As Women’s History Month begins, here’s a list of feminist films that’ll motivate your inner warrior.
- Wonder Woman (2017)
There has been a long line of notable phenomenal actresses that portrayed this amazing Amazonian Princess. From the classy Lynda Carter who starred in the hit 70’s show of the same name to the fierce but soft-spoken Susan Eisenberg who voice acted the popular DC heroine in the famed animated show, Justice League, and its sequel series, Justice League: Unlimited. 2017 introduced its newest star, Gal Gadot, whose portrayal not only captured the physicality and fighting skills of Wonder Woman, but she also beautifully depicts the diplomatic and compassionate side of Diana Prince. If you love action, period dramas, a positive strong female lead, and superhero lore, then Gadot’s Wonder Woman is the supreme choice for you and your fellow feminist friends to watch for Women’s HERstory Month 2022 and beyond!
- Soul Surfer
Marvel’s Silver Surfer got nothing on real-life soul surfer Bethany Hamilton. You know her name, you know her story, but what some of you may not know is how she was able to overcome her obstacles. The answer to that my fellow females is God. Though the shark attack and her surfing made her famous, it was her faith in God that guided her and family through the difficulties of the aftermath of the attack. Anna Sophia Robb perfectly depicts Hamilton’s passions and faith to a T, along with Helen Hunt as Bethany’s mother, and Carrie Underwood as Sarah Hill, Bethany’s friend and youth pastor who deeply believed Bethany’s pain had a purpose in the confusing world we live in.
- I Am Woman
Honestly, when I heard the name Helen Reddy my mind went immediately to her character Nora in Disney’s Pete’s Dragon. After watching her biopic however, I was stunned with on how amazing this woman was and was even more amazed to know the story behind her iconic feminist song. Tilda Cobham-Harvey’s portrayal of the singers’ trials and triumphs had my eyes glued to the t.v. the first time I watched it. After you watch this movie, listen to Reddy’s song and remember the challenges she went through to create this anthem so we women can not only speak, but ROAR!
- Harriet (2019)
2019 was a great year for movies before the pandemic hit, and Kasi Lemmons’ take on the historic heroine’s story was one of its crown jewels. Cynthia Erivo breathed life in her turn as Harriet Tubman as we see her powerful transformation from runaway slave to a bonafide American heroine. What makes this film particularly stand out is the authentic depiction of Harriet’s connection to God, since it was her faith that solely guided her to save her people and became the woman we’ve learned from our history classes.
- Mulan (Animated/Live-Action)
Animation or the live-action, both versions of the famous Disney film tells the same story about a woman who doesn’t fit in the sexist boundaries of her culture and was willing to become someone else so that her father can live. Ming Na Wen will always have a place in our hearts as the badass heroine of china and Liu Yifei’s take on Mulan still embodies the same spirit as Ming Na did when she first played the role. And kudos to Gong Li’s portrayal as the antagonistic Xianniang, though who’s screen time was brief, still brought to life a woman whom many can sympathize with and root for till her untimely end.
- Legally Blonde
Let’s get one thing straight, this movie ain’t no chick flick! Reese Witherspoon can do no wrong in playing empowering women in media, and for those who’ve revisited the film can confidently agree that Witherspoon was meant to play Elle Woods. It’s always satisfying to see Elle proving to people that though she’s blonde, she’s by NO means dumb. Like her outfits, Elle also positively demonstrates that femininity NEVER goes out of style.
- Queen of Katwe
Before Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit took the world by storm, Disney filmed a biopic about a poor Ugandan girl whose extraordinary talent for chess has not only pursued her to win a title, but to give her and her family a better life. Madina Nalwanga’s portrayal of the chess prodigy, Phiona Mutesi shines as she genuinely chronicles her rags to riches tale. This film is not short on impactful women as it also stars Lupita Nyong’o as Nakku Harriet, Phiona’s hardworking mother. Esther Tebandeke as Sarah Katende, Robert’s supportive wife, and the late Nikita Waligwa as Gloria, the girl who redefined kinging in chess to Queening.
- On the Basis of Sex
No man can take down the Notorious RBG, and no other woman can play the role better than Felicity Jones. She perfectly captures Ginsburg’s unwavering spirit in the face of harsh sexism and her passion for justice in fighting equality in the workplace for women. RBG wasn’t just fighting for women, but she fought for everyone who’s been unfairly treated by society’s idea of what an ideal American citizen is supposed to be. I pity the fools who’d gone to war with this woman!
- Hidden Figures
Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae are the queens of NASA in this biopic film. Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson all played their roles in getting a man in space while struggling with the hurdles of sexism and racism in the 60’s. Yes, though some of the events and closeness between the women were fictionalized, it still couldn’t take away the impact these extraordinary women made in history and the actresses who respectively paid tribute in their portrayals.
- Moana
We all know how far Auli’i Cravalho would go to embody this empowering Disney heroine. Moana’s not waiting for a prince or an arrogant demigod to save the world. She goes off on her own with the encouragement of her mother and grandmother to right a wrong in order to save the people she loves and bring forth her community towards the future. Moana’s a leader that many women would be proud to follow into the unknown.
