Other Interspecies Friendships in Pop Culture
We’ve got E.T. on our mind today and it’s a wonderful feeling. Our favorite extraterrestrial graces our pages today in a brand new picture book from illustrator Kim Smith. It’s enough to get our 80s-loving hearts a flutter. To celebrate this book’s release and the beautiful friendship between Elliott and E.T., here are some of our favorite interspecies friendships in pop culture.
(Source: Netflix)
Mike and Eleven from Stranger Things
No list about interspecies friendship would be complete without some Stranger Things action, so we’re kicking our own post off with a love letter to the friendship between Mike and Eleven. These two are friendship goals. While Mike and Eleven are technically both human beings, Eleven’s psychokinetic powers and extraordinary origin story put her on the same plane as Superman. And don’t let their age fool you. While Mike and Eleven are only in middle school – well, Mike is; Eleven already knows everything there is to know – they’re fierce protectors of each other and have a deep understanding of the first tenant of friendship. Friends don’t lie.
(Source: Disney)
Lilo and Stitch from Lilo & Stitch
When an evil alien crash lands in Hawaii, it’s big-hearted Lilo who saves him and teaches him about Elvis. Wouldn’t it be great if all evil could be cured by aggressive hugging and the swinging sounds of the king? Stitch has a lot to learn from Lilo – primarily that “ohana” means “family” and that “family” means no one gets left behind or forgotten – but this troublemaking alien has a few wonderful tricks up his non-existent sleeve. Just as he’s about to be sent off to his home planet for good, he ferociously defends Lilo’s right to remain in her sister Nani’s care, proving his goodness and empathy. And besides, Lilo legally adopted him when she thought he was a dog. So, sending him back would be theft, right?
(Source: Lucas Film)
Han Solo and Chewbacca in Star Wars
We don’t like to play favorites over here, but we’re big fans of the unstoppable team of Han Solo and Chewbacca. Han and Chewie have been friends and co-pilots of the Millenium Falcon for most of their career. They’ve learned each other’s language and practically finish each other’s sentences. It’s a working relationship that runs deep and a friendship that runs even deeper. It’ll be difficult seeing Chewbacca without his teammate in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but we’re looking forward to a deep dive into the early days of their friendship when the young Han Solo movie comes out next year. Until then, we’ll be watching scenes from A New Hope on repeat.
(Source: Warner Bros)
Harry Potter and Hagrid in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
It’s a relationship filled with questionable decisions – come on, Hagrid – but we have a soft spot in our hearts for the bonded since birth friendship between Harry Potter and Hagrid. Hagrid was there for Harry moments after he received his signature lightning bolt scar, he made Harry only the best birthday cake, and he uttered the words “You’re a wizard, Harry” – sealing his magical destiny for all time. And Hagrid has always been there for Harry, serving as his protector on the Hogwarts grounds. So, what if Hagrid traded important information about Harry for an illegal dragon’s egg. That’s not such a huge deal, right?
