:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-friends-tv-movies-031825-8dcded85dac5403c9da1eea0cbbad966.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "25 of our favorite pairs of fictional best friends")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/best-friends-tv-movies-031825-8dcded85dac5403c9da1eea0cbbad966.jpg)
We should all be so lucky to have a best friend, someone you can rely on for all of life’s ups and downs. Movies and TV have many such examples of eternal bonds to whom we should aspire, from ride-or-die soul sisters like the titular pair in Thelma & Louise (1991) to a humble meerkat and a warthog in The Lion King (1994). Sure, they may have their ups and downs, but that just makes them relatable to the relationships we have in our own lives.
Here are our 25 favorite pairs of fictional best friends from movies and TV.
Bill and Ted in the Bill & Ted franchise (1989–2020)
Everett Collection
Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted’s (Keanu Reeves) friendship stays true from Ancient Greece to the Wild West during their Excellent Adventure and Bogus Journey (not to mention while they Face the Music), because they adhere to the two primary tenets of the Wyld Stallyns life: Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes. —Mary Sollosi
Thelma and Louise in Thelma & Louise (1991)
Everett Collection
There are friends you go on a road trip with, and there are friends you keep going with. Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) keep going. —M.S.
Leslie and Ann on Parks and Recreation (2009–2015)
NBC
Never was there a BFF love like Leslie’s (Amy Poehler) for Ann (Rashida Jones), poetic and noble land-mermaid. Nor could anyone ever be a better pal to Leslie than Ann, opalescent tree shark. In conclusion, we know that true beautiful friendship can really exist in this otherwise cold dark world because we have witnessed it between Leslie and Ann, rainbow-infused space unicorn. —M.S.
Woody and Buzz in the Toy Story franchise (1995–present)
Disney/Pixar
Woody himself said (sang) it best: You’ve got a friend in me. —M.S.
Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar in Wayne’s World (1992)
Everett
We’d “party on” with these two any day, as long as they stay their authentic, rock-loving selves. —Kevin Jacobsen
Patsy and Edina on Absolutely Fabulous (1992–1995)
Everett Collection
The most fabulous thing about Patsy (Joanna Lumley) and Edina (Jennifer Saunders)? Their long-lasting friendship. Stay glam! —M.S.
Maverick and Goose in Top Gun (1986)
Paramount Pictures
Nothing bonds a pair of high-flying bros (Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards) like feeling the need — the need for speed. —M.S.
Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson and Julie Steffans in Lady Bird (2017)
Everett
Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan) may start to neglect her friendship with Julie (Beanie Feldstein) as she takes an interest in boys, but she eventually learns to value her best friend for always being there for her, culminating in their going to prom together. —K.J.
Cher and Dionne in Clueless (1995)
Everett Collection
Duh, they’re both named after famous singers of the past who now do infomercials. Obviously Cher (Alicia Silverstone) and Dionne (Stacey Dash) are iconic BFFs. —M.S.
Timon and Pumbaa in The Lion King (1994)
Everett Collection
The Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of the African jungle get along so well due in part, of course, to their famous problem-free philosophy. —M.S.
Meredith and Cristina on Grey’s Anatomy (2005–present)
Eric McCandless/ABC/Getty Images
Friendship doesn’t come truer than Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Cristina’s (Sandra Oh). That’s what it means to be someone’s person. —M.S.
Joey and Chandler on Friends (1994–2004)
Mike Ansell/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
Just edging out Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Monica (Courteney Cox) are their across-the-hall neighbors (Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc), an undeniable duo of recliner-loving, foosball-playing chick-and-duck owners. —M.S.
Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
Everett
Sure, there’s an inherent power imbalance between actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), but their brotherly love makes us want to cruise down Hollywood Boulevard with them. —K.J.
Lucy and Ethel on I Love Lucy (1951–1957)
CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Whether it’s shamelessly stalking celebrities or stuffing a conveyor belt of chocolates in their mouths, there’s no ill-fated humiliation that these ladies (Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance) can’t survive together. —M.S.
SpongeBob and Patrick on SpongeBob SquarePants (1999–present)
Everett Collection
F is for friends who do stuff together! —M.S.
Mia and Lilly in The Princess Diaries (2001)
Everett Collection
While Lilly (Heather Matarazzo) did briefly threaten to throw her charm bracelet with the sacred friendship charm into the dirt, we never doubted their connection. She keeps Mia’s (Anne Hathaway) royal secret! Do you know how hard it is to have a cable show and keep a secret? —M.S.
Frodo and Sam in The Lord of the Rings (2001–2003)
Everett Collection
“I made a promise, Mr. Frodo. A promise. ‘Don’t you leave him, Samwise Gamgee.’ And I don’t mean to. I don’t mean to.” —M.S.
Romy and Michele in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)
Buena Vista Pictures/Everett Collection
Forget about the Post-It notes, have you seen that dance routine? —M.S.
Shaggy and Scooby on Scooby-Doo (1969–present)
Everett Collection
Velma may be the brains and Fred the brawn of this crew of mystery-solving meddling kids, but the nervous duo of Scooby and his best pal (and bringer of Scooby snacks) Shaggy are the group’s beating heart. —M.S.
Dorothy and Lorelei in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
20th Century Fox/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
No matter what conniving guys they encounter or transcontinental showgirl hijinks they get into, these “Two Little Girls From Little Rock” (Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell) always come out on top because they’ve got each other. —M.S.
Seth and Evan in Superbad (2007)
Everett Collection
Nothing embarrassing about it: These dorky dudes (Michael Cera and Jonah Hill) love each other. Why don’t they say that every day? Why can’t they say it more often? —M.S.
Amy Antsler and Molly Davidson in Booksmart (2019)
Everett
High school best friends Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein) have been studious all their lives and decide it’s finally time to indulge in a little fun. Attending a raucous graduation party, the pair experiences an unforgettable night of mayhem, but it all leads back to having each other to lean on. —K.J.
Turk and J.D. on Scrubs (2001–2010)
Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/GETTY IMAGES
This pair of besties (Zach Braff and Donald Faison) practically invented the TV bromance. Now EEEEEAGLEEEE! —M.S.
Patrick Zweig and Art Donaldson in Challengers (2024)
Everett
Sure, they fight for the attention of Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), but the most interesting relationship to track in Challengers is Patrick (Josh O’Connor) and Art (Mike Faist), tennis stars whose chemistry is playfully homoerotic. —K.J.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CAUGHT-STEALING-052125-1-41f176a74ca5486f9fcae0e52ff366c0.jpg?w=390&resize=390,220&ssl=1 "‘Caught Stealing’ trailer features Austin Butler on the run, rocker Matt Smith")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/david-spade-022125-8c6d279bbf2e4ec7bdb743247deb2f61.jpg?w=390&resize=390,220&ssl=1 "David Spade looks back on the challenges he faced at ‘SNL’")
