21 Female Actors Whose Onscreen Chemistry In Movies And TV Was So Amazing They Deserved An Award

    Name a more iconic duo than Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. I dare you.

    Kayla Yandoli
    by Kayla Yandoli

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which famous women had the best onscreen chemistry in movies and TV shows. Here are the amazing results.

    Warning: Potential spoilers ahead! 🚨

    1. Sandra Oh and Ellen Pompeo as Cristina and Meredith on Grey's Anatomy (2005–present)

    Cristina telling Meredith Derek isn't the sun -- she is
    ABC

    "Their time together on Grey's was hilarious and heartfelt and authentic and genuine all at the same time, and it's all because of their onscreen chemistry. They were true to each other, they voiced their opinions when needed, and even through their fights, they'd make sure that the one another was okay. I think they're the best!"

    —geenelychanga

    2. Regina Hall and Anna Faris as Brenda and Cindy in Scary Movie 2 (2001)

    Cindy yelling at Brenda: "I thought I was your best friend?" and Brenda responding: "Was -- I'm gonna miss you girl!"
    Dimension Films

    Suggested by: rosalesgoninfa

    I can literally watch the Scary Movies over and over again because of Regina Hall and Anna Faris' chemistry alone. They looked like they worked so well together, and they constantly made us laugh with their quick one-liners and facial expressions — I would kill for a reunion!

    3. Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway as Queen Clarisse and Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries (2001)

    Clarisse reassuring Mia she was confident all along after giving her speech
    Buena Vista Pictures

    "Honestly, Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews' onscreen chemistry doesn’t get talked about enough. They were the best in The Princess Diaries."

    —alexfromjupiter

    4. Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold as Gina and Pam in Martin (1992–1997)

    Fox

    "Whenever they showed up together in a scene, you knew it was gonna be hilarious and upbeat, and it was gonna sound hella good because both of these ladies can sing, okay?! And, they've been best friends for decades, so their onscreen chemistry was transparent!"

    —sjward21

    5. Margot Robbie and Kate McKinnon as Kayla and Jess in Bombshell (2019)

    Jess flirting with Kayla at the bar, telling her she has a really pretty face
    Lionsgate

    "They were the only redeeming quality of that movie!"

    —laurenb48828c338

    6. Shay Mitchell and Bianca Lawson as Emily and Maya on Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017)

    Emily and Maya taking photo booth pictures together, and ultimately kissing in the last one
    Freeform

    "Out of all of Emily's girlfriends, Maya was the best. Paige tried to drown her and Alison was a jerk toward her, but Maya was the only one who treated her right. And though she 'died,' we never saw a body, and on this show, even seeing a body didn't mean death — so she can still be alive if they ever do a reunion 😉."

    —Ask_Aspie

    7. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as Grace and Frankie on Grace and Frankie (2015–present)

    Grace telling Frankie how much she loves her, and why she doesn't need to have a gun in the house
    Netflix

    "They were funny together in the beginning when they didn't like each other, and it’s been a joy to watch them become best friends (and they're still funny). There aren't enough shows centered around older female friendships!"

    —firecat40

    8. Tatiana Maslany and Évelyne Brochu as Cosima and Delphine on Orphan Black (2013–2017)

    Delphine kissing Cosima and saying that she won't let her die
    BBC America

    "While I loved all of the relationships between the clones — I mean, Tatiana Maslany literally had chemistry with herself — Tatiana and Évelyne Brochu's onscreen chemistry was undeniable. I still think about Cosima and Delphine to this day."

    —noradominick

    9. Mary-Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson as Ruth and Idgie in Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)

    Universal Pictures

    "Their dynamic in the film was unparalleled. Watching them grow together and as individuals is, in my opinion, what real friendship is all about."

    —graycinquillin

    10. Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg as Stella and Delilah in How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)

    Stella questioning her affair while Delilah responds with: "Do the hympty hump -- fuck him!"
    20th Century Fox

    "Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg's chemistry in this '90s classic was unmatched, and every scene they were in together was hilarious, smart, and beyond perfect. I just wish Whoopi Goldberg's character didn't die so soon in the movie — I needed more scenes with them!!!"

