Look No Further Than These 41 Great, Feminist Movies When You Want to Feel Empowered
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With women still ways away from equality, it's more important than ever to raise each other up. So go ahead and ask for that raise, donate to organizations like Planned Parenthood or #TimesUp, and celebrate the creative work of other women. And once you're done devouring books written by women, binging podcasts made by women, for women, and appreciating art by (you guessed it!) women, might we suggest some required viewing? A.K.A. tuning into some of the best feminist films of all time.
If you're in the mood to indulge in some on-screen feminism, there are plenty of movies about women, for women, created by women. The films on this list put women in the spotlight, whether it be in front of the camera or behind. From historical dramas to rom-coms to gripping psychological thrillers to action movies with strong women calling the shots, these must-watch films celebrate women in all of their glory with their stories at the front and center. Expect to see recent hits that expose and admonish toxic culture to early feminist classics that paved the way for female-fronted flicks. Get ready to feel motivated and inspired with this movie marathon of the best feminist films of all time that nobody can afford to miss.
'Alien' (1979)
Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic Alien was groundbreaking for many reasons, but in large part because of its portrayal of a female action hero. Sigourney Weaver leads the cast as Ripley, a crew member aboard the spaceship Nostromo, which comes across a foreign life form. The gruesome body horror depictions—many of which are phallic or involve pregnancy—are utterly terrifying, but it stands no chance to Ripley once she takes control of the mission.
'Atomic Blonde' (2017)
Atomic Blonde is anything but your typical spy drama. Charlize Theron spends pretty much the entire time kicking butt and taking names, and the movie doesn't fall into the trap of giving her an emotion-filled backstory. To quote Theron herself: "[Usually] we need a reason to become a warrior. And I have a problem with that because we really are warriors, and it’s time for us to be shown that way. We don’t need to lose a child or a husband or have some kind of revenge story to become a warrior. We don’t need that today."
'Barbie' (2023)
Greta Gerwig was given the mighty task of adapting the iconic Mattel property into a film, and, girl, did she ever! The filmmaker and her husband/co-writer Noah Baumbach managed to tackle every perception of the doll—from her empowering messaging to the unrealistic beauty standards she set to the corporate greed of the company that makes her—and inherently how she reflects upon women. And Gerwig did it all with stellar production design and costuming, hysterical jokes, and an A+ ensemble.
'Battle of the Sexes' (2017)
This sports biopic pits women against men in the so-called tennis match "Battle of the Sexes." The film follows the story of top women's player Billie Gene King (Emma Stone) who comes out on top of societal stereotypes to beat former No. 1 ranked men’s player Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell).
'Belle' (2013)
Belle tells the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the "illegitimate" half-Black daughter of an admiral, dealing with the systemic racism of the high society she's grown up in. Belle is a beautiful and unusual film about marginalization (it's also incredibly romantic), and Gugu Mbatha-Raw is lovely in it.
'Bend It Like Beckham' (2002)
Bend It Like Beckham is a coming-of-age movie about an aspiring soccer player (Parminder Nagra) whose family refuses to let her participate in the sport because she's a girl. Naturally, she proves everyone wrong, falls in love, and subverts expectations. Also, please note that this movie was written, directed, and produced by a woman of color, Gurinder Chadha.
'Bombshell' (2019)
In this ripped-from-the-headlines drama, Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman, playing Fox News anchors Megyn Kelly and Gretchen Carlson, work together to expose FOX CEO Roger Ailes of sexual harassment. Exceptionally good facial prosthetics aside, Theron, Kidman, and Margot Robbie (who plays a fictional character) give a, ahem, bombshell performance.
'Booksmart' (2019)
We owe it to Olivia Wilde for bringing us one of the funniest teen comedies of the last decade, and one with two female leads, no less! Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever star as two best friends who spent their high school years studying hard, only to graduate realizing they never went to a party. To make up for it, they try to cram four years' worth of fun into one night, resulting in laugh-out-loud shenanigans.
'Boston Strangler' (2023)
Based on real-life badass female journalists, this murder mystery dives into the story of the 1960s serial killer dubbed the Boston Strangler. Reporter Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley) was the first to break the story and she teams up with colleague Jean Cole (Carrie Coon) to report on the killings, but of course, they have to deal with sexism along the way.
'The Color Purple' (1982)
Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel materialized on-screen in 1985 and became an iconic feminist film that withstands the tests of time. Whoopi Goldberg plays Celie, a Black southern woman who has suffered (and survived) years of abuse and finds strength within herself and her female friends.
'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000)
Not only does Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon have gorgeous visuals, but the story centers on a young woman (Zhang Ziyi) who rejects her arranged marriage and instead follows her path to become a legendary martial artist. It's a beautiful, complicated movie, with beautiful, complicated women.
'Daughters of the Dust' (1991)
Julie Dash’s indie drama Daughters of the Dust made history, as it’s the first feature film from an African-American woman to be theatrically released in the U.S. Beyond breaking a major glass ceiling, it’s also a compelling, visually breathtaking film about one family of former enslaved people’s contentious decision to move from a Gullah community off the coast of South Carolina to the mainland.
