Top 10 Co-Stars Who Are Best Friends In Real Life

#10: Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee

Various

These two horror legends shared the screen in over two dozen films, beginning with the Hammer Horror classics of the late 1950s. Beyond the Gothic fog, they formed a profound friendship characterized by mutual respect. Despite their contrasting temperaments, Lee described the gentle Cushing as the kindest man he ever knew. Following the 1971 death of Cushing's wife, Helen, Lee remained a steadfast support during his friend's darkest years. Their enduring bond proves that beautiful human connections can thrive behind even the most ghoulish on-screen personas.

#9: David Mitchell and Robert Webb

“Peep Show” (2002-15)

Not every great friendship is forged under the glare of Hollywood lights - sometimes it happens in a cramped student theater in Cambridge University, as it did for David Mitchell and Robert Webb at Cambridge University. Their instinctive comedic shorthand found a perfect home in the Channel 4 sitcom "Peep Show," where their real-life bond added authenticity to their roles as Mark Corrigan and Jeremy Usborne. Beyond their on-screen success from 2003 to 2015, the duo has collaborated extensively as writers and producers, maintaining a partnership built on creative trust. Mitchell views Webb as central to his career, proving that the strongest creative pairs are often personal friends first.

#8: Tom Holland and Jacob Batalon

“Spider-Man Home Trilogy” (2017-21)

Everybody’s talking about the romance that bloomed between Tom Holland and Zendaya over the course of three “Spider-Man” movies. But what about Holland’s bromance? The quirky friendship between Peter Parker and Jacob Batalon’s Ned Leeds was driven by the actors really becoming like family. They lived together as teenagers during the production of “Homecoming,” with Batalon comparing the arrangement to “a frat house.” Over time, of course, they developed a sincere bond that they expect will last forever. Mind you, with the adventures they shared, Batalon isn’t expecting to be the best man at Holland and Zendaya’s wedding.

#7: Dominic Monahan and Billy Boyd

“The Lord of the Rings Trilogy” (2001-03)

One of the best aspects of Peter Jackson’s adaptation of “The Lord of the Rings” was the hilarious Hobbit heroics of Peregrin Took and Merry Brandybuck. It’s no surprise that the rich chemistry between Billy Boyd and Dominic Monahan went beyond Middle-earth. They're certainly not shy about sharing the many adventures they've had since meeting on that historic production. Fans got to enjoy their seasoned banter and anecdotes on the podcast “The Friendship Onion.” And 2025 saw them embark on a culinary odyssey with the hit show “Billy & Dom Eat the World.” Maybe Monaghan and Boyd are pandering a bit when they say they're becoming more like Merry and Pippin, but they’re clearly sincere about growing that close.

#6: Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet

“Titanic” (1997) and “Revolutionary Road” (2008)

The actors who gave the world Jack and Rose are electric on screen. Their chemistry continued off the set, albeit as good friends. They might not have ended up a couple by the end of making “Titanic,” but anyone who goes through the hardship of making a James Cameron movie is probably bonded for life. Despite their different lives and busy schedules, Winslet says they always make time for a phone call. They were even each other’s dates for the 2016 Academy Awards, where both were nominated for separate movies. It was the fateful night that DiCaprio finally won his Oscar.

#5: Tom Felton and Emma Watson

“Harry Potter” series (2001-11)

None at Hogwarts dreaded Draco Malfoy more than Hermione Granger. The truth is that Emma Watson had a huge crush on the actually cool Tom Felton. That cleared up as the two became family over the course of a franchise that chronicled their coming-of-age. Their genuine lifelong friendship has brought a lot of support into their many ventures as adults. Watson says that Felton was her closest companion in managing the pressures of fame. And when she wrote the foreword for his 2022 memoir “Beyond the Wand,” she said that they’re “soulmates.” Felton and Watson have often had to downplay what they call a “love” for one another, but admit that it is hard to describe.

#4: Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy

“X-Men: Beginnings” franchise (2011-)

Deemed the new Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart (who we’ll get to later), these two actors share more than just the former’s characters. Though they first worked together on the “Band of Brothers” miniseries, their bromance as we know it began with the world of the “X-Men.” The two mutant besties even have a combined nickname: McFassy. Watch any interview the two have given and you’ll see the great chemistry that translates off screen, what with McAvoy easily cracking Fassbender up at every chance he gets. Here’s hoping James and Michael also continue their bond well past their current ages and into their 80s and beyond.

#3: Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston

Marvel Cinematic Universe

They met while filming “Thor” back in 2009 and have shared a friendship ever since. Having both of them come into fame at about the same time, they found that they had a lot more in common than just their onscreen characters did. Hemsworth has even called Hiddleston an honorary Hemsworth, saying that he’s adopted him as a brother. Meanwhile, Tom publicly thanked Chris when the former won an MTV award for best villain. They not only go to one another’s red carpet premieres, but also lovingly entertain each other at what could be stuffy events if you didn’t have a friend keeping you company.

#2: Simon Pegg and Nick Frost

Various

Nick Frost met buddy and collaborator Simon Pegg when Frost was a waiter at a restaurant in London. The two became friends and eventual roommates before going on to work together in projects like the box office hit “Shaun of the Dead.” Since their breakout, the two have continued to stay together both on and off-screen, such as in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy and the sci-fi comedy “Paul.” Like any close relationship, these two funny men have had their share of drama and fights. Simon Pegg has stated that while they may quarrel, they always end up back together again - just like in any family. And this family not only play

#1: Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart

“X-Men” (2000)

Sir Ian and Sir Patrick have both had long careers and even appeared together in a 1977 stage play, but didn’t keep in contact. In fact, it wasn’t until slightly more recently, in 2000’s “X-Men” that the two became BFFs. Their friendship is so tight that Sir Ian even married Sir Patrick to his wife in 2013. Also in the 2010s, McKellan and Stewart have been seen appearing together onstage in productions like “No Man’s Land” and of course, via their hysterical social media posts. Just because the 2020s see them both in their 80s doesn’t mean these two knights can’t still laugh at themselves.

What are your favorite film friendships? Make a connection in the comments below.