    —kaylayandoli

    11. Melissa Fumero and Stephanie Beatriz as Amy and Rosa on Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–present)

    Rosa celebrating Amy at the bar for doing out of character dares at her bachelorette party
    NBC

    "They're the greatest combination of actors, and have done such a good job showing how women support each other in a profession dominated by men."

    —sweetessence786

    12. Jamie Clayton and Freema Agyeman as Nomi and Amanita on Sense8 (2015–2018)

    Amanita and Nomi proposing to each other at the same time
    Netflix

    "Amanita and Nomi from Sense8! They were just so in love and deeply connected to each other that I literally sometimes forgot they were actors. The chemistry was wonderful, and their genuine interactions were just the sweetest and most tear-jerking ever."

    —koontzk87

    13. Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow as Romy and Michele in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)

    Romy and Michele admiring how cute they look in the mirror in their apartment
    Buena Vista Pictures

    "Their chemistry was undeniable — they both had impeccable comedic timing, and they're gorgeous to boot. The characters were absolutely iconic, and that movie is still a classic."

    —shauna_malwae-tweep

    14. Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh as Villanelle and Eve on Killing Eve (2018–present)

    Villanelle and Eve staring at each other with deep admiration and tension
    BBC America

    "Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer as Eve and Villanelle in Killing Eve — they're *chef’s kiss* perfection 👌."

    —logea022311

    "Eve and Villanelle from Killing Eve. Their chemistry was undeniable, and every time they were in a scene together, the tension was so palpable."

    —MetropolisJo

    15. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as Carol and Therese in Carol (2015)

    Carol and Therese celebrating New Year's Eve together, looking at each other through the mirror in their hotel room
    StudioCanal / The Weinstein Company

    "This was literally one of the best onscreen relationships I've EVER seen."

    —callmeoreo

    16. Whitney Houston and Brandy as Fairy Godmother and Cinderella in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997)

    Walt Disney Television

    Suggested by: spenceralthouse

    No one else could've brought Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother to life in this remake like Brandy and Whitney Houston did. They were so in sync with each other, and their onscreen chemistry was undeniable — that definitely had a lot to do with their friendship offscreen. The behind-the-scenes clip of them rehearsing "Impossible" in the music studio will forever be magical!

    17. Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle as Maya and Anna in PEN15 (2019–present)

    Maya crying in the bathroom because she's been labeled as "the ugliest girl" in school, and Anna complimenting her to cheer her up
    Hulu

    "I'm so mad it took me until 2021 to watch PEN15, but oh my god, I'm so glad I'm here. Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle have the best onscreen chemistry I've seen between two actors in a long, long time — they've made me laugh and cry in a matter of seconds, and I hope they continue to work on more projects together in the future! They're a brilliant beyond brilliant pair."

    —kaylayandoli

    18. Kaitlyn Dever and Diana Silvers as Amy and Hope in Booksmart (2019)

    Hope handing Amy a note outside of her home
    United Artists Releasing

    "Kaitlyn and Diana in Booksmart were just 😍😍😍."

    —aliciazumbusch

    19. Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones as Leslie and Anne on Parks and Recreation (2009–2015)

    Anne telling Leslie she's thinking of leaving Pawnee and Leslie reacting in an angry way
    NBC

    "Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones made these characters serious friendship goals, even when Leslie and Anne didn’t agree with each other — they supported each other wholeheartedly. They were always honest and thoughtful, and I loved their chemistry!"

    —maureenr4311f2759

    20. Sanaa Lathan and Alfre Woodard as Monica and Camille in Love & Basketball (2000)

    Monica and her mom having a deep conversation about their relationship in the kitchen
    New Line Cinema

    "They've played an incredible mother and daughter pair in multiple movies, like Something New, The Family That Preys, and Love & Basketball!"

    —yessirbrebre_26

    21. And Naya Rivera and Heather Morris as Santana and Brittany on Glee (2009–2015)

    Santana and Brittany singing "Landslide" to each other in a loving and meaningful way
    Fox

    "Their chemistry both on- and off-screen was the reason for Brittana’s relationship to become canon, and it ended up being one of the most groundbreaking ships on TV."

    —beppa10

    Note: Submissions were edited for length and/or clarity.

    Which female actors do you think had the best onscreen chemistry in a movie or TV show? Let us know in the comments below!