Let’s be real for a second. There is something almost hauntingly specific about the way the 2005 adaptation of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants makes you feel. It isn't just about the jeans—though, honestly, finding a pair of thrift store Levi's that fits four different body types is the ultimate cinematic fantasy. It’s that specific mid-2000s cocktail of sun-drenched cinematography, genuine adolescent grief, and the kind of friendship that feels like a physical safety net.
Finding films like the sisterhood of the traveling pants can feel like a fool’s errand because most "teen movies" today lean so hard into irony or hyper-stylized "Euphoria" vibes. But if you're looking for that raw, heartfelt, "I might actually cry in front of my salad" energy, they do exist. You just have to know where to look.
The "Summer That Changed Everything" Trope
If the part of Sisterhood you loved most was the sense of a pivotal summer—the kind where you leave as one person and come back as another—you have to talk about Now and Then (1995). It’s basically the spiritual grandmother of the genre.
Set in the 70s, it follows four girls (played by the likes of Christina Ricci and Thora Birch) dealing with everything from séances to the very real, heavy shadow of a local mystery. It nails that feeling of being twelve and standing on the edge of the rest of your life. Like Carmen or Bridget, these girls are messy. They fight. They have "blood brothers" pacts that actually mean something.
Then there’s The Way Way Back (2013). It’s not a girl-gang movie, but it captures the specific isolation of being the "Tibby" of your family. Liam James plays Duncan, a kid stuck at a beach house with his mom’s terrible boyfriend (played with chilling accuracy by Steve Carell). It has that same bittersweet, humid atmosphere where a random summer job at a water park becomes the place where you finally find your voice.
📖 Related: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
Why these stories still hit home
- Emotional Stakes: They don't treat teenage problems like "phases."
- The Setting: Usually a place far from home (Greece, Baja, a random summer camp).
- Growth: The characters end the movie fundamentally different than they started.
Films Like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants: The Modern Successors
We’ve moved past the era of the "chick flick" label, and honestly, good riddance. Modern cinema has given us some heavy hitters that carry the Sisterhood torch with even more nuance. Take Lady Bird (2017). Greta Gerwig basically wrote a love letter to the friction of female friendship and the complicated "I hate you/I am you" relationship with a mother.
When Lady Bird and her best friend Julie have their falling out, it feels just as devastating as when Carmen feels replaced by her father’s new family. It’s the same DNA.
If you want something that leans into the humor but keeps the heart, Booksmart (2019) is the one. Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever have a chemistry that feels lived-in. You believe they’ve spent a decade in each other’s bedrooms. It’s faster, funnier, and more chaotic than Sisterhood, but the core is identical: two people against the world, terrified of what happens when the world starts pulling them in different directions.
The Heavy Hitters of Female Solidarity
Sometimes you don't want a "coming of age" story. Sometimes you want the "already arrived and struggling" story. Steel Magnolias (1989) is the gold standard here. If you think the scene with Tibby and Bailey in the hospital was tough, this movie will absolutely wreck you. It’s set in a Louisiana beauty salon, and it proves that "sisterhood" isn't just for teenagers. It’s for the women who show up when life falls apart.
👉 See also: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
Similarly, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002) explores the intergenerational side of things. It’s a bit more Southern Gothic and eccentric, but it deals with the same themes of "found family" and the secrets women keep to protect each other.
Beyond the Surface: Looking for Nuance
A lot of people overlook Girlhood (2014), a French film (Bande de filles) by Céline Sciamma. It’s a bit grittier, following a young Black girl in the Paris suburbs who joins a gang of three other girls. While it’s visually stunning and has a legendary scene set to Rihanna's "Diamonds," it captures that Sisterhood essence of "who am I without these people?" It’s a reminder that the need for a tribe is universal, regardless of the zip code or the socioeconomic status.
Real-world impact of these narratives
These films aren't just "escapism." Researchers like Dr. Stacy L. Smith at the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative have long pointed out how rare it is to see female friendships that aren't centered entirely around a male love interest. When we watch films like the sisterhood of the traveling pants, we’re seeing a reflection of the support systems that actually keep women afloat in the real world.
A Quick Cheat Sheet for Your Next Watch
If you’re staring at the Netflix home screen and can't decide, use this "vibe check" to pick your next movie:
✨ Don't miss: Ashley My 600 Pound Life Now: What Really Happened to the Show’s Most Memorable Ashleys
- If you loved the Greece scenes (Lena’s vibe): Watch Mamma Mia! (for the scenery) or Call Me By Your Name (for the ache).
- If you loved the soccer/grit (Bridget’s vibe): Watch Bend It Like Beckham. It’s a classic for a reason.
- If you loved the filming/documentary aspect (Tibby’s vibe): Watch Eighth Grade. It’s painful in its honesty about the digital age.
- If you loved the family drama (Carmen’s vibe): Watch Real Women Have Curves. It also stars a young America Ferrera and is incredible.
Moving Forward With Your Movie Marathon
Don't just stop at the big-name studio releases. The beauty of the "friendship" genre is that it’s often where indie filmmakers do their best work because it doesn't require a $100 million budget—it just requires a good script and actors who actually like each other.
To get the most out of these movies, try watching them with the people they remind you of. There’s a reason these films become "sleepover staples." They’re meant to be shared. Check out some of the older classics like Fried Green Tomatoes or even The Joy Luck Club to see how these themes of sisterhood have evolved over the decades.
If you're looking for a specific place to start tonight, queue up "Now and Then" or "Booksmart" depending on whether you want a nostalgic cry or a modern laugh. Both will give you that same sense of belonging that the Traveling Pants provided nearly twenty years ago.
Next Steps for the Film Buff:
- Check streaming availability: Use a site like JustWatch to see which of these are currently on your platforms.
- Look for the books: Many of these (like The Joy Luck Club or Sisterhood itself) are based on novels that offer even more internal monologue.
- Create a shared watchlist: Use an app like Letterboxd to share a "Sisterhood Vibes" list with your closest friends.