That’s My Girl: Films We Love That Celebrate Black Women Friendships

Over the years, several films have demonstrated bonds so strong among Black women that they resonated off-camera. Seeing the chemistry within these fictional sisterhoods has made us laugh, cry and left us all able to relate to these women on a personal level.

Let’s take a look back at the movies that showcased the best friendships among Black women, leaving us all feeling like we knew these women in real life.

Waiting To Exhale (1995)
“Waiting to Exhale” captured the essence of four Black women in a decades-long friendship who leaned on one another as they endured heartbreak, career ups and downs, and triumph. The unbreakable bond amongst Savannah (Whitney Houston), Robin (Lela Rochon), Gloria (Loretta Devine), and Bernadine (Angela Bassett) was showcased over a backdrop of Babyface produced cuts that made up one of the greatest R&B soundtracks of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUO9-h182d4

Set It Off (1996)
If you’ve seen “Set It Off,” you have likely debated with your friends about which one of you is the Frankie (Vivica A. Foxx), Cleo (Queen Latifah), Tisean (Kimberly Elise), and Stony (Jada Pinkett-Smith) of your clique. This 90’s classic is another film that took the term “ride or die” to new heights and showed the lengths that four women would go through to come up together, even if it meant losing one another in the process. Though a tear-jerker towards the end, “Set It Off” remains a must-see for any movie night with the girls.

Baps (1997)
Imagine a time when you and your bestie came together for a money scheme that would make both of your dreams come true. The friendship displayed between Nisi (Halle Berry) and Mickey (Natalie Desselle) embodied just that. This film demonstrated two homegirls who were broke together and embarked on a journey to secure a bag, despite a quirky road to riches.

Two Can Play That Game (2001)
Though a romantic comedy centered around Shanté Smith (Vivica A. Fox) playing a game of get-back with her man Keith Fenton (Morris Chestnut), it was her hilarious group of girlfriends that kept her from going crazy during her break up while dealing with their own outlandish relationship dilemmas. Shanté puts her dating advice to the test with her girls Tracey (Tamala Jones), Diedre (Mo’Nique), and Karen (Wendy Raquel Robinson) there to back her up.

Girls Trips (2017)
A girl’s trip in New Orleans, especially during Essence Fest, while dealing with a cheating man and a rocky friendship, is a recipe for disaster and a good time. I’m sure every woman can relate to a reunion gone wrong with their girlfriends after years of distance. Nevertheless, you must admit that Dina (Tiffany Haddish), Lisa (Jada Pinkett-Smith), Sasha (Queen Latifah), and Ryan (Regina Hall) had you calling up your girlfriends to plan the next group getaway. It was also refreshing to see Jada and Queen Latifah reunited on-screen. If you pay close attention, you’ll catch the two paying homage to “Set It Off” during one scene in the film, giving a glimpse into their off-camera friendship.