'Erin Brockovich' (2000)
When you need to feel inspired that anyone can foster real change, leave it to the plucky, self-made Erin Brockovich. In an Oscar-winning performance, Julia Roberts plays the real-life paralegal and environmental activist who helped bring a lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric Company for contaminating water in her community. Steven Soderbergh helps transform the captivating story into a gripping legal drama, while Roberts portrays the heroine as a shining example of what happens when women stand up for what they believe in.
'Hidden Figures' (2016)
"An inspiring story" may be cliched, but it's hard to think of a more apt way to describe Hidden Figures, a biographical drama about three Black mathematicians at NASA. The fact that many people had never heard this story before the film's release is a true testament to how often women—and especially women of color—are sidelined in our history books.
'How to Have Sex' (2023)
Molly Manning Walker’s directorial debut documents a right of passage for many British teens as they set off on a vacation, free of their parents, following their exams. When Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce) feels pressure from her more experienced friends to lose her virginity, she finds herself grappling with a range of complicated feelings and an uncomfortable, dangerous circumstance. Manning Walker deftly tackles difficult topics, ranging from assault to peer pressure and shame, with poignancy and even humor, as Tara seeks solace from her friends.
'Hustlers' (2019)
Based on a true story, four dancers band together to con money out of sleazy finance bros. Sure, what they do is illegal, but in a way, they are taking the power back from the men who completely objectify them. Also, Jennifer Lopez was robbed of an Oscar nom for her killer performance as the girl gang's leader.
'Jennifer's Body' (2009)
Diablo Cody’s feminist horror movie, directed by Karyn Kusama, sinks its demonic teeth in you. Megan Fox stars as Jennifer, a high school girl who becomes the host to an evil spirit after she’s sexually assaulted by a rock band trying to perform a Satanic ritual. So, she feeds on boys to keep the demon (and her rage) at bay—leading to an enticing game of cat-and-mouse as her quiet friend Needy (Amanda Seyfried) tries to stop her).
'Kill Bill: Volume 1 and 2' (2003–2004)
The entire plot of Kill Bill centers on a woman seeking vengeance on the man who ruined her life. Uma Thurman delivers an iconic feminist performance that never gets old. (But it must be noted that Quentin Tarantino's treatment of her during this Weinstein-produced movie was truly reprehensible).
'A League of Their Own' (1992)
One of the OG feminist flicks, A League of Their Own is a fictionalized tale of the very real, very first female professional baseball league, who go up to bat against the patriarchy. If that didn't convince you enough to give it a watch, Madonna also makes an appearance, so there's that!
'Legally Blonde' (2001)
Anyone who doesn't think Legally Blonde is a feminist movie isn't paying attention. This film takes the ditzy blonde stereotype and turns it on its head by having protagonist Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon, bow down) get into Harvard like it's no biggie, and then solve the major legal case of her year.
'Little Women' (2019)
The feminism of Louisa May Alcott's original Little Women novel and its many TV and film adaptations has been the subject of much debate and discourse over the years, but the Greta Gerwig adaptation lands on this list for its more modern approach to the book's message of feminism (plus, the more ambiguous ending). Though the definitions of womanhood differ among the four March sisters, we love watching them all find and wield their power in different ways.
'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015)
If you went into Mad Max: Fury Road expecting a testosterone-fueled action movie, you're not alone. But the film ended up being one of the most feminist pop cultural moments of 2015—starring Charlize Theron as a lieutenant who risks her life to save a group of women enslaved by abusive men in power.
'Miss Congeniality' (2000)
It's a '00s classic we should enjoy with a dose of critique, too: There were some problematic moments in Miss Congeniality (like making instances of sexual harassment a punchline and the classic "ugly duckling" storyline, one too often subscribed to women in film). But it also helped to shatter sexist stereotypes and is still cited as a feminist flick today.
'Moana' (2016)
Brave heroine? Check. Adventure? Check. Hilarious sidekick? Also check. Lin-Manuel Miranda soundtrack? You bet. Moana is the modern Disney hero we need, one who is tough and empowered. Bonus points that there is no pointless love interest in this movie! We don't care if this one is for kids, we will be watching (and rewatching) for years.
'Mulan' (1998)
Considering how regressive Disney princess movies can be, Mulan deserves praise for its portrayal of a woman determined to escape the stereotypes of her gender. Yes, Mulan has some problems (Disney in 1998 wasn't known for political correctness), but the movie showed countless children that women are just as brave and capable as men—it's society that's just too sexist to realize.
'Never Rarely Sometimes Always' (2020)
Eliza Hittman’s muted drama focuses on a teenage girl (Sidney Flanigan) seeking an abortion. The film follows her as she travels with her cousin (Talia Ryder) from a small town in Pennsylvania to N.Y.C. to seek the medical assistance she needs, and the extraordinary bravery it takes the two girls to support one another amid their journey. It’s a humble film, but full of emotion and brings to light the challenges women in need of health care too often face.
