10 Female-Directed Films to Watch During Women’s History Month
There’s nothing better than a movie night with your girlfriends. Cosying up under blankets with snacks and drinks is the perfect way to spend an evening. But, before getting cosy comes the challenge of picking the perfect movie to watch. Below are 10 films directed by women to watch with your friends in celebration of Women’s History Month.
Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig’s name was everywhere in the summer of 2023 with her smash hit Barbie. However, Gerwig is no stranger to directing. Her directorial debut came in 2017 with the film Lady Bird. Lady Bird stars Saoirse Ronan as Christine “Ladybird” McPherson, as she navigates her senior year of high school, her family’s financial status, and a complicated relationship with her mother. Ronan and Gerwig were both nominated for Oscars, Ronan for Best Leading Actress and Gerwig for Best Achievement in Directing. Laurie Metcalf, who played Ladybird’s mother, was nominated for Best Supporting Actress and the screenplay was nominated for Best Original Screenplay.
US Streaming: Tubi, Apple TV ($3.99), Prime Video (Rent for $4.29)
UK Streaming: Prime Video (Free with Subscription, £3.49 to rent), Apple TV
Past Lives, Celine Song
Celine Song’s directorial debut, Past Lives, focuses on two childhood friends, who are separated, and reunite years later. In 2000, Na Young and Hae Sung, played by Greta Lee and Teo Yoo, go on their first date. Unfortunately, soon after Na Young’s family moves away, and the friends lose touch. The film spans 24 years and is semi-autobiographical. Past Lives was nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay at the 2024 Oscars.
US Streaming: Showtime, Prime Video ($4.99)
UK Streaming: Netflix, Apple TV (£5.49)
Julie and Julia, Nora Ephron
Delicious food, dual timelines, and Meryl Streep, Julie and Julia has it all. Nora Ephron’s film follows famous chef Julia Child, played by Meryl Streep, as she learns French cooking in 1950s Paris. The film also follows Julie Powell, played by Amy Adams, who works at a call centre and spends her days speaking to family members of 9/11 victims. In an effort to bring more joy to her life, Julie begins working her way through Julia Child’s cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She sets a daunting goal for herself: complete all the recipes in the book, 524, in one year, all while running a blog detailing her adventures.
US Streaming: Prime Video, YouTube ($3.99), Apple TV ($3.99)
UK Streaming: Prime Video (£3.49), Apple TV
Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell
Promising Young Woman follows Cassie Thomas, a woman consumed with vengeance. Cassie’s best friend, Nina, was sexually assaulted and later committed suicide. Cassie is haunted by what happened to her friend. During the day she works at a coffee shop and lives with her parents. At night, Cassie dresses up and pretends to be black out drunk in an attempt to lure in sexual predators, and in turn ruin their nights. Throughout the film, Cassie also seeks out those directly involved in Nina’s assault and enacts her revenge on them.
US Streaming: Prime Video ($4.29)
UK Streaming: Prime Video (£3.49)
The Woman King, Gina Prince-Bythewood
The Woman King follows the Agojie, a female warrior unit in West Africa, in the 1820s. Viola Davis stars as General Nanisca. After liberating women who were abducted by traffickers, General Nanisca must begin training the new generation of warriors to protect their home, the Kingdom of Dahomey, against the Oyo Empire.
US Streaming: Netflix, Apple TV ($3.99), YouTube ($3.99)
UK Streaming: Prime Video (£3.99)
Bend it like Beckham, Gurinder Chadha
Jesminder “Jess” Bhamra loves to play football. Her parents, Punjabi Sikhs, do not approve of her passion. However, when Jules Paxton, a member of a local amateur football team notices Jess’ talent, Jess joins the team against her parents wishes. She must now navigate pursuing her dreams of being a football player and the daughter her parents want her to be.
US Streaming: Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video ($3.59)
UK Streaming: Disney+, Prime Video (£3.49)
Priscilla, Sofia Coppola
Summer 2022 was the summer of Elvis Presley. Austin Butler singing and speaking in that famous Elvis drawl was everywhere. Fall 2023, however, was for Priscilla Presley. Sofia Coppola’s film, starring Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi, focuses not on the legendary singer but instead on his wife and their complicated relationship. Coppola emphasises the darker parts of the relationship, such as the 10 year age gap (the couple first met when Priscilla was 14), Elvis’ rumoured infidelities, and his drug abuse.
US Streaming: Max, YouTube ($4.99), Prime Video ($5.99)
UK Streaming: MUBI
Turning Red, Domee Shi
Being 13 is hard enough even when you don’t turn into a giant red panda when you get emotional. Meilin “Mei” Lee is already balancing being a dutiful daughter at home and a boyband fanatic at school, when she suddenly discovers that she turns into a red panda when her emotions get out of hand. On top of figuring out her newfound ability, Mei must also figure out how to go to the 4Town concert with her friends, even though her mother forbids it. Us fangirls get it, you see.
US Streaming: Disney+,
UK Streaming: Disney+, Prime Video (£13.99)
But I’m a Cheerleader, Jamie Babbit
Starring Natasha Lyonne, But I’m a Cheerleader follows high school senior Megan Bloomfield. She seems to have the perfect life as a cheerleader dating a football player, but she isn’t super into him. Her parents are concerned that she may be a lesbian because of her vegetarianism and interest in singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge. Megan is sent to an inpatient conversion therapy camp where she meets other LGBT+ individuals and explores her sexuality.
US Streaming: Tubi, Youtube (Free with Ads)
UK Streaming: Prime Video (£3.49)
Booksmart, Olivia Wilde
Before the infamous Don’t Worry Darling press tour, Olivia Wilde directed her debut feature film Booksmart. Booksmart focuses on high school seniors Molly and Amy. The friends spent all of high school focusing on academics but realised on their last day of school that their peers, who partied throughout high school, performed just as well academically. In a last-ditch attempt to have the full high school experience, Molly and Amy venture outside of their comfort zones into the wild world of high school parties.
US Streaming: Peacock, Youtube ($3.99), Prime Video ($3.99)
UK Streaming: Prime Video (£3.99)
