These inspiring movies are great examples of empowered women grappling with the world around them
As we delve into the realm of feminist movies, we embark on a journey through ten must-watch movies that not only entertain but also enlighten, inspire, and provoke thought. In a cinematic landscape where storytelling serves as a powerful tool for empowerment and advocacy, the intersection of feminism and film has birthed a collection of compelling narratives that challenge norms, celebrate diversity, and amplify the voices of women on screen. From tales of resilience and rebellion to narratives of friendship and empowerment, these films stand as beacons of empowerment, inviting viewers to explore the complexities and triumphs of womanhood through the lens of storytelling.
Check out these 10 must-see feminist movies.
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“Jeanne Dielman, 23 Commerce Quay, 1080 Brussels” (1975)
Chantal Akerman’s nearly three-and-a-half-hour magnum opus is a symphony of domesticity. Jeanne, a widowed housewife, performs her daily rituals—cooking, cleaning, parenting—with metronomic precision. But beneath the mundane lies a simmering rebellion. Akerman’s lens transforms the ordinary into a haunting exploration of female invisibility and quiet revolt. Jeanne’s final act, as shocking as a crimson lipstick smear, reverberates through time. A cinematic manifesto for the unseen women who hold the world together.
“His Girl Friday” (1940)
In this vintage comedy, Rosalind Russell’s Hildy Johnson pirouettes through the male-dominated newsroom like a flapper at a jazz club. Her wit, ambition, and unyielding spirit defy convention. As she juggles deadlines, romance, and a scoop hotter than a freshly brewed espresso, Hildy becomes a beacon of resilience. The film’s rapid-fire dialogue, akin to a Chanel-clad dance, reminds us that women can outwit, outpace, and outshine any fedora-wearing counterpart.
“Thelma & Louise” (1991)
Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon ignite the screen as two renegades on a road trip to liberation. Their convertible becomes a metaphorical runway, and their defiance—the ultimate accessory. As they speed toward the Grand Canyon’s edge, their laughter echoes like a rebellious hymn. “Thelma & Louise” is a leather jacket, a red lipstick, and a declaration: “We’re not taking the backseat anymore.”
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“Hidden Figures” (2016)
Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe don their celestial gowns as unsung heroines at NASA. These mathematicians defy gravity, racism, and gender bias. Their equations ripple through the cosmos, rewriting history. “Hidden Figures” is a cosmic ballet—a constellation of brilliance that reminds us that women’s minds, like the stars, illuminate the universe.
“Cleo from 5 to 7” (1962)
Agnès Varda paints Paris with a feminist brush. Cleo, a singer awaiting a medical diagnosis, drifts through the city’s streets like a chiffon-clad muse. The clock ticks, and so does her existential awakening. Varda captures Cleo’s vulnerability, her defiance against fate, and the transformative power of self-discovery. This film is a silk scarf fluttering in the wind—a delicate rebellion against time.
“A Woman Under the Influence” (1974)
Gena Rowlands embodies Mabel, a woman teetering on the precipice of sanity. Her unraveling psyche mirrors society’s expectations. Director John Cassavetes dissects marriage, motherhood, and madness with surgical precision. Mabel’s raw vulnerability, like a Dior gown with frayed seams, exposes the cracks in the façade. A haunting portrait of femininity unfiltered.
“Little Women” (2019)
Greta Gerwig weaves Louisa May Alcott’s classic into a tapestry of sisterhood, ambition, and artistic yearning. The March sisters—Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth—don their literary corsets and pen their destinies. Gerwig’s lens captures their laughter, tears, and dreams—their collective manifesto. “Little Women” is a quill dipped in ink, writing resilience across generations.
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“Suffragette” (2015)
Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, and Meryl Streep march through London’s suffrage movement. Their banners read “Votes for Women,” but their eyes blaze with revolution. The film’s sepia tones evoke faded photographs, yet its urgency pulses like a heartbeat. “Suffragette” is a sash worn proudly—a battle cry for equality etched in history.
“Erin Brockovich” (2000)
cleavage, and an unwavering sense of justice, Erin takes on a corporate giant poisoning a small town’s water supply. The film is a courtroom drama wrapped in a silk scarf of tenacity. A reminder that intelligence, resilience, and a killer wardrobe can topple empires.
“Persepolis” (2007)
Marjane Satrapi’s animated memoir dances between Tehran and Vienna, tracing her coming-of-age during the Iranian Revolution. Marjane’s rebellious spirit, inked with punk rock and political fervor, defies borders. The film’s monochromatic palette, like a Chanel LBD, contrasts oppression with resilience. As Marjane navigates love, loss, and identity, she becomes a beacon for every woman who refuses to be silenced. “Persepolis” is a graphic novel unfurling on the silver screen—a testament to the indomitable spirit of girlhood.
