One of the most common themes in art -- whether it be literature, music, or film -- is friendship. The reason why this particular theme is so prevalent in media is that it's easily relatable. Most people find the most meaningful relationships of their life with childhood friends, friends from school, or co-workers.
Especially in movies, friendship is often depicted as one of the strongest connections two or more characters can have. From realistic dramas to animated adventures, to sci-fi journeys, friendship has rocketed many of pop culture's most memorable characters to heroic levels. These films are perfect examples of that bond.
10 Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi
The Star Wars franchise is populated with ragtag groups of unlikely comrades. This formula was perfected in the first installment of the series, A New Hope, released in 1977. However, it isn't until Return of the Jedi, which was released in 1983, that the power of friendship between Luke, Leia, Han, Chewy, and the droids is tested.
During the climax of The Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo is betrayed by Lando Calrissian and frozen in carbonite. During the opening scenes of Return of the Jedi, Luke sets out on a mission to rescue his friend. Together, Luke, Han, and Chewy evade capture by Jabba the Hutt, while Leia kills the crime lord herself.
9 Star Trek: Into Darkness
The J.J. Abrams-led reboots of the Star Trek franchise take many cues from the iconic television series. One is the focus on the relationship between James T. Kirk (played by Chris Pine) and Spock (played by Zachary Quinto). By the end of the first film, Kirk and Spock have set aside their differences and worked together aboard the Enterprise.
In the second film, the strengths of Spock and Kirk's friendship are tested as they encounter Benedict Cumberbatch's Khan, an iconic Star Trek villain. After Kirk sacrifices himself to save the Enterprise, Spock forgoes his stoicism to defeat Khan out of revenge for Kirk's death.
8 Guardians Of The Galaxy
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is chockfull of movies that test the friendships of superheroes. Among them are 2012's The Avengers or 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home. However, James Gunn's first Guardians of the Galaxy movie takes the cake as the MCU movie with the most wholesome friendships.
Peter Quill teams up with bounty hunters Rocket Raccoon and Groot, Thanos's daughter Gamora, and fellow prison inmate Drax the Destroyer. The five of them bond, and then work together to prevent Ronan the Accuser from stealing an Orb that contains the Power Stone. By the end of the film, they're friends, as Peter brands them "The Guardians of the Galaxy."
7 The Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King
Return of the King was released in 2003 as the third installment of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings film adaptation. Nearing the end of their quest to cast the One Ring into Mordor, Frodo's corruption by the Ring nearly costs him his friendship with Samwise Gamgee. However, Sam proves himself a better friend than that.
In a fan-favorite scene, Sam encourages a weakened Frodo to complete his mission. Referring to the One Ring, he shouts the iconic line, "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!" as he lifts Frodo over his shoulders to finish climbing Mount Doom. This single moment makes everyone wish they had a friend like Sam.
6 It: Chapter One
The two horror movies adapted from Stephen King's iconic book It finds an ensemble of outcast kids who encounter an evil demon in their small town. The seven children meet when they realize they're being terrorized by this manifestation of their deepest fears. They argue with each other more than they work together to rid the town of "It."
In a climactic scene, the friendship of the so-called "Loser's Club" is put to the test as Pennywise the Clown takes Bill, the group's de-facto leader. Richie, Bill's biggest rival in the group, is the one to grab a baseball bat and lead the rest of the Losers in attacking Pennywise. Together, they're able to conquer It, for the time being.
5 Diary Of A Wimpy Kid
This film adaptation of Jeff Kinney's best-selling book series centers on Greg Heffley, an arrogant kid entering middle school. Greg's best friend, Rowley, lacks Greg's pessimism about the world, putting them at odds throughout the film. However, this conflict takes a turn when Rowley gets fed up with Greg's constant mistreatment of him.
Greg begins to envy Rowley's new friends and life without him. However, after a group of bullies force Rowley to eat an infamous moldy piece of cheese on the playground, Greg selflessly takes the blame for it to spare Rowley the loss of his reputation. The two of them reconcile and end up "Cutest Friends" in the school yearbook.
4 Girl, Interrupted
This drama follows Susanna, a young woman who enters a psychiatric ward after a nervous breakdown. Despite this situation, Susanna befriends many of the other patients. Each of them suffers from various conditions such as schizophrenia, OCD, and anti-social personality disorder.
After several escape attempts gone wrong, Susanna (played by Winona Ryder) and sociopath Lisa (played by Angelina Jolie) butt heads. Eventually, after a confrontation, Lisa tries to harm herself, but it's the compassion from all the other patients that convinces her to stop. When Susanna finally leaves the ward, she and Lisa reconcile.
3 The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On The Run
This animated film released in 2021 serves as the third feature film in the SpongeBob franchise. The plot finds SpongeBob and Patrick traveling to Atlantic City to rescue SpongeBob's pet snail Gary from King Poseidon. However, after being captured, Mr. Krabs, Squidward, Sandy, and Plankton travel to rescue them.
In a heart-wrenching finale, SpongeBob's friends each make a case for SpongeBob's release by King Poseidon. Even a reluctant Squidward and Plankton talk about the good that SpongeBob has done for their lives. Thanks to his friends' selflessness, SpongeBob and company are able to escape King Poseidon and bring Gary home.
2 Up
This Pixar film was released in 2009 and follows an elderly man named Carl, who travels to South America in his flying house in honor of his late wife. Mistakenly, Carl ends up taking a boy scout named Russell, who helps him find his wife's dream home. Along the way, the two bond with each other, as well as a talking dog named Dug.
Eventually, the three cross paths with a malicious explorer, Charles Muntz, rescuing from him a rare flightless bird named Kevin. Carl ends up losing his home during a fight with Muntz, though finds solace in becoming a grandfather figure to Russell. In a heart-warming scene, Carl gives Russell a badge originally given to him by his wife.
1 Toy Story
In the world of movies that thrive on the power of friendship, Toy Story must be mentioned. Not only was Toy Story the first computer-animated film, but it also set the groundwork for many films about friendship to come. The movie follows Woody, the favorite toy of Andy, who becomes rivals with the boy's newest toy, Buzz Lightyear.
Thanks to Woody's sabotage, Buzz and Woody end up deserted by Andy and must find their way back home. On the way, they encounter an evil kid named Sid who threatens to destroy them. However, the two reconcile their differences and work together, as Buzz carries Woody through the air, flying towards Andy's moving truck.