It feels as though the term “chick flick” has taken on a somewhat negative tone of late. Historically associated with fun, frivolous, female-focused films that men tend to avoid, the modern-day ‘chick flick’ should be a celebration of women in cinema, and an exploration of the shared experiences that bond ladies together.
It can also, by its nature, be a little cheesy and maybe even feature a fashion montage. We’ll allow it.
Thankfully, Netflix, that stronghold of all things television and movies, has a wealth of chick flicks available at the moment, ranging from ’90s classics to present-day originals.
No Strings Attached: It’s a classic movie complication — Adam (Ashton Kutcher) and Emma (Natalie Portman) decide to start a no strings attached, sex only relationship. The only problem? They fall in love with each other.
Trainwreck: Amy Schumer is at her best in this movie, depicting a young writer who has always believed that relationships (and love) are not to be entered into. All that changes when she meets a charming sports doctor who seems to really care about her, but will he do enough to change her mind?
A Nice Girl Like You: After being dumped by her boyfriend over intimacy issues, Lucy embarks on a wild journey of sexual and self-discovery. Creating a bucket list of racy things she hopes to do, she meets a few people on the way who may just be able to help her on her quest.
How To Be Single: This movie is an absolute must-watch for anyone who is currently single, or has ever been broken up with (so basically everyone). After being in a long-term relationship, Alice (Dakota Johnson) decides she needs some time to be truly single. She moves to New York, meets the wild Robin (Rebel Wilson) and turns her entire life upside down on the way.
Last Christmas: This is one of those festive films that you can watch anytime during the year. It follows Katarina (Emilia Clarke) who works as a very angry elf in a Christmas store. Just when things seems hopeless, she meets Tom (Henry Golding) who encourages her to take a new perspective on life. But who is he exactly? And why is he so invested her?
Home Again: Newly-divorced Alice (Reese Witherspoon) invites three inspiring filmmakers (and subsequently a lot of trouble) into her home. Trouble starts when she ends up developing feelings for one, right when her husband arrives.
50 First Dates: Henry (Adam Sandler) falls in love with Lucy (Drew Barrymore) from the first moment he lays eyes on her. The only problem is, she has a rare condition where she loses her memory every 24 hours. How is he going to win her over when she has no idea who he is?
*Holidate: The holidays can be a lonely time, and nobody knows this better than Sloane (Emma Roberts). Fed up with being the only single person in her family, she strikes up an agreement with Jackson (Luke Bracey) which allows them to be each others dates for holidays only. As you can guess, they end up catching real feelings along the way which complicates the entire thing beyond belief.
What’s Your Number? Ally (Anna Faris) is feeling pretty down in the dumps when she loses her boyfriend and her job in quick succession. Deciding that she’s done with casual dating, she feels she cannot sleep with another new person, and must end up marrying someone she’s already slept with. As she works her way back through the list, it’s hilarious as it is endearing.
The Notebook: Quintessentially one of the most iconic chick flicks of all time, The Notebook is set in the 1940s and follows the romance of mill worker Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling), and rich girl Allie (Rachel McAdams) who are desperately in love. When Noah goes off to serve in World War II, it seems to mark the end of their relationship. But when Noah returns to their small town years later, it becomes clear that their romance is anything but over.
The Big Sick: Based on a true story, The Big Sick follows Kumail, a comedian, who meets graduate student Emily, at one of his stand-up shows. As their relationship blossoms, he soon becomes worried about what his traditional Muslim parents will think of her. When an illness leaves Emily suddenly in a coma, Kumail finds himself developing a bond with her deeply concerned mother and father.
The Duff: Not-so-popular high-school senior Bianca has a rude awakening when she learns that her classmates secretly refer to her as a ‘Duff’—or a ‘Designated Ugly Fat Friend,’ we know, yikes—to her more popular friends. Desperate to reinvent herself, Bianca enlists the aid of Wesley, her charming childhood friend. Bianca must find the confidence to overthrow her judgmental peers and revolutionise the school’s social order.
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before: This Netflix original became a huge hit for a reason. Lara Jean is a teenage girl in high school, who longs for a perfect boyfriend. However, over the years, the love letters that she has written to her crush are exposed and start to wreak havoc on her life. Both hilarious and adorable, this flick is sure to tug at your heartstrings.
Isn’t It Romantic: Natalie (Rebel Wilson) is a New York architect, who is knocked unconscious after being mugged on the subway, and suddenly wakes up to find herself in an alternate universe. A cynic when it comes to love, her worst nightmare soon comes true after she discovers that she’s playing the leading lady in a real-life romantic comedy, starring the oh-so handsome Liam Hemsworth.
