The most iconic besties and chaos duos that we loved in the 80s.
From pizza-obsessed turtles to detention-forged bonds, the 80s delivered unforgettable duos (and squads) that taught us about loyalty, chaos, and the power of showing up for your people… even if “your people” includes a luck dragon or a sarcastic alien who keeps trying to eat the cat.
This isn’t just a list, think of it more like a friendship roll call, complete with extremely important (and totally made-up) stats. So please join us in raising a slice of pizza, a boombox, or a proton pack to the best friendships of the 80s.
Bill & Ted
Time travel bros who probably forgot what day it is, but still show up for each other (eventually).
Friendship Style: Time-traveling bros
Shared Brain Cell: 1
Time-Space Continuum Violations Together: 14 (and counting)
Signature Move: Saving history with guitar solos and good vibes
Friendship Motto: Be excellent to each other.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Pizza-powered sibling chaos with big “save the world, then snack” energy.
Friendship Style: Brothers by ooze, bonded by pizza
Shared Hobby: Beating up villains and arguing about toppings
Pizza Slices Consumed Together: Roughly 87,000
Signature Move: Group attack, followed by group nap
Friendship Motto: Cowabunga, obviously!
Ferris Bueller & Cameron Frye
The ultimate opposites. Together? Mayhem with a side of trauma bonding.
Friendship Style: Chaos agent + reluctant accomplice
School Days Skipped Together: 1 (but it was legendary)
Signature Move: Skipping school like it’s a full-time job
Friendship Motto: You don’t have to like it, just come along.
The Ghostbusters
Science meets slime. Friendship built on ghost goo and unspoken rules about not crossing beams.
Friendship Style: Scientists with a side of slime
Stress Level: Always at 11
Ectoplasmic Incidents Survived: 42
Signature Move: Crossing the streams (even when they really shouldn’t)
Friendship Motto: Who ya gonna call? Each other.
Atreyu & Falkor
Emotional support dragon energy.
Friendship Style: Boy and his luck dragon
Shared Trauma: The Swamps of Sadness
Sky Rides Screamed Through Together: 9
Signature Move: Epic aerial rescues + emotional support
Friendship Motto: Never give up, and never lose hope.
The Goonies
Equal parts loyalty, yelling, and very questionable decisions with great outcomes.
Friendship Style: Treasure-hunting ride-or-dies
Booby Traps Survived: 11 (that we know of)
Maps Trusted Without Question: 1 very old, very crinkly one
Signature Move: Yelling “Goonies never say die!” and immediately doing something dangerous
Friendship Motto: Goonies stick together—especially in underground tunnels.
Calvin & Hobbes
Imagination-fueled mischief, oddly philosophical moments, and lots of snowball fights.
Friendship Style: Imaginary, intense, unstoppable
Reality Check: Not applicable
Imaginary Battles Fought Together: Too many to count
Signature Move: Philosophical snowball fights
Friendship Motto: Let’s make something explode (then talk about it).
ALF & Willie (sort of)
One causes chaos. The other apologizes for it. Friendship? Sure. Peace? Never.
Friendship Style: Alien menace + suburban hostage
Trust Level: Low
Cats Nearly Eaten: 6
Signature Move: Destroying the kitchen, again
Friendship Motto: Don’t eat the cat.
Maverick & Goose
Jet-fueled loyalty with a side of volleyball and heartbreak.
Friendship Style: Wingmen in the skies and in life
Risk Level: High
High-Fives Executed Mid-Flight: 7
Signature Move: Danger zone fly-bys and killer volleyball skills
Friendship Motto: I got your six.
The Golden Girls
Sass, secrets, and support. Best friends and expert side-eye artists.
Friendship Style: Sassy cheesecake philosophers
Shared Apartment Drama: Constant
Slices of Cheesecake Consumed Together: 468 (approx.)
Signature Move: Roasting each other and men
Friendship Motto: Thank you for being a friend (and tolerating my nonsense).
Snoopy & Woodstock
Silent understanding, weird adventures, and naps. Now that's love.
Friendship Style: Chill chaos with bird sidekick energy
Communication Style: One barks, one chirps, somehow it works
Doghouse DJ Sets Thrown Together: 23
Signature Move: Vibing on top of the doghouse like it’s Coachella
Friendship Motto: A dog and his bird, against the world.
Bonus Best Friends We Couldn’t Ignore:
Mario & Luigi
She-Ra & Bow
Elliott & E.T.
The Breakfast Club
Michael Knight & KITT
So... who made your Friendship Hall of Fame?
Drop a comment and tell us which 80s friends live rent-free in your heart or just scream “COWABUNGA!” into the void. We’ll hear you.
