There’s nothing like a good chick flick to help you escape from reality when you need a break from it all. Often hilarious and sentimental at the same time, chick flicks seem to have the power to cheer us up and to let us unwind from the stress of daily life. The best ones also convey meaningful messages to us between the lines that teach us about life and help us understand ourselves better.
Although there have been iconic chick flicks in every decade, the early 2000s were famous for providing us with a flood of unforgettable female-centric films that still warm our hearts today. The characters that came out of the era, including Elle Woods and Bridget Jones, are among the most memorable and the most lovable. Check out these amazing chick flicks from the early 2000s.
15 Every Girl Should Watch Legally Blonde At Least Once
Legally Blonde is the type of chick flick that every girl needs to watch once. Not only is this iconic tale a barrel of laughs, but it also portrays a strong message about women rising to more than they always thought they could, and finding the value in intelligence and hard work over looks.
14 We Can’t Skip Bring It On
When it comes to guilty pleasures from the 2000s, we can’t go past Bring it On. This movie tells the story of a cheerleading captain who learns that her squad has stolen choreography from another school’s cheer squad and must rise to the challenge of being a true cheerleading captain.
13 Crossroads Is Perfect For Britney Fans
Crossroads might not have pleased the critics, but this movie is a must-watch for any fan of Britney Spears. The popstar stars as Lucy, a girl who embarks on a trip across the country in search of her mom who abandoned her, with two old frenemies and a cute guy in tow.
12 Mean Girls Is A Classic
It’s easy to see why Mean Girls has become a classic. The tale of a clique of high school girls who are horrible to each other is incredibly hilarious and entertaining, but it also teaches a valuable lesson to teenage girls about how to treat people and how to avoid becoming a Regina George-like figure.
11 A Cinderella Story Is The Ultimate Fairy Tale
Who needs Disney when you’ve got A Cinderella Story? Just kidding, we’ll always need Disney. But A Cinderella Story, starring Hilary Duff, is one of our favorite modern fairy tales. Duff stars as Sam, a girl who’s treated like a slave by her stepmother while she develops a virtual relationship with the popular guy at school.
10 We’re Still Obsessed With Sweet Home Alabama
As far as we’re concerned, Sweet Home Alabama will never get old. This film tells the story of Melanie Smooter, an Alabama girl who makes it big in New York but returns to her hometown to tie up a few loose ends from her past before marrying the mayor’s son.
9 Bridget Jones Will Always Be So Relatable
The character of Bridget Jones has to be one of the most relatable in history. The problems that she faces, like trying to find the motivation to exercise and lay off the wine, are issues that most of us have faced at one point or another. All the installments of the Bridget Jones’s Diary franchise are worth watching again!
8 We Love The Strong Female Protagonist In Miss Congeniality
We always have time for a chick flick that features a strong and charismatic female protagonist that doesn’t need to be rescued like a damsel in distress. In Miss Congeniality, Sandra Bullock stars as detective Gracie Hart, the ultimate independent female protagonist who is a capable and impressive role model.
7 Honey Still Makes Us Want To Dance
It doesn’t matter how many times we watch Honey. This Jessica Alba film can always give us the energy to get up and start dancing (although we never look quite as good as Honey Daniels herself). Easily one of the best dance films of the noughties, Honey has definitely reached icon status.
6 It’s Impossible To Watch The Notebook With Dry Eyes
We’ve put ourselves to the test and the results are in: it’s officially impossible to watch The Notebook without crying. There are plenty of sentimental moments throughout this epic Southern love story, but the most emotional scenes take place at the end when the old Noah and Allie Calhoun finally finish their story.
5 See A Young Blake Lively In The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants
Long before she starred in A Simple Favor, The Age of Adaline, or Gossip Girl, Blake Lively appeared in the teen chick flick The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. No matter how old you are, this is always a comforting story to watch unfold, and one that will remind you to always appreciate your best friends.
4 How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days Is Always Great For A Laugh
If you’re looking for a light-hearted movie that can attach you to the characters and still make you laugh until your sides hurt, look no further than How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Both Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey are incredible in this modern love story set amongst the chaos of New York City.
3 Bend It Like Beckham Is One Of Our Favorites
Featuring soccer and David Beckham, Bend it Like Beckham isn’t your average chick flick. But this iconic British movie, about a London girl from an Indian family who dreams of playing soccer professionally, is such a success because it touches on subjects that audiences all over the world can relate to, including resisting gender stereotypes and embracing your own background.
2 J.Lo Shines In Maid In Manhattan
Throughout the early 2000s, Jennifer Lopez starred in quite a few chick flicks that helped her to cement her place as a movie star. But our favorite is easily Maid in Manhattan, in which Lopez portrays a maid who falls in love with a politician staying at the hotel she works at.
1 We Still Love Coyote Ugly
It really doesn’t matter how many years go by—we’ll never stop being obsessed with Coyote Ugly. Full of memorable characters and unforgettable lines, this movie about a songwriter trying to make it big has a lot going for it. Above all, the soundtrack still has us hooked, all these years later.