5 Galentine’s Day Movies to Watch Amidst the Valentine’s Craze

February is here, and with it comes the inevitable wave of heart-shaped chocolates, teddy bears, and the subtle pressure to either be with someone “special” or meet the love of your life. And we get it, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by this Valentine's Day machine. But some of the most meaningful relationships in our lives aren't romantic at all (and they are worth celebrating as well!).

That's where Galentine's Day comes in, you already know the drill. It doesn't matter if you're single or not, this day is worth celebrating! And I am that person who enjoys watching films with company the most, I just can't help but appreciate how much these movie nights can create an even stronger bond with your gals.

These films can remind all of us that the greatest love stories aren't just about finding "the one".

Girls Trip (2017): The Ultimate Female Friendship Adventure

This is truly a celebration of friendship that feels genuine and electric. It's that wild weekend getaway you planned with your friends but never actually went on. Girls Trip is that fantasy coming to life, but with ten times more humor and heart.

Four best friends are headed for a wild weekend at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, and what unfolds is pure magic. It's the honest portrayal of how adult friendships evolve, and at times need a little shake-up to remember their spark.

That's a beautiful story about women supporting each other through life's messiest moments. Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish deliver performances that feel like watching your own friend group on screen.

Bridesmaids (2011): Relatable Classic

If you've ever been a bridesmaid, you'll feel seen by this one in ways that might make you slightly uncomfortable – and that's exactly what makes it brilliant. Kristen Wiig's Annie is all of us who've ever felt like life was moving forward for everyone else while we're stuck.

Bridesmaids' brilliance comes from its ability to balance laugh-out-loud moments (yes, the dress fitting scene is still iconic) with the very real emotion of watching your best friend enter a new chapter of her life (and you potentially not being at the center of it anymore). The competitive nature between Annie and Helen couldn’t be more relatable.

It's the kind of movie that makes you want to hug your best friend and thank them for putting up with your chaos.

Walking and Talking (1996): The '90s Gem

"A movie for everyone who wants to get married and stay single at the same time."

If you haven't discovered this indie treasure yet, you're in for something special.

Walking and Talking captures the subtle shifts that happen in a friendship when life starts moving in different directions. Catherine Keener and Anne Heche deliver performances so natural and nuanced, you'll forget you're watching a movie.

What I love most about this film is its honesty about the growing struggles in adult friendships. This honesty still hits even decades later. Every character feels like someone you might have known (or still know). Nicole Holofcener's script feels like she's been secretly documenting real conversations between friends – it's THAT authentic.

The Incredible Jessica James (2017): A Fresh Take on Self-Discovery

Meet Jessica James, she's not your typical New York City protagonist, and that's exactly what makes that story so good. She's an aspiring playwright navigating the concrete jungle. Jessica's finding herself while the world keeps spinning.

When she meets Boone, someone who is trying to piece together life after a breakup. We get something far more interesting than a love story, we get a story about two people learning to be okay with themselves first. Jessica Williams brings such authenticity and wit to her character that you can't help but root for her every step of the way.

The Incredible Jessica James celebrates independence, but also recognizes that life is also better when shared with someone who understands. It doesn't matter if that someone is your friend or your lover. By the end of the movie, you'll definitely want to have coffee with Jessica and just talk, she's the friend we all need in our lives.

Steel Magnolias (1989): The Southern Classic That Proves Friendship Conquers All

"The funniest movie ever to make you cry."

We can't let you go without mentioning this classic. If you haven't experienced the emotional rollercoaster that is Steel Magnolias, grab your tissues and your best friend immediately.

Watching Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, and the rest of this incredible ensemble feels like coming home. Set in a Louisiana beauty parlor, this film weaves together humor and heartbreak in a way that few others have managed to achieve.

Steel Magnolias is timeless. It is a portrayal of women supporting each other through life's highs and lows, and I still can't watch it without ugly crying.

All of these movies are here for more than just entertainment reasons (though, it's the obvious one, for sure). They celebrate the most important part of your life – you and your friends. Because at the end of the day, these are the relationships that shape us, support us, and remind us that we're never truly alone. And they deserve to be celebrated, not just on Galentine's Day (say it with me: thank you, Leslie Knope), but every chance we get.

So this February, while the world is busy with all these romantic things, you can start a different tradition. Gather your friends, watch one of these movies, and celebrate a love that is often overlooked – the true friendship.