- Little Women (2019)
Everyone’s got a favorite Little Women adaptation, but many can agree that Greta Gerwig’s take on the classic story was the favorite of 2019. Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, and Meryl Streep all uniquely slayed their respective roles as the March women, especially Pugh’s take on Amy March whose character went from an antagonistic spoiled child to a mature women of grace and relatability. Forget the Traveling Pants ladies, this film depicts the true power of sisterhood!
- Birds of Prey & The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn
What do the Joker’s ex, an alcoholic criminal case obsessed cop, a singer with a superhero legacy, and a vengeful crossbow wielding warrior have in common? Zero, right? WRONG! While these imperfectly fierce females may not run in the same social circle, they do have one thing in common, and that thing is that they all were dominated by toxic male figures in their lives. Through unconventional circumstances, these unconventional heroines truly came together as a team to protect a young misguided girl who mistakenly believed that the safest place for a coded diamond would be her stomach! The female led ensemble of Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett, Rosie Perez, & Ella Jay Basco is a power dynamic many girl groups need today.
- Princess Mononoke
You all know Beauty and the Beast, but this Studio Ghibli beauty is a total BEAST! Claire Danes strikes again on this list as she lends her fierce voice as San, the driven princess protector of the wolves and nature in the english dubbed version of Princess Mononoke. Unlike other princesses, San isn’t waiting for prince charming, she’s all about protecting her wolf family and the rest of the creatures in the forest from anyone who dares try to harm them and the environment. This film gives off the right amount of girl power as it also has Minnie Driver voicing the empowering and problematic Lady Eboshi and Gillian Anderson voicing the mighty mama wolf, Moro.
- She’s The Man
Who else loves a good Amanda Bynes comedy movie? I know I sure do! In this retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Amanda Bynes plays Viola, a star soccer player who disguised herself as her brother to prove that she has the skills to play both a girls and boys sports team after her own got undeservingly cut. Like Mulan, though Viola’s disguise is what got her on the team at the beginning, it was her sharp soccer skills and the respect of her coach and team that truly earned her spot. Plus, the fact that she got together with Channing Tatum’s character in the final scene doesn’t hurt either!
- Temple Grandin
Where would both the women and the autism community be without the brilliant mind of Temple Grandin? Claire Danes portrays real-life heroine Temple Grandin who’d overcome multiple adversaries in her life, from being discriminated against by her ASD to being pushed aside in a male dominated workplace for being a woman. This movie is for both women and women on the spectrum to show them that no matter how many times they get knocked down or have multiple doors slammed on their faces, they have the power to get back up and persevere for their God-given dream!
- Suffragette
While the outsiders see these women as mere suffragettes, these ladies see more of themselves as soldiers fighting a war much greater than themselves. Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, and Meryl Streep star in this powerful female led ensemble biopic film about women in the 19th century fighting for their rights to vote and the cost of achieving a dream turned reality. This is the perfect film to watch with your fellow gal pals!
- Erin Brockovich
What’s fiercer than a weapon wielding woman? How about a single mother fighting tooth and nail to give the best care for her children while challenging a nefarious gas and electric company who’s responsible for intentionally poisoning innocent civilians and their families? Julia Roberts’ role as the real-life strong-willed Erin Brockovich had proved that she was more than just a “Pretty Woman,” (see what I did there?). Brockovich is a force of nature when it comes to standing up for what’s right and Roberts embodies the role with finesse.
- Aliens
Though the first Alien film had introduced Sigourney Weaver’s character Ellen Ripley as a take charge woman, the sequel cements her as a certified badass! Ripley dons the role of the smartest and sensible woman of the sci-fi genre as she once again tries to save the human race from both the Xenomorphs and male stupidity… We’re looking at you, Burke! And Weaver’s character isn’t the only empowering female that gets to shine as it also co-stars Jenette Goldstein’s Private Jenette Vasquez, a sassy, take no crud soldier who can seriously shoot with her guns as well as shooting witty quips at her male dominated squad. Lastly there’s Carrie Henn’s character, the young Rebecca Jordan aka Newt, who’s survival skills and resourcefulness had not only kept herself alive, but the lives of Ripley and the surviving squad members as well.
- The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler
Anna Paquin of X-Men fame stars in this powerful biopic film about Irena Sendler. As the title says, Irena Sendler, a polish social worker, courageously put her life on the line to save many Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto. Fair warning, I suggest that for female (and male) viewers who have not seen this film yet to bring a truckload’s worth of tissue boxes.
- Big Eyes
A powerful woman’s weapon isn’t always a sword or a pistol, sometimes a woman’s best weapon is her paintbrush. In this biopic film, Amy Adams plays Margaret Keane whose artistic talents were overshadowed by her sleazy second husband, Walter, who’s been crediting her work as his own. For so long she allowed him to do this out of fearing him and having no support for her daughter, and her own lack of confidence. After finding a renewed faith, Margaret Keane found the courage to speak up against Walter’s facade and told the truth in a way she knew how… with her art! Fun Fact: Did you know that the big eye designs on The Powerpuff Girls were inspired by her Big Eyed waifs and the fictional teacher on the show Ms. Keane was named after her?