More than two decades after ‘Legally Blonde’ first charmed audiences with Reese Witherspoon’s unforgettable performance as Elle Woods, the franchise is preparing to make a comeback. The upcoming prequel series ‘Elle’ will take us back six years before the events of the beloved film to explore Elle’s teenage years.
But while you wait for the prequel to arrive, there’s no better time to revisit some of the most classic movies like ‘Legally Blonde’. To save you from endless scrolling for your next movie night pick, here are 10 films that are totally Elle-approved.
10. The House Bunny (2008)
If your favorite part of ‘Legally Blonde’ was the sorority sisterhood, ‘The House Bunny’ is the perfect follow-up. The movie is also written by the creators of ‘Legally Blonde’.
Shelley Darlingson is a Playboy Bunny who suddenly finds herself with no home or job after a decade of living in a mansion. She ends up at the struggling Zeta Alpha Zeta sorority. She uses her years of experience to help the group of socially awkward sisters gain confidence and embrace who they really are.
9. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Elle Woods and Bridget Jones may seem completely different, but once you watch this movie, you’ll realize they share the same roots. Tired of being pitied by her married friends, Bridget decides to take control of her life and document her journey in a personal diary.
Along the way, she gets caught up between two very different men, all while trying to learn to believe in herself. Just like Elle, we just can’t stop rooting for Bridget. And you are always in luck, because the film also spawned two equally charming sequels.
8. Working Girl (1988)
Long before Elle Woods proved everyone wrong at Harvard Law, Tess McGill was doing the same in the corporate world. Tess is constantly undermined by her coworkers and dismissed because of her appearance and background.
She goes to business night school and tries her best to pitch profitable ideas, only to find them being stolen from her. So, when her boss gets injured in a ski accident, Tess decides to secretly take over her role and prove everyone wrong.
7. Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
One of the main reasons we still love ‘Legally Blonde’ is because of Reese Witherspoon’s iconic portrayal of Elle Woods. If you simply can’t get enough of her, ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ must be your next pick.
She stars as Melanie Carmichael, a successful New York fashion designer who returns to her small Alabama hometown to finalize a divorce from the husband she left behind years ago, only to find old memories pulling her towards a life she’s grown out of.
6. Romy And Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)
Friendship and personal growth take center stage in this cult classic starring Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow. Best friends Romy and Michele are attending their ten-year high school reunion.
The only problem is they are single, broke, and insecure. Embarrassed by the lack of traditional success in their lives, they decide to just pretend. Unfortunately, their lies quickly spiral out of control in this touching story about why it is so important to stay true to yourself.
5. 13 Going On 30 (2004)
If anyone can come even close to rivaling Elle Woods’ wardrobe, then it has to be Jenna Rink in ’13 Going on 30′. After wishing she could just skip life till she is “30, flirty, and thriving,” 13-year-old Jenna wakes up as a thirty-year-old magazine editor in New York City.
Her life is suddenly all glamorous and perfect. But soon, Jenna realizes that growing up isn’t as simple as she imagined. If you want another lovable protagonist and a feel-good story, this is a must-watch after ‘Legally Blonde’.
In Case You Missed It: 10 Things You Never Knew About ‘Legally Blonde’
4. The First Wives Club (1996)
No other movie has come close to packing humor, friendship, and female empowerment quite like ‘The First Wives Club’. Three former college friends reunite after years apart to discover they all have something in common.
Each of them has been wronged by their ex-husband. Determined not to be plain victims, they join forces to reclaim their lives, plus find a little payback on the way. They band together and call themselves “The First Wives Club.”
3. Miss Congeniality (2000)
Just like ‘Legally Blonde’, this early 2000s classic also proves that first impressions aren’t always completely true. Gracie is a tough FBI agent who has little interest in beauty pageants. But a bomb threat forces her to go undercover as a contestant in the Miss United States competition.
Suddenly, she is a fish out of water in this hilarious comedy that perfectly blends humor with heartfelt personal growth. Fans of Elle’s journey from an underestimated blonde to a legal powerhouse will absolutely love ‘Miss Congeniality’.
2. Clueless (1995)
If Elle Woods has a soul sister, it must be Cher Horowitz. Loosely inspired by Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’, ‘Clueless’ follows the fashionable and popular Cher as she navigates friendship, romance, family, and high school life in Beverly Hills.
After trying to play matchmaker for those around her, Cher begins to realize she has to toss aside the superficial things in life to find a new direction. ‘Clueless’ remains one of the most influential teen comedies ever made, and we are totally expecting to see something like it in the prequel ‘Elle’.
1. Erin Brockovich (2000)
At the top of the list is a film that shares a DNA with ‘Legally Blonde’. Based on a true story, Julia Roberts stars as the titular protagonist in this movie. Erin is an unemployed, single mother of three, living in Los Angeles.
Somehow, she lands a job at a law office and unexpectedly uncovers a major environmental scandal in the city. Suddenly, she is up against the most powerful energy company in California, but Erin refuses to back down.
You Might Also Like To Read: Reese Witherspoon Breaks Down Over James Van Der Beek’s Final Role In ‘Legally Blonde’ Prequel Series ‘Elle’
