40 must watch chick flicks for the perfect girls' night in

Romcoms are an essential part of our understanding of life and (dare I be so bold to say) even our very survival, and if you haven't imbibed these must watch chick flicks, then, really, what have you been doing?

Whether you're supremely hungover, feeling a little sad, or you just want to put something really good on in the background, these films are sure to pep you up and make you feel fabulous.

They're classically funny, heart-warming and even though they might be "unrealistic" in some ways, they'll still inspire you to feel good about the world again.

must watch chick flicks Credit: Pexels

What are the 40 must watch chick flicks?

Watch any of these 40 films from the comfort of your very own blanket cocoon, or at a friend's place when you abandon plans to go out in favour of a cosy night in, and you won't be left disappointed.

It's an unspoken rule that you and all your girlfriends need to have seen every single one of these films because – to quote number four on this list – "that's just like, the rules of feminism!"

So go on, have a read and get inspired for your next movie night.

1. Notting Hill

A British bookseller, meets and falls in love with Anna, a high-profile American actress. However, their relationship is anything but straightforward due to their differing social statuses.

2. Crazy Stupid Love

Smart, funny, and starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling – that's all you need to ask for really. A middle aged man (Steve Carell) is left heartbroken after his wife asks for a divorce. In order to get over it, he starts picking up women at a bar, thanks to the advice of his new friend, Jacob, otherwise known as Ryan Gosling.

3. About Time

This is a really sweet film, once you can get past the fact that the main actor was one of Ron Weasley's brothers. Tim Lake, Domhnall Gleeson, possesses the ability to travel through time, like his father. With his special talent, he pursues his romantic interest, Rachel McAdams.

4. Mean Girls

The film we are reminded of every time it's October 3rd. Cady joins a new school and befriends Janis and Damian. They warn her to avoid the Plastics, a group led by Regina George, she, of course, does not follow their advice...

5. 10 Things I Hate About You

Nothing in this world will ever beat Heath Ledger singing Can't Take My Eyes Off You across the sports ground with the school's marching band.

Cameron can't date Bianca until her very anti-social older sister, Kat, has a boyfriend. To get around this, Cameron pays local bad boy, Patrick, to seduce Kat.

6. When Harry Met Sally

An encounter between two recent university graduates leads to a long-term friendship. As they navigate love and life together, their feelings for each other surprise everyone around them.

7. Legally Blonde

Bend and snap. Need I say more? Elle Woods' boyfriend breaks up with her for a "smarter" girl. In order to get revenge, Elle enrols in Harvard Law school.

8. The Holiday

The film that makes everyone want to run away to the English countryside for ~~Jude Law~~ Christmas.

Two women decide to swap homes over the Christmas break to deal with their respective breakups. However, they quickly find themselves falling for two local men...

9. He's Just Not That Into You

A sweet ode to how much dating can suck. Four men and five women struggle with their love lives, experiencing both heartbreak and surprising relationships.

10. Bridget Jones's Diary

Single woman, Bridget, begins writing a diary to chronicle her dating life, as well as her weight loss goals. Things get complicated, however, when two very different men come on the scene...

11. My Best Friend's Wedding

Julianne is horrified to discover that her best friend, Michael, is soon to be married. She decides to sabotage the wedding, and rekindle the relationship they had during university.

12. The Notebook

The ultimate romance story. Duke reads the love story of Noah and Allie to Ms. Hamilton, a woman who suffers from dementia. As it turns out, the story hits very close to home.

13. Clueless

The epitome of the 90s, and oh god the fashion... the fashion. If you haven't already watched this classic, Cher is a privileged high-school student who is struggling to cope with adolescence. Along the way, she helps another student gain popularity, and hijinks ensue.

14. Miss Congeniality

A tomboy detective is tasked with infiltrating the Miss United States beauty pageant, but first, she must assimilate

15. 50 First Dates

A hilarious film about short-term memory loss. Who woulda thought?

16. Pretty Woman

A modern interpretation of Cinderella, only better, and a little more x-rated.

17. How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days

Benjamin is challenged by his co-workers to make a woman fall in love with him. But Andie has to write an article on how to lose a man in 10 days.

Benjamin is challenged by his co-workers to make a woman fall in love with him. On the other hand, Andie has to write an article on how to lose a man in 10 days.

18. Bring It On

This is an American cheerleading film with a twist. You'll have 'Hey Mickey' stuck in your head for weeks...

19. Bridesmaids

A bold and hilarious new kind of flick chick courtesy of the fabulous Kristen Wiig.

20. The Devil Wears Prada

A young graduate becomes an assistant to the city's biggest fashion editor, Miranda Priestly. Soon, she can't even recognise herself...

21. She's The Man

When Viola is unable to play on the boy's football team, she disguises herself as her twin brother and participates in the tournament.

22. No Strings Attached

A film about modern romance starring the always perfect Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher.

23. 27 Dresses

After serving as a bridesmaid 27 times, Jane is left in the lurch when her sister announces that she's going to marry the man she loves. And then, she meets a journalist with

Meanwhile, she also meets a cynical journalist who has a hidden agenda.

24. Titanic

Rose is from an aristocratic family and is due to get married. That all changes when she boards the Titanic and meets a destitute artist, named Jack.

25. Dirty Dancing

When vacationing with her parents at a resort, Frances takes a shine to the rebellious dance instructor...

27. Sex And The City

The film is admittedly a very long, OTT version of everything the series leads up to, but it's great.

28. 500 Days Of Summer

A film that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, but in a constructive way.

29. A Cinderella Story

We need at least one Hilary Duff film in here, and this high-school fairytale does it.

30. Love Actually

A rom-com that's even become a bit of a Christmas tradition for a lot of us, featuring interwoven storylines and characters, it really is a feel-good flick.

31. Crazy Rich Asians

Rachel is shocked to discover that her boyfriend Nick comes from one of the richest families in the country.

32. Yesterday

Jack Malik is a struggling singer-songwriter, but this all changes after a freak bus accident during a bizarre global blackout. Jack wakes up to discover that the Beatles never existed and chooses to plagiarise them... to great success.

33. High Fidelity

Rob, a thirty-year-old record store owner, tries to understand why he's always been unlucky in love in one of the best ever must watch chick flicks.

34. Trainwreck

Amy Schumer stars as a magazine writer who believes that relationships hold no value. This all changes when she meets a sports doctor...

35. Love Simon

Simon keeps his sexuality a secret from his family. But when a blackmailer threatens to expose him, he attempts to come to terms with his sexual orientation.

36. Never Been Kissed

Josie must go undercover to a high school to report on the lives of student, and the experience dredges up many repressed memories.

37. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

After his breakup with Sarah, Peter decides to go to Hawaii to get over her. He's in for a shock, as he quickly discovers that Sarah is in the same resort, and with her new boyfriend to boot.

38. The Proposal

When high-flying editor faces deportation to Canada, she convinces her assistant Andrew to marry her in return for a promotion.

39. Always Be My Maybe

Childhood sweethearts fall out and proceed to not speak for the next 15 years. They meet again as adults when they run into each other in San Francisco and sparks fly.

40. Pitch Perfect

The storyline follows Barden University's all-girl acappella group, The Barden Bellas, as they compete against another acapella group from their university to win the Nationals. It really is one of the greatest must watch chick flicks.

Now hurry along and call your girls over, get some popcorn going in the microwave and plonk yourselves into a nice spot rich with cushions and blankets for one of these must watch chick flicks.