of female-led reboots.
Easy A managed to do the impossible by bringing 1980s romantic comedy tropes into the 2010s. The film starred Emma Stone as Olive Penderghast, a teenager who decides to lie about her sex life in order to help out the nerds around her.
The film was a major financial success for the studio earning $75 million against an $8 million budget. In addition, Easy A is considered to be Emma Stone's breakout role.
To All The Boys I've Loved Before is arguably one of Netflix's best and most successful teenage romantic comedies of all time. The film centers on the life of Lara Jean (Lana Condor), a high school junior who finds her life in disarray after a series of love letters she wrote years ago accidentally get mailed to the recipients.
The film, which was inspired by a novel series written by Jenny Han, has gone on to be a major commercial success with one sequel released and the third set to premiere in 2021.
Earning the top spot on the list of best girly films of the 2010s is none other than Pitch Perfect. The film was loosely inspired by a non-fiction book and tells the story about the fictional all-girl acapella group The Barden Bellas who, after experiencing an embarrassing accident the previous year, are determined to prove themselves and win Nationals.
The film, which starred Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, and Brittney Snow, went on to earn $115.4 million against a $17 million becoming a commercial success and turned into a trilogy.
