Friendship is a timeless theme, but some TV shows create better bonds than others. There are shows dedicated to friendship entirely, but the interpersonal relationships characters forge transcend genre — there are just as many friendships in rom-coms as there are in horror. Whether it’s unlikely friendships in TV shows or pairs who have been close since birth, friendship is universal.

While every TV show plot inherently relies on friendship in some way, shape, or form, that doesn’t mean every duo on television is healthy. Some of the most toxic relationships on TV are between supposed best friends, not lovers. Nevertheless, television is meant to mirror the real world, and that includes realistic, complicated friendships that stand the test of time.

25 SpongeBob & Patrick

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