The movies of 2021 feature so many battles and conflicts between characters, but there are also some really great friendships in this year at the movies. While movie romances can be quite engrossing, there is something about a platonic friendship done well that can really warm the hearts of audiences and make characters more relatable.

Just as 2021 offered a wide variety of movies, so too were the friendships different from one another. Some existed in the world of superhero adventures, others in more grounded dramas, and others in laugh-out-loud comedies. And while these friendships often had their difficult moments, watching them blossom added some charm to 2021.

10 Cry Macho

Clint Eastwood returned to acting for the drama Cry Macho. He plays a former cowboy who is hired to retrieve his boss’ son from Mexico and bring him to his new life in America. Though Mike and Rafo are forced together in this journey, they end up learning a lot from each other.

Despite their age difference, Mike and Rafo find a lot in common. Rafo encourages Mike to embrace aspects of living his has avoided all his life while Mike teaches Rafo not to go down the same path he did.

9 Task Force X – The Suicide Squad

Forcing a group of supervillains to team up is inevitably going to have some complications, but Task Force X in The Suicide Squad end up working together quite well. It is that initial reluctance among all the members that makes it even more rewarding when they team up.

While some of the members have ulterior motives and others want to eat their new friends, these negative, damaged and violent people end up making each other slightly better. Just the image of the dysfunctional bad guys dancing together in a bar makes them an endearing group.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

8 Jon And Michael – Tick, Tick… Boom!

The musical biopic Tick, Tick… Boom! is about Jonathan Larsen’s amazing journey to becoming one of the most powerful voices in Broadway history. However, it is also about the people who got him to that point, specifically his best friend Michael.

See also  Thor’s Forgotten Ragnarok Power Could Signal The End of His MCU Story

Jon and Michael are the rare kinds of friends who can tell the other the hard truths that they need to hear. However, they are also very caring and can inspire each other to take the path of uncertainty. And when they face their own tragedies, they are there to comfort each other.

7 Finch, Jeff And Goodyear – Finch

Given that Tom Hanks was able to form a touching friendship with a volleyball in Cast Away, it should not be all that surprising that he also pulls it off with a robot and a dog in Finch. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Finch the human, Goodyear the canine, and Jeff the robot set out on a journey to somewhere safe to start over.

As their story continues, there is more tragedy behind what brings these three unique characters together. But despite none of them being of the same species, they work as a team, teaching each other, helping each other, and learning to trust each other.

6 Thena And Gilgamesh – Eternals

The team in Eternals seem to be more of a family unit given the centuries they have spent together. However, there is a particularly strong bond between two of the members as Thena and Gilgamesh are true companions.

These two super-beings fight side-by-side for many years, and while they don’t share a romance like Ikaris and Sersi, their friendship is even stronger. Instead of allowing Thena’s mind to be wiped, Gilgamesh goes into exile with her to keep her safe. As strong as these two warriors are, this connection is the most powerful thing about them.

5 Guy And Buddy – Free Guy

For much of Free Guy, it seemed to be the story of a computer game character discovering his own agency and pursuing the woman of his dreams. However, while Guy is the hero of the story, it ends up being more about his friendship with fellow game character Buddy.

See also  BoJack Horseman: Todd's 10 Best Dumb Ideas, Ranked By Reddit Fans

While it initially might seem that these two characters are only friends through programming, it is Buddy who shows Guy that the simple fact that they are friends and care about each other means they are real. It is a surprisingly sweet relationship amidst the video game mayhem.

4 Luca And Alberto – Luca

The story of two young sea monsters coming to the surface and exploring the human world is a magical enough premise for a family-friendly movie. However, the real charm of Luca is the friendship between the two young leads that makes for one of Pixar’s most touching relationships.

Alberto and Luca form a quick bond with each other and learn a lot as their friendship evolves. It is also interesting that they are very different from each other and ultimately on different paths, yet they are still able to share that connection and support each other in the end.

3 Shang-Chi And Katy – Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings

It is a great thrill watching Shang-Chi being brought into the superhero world in his first solo movie, but it is even more entertaining to see him do so with his best friend Katy. Despite his amazing fighting skills, Shang-Chi finds much of his strength from Katy’s support.

Likewise, Katy’s journey alongside Shang-Chi allows her to grow as a person and be far more than just a funny sidekick character. Watching them link arms and walk into Wong’s portal at the end of the movie was a pure delight as it hints at so many more adventures from these buddies.

2 Eddie And Venom – Venom: Let There Be Carnage

While the dysfunctional relationship between Eddie Brock and the symbiote Venom was established in the first movie, Venom: Let There Be Carnage really dives into the oddness of this pairing as well as their surprisingly sweet connection.

See also  Pokémon Ash & Charizard Cosplay Is A Glowing Fiery Masterpiece

Playing similar to a rom-com relationship, these two constantly fight and even break up only to realize how much they need each other. Along with battling the villainous Carnage, these two coexisting beings learn how to live with and love each other.

1 Barb And Star – Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar

The outrageous comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar finds the two titular lifelong friends leaving their quiet hometown to head to a luxury resort. But their vacation quickly turns stranger and more dangerous than either of them could imagine.

However, it is through the unbreakable bond together that these two carry on and continue to be friends. They are so similar and could seemingly spend hours talking about their shared interests. And even when a love triangle threatens to disrupt the friendship, they always put their love for each other first.

NextSonic 2: Best Easter Eggs Unrelated To The Games

About The Author


Colin McCormick
(2033 Articles Published)

Colin McCormick is a Senior Writer with Screen Rant and has been a proud member of the team since 2019. In addition to his work as Screen Rant, Colin is also a writer of News, Feature and Review pieces at Game Rant. Colin has had a long passion and obsession with movies going back to the first time he saw The Lion King in theaters. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. While he loves to find interesting projects in any kind of genre, he has a special movie of crime stories that are infused with a little dark humor much like the work of his favorite author, Elmore Leonard.

More From Colin McCormick