Made Of Honor: Reluctant to commit, Tom (Patrick Dempsey) happily lives his life as a serial dater, until his best friend Hannah (Michelle Monaghan) becomes engaged and Tom realises that he’s in love with her. When she asks him to be in her bridal party, Tom seizes the opportunity to change her mind about her wedding and win her over.
The Kissing Booth: This Netflix original follows Elle, a young high school student, who finds herself face-to-face with her long-term crush, Noah, when she signs up to run a kissing booth at her school’s spring carnival. However, tensions run high after the pair try to hide their relationship from Elle’s life-long best friend, Lee, who also happens to be Noah’s younger brother.
How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days: Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson), a journalist, is writing an article about how to make a man want to leave you in 10 days. Enter advertising executive, Ben (Matthew McConaughey), who is so confident in his romantic abilities that he believes that he can make any woman fall in love with him in 10 days. However, when the pair meet, their plans backfire. The film also includes a drunken rendition of Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” for your entertainment.
Bachelorette: After ruining their friend’s dream wedding gown, bridesmaids (Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan) must set out on a frantic search to find a replacement. However, their mission unexpectedly turns into a messy night of alcohol, drugs and nightclubbing.
Falling Inn Love: If you’re after a classic—yet cheesy—rom-com, then Falling Inn Love is perfect for you. Romance and home renovations collide when Gabriella, a corporate executive, wins a New Zealand inn that lacks visual appeal but comes with the oh-so attractive, Jake.
Notting Hill
A beloved classic starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, Notting Hill is the tale of a simple bookshop owner whose life changes when he meets the most famous film star in the world.
You’ve Got Mail: Two business rivals who despise each other in real life unwittingly fall in love over the Internet.
Otherhood: Feeling forgotten on Mother’s Day, three best friends leave the suburbs and drive to New York City to surprise their adult sons.
What a Girl Wants: An American teenager learns that her father is a wealthy British politician running for office. Although she is eager to find him, she realizes it could cause a scandal and cost him the election.
Wine Country: In honor of Rebecca (Rachel Dratch)’s 50th birthday, Abby (Amy Poehler) plans a scenic Napa getaway with their best, longtime friends. Workaholic Catherine (Ana Gasteyer), post-op Val (Paula Pell), homebody Jenny (Emily Spivey), and weary mom Naomi (Maya Rudolph) are equally sold on the chance to relax and reconnect. Yet as the alcohol flows, real world uncertainties intrude on the punchlines and gossip, and the women begin questioning their friendships and futures.
Twilight: If supernatural romance is your M.O., you’ve likely already seen every single movie in vampire love story series Twilight. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t settle in for a night on the couch watching all five movies in a row.
Set It Up: Harper and Charlie are overworked, underpaid assistants wasting their 20s slaving away for bosses who treat them like dirt and work them ’round the clock. When they realise that they would have much more free time if the people they worked for weren’t single, they concoct a plan to lure their bosses into a faux-romance.
Someone Great: Aspiring music journalist Jenny (Gina Rodriguez) has just landed her dream job at an iconic magazine and is about to move to San Francisco. Rather than do long distance, her boyfriend of nine years (Lakeith Stanfield) decides to call it quits. To nurse her broken heart, Jenny gathers up her two best friends Erin (DeWanda Wise) and Blair (Brittany Snow) for one outrageous last adventure in New York City.
Clueless: This ’90s classic follows wealthy popular girl Cher Horowitz fancies herself a matchmaker and sets about trying to find love for everyone in her life. But does she possess the same intuition when it comes to her own romantic prospects? Not exactly.
The Age of Adaline: What would life be like if you never aged? Turns out, not so great. Blake Lively plays a woman who, after a freak accident, realises she’s destined to never age a day past 29 for the rest of her life. To avoid authorities, she must constantly change her name and appearance, which has disastrous consequences for her love life. But when she finally meets the perfect man, can she embrace a normal existence?
Always Be My Maybe: Childhood friends Sasha and Marcus have a falling out and don’t speak for 15 years. But when Sasha, now a celebrity chef in Los Angeles, returns to her hometown of San Francisco to open a new restaurant, she runs into her old pal—a happily complacent musician still living at home and working for his dad. Though the two are reluctant to reconnect, they soon find the old sparks—and maybe some new ones—are there.
