As a newer tradition made popular by Amy Poehler’s character, Leslie Knope, on the hit comedy show,Parks and Recreation,Galentine’s Dayhas quickly become its own institution. Able to be celebrated by people of any relationship status, it is essentially a day when the entire squad gets together to celebrate thelove shared between friends.
Common activities for Galentine’s Day can include anything from tea parties to brunch, and gifts are optional and typically agreed upon before the day. If the squad is planning on spending the whole day together, then a movie marathon is a great choice. Here are some fantastic titles to bond over on this love-filled day.
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11The Love Witch
The dark comedy film from 2016 known asThe Love Witchis perfect for viewers who enjoy the vintage aesthetic combined with a man-eating succubus. The story follows the journey of a witch named Elaine. She creates potions and spells to make men fall madly in love with her. Then, she kills them. The character embraces the femme fatale archetype while the film itself plays along thelines of a campy retro horror movie.
10Death Becomes Her
Arguably one of the greatest dark comedies of all time,Death Becomes Herhas gained a cult followingsince its theatrical release in 1992.Starring Meryl Streep as Madaline, Goldie Hawn as Helen, and Bruce Willis as Ernest, it has an impeccable cast. Both Madaline and Helen are obsessed with two things: staying young and beautiful forever and having Ernest. They go to extraordinary lengths to compete with one another, and they both end up becoming immortal—which may not be such a great thing.
Another comedy that the squad will love on Galentine’s Day is the 1992 cult classic,Clueless. The story follows Cher Horowitz, played by Alicia Silverstone, and her journey into maturity. While attempting to pass high school, get her driver’s license, and spar with her ex-stepbrother, Cher and her best friend, Dionne, add a third friend, Tai, to their group. After giving a Tai a makeover, she gains more popularity, which puts a strain on the newfound friendship. It’s a coming-of-age story with a happy ending.
8Bridesmaids
In the 2011 comedy,Bridesmaids, the main character, Annie, struggles with her lot in life after being asked to be the Maid of Honor at her best friend’s wedding. Newly single after her boyfriend broke up with her, and she lost her bakery business, Annie deals with feelings of insecurity when she meets her friend’s other best friend, Helen. After spiraling and throwing a fit at the bridal shower, she is kicked out of the wedding party entirely. Throughout some serious soul-searching, she manages to turn her life around and make amends with her childhood friend.
7John Tucker Must Die
Another early 2000s comedy to watch on Galentine’s Day isJohn Tucker Must Die. After moving to a new city and school, the new girl, Kate, falls head-over-heels for John Tucker, the most popular boy in school. However, she quickly realizes that he has a bad habit of dating multiple girls at the same time without their knowledge. Instead of fighting each other, the girls decide to turn the tables on him. It’s a women empowerment film that shows just how powerful women can be when they work together.
6How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days
If the squad prefers a rom-com, then the 2003 filmHow to Lose a Guy in 10 Daysis a solid pick. Starring Kate Hudson (one of thebiggest rom-com actresses of all time) and Mathew McConaughey, the story follows a young woman as she does intense research for her new article about how to get a man to lose interest quickly. Meanwhile, the test subject is trying to win a bet to see how long he can stay in a relationship with her. (So, he isn’t that innocent in this game.) The duo actually ends up falling in love, and it is a great feel-good film to enjoy some wholesome laughs.
5Practical Magic
A film that mixes fantasy with reality in a modern witch tale is the cult classic,Practical Magic. Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, it follows the lives of two magical sisters who are suddenly reunited after one of them is assaulted by her boyfriend. To subdue him, they give him belladonna - which accidentally kills him. While they are able to cover up the murder, things get more difficult when the police start snooping around and the victim’s spirit begins haunting them. Currently,a reboot is rumored to happenas a TV series on HBO Max.
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4Mean Girls
One of the top films to watch on Galentine’s Day is the 2004 teen comedy,Mean Girls. Arguably one of the most iconic movies from the early 2000s, the plot follows the life of Cady as she navigates her way through an American high school after being homeschooled in Africa her entire life. Realizing that she has fallen into the “mean girl” crowd, she sets out to destroy the Queen B, Regina. However, once Regina is dethroned, Cady takes her place as the top mean girl in the school. She has to find her way back to her true self in this coming-of-age story. It even sparked amusical movie remake.
3The First Wives Club
If dark comedy and teenage drama aren’t the vibe for the squad, then the 1996 film,The First Wives Club, is a great option. Starring Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, and Bette Midler, this movie follows the lives of three former college friends who have recently reunited after their fourth friend committed suicide. The trio realizes that they are all victims of the same unfortunate event: all of their husbands have left them for younger women. They set out to ruin their ex-husband’s lives, and they compile their money to open a women’s center.
2Legally Blonde
Another iconic 2000s comedy isLegally Blonde. Starring Reese Witherspoon, this feel-good movie follows the journey of Elle Woods as she moves from her hyper-feminine sorority life to Harvard Law School. Motivated by her recent breakup, she works hard to get accepted into the program. Even though she has proven that she deserves to be there, no one takes her seriously. Even her professors mistreat her. However, through perseverance (and with the support of her amazing girlfriends), Elle prevails. She ends up winning a major case and becoming the valedictorian of her class. It sparked a sequel, and athird film is currently in the works.
