Feminist films aren’t just marked by biopics, even though there are many that fall within this genre. There are rom-coms, horror titles, and even period dramas that capture the female experience in exciting and subversive ways. For instance, Legally Blonde could’ve easily been a stereotypical comedy about a naive woman trying to shoot her shot at Harvard Law. Yet, the film stood the test of time because of its witty, smart, and unapologetically feminine lead.
The best films about women are those that go against expectations and spotlight trailblazers, politically engaged leaders, and women fighting against societal constraints. From superheroes to activists, the best feminist movies of all time show that women contain multitudes.
Many of these iconic feminist films were also created by visionary female filmmakers – you can explore even more in our roundup of the best movies directed by women.
Best Feminist Movies of the 2020s
From Barbie to She Said, these feminist films proved that women are better served when working together and being vocal against the patriarchy.
Barbie (2023)
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is one of those feminist films that even Kens can delight in. With Margot Robbie playing the titular doll, this blockbuster success followed Barbie in her own journey to self-discovery. At first, she’s sheltered in Barbieland, where everything works seamlessly without a second thought. Yet, once she starts questioning her surroundings and decides to drive her pink convertible into the real world, Barbie finally uncovers what it means to be a woman (flaws and all). Gerwig’s directorial effort is a comedic take on the complexity of womanhood, with stellar performances from Robbie, America Ferrera, and Ryan Gosling.
The Woman King (2022)
The Woman King might be loosely based on historical events, but it’s still a must-see when it comes to movies about feminism. The action drama is centred on the all-female Agojie warrior unit, which existed from the 1600s to 1904. Fierce protectors of the West African Kingdom of Dahomey, the troop led by General Nanisca (Viola Davis) prepares for battle against the OYO Empire and European slave traders. This inspiring story focuses on warriors who stopped at nothing to fight against their enemies and who were instrumental in preparing the next generation to do the same.
She Said (2022)
The MeToo movement allowed actresses and female crew members to stand up against sexual misconduct in the workplace. She Said, one of the best feminist movies of all time, depicts the thorough investigation that went into proving the allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. New York Times journalists Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan) and Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan) worked together on breaking the news about Weinstein, convincing women who were silent for years to go on the record against him. The story they co-wrote ignited the MeToo movement, and its impact is still evident today.
The Glorias (2020)
The Glorias is an empowering feminist film worth adding to your watchlist. Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Lulu Wilson, Alicia Vikander, and Julianne Moore take turns playing notorious activist Gloria Steinem. The Glorias sees her facing sexism in the media and slowly gaining prominence with the creation of her feminist publication, Ms. Magazine. Steinem later becomes an advocate for women’s rights and a feminist role model during the ’60s and ’70s. The film also allows the four iterations of Steinem to meet on a bus, as they share their experiences and pass down knowledge to each other.
Promising Young Woman (2020)
Promising Young Woman is for those who enjoy feminist films with a vengeful appeal. In it, Cassie (Carey Mulligan) makes it a point to teach men a lesson by feigning drunkenness at nightclubs. After her college roommate was violated and received no support, Cassie wants to prevent the same thing from happening again. Yet, when she meets a person from her past who seems to have had a change of heart, she wonders if she should carry on with her revenge plan. With an Oscar-winning screenplay by Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman offers a poignant take on rape culture and the silencing of victims.
Nomadland (2020)
Chloé Zhao won an Academy Award for Best Director with Nomadland, which is anchored by a powerful performance by Frances McDormand. It focuses on a middle-aged woman who is directly impacted by the Great Recession. Still grieving the loss of her husband, Fern decides to travel across the country in her mobile home, working seasonal jobs and finding solace in the friendships that she makes along the way. Highlighting the agency of a marginalised woman, Nomadland is a quiet feminist film about resilience and survival.
Best Feminist Films of the 2010s
From Wonder Woman to Hidden Figures, these films about women bend the norms and prove that there is space for women in male-dominated fields.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire employs the female gaze in a period setting. Directed by Céline Sciamma, this queer film follows an aristocrat named Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) who refuses to sit down for a portrait. After all, she knows she’ll be forced to marry once the painting is finished. As Marianne (Noémie Merlant) attempts to paint Héloïse by memory, the two grow closer and engage in a heated yet secretive romance.
On the Basis of Sex (2018)
Before Ruth Bader Ginsburg became a pioneering litigator for equality, she had to undergo an uphill battle to pursue law. On the Basis of Sex, one of the best feminist movies that every woman should watch, chronicles her journey. With only a few women enrolled in Harvard Law, Ginsburg (played by Felicity Jones) wasn’t given the same support by the faculty as her male colleagues. Despite this, she kept on top of her classes and those of her husband (Armie Hammer) during his cancer treatment. With a degree in hand and an accomplished career in academia, Ginsburg later carved her own path to the Supreme Court.
