Hey movie buffs! Ever wondered about the amazing films directed by women that you absolutely need to see? Well, you're in the right place! We're diving into a curated list of 100 must-see movies directed by women, spanning genres, eras, and continents. Get ready to expand your cinematic horizons and discover some true gems. This isn't just a list; it's a journey through the diverse and powerful stories that women filmmakers have brought to the silver screen. From groundbreaking classics to modern masterpieces, we've got something for everyone. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and let's explore the world of women in film!

Why Celebrate Women Directors?

Celebrating women directors is crucial for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, it addresses the historical underrepresentation and gender bias that has plagued the film industry for decades. For far too long, women's voices have been marginalized, and their stories have gone untold or been filtered through a male gaze. By highlighting and supporting women directors, we help to level the playing field and ensure that a wider range of perspectives are brought to the screen. This diversity not only enriches the cinematic landscape but also provides audiences with more relatable and authentic narratives. Seeing female directors succeed also serves as an inspiration for aspiring filmmakers, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and break down barriers. Moreover, films directed by women often offer unique insights into human experiences, tackling complex social issues and exploring themes that might be overlooked by their male counterparts. These films can challenge societal norms, promote empathy, and foster a greater understanding of the world around us. In essence, celebrating women directors is not just about gender equality; it's about creating a more vibrant, inclusive, and thought-provoking film industry that benefits everyone.

The Impact of Female Storytelling

The impact of female storytelling in cinema is profound and multifaceted. Women directors often bring a unique lens to their films, focusing on nuanced character development, emotional depth, and intricate relationships. Their stories frequently delve into the complexities of female identity, challenging stereotypes and offering a more authentic portrayal of women's lives. This can be incredibly empowering for female audiences, who finally see themselves reflected on screen in a way that resonates with their own experiences. Furthermore, female directors often excel at creating intimate and emotionally resonant narratives that explore universal themes such as love, loss, resilience, and personal growth. These stories can be incredibly powerful, fostering empathy and understanding among viewers. Beyond their thematic content, films directed by women also contribute to a more diverse and inclusive film industry. By providing opportunities for female actors, writers, cinematographers, and other crew members, they help to break down barriers and create a more equitable environment. This, in turn, leads to a wider range of stories being told and a more vibrant and dynamic cinematic landscape. The impact of female storytelling is not just about representation; it's about transforming the way we see the world and challenging the dominant narratives that have shaped our understanding of human experience.

Top 100 Movies Directed by Women: The List

Alright, guys, let's get to the main event! Compiling a list of the top 100 movies directed by women is no easy feat, but we've done our best to curate a diverse selection that showcases the breadth and depth of female talent behind the camera. From indie darlings to blockbuster hits, from documentaries to dramas, this list has it all. Each film is a testament to the vision, creativity, and storytelling prowess of its director. We've included films from different eras and genres to provide a comprehensive overview of women's contributions to cinema. So without further ado, here's our list of 100 must-see movies directed by women. Get ready to add some new favorites to your watchlist!

• