When you think about romance movies, feminism probably doesn’t come to mind. And there’s a pretty simple answer to that: very few feminist romance movies actually exist. Set aside romantic comedies and dramas with a romantic element — what do you have left? Classic love stories where the plot is centered around love or the search for love. There are no alternative tangents or hilarious sidekicks, just two involved people trying to find their way through the maze that is love.
Of course, there are plenty of romance movies that focus on a budding relationship or a renewed marriage. However, the majority of these romances portray women as unable to live without men. They sacrifice their independence, careers or dreams to be with their significant other, who oftentimes encourage this stereotypical behavior.
It’s also important to point out that there’s nothing wrong with wanting to fall in love and give everything up to be with someone you love. What’s wrong with how romance movies illustrate this desire is the desperateness women feel when trying to please their more dominant partner. The following movies discard these traditional themes and present assertive female characters who both fall in love and stay true to themselves.
1. Safe Haven (2013)
Starring the gorgeous Julianne Hough and the hunky Josh Duhamel, this movie follows a brave young woman’s traumatic flee from an abusive relationship. It’s also based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, so expect some pretty steamy make-out scenes.
2. My Brilliant Career (1979)
If a woman knows what she wants in life, there’s no keeping her from achieving that goal. Watch My Brilliant Career if you’re in the mood for some #empowering proposal rejections. I promise you’ll be clapping hard like Nicole Kidman at the Oscars.
3. Carol (2015)
There’s nothing more feminist than two women in 1952 finding love within one another, in spite of harsh disapproval from multiple parties. You’ll definitely be shipping Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara hard by the end of the movie.
4. Frida (2002)
You’re probably familiar with Frida Kahlo’s famous works of art, but how much do you know about her rocky, on-and-off marriage with Diego Rivera? Frida deals with sexuality, addiction, divorce and a multitude of other heavy themes that women may deal with in their love lives.