Little Women (2019)
Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, Little Women, was adapted to the screen more than once. Yet, Greta Gerwig’s take on it has easily become one of the best feminist movies of all time. The March sisters are played by notable Hollywood names such as Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh, and the film highlights each of their experiences finding love and a sense of self. From Jo’s ambitious writing aspirations to Amy’s artistic inclination and eventual romance with Laurie (Timothée Chalamet), this version of Little Women shows how Alcott’s tale can still resonate with audiences centuries later.
Wonder Woman (2017)
The infamous DC hero finally got the big screen treatment she deserved with Patty Jenkins’ 2017 film, Wonder Woman. It shows Diana’s (Gal Gadot) transformation from an Amazonian warrior to a war hero, unlocking her superpowers by fighting on the front lines. Once the character finds out about a conflict happening outside Themyscira, Diana leaves the island and strives to protect humankind from a British politician (David Thewlis) manipulating World War I.
Lady Bird (2017)
Sometimes, a filmmaker’s best project stems from a personal experience. Lady Bird was Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut, and it’s easily one of the best feminist coming-of-age films of the 2010s. In it, Christine (Saoirse Ronan) is a rebellious teenager longing to leave Sacramento after her senior year. As she spends her final high school days falling in and out of love and arguing with her mother (Laurie Metcalf), Christine learns to value the hometown she’s always dreaded.
20th Century Women (2016)
An A24 hidden gem is one of the best movies about feminism out there. 20th Century Women focuses on Jamie Fields’ (Lucas Jade Zumann) unique coming-of-age journey. After all, his single mother (Annette Bening), a bohemian punk artist (Greta Gerwig), and a free-spirited teenage girl (Elle Fanning) become his formative role models. It is through their influence and valuable life lessons that he navigates adolescence with a better understanding of what women were experiencing in the 1970s. According to a Little White Lies interview, the film is a love letter to the women who raised director and screenwriter Mike Mills.
Hidden Figures (2016)
When citing notable feminist films, it’s hard to leave Hidden Figures aside. Based on a true story, the film focuses on three female African American mathematicians who had a crucial role in the space race. When the US was preparing to send John Glenn (Glen Powell) into space, these brilliant women calculated the momentous launch and guaranteed the astronaut’s safe landing. Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe as Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, the film shows how the trio overcomes discrimination while contributing to scientific advancement.
The Witch (2016)
There was a time when women were unjustly called “witches”. Robert Eggers’ folk horror title, The Witch, is an example of films about women that examine this issue. When William and Katherine are banished from a Puritan plantation, they start a farm in the woods. That’s when sinister events begin to plague their family, and the couple’s newborn son disappears. Given that the child was under Thomasin’s (Anya Taylor-Joy) care when he was abducted, everyone casts blame on her. Left to fend for herself, the character ends up choosing a dark path to liberation.
Suffragette (2015)
The Women’s Journal was named after a women’s rights publication by leading suffragists in 1870. If you are unfamiliar with these women and their historical relevance, Suffragette is one of the best feminist movies about the movement. Set in the early 20th century, the film follows laundry worker Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan) as she joins the Women’s Social and Political Union. After peaceful protests fail to inspire change, the organisation uses violence to advocate for women’s voting rights. With pressure from the government caving in, Maude’s loyalty to the cause is tested. In addition to Mulligan, the film also stars Meryl Streep and Helena Bonham Carter.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Charlize Theron is an exceptional action star, and she is a true force in Mad Max: Fury Road. Theron plays Imperator Furiosa, who goes against Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) to set his five wives free. Joining forces with Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy), Furiosa does what she can to help survivors escape while also confronting her family’s deadly fate. In a hyper-masculine franchise, Mad Max: Fury Road‘s main hero is a woman fighting against patriarchal oppression.
Gone Girl (2012)
Years later, there is a continued discourse about Gone Girl‘s feminist angle. Love it or hate it, there is no denying that the film’s criticism of the “cool girl” archetype is valid. Although Gone Girl follows Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) as he searches for his missing wife, it subverts audience expectations about why Amy (Rosamund Pike) disappeared. After uncovering her husband’s infidelity, Amy comes up with a masterful plan to ruin his life. Her actions might be unhinged, but Pike’s character uses her charm and wit to her advantage. Her “cool girl” monologue exposes the patriarchal expectations of women, who often have to base their personalities on an unattainable fantasy.
Classic Feminist Movies That Defined Pop Culture
The ’90s and the early 2000s were marked by iconic feminist films. Legally Blonde and Thelma & Louise are only a few that stand out.
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Jennifer’s Body has become a feminist cult classic. Despite it underperforming at the box office, the film subverted expectations of women in the horror genre. Megan Fox is Jennifer, a teenager who is kidnapped by an indie band and subjected to a devious ritual. When the ritual backfires, a demon who craves male blood possesses her body. As Jennifer wreaks havoc, her best friend Needy (Amanda Seyfried) takes it upon herself to save her hometown.
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Mona Lisa Smile focuses on a group of young women who rewrite their future through the influence of a countercultural college professor. Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts) teaches art history at Wellesley College, which has an all-female student body. Yet, Katherine quickly notices that the students attending her classes haven’t been encouraged to think beyond the textbook. The teacher inspires these traditional women to defy societal expectations and carve their own paths aside from marriage.
