Clerks (1994)
The Cool Friends: A pair of bored, disenfranchised Generation X-ers, Randal and Dante might not enjoy their jobs, but they'd enjoy them a hell of a lot less if they weren't working next door to each other. Misery loves company, after all.
Coolest Moment: Their geek-baiting discussion of labour conditions during the construction of the Death Star. You know you've found a true friend when they're willing to nerd out with you in such spectacular style.
Stand By Me (1986)
The Cool Friends: One of the sweetest friendships on this list, Chris Chambers takes on the mantle of Gordie's older brother (his actual brother having died some years previously), looking out for him at every turn. As the grown-up Gordie later muses, "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?"
Coolest Moment: Chris's determination that Gordie make something of his life is probably the most touching, but when it comes to cool points, the train dodge takes some beating!
The Big Lebowski (1998)
The Cool Friends: The Dude and Walter couldn't be less alike in their approach to life, what with Walter's manic energy and his friend's shoulder-shrugging apathy. However, they can't help but bond over their primary passion in life: bowling. The great leveller…
Coolest Moment: A quiet moment shared together as they scatter the ashes of their friend Donnie. "Goodnight sweet prince."
Beaches (1988)
The Cool Friends: A rare example of a celluloid female friendship where the women involved are allowed to bond over more than just men, CC and Hillary are best buds from childhood to the bitter end. Speaking of which, you'd better have a box of kleenex ready come the film's heartbreaking finale…
Coolest Moment: It's got to be Bette Midler singing Wind Beneath My Wings , hasn't it? Oft-parodied, but still affecting in its own right.
E.T. (1982)
The Cool Friends: Elliott and E.T. might not speak the same language. They're not even from the same galaxy. And yet the friendship they share is probably the purest on the entire list. It's all love, baby.
Coolest Moment: The heartbreaking farewell, in which E.T. gives Elliott one last cuddle before heading back from whence he came. Sniff.
50 / 50 (2011)
The Cool Friends: Kyle really comes into his own when best friend Adam falls prey to cancer, his chances of survival sitting at just 50%. While his flaky girlfriend runs a mile, Adam can always depend on his tubby, foul-mouthed bezzie to pick him up when he needs it.
Coolest Moment: Adam uses Kyle's bathroom, only to discover a stack of books about coping with cancer, with the relevant passages highlighted and annotated. We're tearing up just thinking about it.
Toy Story (1995)
The Cool Friends: Woody and Buzz, Andy's two favoured toys, initially rub each other up the wrong way before finally bonding as they overcome a perilous car-chase at the end of the first film. Plenty of further tiffs ensue, but by and large, they're allies through thick and thin.
Coolest Moment: Their first square-up in Andy's room. "You wanna do it the hard way, huh?" begins Woody. "Don't even think about it Cowboy," growls Buzz, menacingly…
Bridesmaids (2011)
The Cool Friends: Annie and Lillian, who share a rare example of a female movie friendship that actually rings true. As we see them swearing, laughing and generally titting about together, there's a palpable sense of just how well the pair of them get on. Sex And The City , take note.
Coolest Moment: Their gleeful singalong to Wilson Phillips at Lillian's extravagantly OTT wedding.
Top Gun (1986)
The Cool Friends: We hesitate to describe Maverick and Goose as merely "friends", such is the homoerotic nature of their mutual appreciation. However, as we're not entirely certain they're a closet couple, they qualify, if only for that awesome high-five routine.
Coolest Moment: The volleyball match, obviously. Aviators ahoy!
The Odd Couple (1968)
The Cool Friends: With Felix going through the trauma of a divorce, Oscar does the decent thing and offers his pal a place to stay. The two proceed to get on each others' tits for the duration of the film, but it's still a nice gesture!
Coolest Moment: When Oscar realises a bit of Felix's neurosis has rubbed off on him, telling the rest of the guys to clean up their mess after the latest in a long line of poker games.
