Films are a form of art and their purpose can vary. Whether it be entertainment, education, or evoking emotion, movies have the ability to do all. The most effective way to entertain and educate is to arguably evoke emotion from the audience, and what better way to evoke emotion than displaying family dynamics. From dysfunctional families like that seen in Little Miss Sunshine to the perfect ideal in Little Women (2019), family is a popular topic in cinema because of the multitude of narratives that can be mined. That said, a special relationship that deserves more attention is the relationship between sisters.
Not all of us have been blessed with sisters; fortunately, cinema can bring the feeling that a sisterly bond brings right to us through the silver screen. We see how family and femininity intersect through the sister bond. For example: in Little Women, Jo has no interest in getting married because it’s what she’s supposed to do, while her younger sister Amy can only focus on marriage. Despite the contrast of these two characters, they are still able to see each other eye-to-eye thanks to their sisterhood. These are movies about sisters that we can’t live without.
9 Little Women (2019)
Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women (2019) follows Jo March and her three sisters after the American Civil War. The sisters are brought back together when Beth develops a horrible illness. The novel Little Women was based on Louisa May Alcott’s real life and her relationships with her own sisters, which is part of what makes it so touching. Little Women is a heartwarming story about the struggles of poverty, marriage, the role of women, and the bond between sisters. While the book has been adapted numerous times, the most recent adaptation by Greta Gerwig is truly unique and some say it's even radical in the way Jo exclaims her frustrations with being forced to play the “role of a woman”.
8 My Sister’s Keeper
Anna was conceived to be a bone marrow donor for her older sister Kate and donated a multitude of organs to her older sister over her short 13 years. When Anna threatens to sue her parents for medical emancipation, their family is pushed to the breaking point. My Sister’s Keeper was adapted from Jodi Picoult’s novel of the same name. The film not only evaluates the morality behind having a child for the sake of being a “saviour sibling”, but it also dives deep into the effects this has on the children involved and the strain it puts on their relationship.
7 Hannah & Her Sisters
Probably one of the most underrated films on this list, Hannah and Her Sisters follows Hannah, Lee, and Holly over the course of three years, the time being marked by Thanksgiving dinners. Lee is having an affair with Hannah’s husband, Holly is frustrated by her lack of fulfillment in life, and Hannah tries to keep everything afloat. With stars like Mia Farrow and Michael Caine, Hannah and her Sisters is a joy to watch. While the drama keeps you intrigued and wanting more, you are never left bored as there is always something changing between the sisters.
6 Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Pride & Prejudice follows the five Bennet sisters and their quests to obtain husbands. When young Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy come to town, Jane and Lizzie are put under strain by their mother to become a bride to one of them. Lizzie has no interest in the snobbish Mr. Darcy, but is keen to see Jane marry Bingley whom she likes a great deal, but it seems Mr. Darcy is not so keen. An adaptation of the Jane Austen novel Pride & Prejudice, the 2005 film starring Kiera Knightley and Matthew MacFayden is a stylized romantic approach to the story and is considered one of the best movies based on classic literature.
5 Atonement
Some may not agree with the choice of Atonement as a "good" sister movie, but it accurately displays the difficulties of sisterhood and even the jealousy that might occur when the sisters are romantically interested in the same man. When Cecilia’s true love Robbie is wrongfully imprisoned at the word of her younger sister Briony, their sisterly bond is put to the test as Briony realizes her mistake, in her adult life, and seeks to atone for it. Over the course of several years, Briony is forced to face the guilt of what she’s done and no matter what she does, it haunts her until her dying day. Atonement was nominated for several awards and is considered one of Saoirse Ronan’s best films.
4 Frozen
Frozen is the first Disney film to focus solely on a sister relationship rather than a romantic one. It follows Anna and her sister Elsa, who must hide her powers from both her sister and her kingdom in order to keep them safe. Elsa runs away when her power is discovered, but Anna will do anything to find her, meeting Sven and Krystoff along the way. Frozen wonderfully analyzes the sister relationship and displays how siblings are willing to move mountains to keep their relationship intact. However, it also displays the pressure, often placed on the eldest, to take care of your siblings, which is what causes Elsa to hide her power in the first place.
3 Sense and Sensibility
Yet another Jane Austen adaptation on the list, Sense & Sensibility is more than just a classic story of romance: it is about the bond between them. Elinor and Marianne are made destitute when their father dies and they are forced to move from their childhood home. Upon moving to a new home, the women encounter suitors along the way, but the circumstances are constantly changing and the suitors seem to fly in and out of their lives. Despite their romantic struggles, Elinor and Marianne are always there for each other, no matter what may happen, they will always have each other.
2 The Parent Trap
Twins Annie and Hallie, separated by their divorced parents, are reunited by chance. Though living on different sides of the Atlantic, the girls devise a plan to swap identities so they may spend time with the parent they’ve missed out on. The Parent Trap is a classic story of a natural sibling relationship. While the girls had never met before, they quickly became close and devised a plan that would not only benefit them but has the potential to reunite their entire family. Directed by Nancy Myers and starring Lindsay Lohan as both Annie and Hallie, The Parent Trap is a light-hearted film that is bound to remind everyone of the importance of family. The Parent Trap was popular enough to warrant a reunion.
1 27 Dresses
The title deceives with this one as Jane is forced to plan her sister Tess’ wedding in a record three weeks. Not to mention that Tess is getting married to Jane’s boss and long-time crush that she’s pined over for years. 27 Dresses is a light romantic comedy that also displays how difficult it can be to put your own wants aside for the love of a sister. Starring Katherine Heigl and James Marsden, 27 Dresses is a unique film that displays a love of love.