Frida (2002)
Frida Kahlo was a subversive artist, but she was also a woman ahead of her time. The 2002 biopic about her life is a must-see among feminist films. Frida follows the titular artist’s trajectory, including her complicated marriage to Diego Rivera and the physical setbacks she experienced. The film also shows how politically engaged and sexually liberated Frida was and how her Mexican origins were crucial to her artistic identity.
Legally Blonde (2001)
Elle Woods inspired a whole generation of women to attend law school. For this reason, Legally Blonde is one of the best feminist movies of all time. Reese Witherspoon plays Elle, who enrolls in Harvard Law, hoping to stay close to her high school boyfriend. There, Elle finds a passion for the legal system, using her knowledge of fashion and beauty to her advantage in court. She is brilliant, even if people second-guess her skills based on her bubbly personality and bright pink attire.
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Julia Roberts’ Oscar-winning performance in Erin Brockovich is one to remember. The feminist classic follows a single mother of three, who secures a job as a file clerk to provide for her children. Through her work, she uncovers suspicious real estate activity that is contaminating the town’s groundwater. Unable to remain silent, Erin gains community support and leads one of the largest direct-action lawsuits in American history.
Mulan (1998)
Mulan is a Disney princess whose story isn’t defined by a Prince Charming. Instead of waiting to have her future dictated by a matchmaker, she goes to battle in her father’s place. The animation serves as a purposeful feminist watch because it shows Mulan’s empowering coming-of-age journey. As she conceals her identity and fights alongside her male peers, she honours her family by bending the norms.
Clueless (1995)
Alicia Silverstone’s stylish character in Clueless might be shallow at first, but her coming-of-age journey is a sight to behold. A modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma, Clueless follows Cher, a popular schoolgirl who enjoys playing matchmaker and giving her classmates fashion tips. Nevertheless, her good-natured actions are always informed by what could benefit her. Throughout the film, Cher reconsiders her flawed notions of love and learns to prioritise her friendships. She is also unapologetically girly and self-assured, making her a feminist icon in her own right.
Thelma & Louise (1991)
This list of feminist films would be incomplete without mentioning Thelma & Louise. The titular characters’ relationship is a true example of female friendship, and their road trip together is an adventure like none other. After a man attempts to rape Thelma (Geena Davis) at a bar, Louise (Susan Sarandon) kills him to protect her friend. Her impulsive decision puts the two women in danger, with the police tracking them down. As they flee to Mexico, the characters find a sense of freedom in leaving the men who mistreat them and taking agency over their own lives.
9 to 5 (1980)
9 to 5 is more than just an ’80s romp. The seminal feminist film led by Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda follows three office workers who lead a quiet revolution. After kidnapping their misogynistic boss, they rewrite the rules at work, guaranteeing pay equity and on-site childcare. This comedy might’ve been released decades ago, but its intentional message about women’s rights and sisterhood makes it a classic worth revisiting.
FAQs About Feminist Movies
What are the best feminist movies of all time?
Some of the best feminist movies of all time include Barbie, Legally Blonde, Hidden Figures, Little Women, Thelma & Louise, Portrait of a Lady on Fire and Wonder Woman. These films explore women’s empowerment, equality, friendship and breaking societal expectations.
What makes a movie feminist?
A feminist movie typically centres women’s experiences, autonomy and perspectives. Feminist films often challenge gender stereotypes, highlight inequality, and showcase women navigating society on their own terms.
What are the best feminist movies based on true stories?
Hidden Figures, She Said, Suffragette, On the Basis of Sex, Frida and Erin Brockovich are among the best feminist films inspired by true events. These movies spotlight influential women who challenged discrimination and fought for change.
What are the best feminist coming-of-age movies?
Lady Bird, Legally Blonde, Clueless and Little Women are popular feminist coming-of-age films that explore identity, ambition, friendship and womanhood.
What are the best feminist movies on Netflix?
Popular feminist movies available on Netflix often include Barbie, The Woman King, The Lost Daughter and Lady Bird, depending on regional availability.
What are the best movies about women’s empowerment?
Films like Erin Brockovich, Hidden Figures, Barbie, The Woman King and Thelma & Louise are widely regarded as some of the best movies about women’s empowerment.
Are horror movies considered feminist films?
Yes, many horror films are considered feminist. Movies like The Witch, Jennifer’s Body and Promising Young Woman explore themes of female repression, rage, autonomy and societal expectations placed on women.
Which feminist movies are directed by women?
Many acclaimed feminist films are directed by women, including Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Little Women, Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman, Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire and Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland.
What is the most iconic feminist movie?
Thelma & Louise is often considered one of the most iconic feminist movies ever made because of its themes of female friendship, liberation and resistance against patriarchal control.
What are the best feminist films from the 2020s?
Barbie, She Said, Promising Young Woman, The Woman King and Poor Things are among the most talked-about feminist films released in the 2020s.
