Galentine’s Day is upon us, which means it’s time to gather with those near and dear for a celebration of friendship.
What is Galentine’s Day, you may ask? Well, according to one seminal sitcom character, it’s “only the best day of the year!” Galentine’s Day, which falls the day before Valentine’s Day and traces its origins to an episode of the popular workplace comedy “Parks and Recreation,” embodies the spirit of Valentine’s Day — but rather than doling out mushiness and affection to your lover, you dole it out to your best gals.Â
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Galentine’s Day (which you can read all about here), but, in our opinion, no celebration is complete without viewing a TV show or movie that celebrates friendship.
Here are some Galentine’s Day viewing recommendations:
Happy Galentine’s Day. Here’s how to bring the love and celebrate the February 13 holiday
1. ‘Parks and Recreation’ Galentine’s Day episode (2010)
Of course, the origin of the pop culture holiday has to be mandatory viewing. Season 2, episode 16 of “Parks and Recreation,” entitled “Galentine’s Day” sees the show’s lead Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) celebrating the holiday with a group of her girlfriends at a local diner.
In the episode, Knope lays out the pillars of a proper Galentine’s:
- Leave the boyfriends and husbands at homeÂ
- Kick it breakfast style (i.e. grab waffles or pancakes at a local spot)
- Have ladies celebrate ladies
2. ‘Bridesmaids’ (2011)
Perhaps the ultimate comedy about female friendship, the 2011 film “Bridesmaids” will have you and your besties cracking up at the antics of an iconic female ensemble featuring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph and more.
3. ‘Girls Trip’ (2017)
What’s more Galentine’s than a group of female friends embarking on a zany adventure? The 2017 film “Girls Trip,” starring Tiffany Haddish, Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah and more, will inspire you to plan a wild vacay with your besties for next year’s celebration.
4. ‘Mean Girls’ (2004)
Sure, girls can be mean. But, in the end, the 2004 comedy “Mean Girls,” starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried and Lacey Chabert , is all about women deciding to lift each other up rather than tear each other down. What’s more Galentine’s Day than that?
5. ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ (2005)
Out? Friendship bracelets. In? Cryptic pants. In the 2005 film “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” starring America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively and Alexis Bledel, a pair of jeans that somehow magically fits all of the women in a friend group, despite their different sizes, is what keeps each of the besties connected as they drift down different life paths.
6. ‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance’ (2023)
In what seems to be an increasingly polarized society, there is at least one thing many women can unite behind: shirtless Channing Tatum. “Magic Mike’s Last Dance,” which came out Feb. 9 and earned $8.2 million its first weekend in North American theaters, sees Tatum back in his role as Mike, a retired male stripper who helps a socialite played by Salma Hayek produce a stage play. (Read our ★★½ out of four review of the film here.)
Channing Tatum bares all on hottest dances in ‘Magic Mike 3’: ‘I almost killed Salma Hayek’
More stories celebrating love, Valentine’s Day
Contributing:Â Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY;Â Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press
Story Credit: usatoday.com