2020 is going to be a year packed with mind-blowing movies, and not only will there be plenty of action, fantasy, romance, horror; whatever you’re into!
But this year will also have some awesome female leads in movies, be it heroines, anti-heroines, bad-ass journalists or sword-wielding Disney princesses, this year has it all.
So here’s 10 female-led movies you should look out for this year:
Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) – Birds of Prey
Despite Suicide Squad getting destroyed by critics after its release in 2016, there’s high hopes for Harleen Quinzel (Robbie)’s starring role in Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).
After Quinn breaks up with the Joker, she ends up working with a team of other female superheroes to save a girl from one of Gotham’s many villains, Black Mask (Ewan McGregor).
The movie also boasts a female director, which is probably reason enough to go see it! Birds of Prey is currently showing in cinemas in Ireland.
Nora Price (Kristen Stewart) – Underwater
In this Sci-Fi horror movie, mechanical engineer Norah Price (Stewart) is running from her past and ends up working on an underwater facility at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. But when an earthquake almost destroys the facility, the crew have to cross the ocean floor and face the horrors that lurk there.
The movie so far has a 6.2 star rating on IMDB, and although January is known to be the dumping ground for movies that aren’t expected to perform well, Stewart fills the role of leading lady nicely.
The movie was released on January 7th in Ireland.
Stephanie Patrick (Blake Lively) – The Rhythm Section
In this thriller movie from the director of The Handmaid’s Tale, Reed Morano, Stephanie Patrick (Lively) is a tormented woman who loses her family in a plane crash. But when it is revealed the crash was no accident, she is sent down the dark path of revenge.
As a straight female, I find it very difficult not to fall in love with Blake Lively. The Rhythm Section does not look like it will be an exception.
The movie will be in cinemas in Ireland on January 31st.
Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) – Black Widow
Johansson has filled the role of Natasha Romanoff in movies no less than seven times (to my knowledge), not including this latest addition to the Marvel movie collection.
Romanoff is given to the KGB at birth, where she is trained becomes an operative. After the dissolution of the USSR she becomes a free agent. Set after the events of Captain America: Civil War, the story follows Romanoff as she faces her past. This is another movie on our list with a female director.
The movie is set to be released on May 1st.
Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) – Wonder Woman 1984
Wonder Woman was praised by the public (and me) for its depiction of strong female characters. Not only were men in the movie unable to do what the women were capable of, but they also got really cool outfits and their own island.
Now picture that, but to a soundtrack of Michael Jackson and Depeche Mode. Diana Prince (Gadot) is forced to fight villains Cheetah (Kristen Wiig) and Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal).
The movie is scheduled to be released on June 5th.
Elena McMahon (Anne Hathaway) – The Last Thing He Wanted
In a movie about a journalist that realises her father is caught up in criminal dealings, Hathaway’s role as Elena McMahon is a difficult one. The DC reporter becomes embroiled in the story she was trying to break, and ends up in the starring role.
Journalists are a love-hate character in a lot of movies, they are either the antagonists in the form of paparazzi or corrupt reporters, or are the heroes trying to find the truth. In any case, the cast is led by Hathaway and deserves to make the list.
The Last Thing He Wanted will be released to Netflix in February.
Mulan (Yifei Liu) – Mulan
Disney remakes deserve a list of their own, but Mulan has been both highly anticipated and criticised. Despite actress Yifei Liu facing a boycott due to her support of the Hong Kong police when others claimed they used excessive force against protesters, Mulan is one of the best Disney movies.
Featuring a strong female lead joining the military to protect her family, Mulan is a classic role model for young girls, and it will be interesting to see how the live-action remake compares to the original.
Mulan will be in cinemas in Ireland on the 27th of March.
Cassie (Carey Mulligan) – Promising Young Woman
Honestly, this is one of the movies on this list that I’m most excited for. Not only is Carey Mulligan an amazing, beautiful, captivating actress, but she’s also performed really well in a diverse range of roles. Promising Young Woman looks to be no exception.
A woman makes it her mission to seek out and punish men who are taking advantage of intoxicated females at bars. Despite her double life, her troubled past and reasons for leaving medical school eventually begin catching up to her.
Not only is this movie starring a powerful female in a powerful role, but the director is Emerald Fennell, author, showrunner for season two of the phenomenal TV drama Killing Eve, and played the role of Nurse Patsy in Call the Midwife.
If that wasn’t enough of a recommendation, the cast also boasts Alison Brie and the movie is produced by Margot Robbie. So if you haven’t already, go watch the trailer!
Promising Young Woman is due to be released in Ireland on March 27th, 2020.
Wendy Darling (Devin France) – Wendy
By far the youngest leading lady on this list, Devin France stars in a new take on the Peter Pan story. Focused on the experience of Wendy Darling after she is kidnapped and brought to a mysterious island, she soon realises that something is very wrong with her new home.
In this fantasy adventure movie, Behn Zeitlin who directed “Beasts of the Southern Wild” returns to the director’s chair in what’s certain to be a complete re-imagining of J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan.
The movie is set to be released at the end of February.
Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) – A Quiet Place: Part II
Last but not least, Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) continues the story of ‘A Quiet Place’ in this sequel, directed by real-life husband John Krasinski, aka Lee Abbott (RIP).
Now not only is Emily Blunt a strong female lead, but it wouldn’t be wrong to say Evelyn Abbott is THE strongest female possibly ever. Who else would be able to get through childbirth by herself in a bathtub without making one single sound? Not only that but also keep three children and Jim from The Office alive for the majority of a movie!
You have to hand it to Evelyn, she’s a strong strong lady.
A Quiet Place: Part II will be released in March.