Top 10 Movies for a Girl's Night

Kicking off our list, and Reese Witherspoon’s mainstream leading lady career, is this comedy about a girl who goes to Harvard Law to win back her man. Her fake it ‘til you make it attitude only gets her so far, though, and her journey becomes one of independence as she learns to be a lawyer. Along the way, she teaches us valuable lessons, such as the “bend and snap” and the mandatory waiting period before having a shower after a perm. Never short on laughs, this feel-good movie has quickly become a classic for any girl’s night. Nobody can object that.

It’s the heat in high heels. The struggle for beauty is real with women of all ages, and no other film on this list summarizes that struggle better than “Miss Congeniality.” Sandra Bullock’s tough gal FBI agent Gracie Hart must go undercover to prevent a bomb threat against the Miss US beauty pageant. Along the way, her coach, portrayed by Michael Caine, teaches Gracie to embrace her inner beauty and womanhood, all the while remaining true to herself.

Men, amiright? Digging into the subtle pitfalls of relationships, Kate Hudson’s magazine writer must write an article titled, that’s right, “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” And for the purpose of research, she must figure out how to do just that. As Matthew McConaughey’s cold advertising exec tries to settle his own bet of making a woman fall in love with him, this playful comedy hits its mark wonderfully. Also, for all you fans of the Texas hunk, look out for him appearing again on this list! Alright, alright, alright.

Who would have thought that the writings of Shakespeare could translate so well to a high-school romance? Loosely based on the writings of the Bard’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” this rom-com sees a young Heath Ledger being hired to woo Julia Stiles in order to allow her younger sister to begin dating, [as] per the family’s rules. What develops is as sweet as it is intelligent, as a girl who shuts herself out from the world learns to open up, and the tough guy learns to fall in love.

Anyone who’s ever struggled with a relationship, job, or just finding your place in the world (so, in other words: everyone), can relate to this 2001 adaptation of the best-selling novel. Meticulously outlining the thoughts and feelings of women in the modern world, Renée Zellweger’s portrayal of the titular heroine earned the actress an Oscar nomination and set the benchmark for modern chick-flicks. As such, this honest, yet heartwarming, glimpse into the inner workings of a woman’s mind continues to resonate with old and younger viewers alike.

This one’s for those viewers who don’t mind a little competition. You know who you are! As a struggling cheerleading squad finds out their routines have been ripped off from a rival school, the competition gets hot and heavy as they try to reinvent themselves. Striking a chord with many young women, this teen comedy still manages to hit the nostalgia mark with 20-somethings. It’s got everything a girl’s night needs: attitude, playfulness, and style.

This one has a pretty solid narrative… or so we’ve been told. But seriously, if you’re paying attention, you’ll find the story of a young man who gets sucked into the life of a male stripper – sorry, we mean male entertainer ¬¬- alongside his mentor, the titular Magic Mike himself. Featuring a who’s who of handsome men taking off their clothes, this movie continually has ladies watching in awe of the man-candy so artistically put on display. The sequel may have had more over-the-top stripping, but the original’s the one with the goods. Ever since we first saw it, we haven’t been able to listen to “Pony” the same way.

No other entry on this list hits such a genuine level as Kristen Wiig’s comedic powerhouse, for which she also co-wrote the script. Going from the outrageously hilarious to the tremendously awkward, this emotional rollercoaster will have you feeling for the characters while also laughing at and with them. Like we said, this film’s strength is in its characters’ realistic nature, and girls of all ages relate and understand just what Wiig is going through, most notably being down and out while struggling to make a real relationship work, and maintaining the love of her best friend.

Leave it to Anne Hathaway to once again perfectly capture the every-girl persona in this timeless classic. Featuring the queen herself, Meryl Streep, in one of her fiercest performances, the story follows that of a young journalist becoming the personal assistant to the devil herself, as she becomes more and more intertwined in the snake pit that is the fashion industry. It brilliantly captures the struggles that every young woman faces, and relishes in Hathaway’s triumphs. It’s also a must for any group of ladies after a tough week.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Sixteen Candles” (1984)

“Clueless” (1995)

“13 Going on 30” (2004)

“Pitch Perfect” (2012)

“My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997)

“Pretty Woman” (1990)

Let’s be real for a second, “fetch” is never going to happen, but “Mean Girls” [– the movie -] might just go down in history. Playing teen comedy clichés like a fiddle, while going deeper with them than some might have expected, “Mean Girls” hits that mark of being personal and hilarious at the same time. In spite of its at times absurdity, the movie all too closely hits the mark of the true social cliques that exist within high school. Written by the magnificently witty Tina Fey, it is a must for any teens, twenty, or thirty somethings’ night in, if only to relive the pop culture references.

Did you agree with our list? What move do you like to watch with the gals? For more top 10s about your favorite movies and more, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo!