22 Female Ensemble Comedies That I Could Rewatch Literally Anytime

    In the words of Jo March, "Women!"

    Will Hunt
    by Will Hunt

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    When funny women get together on screen, the result is simply magic. I know it, you know it, and audiences know it. To celebrate that, I put together this list of 22 staples in the genre. You might know a lot of them, but there are probably one or two you don't!

    I am not a woman, but as a gay man, I can personally say I have never laughed harder at a film than many entries on this list. No matter who you are, if you love comedy, you're gonna find a movie for you on here.

    1. Bridesmaids (2011)

    The cast of "Bridesmaids" in a bridal store
    Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com

    Marketed as a woman-focused answer to popular aughts films like The Hangover and Knocked Up, Bridesmaids made Melissa McCarthy into a comedy superstar and earned her an Oscar nomination for her role. It is still Judd Apatow's highest grossing film of all time.

    Funny ladies: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Melissa McCarthy, Rebel Wilson, Jill Clayburgh

    Quotable line: "Help me, I'm poor!"

    2. The First Wives Club (1996)

    Bette Midler and Diane Keaton at a funeral in "First Wives Club"
    Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com

    Three best friends whose husbands leave them for younger women seek revenge. A rare Hollywood offering that shines the spotlight on middle-aged women — a "risk" that paid off when the movie became a sleeper hit that revitalized the careers of all three stars.

    Funny ladies: Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, Maggie Smith, Sarah Jessica Parker, Marcia Gay Harden, Elizabeth Berkley

    Quotable line: "It's the '90s, plastic surgery is like good grooming."

    3. The Women (1939)

    Virginia Grey and Joan Crawford in "The Women"
    Loews, MGM / Via youtube.com

    The Women is so committed to a female ensemble that the entire cast of over 130 speaking roles are women. Even the pets on screen were female. The film, based on the play of the same name, explores the lives of several rich, elite, and bored housewives. 

    Funny ladies: Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Mary Boland, Paulette Goddard, Phyllis Povah, Joan Fontaine, Virginia Weidler, Lucile Watson, Marjorie Main, Virginia Grey

    Quotable line: "There's a name for you ladies, but it isn't used in high society...outside of a kennel.”

    4. Sister Act (1992)

    Whoopi Goldberg in "Sister Act"
    Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures / Via youtube.com

    Whoopi Goldberg's iconic performance as Deloris Wilson, a lounge singer who transforms a convent choir into modern gospel divas, propelled Sister Act into a whole franchise, spawning a sequel, a musical adaptation, and now a third film is in development at Disney+.

    Funny ladies: Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Mary Wickes, Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena, Rose Parenti, Ellen Albertini

    Quotable line: "I mean, the guy just tried to kill me, so I don't think that cements our relationship!"

    5. Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

    Denise Richards in "Drop Dead Gorgeous"
    New Line Cinema / Via youtube.com

    This mockumentary-style satire about a small-town beauty pageant in Minnesota has reached cult classic status, especially among people with great taste. The film also marks the debut of Amy Adams, who had a relatively small but unforgettable role as the ditzy cheerleader, Leslie.

    Funny ladies: Kirsten Dunst, Ellen Barkin, Allison Janney, Denise Richards, Kirstie Alley, Mindy Sterling, Brittany Murphy, Amy Adams, Nora Dunn

    Quotable line: "To live in a country where you can take an ugly old mountain and put faces on it, faces of great Americans who did so much to make our country super great. Well, that makes me, Rebecca Leeman, proud to be an American."

    6. A League of Their Own (1992)

    A girls baseball team puts their hands in the center of a huddle.
    Columbia Pictures / Via youtube.com

    This fictionalized version of the founding of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a surprise hit for director Penny Marshall, and provided opportunities to shine for a surprisingly funny Madonna and a pre-talk show Rosie O'Donnell.

    Funny ladies: Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty, Rosie O'Donnell, Anne Ramsay, Megan Cavanagh, Janet Jones, Téa Leoni

    Quotable line: "There's no crying in baseball!"

    7. 9 to 5 (1980)

    Dolly Parton in "9 to 5"
    20th Century Fox / Via youtube.com

    The ultimate revenge-fantasy-slash-series-of-misunderstandings movie, this classic comedy was a star vehicle for an already successful Dolly Parton. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin's chemistry still shines 40 years later in Grace and Frankie.

