5 Underrated Female Buddy Comedies That Deserve More Love

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Which 2025 films will we reminisce about this coming year? As we’re barely into January, it’s still uncertain, but I was thrilled with my first cinema visit of the new year. I went to catch One Of Them Days, and had a fantastic time enjoying the Keke Palmer and SZA duo. My review for One Of Theem Days highlights that it’s an entertaining buddy comedy where two women must scramble to gather rent money in their Los Angeles neighborhood within just a few hours. Joining other critics who also loved it, I’m ecstatic that it dominated the box office during its premiere weekend because I’ve noticed too many films in this subgenre being overlooked lately.

Keke Palmer, SZA, Issa Rae (as executive producer), and Syreeta Singleton (writer) truly earned this achievement by creating one of the rare female-centric comedies to successfully enter the mainstream and be financially successful during its theater run. The movie is an absolute joy to watch, and I’ve missed the experience of laughing out loud in a cinema with strangers. To celebrate its release, let me draw attention to five other recent female buddy comedies that may not have received as much buzz as they deserved:

1. “The Lovebirds” (2020) – starring Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani
2. “Blockers” (2018) – featuring Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz, and John Cena
3. “Rough Night” (2017) – with Scarlett Johansson, Jillian Bell, Zoë Kravitz, Ilana Glazer, and Paul W. Downs
4. “Spy” (2015) – starring Melissa McCarthy and Jude Law
5. “The Heat” (2013) – with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy

Joy Ride (2023)

Among the top comedies of 2023, one that truly stood out is “Joy Ride,” directed by Adele Lim. When it hit theaters in the summer of 2023, I was captivated by its side-splitting humor and an impressive ensemble cast. The film features Broadway sensation Ashley Park, Stephanie Hsu from “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” along with fresh talents Sherry Cola and Sabrina Wu. The story revolves around Ashley’s character, Audrey, and her best friend Lolo, as they embark on a journey to China for the first time to meet Audrey’s birth family (as she was adopted) and finalize a business deal. However, things take an unexpected turn, leading to a level of raunchiness that even includes a K-pop rendition of “WAP.

Although it’s quite explicit, it offers a unique perspective on female camaraderie – one that earned it 4 out of 5 stars in our Joy Ride review by TopMob. Unfortunately, despite this positive reception, it flopped at the box office, grossing only $15 million worldwide. Let’s give it some overdue appreciation!

Stream Joy Ride on STARZ. Rent/Buy Joy Ride on Amazon.

Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar (2021)

As a devoted admirer of Saturday Night Live, it’s likely that you’re equally fond of the talented Kristen Wiig and her side-splitting antics. The comedic powerhouse co-wrote and starred in a film titled Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar, which is undeniably tailored to her brand of humor. In this movie, Wiig and her co-writer/co-star Annie Mumolo portray middle-aged best friends who embark on an adventure from their hometown in Nebraska to sunny Vista Del Mar, Florida. Wiig takes on a dual role, playing the absurd yet hilarious villain Sharon Fisherman, who harbors a grudge against Vista Del Mar and enlists the help of her agent Edgar (played by Fifty Shades of Grey’s Jamie Dornan) to execute her grand scheme.

Barb and Star find themselves entangled in Sharon and Edgar’s storyline during their vacation, making for a lot of laugh-out-loud silliness. Unfortunately, many people might have overlooked it because it was one of those films that came out at an inconvenient time. The humor was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually premiered on premium VOD in early 2021.

Watch the movie “Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar” on Hulu. You can also stream it for free on Tubi, or rent/purchase it on Amazon.

Unpregnant (2020)

Recently, I greatly enjoyed a contemporary female buddy comedy titled “Unpregnant,” which features Haley Lu Richardson from “The White Lotus” as Veronica and Barbie Ferreira from “Euphoria” as Bailey. This film is a hilarious road trip comedy where the characters embark on a journey, traveling from Missouri to New Mexico to access an abortion clinic due to Veronica’s unexpected pregnancy in her home state.

Although it was released five years ago, this film occasionally pops up in my thoughts due to its compelling chemistry among leads, enjoyable humor, and incisive commentary about U.S. abortion access. The writer/director Rachel Lee Goldenberg drew from her personal experiences with abortion, making the subject matter feel authentic and sensitive. Unfortunately, it may not have received widespread attention as it was exclusively released on Max in 2020, so many people might not be familiar with it.

Stream Unpregnant on Max.

Plan B (2021)

Similar to the comedy “Unpregnant”, I’d suggest giving a watch to Hulu’s “Plan B”. Just like the former, it’s a comedic coming-of-age story that deals with the complexities of contraception access in the U.S., focusing on two women this time. In this film, directed by actress Natalie Morales, we follow the journey of two teenagers – an Indian girl who was coaxed into throwing a party by her more adventurous friend Lupe while their parents are away, and the ensuing events lead to the loss of the former’s virginity. When they fear the condom might not have worked, they embark on a desperate search for emergency contraception (Plan B pill), which is unfortunately only available in another city in South Dakota.

In this film, the main actors, Kuhoo Verma and Victoria Moroles, may not be widely recognized actresses, but they truly shine in this hilarious buddy comedy. As a streaming release, it’s hard to tell how popular it is or isn’t, but given its lack of frequent mention, it warrants a spot on this list as well.

Stream Plan B on Hulu.

Babes (2024)

Lastly, but certainly not insignificantly, is a comedy that debuted last year, yet appeared to go unnoticed by some. As an ardent enthusiast of “Broad City”, I was thrilled at the prospect of seeing Ilana Glazer in “Babes” and it lives up to expectations. Unlike the last two buddy comedies on this list, which revolve around two women trying to avoid pregnancy, this one centers on a solo woman who chooses to have her baby following a passionate one-night stand.

I found the movie “Babes” to be quite enjoyable for several reasons. Firstly, I admired the dynamic duo of Glazer and Michelle Buteau. But what truly resonated with me were the genuine conversations about pregnancy, as seen through a humorous female lens – a perspective that Glazer brought to life having gone through pregnancy herself. Moreover, it delved deep into the intricate bond between its two main characters. However, despite these qualities, “Babes” unfortunately underperformed at the box office, earning only $3.9 million.

Stream Babes on Hulu.Rent/Buy Babes on Amazon.

It’s terrific to notice an increase in female-led buddy comedies lately! Movies such as “Booksmart,” “Do Revenge,” and “Bottoms” are fantastic additions to this trend, and I’m thrilled that they’ve even made it to mainstream theaters like One Of Them Days. The success of these films in theaters only fuels my excitement for more movies of this kind from Hollywood. If you share my enthusiasm for such stories, make sure to catch them at the cinema or stream them as soon as they become available.

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2025-01-28 00:07