'Now and Then' (1995)
This coming-of-age '90s movie about four young girls on the cusp of adolescence is a true gem, packed with ahead-of-its-time girl power moments—including a scene where Christina Ricci's character punches a boy who dares to say that girls can't play softball.
'On The Basis of Sex'
There truly can never be enough Ruth Bader Ginsburg movies. In this fictionalized take, Felicity Jones plays RBG in her fight for gender equality. Consider a double-header with the 2018 documentary RGB.
'The Piano' (1993)
Jane Campion’s The Piano is one of the steamiest movies of all time—and it’s all centered around the female gaze. The classic romance is set in the late 1800s and sees pianist Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter), who is mute, and her daughter (Anna Paquin) move from Scotland to rural New Zealand as she’s married off to a wealthy frontiersman (Sam Neill). Feeling confined by her marriage, she turns to her piano and gives lessons to her neighbor (Harvey Keitel), a sailor who has taken up Māori customs, which evolves into an affair. Exploring how one finds their voice amid shifting power dynamics and sexual autonomy, Champion’s masterpiece is like music to our ears.
'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' (2019)
Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire became an instant sapphic classic when it was released in 2019. The LGBTQ+ film tells the 1770s-set love story of an artist (Noémie Merlant) and the bride-to-be (Adèle Haenel) whose portrait she’s sent to paint. Its examinations of women exploring boundaries, romance, and sexuality on their own terms are nothing short of stunning—but be sure to brace yourself for a heartbreaking conclusion, as the film also documents the reality of the patriarchy at the time.
'Promising Young Woman' (2020)
Director Emerald Fennell and actress Carey Mulligan confront rape culture, toxic masculinity, and trauma in Promising Young Woman. Mulligan plays a barista-vigilante out for vengeance for the college campus rape of her best friend. The film will enrage you, but it is incredibly empowering and cathartic.
'Radium Girls' (2018)
A heartbreaking true story and one you may have never even heard of, Radium Girls dives into the radium poisoning of a group of factory workers in the 1920s. After plenty of the girls get sick, they band together to advocate for safer work conditions. It's just one of the many important stories that make up the women's rights movement.
'Real Women Have Curves' (2002)
Real Women Have Curves is directed, produced, and written by women—and it's all the better for it. The movie is just as much a coming-of-age story as a reflection on what it means when young women take control of their destinies—and um, it also happens to have inspired Lady Bird.
'She Said' (2022)
She Said follows the true story behind New York Times journalists Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan) and Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan) as they expose Harvey Weinstein and his history of sexual abuse against women. Their article ignited the #MeToo movement and opened the floodgates for women to tell their stories across Hollywood and other industries. The movie not only shows the courage of all of the women involved, but it's also a testament to the power of women when they come together.
The Original 'Star Wars' Trilogy (1977–1983)
Princess Leia wasn't always given the most empowering material to work with on Star Wars, but Carrie Fisher made the character a feminist hero worthy of applause. In fact, it's through Fisher's criticism of the franchise (the gold bikini was not her choice, she was asked to lose weight) that the character evolved into the icon she is today.
'Suffragette' (2015)
The fight for women's suffrage wasn't just an American one. Suffragette follows the movement in London through the eyes of a young working mother (Carey Mulligan), who joins a radical political movement in the fight for women's voting rights. Meryl Streep and Helena Bonham Carter also star in this moving historical drama.
'Thelma & Louise' (1991)
There's no greater movie about sisterhood than Thelma & Louise—a landmark feminist film about two women (Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis) on a road trip. Watch it with your friends for fun, then analyze it with your friends for even more fun.
'Wild' (2014)
Wild is the book-to-movie adaptation that inspired women everywhere to pack up their belongings and hike 1,100 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail, solo style. The film based on Cheryl Strayed's memoir of the same name stars Reese Witherspoon and will inspire you to create change in your life. What's more empowering than that?
'Waiting to Exhale' (1995)
If you ever feel wronged by a man, watch Angela Bassett get the ultimate revenge by burning down her ex-husband’s car. Waiting to Exhale is a moving film about the power of female friendship, as it follows four women who stand by each other through their tumultuous love lives and career trials. The star power is immense, with Bassett, Whitney Houston, Loretta Devine, and Lela Rochon, leading the cast; you’ll wish they were your besties, but also see the female relationships you know and love reflected on screen.
'Wonder Woman' (2017)
What more can be said about Wonder Woman that hasn't been said before? It flipped a male-dominated genre on its head, broke all the sexist tropes that come with female superheroes, slayed at the box office, and excited millions of young girls in need of on-screen representation. It couldn't have come at a better time.
'Zero Dark Thirty' (2012)
We love a film with a female lead that doesn't revolve around her finding a love interest. This one sees Jessica Chastain, as Maya, inspired by the real-life woman who headed the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Rather than focusing on the men involved in the hunt, director Kathryn Bigelow duly gives credit to a woman in a male-dominated field.