    Funny ladies: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Elizabeth Wilson, Marian Mercer

    Quotable line: "You steal the wrong body from the hospital, and all you can say is 'I must have made a mistake?'" "It could happen to anyone!"

    8. Pitch Perfect (2012)

    Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and other "pitch perfect" cast in acapella uniform
    Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com

    Pitch Perfect has it all. Silliness, sisterhood, and of course, singing! An all-girl college a cappella group that's stuck in their ways is shaken up by the arrival of Beca (Anna Kendrick), who remixes their setlist and their hearts. Like many films on this list, Pitch Perfect turned a relatively unknown actor, in this case Rebel Wilson, into a household name.

    Funny ladies: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, Ester Dean, Hana Mae Lee, Alexis Knapp, Elizabeth Banks

    Quotable line: "Aca-scuse me?"

    9. Whip It (2009)

    "The Hurl Scouts" roller derby team from "Whip It"
    Fox Searchlight Pictures / Via youtube.com

    People didn't know what to expect from Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, but I never had my doubts. Whip It's all-star cast and premise — a high school pageant queen joins a roller derby team against her mother's wishes — could only mean pure gold.

    Funny ladies: Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, Alia Shawkat, Zoë Bell, Eve

    Quotable line: "I don't wanna be the girl that has to stand here and hear about what didn't happen between you and some idiot."

    10. Scary Movie 3 (2003)

    Miramax / Via youtube.com

    Ok, this is not ~exactly~ an all-women ensemble, but the onscreen chemistry between Cindy (Anna Faris) and Brenda (scene stealer extraordinaire Regina Hall) turned these would-be trashy parodies into pop culture treasures. True heads know 3 is the best one. 

    Funny ladies: Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, plus an iconic cameo scene from Jenny McCarthy and Pamela Anderson

    Quotable line: "Another little white girl done fell down a well. Fifty black people got they ass beat by police today, but the whole world gotta stop for one little whitey down the hole."

    11. Girls Trip (2017)

    A bride and three bridesmaids pulling faces
    Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com

    Speaking of Regina Hall, let's talk about Girls Trip, which combines several of my favorite genres: vacation movies, ensemble comedies, and movies with Regina Hall. Where is the And Just Like That... for this friend group, HBO?!

    Funny ladies: Regina Hall, Tiffany Haddish, Kate Walsh, Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah

    Quotable line: "Girl, you can't get no infection in your booty hole. It's a booty hole!"

    12. Spring Breakdown (2009)

    Screen shot from "Spring Breakdown"
    Warner Bros / Via youtube.com

    Three college nerds decide to make up for lost time with the ultimate sloppy spring break trip...15 years later. This underrated romp ended up being released direct-to-video, tragically, but it deserves a second life on streaming!

    Funny ladies: Amy Poehler, Parker Posey,  Rachel Dratch, Amber Tamblyn, Sophie Monk, Missi Pyle, Jane Lynch

    Quotable line: "If you shake it, he will come."

    13. Bring It On (2000)

    Kirsten Dunst in "Bring It On"
    Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com

    The only movie on this list to spawn not one, not two, but SIX sequels. Kirsten Dunst is really what takes this classic high school sports competition movie to its legendary status, not to mention its pithy script by Jessica Bendinger. 

    Funny ladies: Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Gabrielle Union, Clare Kramer, Nicole Bilderback, Tsianina Joelson, Rini Bell

    Quotable line: "This is not a democracy, it's a cheerocracy."

    14. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

    Rachel tries on glamorous dresses as onlookers encourage her
    Warner Bros. Pictures / Via youtube.com

    The first movie from a major studio to feature an entirely Asian cast since The Joy Luck Club, Crazy Rich Asians may be a romantic comedy, but the film gives plenty of chances for its incredible ensemble of powerhouse women to shine. 

    Funny ladies: Constance Wu, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Sonoya Mizuno, Koh Chieng Mun, Fiona Xie

    Quotable line: "It's not my job to make you feel like a man. I can't make you something you're not."

    15. Steel Magnolias (1989)

    Dolly Parton curling Julia Roberts' hair in salon in "Steel Magnolias"
    TriStar Pictures / Via Netflix

    Ok, this may not be as funny ha-ha as some of the other films on this list, but this feel-good movie still has a special place in our hearts, in large part thanks to its charming and brassy Southern humor. 

    Funny ladies: Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts

    Quotable line: "We went skinny dipping, and we did things that frightened the fish."

