Today, Sony announced 16 films set to be released in the near future, including the sequels Bad Boys 3 and 4. It’s been 20 years since Will Smith and Martin Lawrence graced the big screen as a budding bromance duo fighting crime. With the release of Straight Outta Compton in September we’ve decided to compile some of the best bromances in film…

Let’s face it, we’ve all got a soft spot for bromances on film. Supposedly, the ‘bromance film’ has really taken off in the last few years, but we reckon they’ve been around for decades… A bromance is the ultimate blend of mateship and well-timed humour that can be found in a range of genres from action to animated, and loads more.

Woody & Buzz (Toy Story)

Name us a friendship that had more meaning than the one between the cowboy and an the astronaut toys? That’s right, this list wouldn’t be complete without Woody and Buzz from Toy Story. Pixar created a pair that grew up with the children that first saw them in 1995 with Andy until they changed owners in 2010 with playful Bonnie. Though their bromance got off to a rocky and jealous start, it evolved into the stuff of legends.

Stu, Alan and Phil (The Hangover)

If there was one movie in 2009 that made you want to go out and make bad decisions with your mates, it was The Hangover. In this bromance-classic, Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis), and Phil (Bradley Cooper) party too hard in Vegas and lose their friend Doug. The film sees them follow a range of disturbing and hilarious clues to getting their buddy back.

Schmidt & Jenko (21 Jump Street)

Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) are two cops who join the secret Jump Street unit, and go under cover as high-school students. They trade in their guns and badges for backpacks and labels – ironically, Jenko as the nerd, and Schmidt as the jock. With the goal of shutting down a dangerous drug ring, the guys put their bromance to the test with raging parties, new friends and drug dealers who aren’t what they seem.

Roger Murtaugh and Martin Riggs (Lethal Weapon)

“We’re not too old for this shit” – in hindsight, they probably were, but Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Murtaugh (Danny Glover), a pair of L.A.P.D. detectives were definitely the bromance of the 80s/90s across the four Lethal Weapon movies. Full of car chases, crazy stunts, and cheesy banter, you can’t help but root for these guys.

Frodo and Sam (Lord Of The Rings)

Would you carry your best friend down a volcano? Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) have shared a collection of heart felt moments when in near death experiences, the pair have had countless gazes and exchanged words of comfort and fellowship throughout the trilogy. Saving Frodo’s life has made Sam the greatest example of heroism throughout the films entirety and had every fan crying in the pairs last moment as they shared a brotherly hug of content and sadness.

John and Ted (Ted and Ted 2)

The bromance to this pair is strong. Whoever thought a grown man would still be best pals with his childhood toy? Ted is seen as this fluffy bear creature with a thirst for partying and John (Mark Wahlberg) encourages him to be on the road to maturity. Although the two butt heads during the film, they eventually make amends with one another and for John, it’s a dream come true that he can share everything with his lifelong companion – same with Ted. A friendship where there’s room to be mature and immature at the same time.

Harold and Kumar (Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle and Escape from Guantanamo Bay)

The dynamic duo of Harold and Kumar has a strong force of the definition of ‘bromance’ here. With two funny stoner-comedy films and one exclusive Christmas release, these two have entertained millions of people around the world through their hilarious hallucinations, falling into awkward situations and their magnet towards chaos. Practical and ‘sensible’ Harold (John Cho) and nerdy, badass Kumar (Kal Penn) have shared everything together and despite their chaotic adventures, you learn that their friendship is one of a kind.

**Peter and Sydney (I Love you, Man)**

Bonding at a Rush concert, the pair share knowledge and moments that mirror female relationships with full blown man dates. In his first male fueled friendship, Peter (Paul Rudd) learns to welcome the idea of increasing his social circle and becoming more passionate in his life. Sydney (Jason Segel) learns a few things from Peter too, that encourage a more tasteful behaviour in his dating and behaviour (e.g. farting). No bromance could be as perfect as this one, as the two share those 3 words at various occasions, learning with and from each other on a road to Peter’s wedding day.

Dom and Brian (Fast and Furious)

The bromance between Dom (Vin Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker) started off tumultuous as the FBI agent crosses paths with the notorious street racer. After gaining his respect, Brian eventually gains Dom’s friendship throughout the franchise after bonding about NoS and resolving issues through a street race or two. The duo relied on each other in their most fearful moments and eventually grew from enemies to partner in crime. The two became family on and off screen, demonstrating a lifelong bromance that would surpass Walker’s passing in 2014.

Wayne and Garth (Wayne’s World)

Could their friendship stand the fame and fortune that their cable show brought? Sh’yeaaah ! These two kept each other grounded and remained the hilarious duo that started on Saturday Night Live and stretched out their unfathomable friendship to a new level.

Brennan and Dale (Step Brothers)

Brothers by marriage, Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly play step-brothers who display plenty of disdain as the pair are forced to live under the same roof both as grown leeches of their parents. Finding common ground only through their matched love for John Stamos and their building efforts of a bunk bed. Brennan and Dale are quick concocters of childhood mischief to avoid the tribulation of reality, like getting a job and the likelihood of divorce which could ruin their coddled lives. Together the pair have created a quotable movie that is relatable to all siblings, a love/hate relationship that can only be found in true friendship and complete hilarity.

Ice Cube + Chris Tucker (Friday)

Cube and Tucker shared such a potent chemistry on screen that calls for Tucker to return to the series have never been quietened. They were only together for one film, but Cube’s grounded frustration and Tucker’s bouyant genius made for one of the most legendary comedic bromance of all time.

Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowry (Bad Boys and Bad Boys II)

And finally when you pair a calm, cool character like Mike (Will Smith) with a short tempered butt of jokes that is Marcus (Martin Lawrence) you get a movie that is solely based on their collective humour and practical jokes on each other. The pair have become a bromance among action and comedic film fans alike, as their brotherly dialogue keeps viewers laughing to even spur the creation of a third and fourth Bad Boys film. We are yet to find out if Martin Lawrence and Will Smith will be reprising their memorable roles in the sequels set for a 2017 and 2019 release date respectively.

Check out the trailer below:

Until then, you can catch Straight Outta Compton, the film inspired by its directors and original members of rap group N.W.A. in Australian cinemas September 3, 2015.

This article was written with the assistance of Candace Magno and Chris Singh.

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Most Memorable Movie Bromances