Let’s be real for a second. The term "chick flick" has been used as a bit of a localized insult for decades. It usually conjures up images of predictable plots, aggressively pink marketing, and a climax involving someone running through an airport. But things are shifting. If you’ve been looking for chick movies to watch lately, you might have noticed they don’t all look like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days anymore.
We’re in a weird, wonderful renaissance. Hollywood finally realized that "movies for women" isn't a monolith. Sometimes we want a slow-burn romance that makes our chest ache, and sometimes we want a psychological thriller about the horrors of being a woman in her 40s.
The New Classics: What’s Actually Worth Your Time Right Now
If you haven’t seen People We Meet on Vacation yet, honestly, what are you doing? It just dropped on Netflix and it is basically the blueprint for the modern chick movies to watch list. It’s based on the Emily Henry novel, and it stars Emily Bader and Tom Blyth.
It’s got that "best friends to lovers" trope that we all pretend to be over but secretly inhale. They travel together every summer. They’re total opposites—she’s chaotic, he’s buttoned-up. It’s the "yearning" that sells it. Seeing Tom Blyth (who we all remember from The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes) play a quiet, steady guy is a total 180, and it works.
But it’s not just about the fluffy stuff.
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Why the "Vibe" Shift Matters
For a long time, these movies were white-washed and heteronormative. You know the drill. A girl in a pencil skirt realizes her billionaire boss is actually her soulmate. Yawn.
Now? We’re getting movies like The Drama (starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson—yes, seriously). It’s an A24 production, so you know it’s going to be stressful. It’s about a couple on the verge of marriage when a secret comes out. It’s "chick flick" adjacent because it’s centered on the relationship, but it’s gritty and weird. That’s the variety we’ve been missing.
The Ultimate Checklist for Your Next Movie Night
I’ve spent way too much time scrolling through Letterboxd to find the ones that actually hold up. Here’s a breakdown of what to queue up depending on your mood.
- The "I Want to Cry" Option: One Day. The Anne Hathaway movie is a classic, but the series that hit a while back really reignited the obsession. It’s devastating. Watch it only if you have tissues and no plans the next morning.
- The "Sun-Drenched Escape": You, Me & Tuscany. Halle Bailey is leading this one, and it’s pure wish fulfillment. She flies to Italy, ends up in a stranger's villa, and (obviously) has to pretend she’s engaged to Regé-Jean Page. It’s trope-heavy, but the scenery alone is worth the 90 minutes.
- The Gothic Romance: Wuthering Heights (2026). Emerald Fennell is directing Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. It’s controversial because of the casting, but Fennell always makes things "water-cooler" worthy. If you liked Saltburn, you’ll probably find this fascinating.
Beyond the Romance: The Rise of the Female Protagonist
We need to talk about The Substance. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley absolutely killed it. It’s "body horror," but at its heart, it’s a movie about the female experience—specifically the pressure to stay young.
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Variety recently noted that in 2024, for the first time in history, the percentage of top-grossing films with female protagonists equaled those with male protagonists. That’s huge. It means the chick movies to watch category is expanding to include things that are visceral, angry, and high-concept.
The Colleen Hoover Universe
Love her or hate her, Colleen Hoover is the queen of the box office right now. Reminders of Him is hitting theaters soon with Maika Monroe. It deals with some heavy stuff—prison, redemption, estranged kids. It’s definitely on the "emotional drama" side of the spectrum.
Then there’s Verity. Anne Hathaway is playing Verity Crawford. This one is more of a psychological thriller. If you’ve read the book, you know the ending is a total mind-trip. It’s proof that the genre is moving into darker, more complex territory.
How to Choose What to Watch
Most people make the mistake of just picking whatever is trending on the Netflix Top 10. Don't do that. Think about what you actually need.
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- Check the Director: Are you in the mood for Emerald Fennell’s stylized chaos or something more grounded like Greta Gerwig?
- Look for "Yearning": This is a specific metric. Some movies are about the chase, some are about the choice. People We Meet on Vacation is 100% yearning.
- The Rewatch Factor: Sometimes you don’t want something new. You want Legally Blonde or 13 Going on 30. There is zero shame in that. In fact, streaming platforms are leaning into this by licensing more "comfort" classics because they know we all just want to see Jennifer Garner dance to "Thriller" for the 50th time.
Actionable Steps for Your Weekend
If you’re ready to dive into some chick movies to watch, start with the new releases first. People We Meet on Vacation is the easiest win—it’s accessible, funny, and looks great. If you’re feeling more adventurous, keep an eye out for the limited release of Pillion starring Alexander Skarsgård. It’s a bit more "indie" and daring, but it’s part of this new wave of relationship-focused cinema that doesn’t play by the old rules.
Check your local indie theater for Wuthering Heights this February. The soundtrack is by Charli xcx, which basically tells you everything you need to know about the "vibe." It’s going to be stylish, loud, and probably a little bit divisive.
Lastly, don't sleep on the book-to-screen adaptations. Most of the best female-led stories right now are coming from #BookTok favorites. Following authors like Emily Henry or Colleen Hoover on social media is actually a great way to see what’s getting greenlit before it even hits the trailers.
Grab your favorite snacks, find a cozy spot, and remember that there’s no such thing as a "guilty pleasure" when it comes to good storytelling. Whether it’s a messy breakup drama or a sun-soaked Italian romance, if it makes you feel something, it’s a good movie.