    16. Clueless (1995)

    Elisa Donavan, Stacey Dash, and Alicia Silverstone in "Clueless"
    Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com

    The girls that girl, girl, and nobody girls harder than Cher Horowitz. You get what I'm saying, right? It's easy to call this movie an Alicia Silverstone showcase, but let's not forget how many oft-quoted lines came from Brittany Murphy's Tai. 

    Funny ladies: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Elisa Donovan, Aida Linares, Twink Caplan, Julie Brown

    Quotable line: "In conclusion, may I remind you, it does not say 'RSVP' on the Statue of Liberty!"

    17. Bachelorette (2012)

    Screen shot from "Bachelorette"
    RADiUS-TWC / Via youtube.com

    This Sundance darling may look lighthearted, and similar in plot to Bridesmaids, but this is a much darker and edgier film than the latter. It's also the third starring role for Kirsten Dunst on this list. Long live the queen of ensemble comedy!

    Funny ladies: Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan, Isla Fisher, Rebel Wilson

    Quotable line: "God blessed me with perfect tits. It's only right people should know that."

    18. Little Women (2019)

    Emma Watson in a line of debutantes in "Little Women
    Sony Pictures / Via youtube.com

    Any of the adaptations of Little Women could have made this list, but the most recent version from Greta Gerwig really brings out the humor and personality of each March sister as they chase their various ambitions in 1860s Massachusetts. 

    Funny ladies: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep

    Quotable line: "I may not always be right...but I'm never wrong."

    19. Josie and the Pussycats (2001)

    Rachel Leigh Cook and Tara Reid in "Josie and the Pussycats"
    Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com

    If you were confused about the meaning of camp during 2019's Met Gala, look no further than this girl power romp that's also a surprisingly effective parody of the record industry. Also, Parker Posey should be cast as a villain in every movie. 

    Funny ladies: Rachael Leigh Cook, Tara Reid, Rosario Dawson, Missi Pyle, Parker Posey

    Quotable line: “Puppies turn into dogs, who get old and die!”

    20. The Help (2011)

    Two Black maids shop in a '60s grocery store
    Walt Disney Studios / Via youtube.com

    The Help has been reevaluated over the years for its use of the "white savior" narrative and other stereotypical tropes. However, critics agreed on the film's stellar performances. Fun fact: When Bryce Dallas Howard wins her Oscar someday, all six leads from this film will be Oscar winners.

    Funny ladies: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Jessica Chastain

    Quotable line: "Got to ask yourself this question: Am I gonna believe all them bad things them fools say about me today?"

    21. Birds of Prey (2020)

    The Birds of Prey assemble in "Birds of Prey"
    Warner Bros. / Via youtube.com

    Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn was such a sensation in Suicide Squad, she got to assemble her own crew of all-female baddies in Birds of Prey, which in my opinion, is vastly underrated by comic book fans. Cathy Yan's colorful and visceral direction is immensely satisfying, and the wardrobe alone is worth watching for. MCU, where's your super-heroine team-up movie?

    Funny ladies: Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong

    Quotable line: "If you want boys to respect you, show them you’re serious. Shoot something, blow it up!"

    22. Mean Girls (2004)

    Rachel McAdams in "Mean Girls"
    Paramount / Via youtube.com

    You didn't think I was going to leave off Mean Girls, did you? Since its release in 2004, Tina Fey's high school comedy has reached timeless classic status, and is still possibly the most quoted movie by millennials, ever. 

    Funny ladies: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Lacey Chabert, Amanda Seyfried, Lizzy Caplan

    Quotable line: Literally the entire script, front to back

    If you love ensemble comedy with hilarious women as much as I do, be sure to check out BuzzFeed Studios' new film 1UP, coming to Prime Video this Friday:

    1UP (2022)

    View this video on YouTube
    BuzzFeed Studios / Lionsgate / Via youtube.com

    Paris Berelc plays a nationally ranked competitive gamer who quits her sexist ass esports team and forms her own kick-ass, if unconventional, all-female rival team to take them down.

    Funny ladies: Paris Berelc, Ruby Rose, Hari Nef, D. J. Mausner, Madison Baines, Lolita Milena, Aviva Mongillo

    Quotable line: You'll have to pick your favorite this weekend!

    Did I miss one of your favorite female ensemble comedies? Let me know in the comments!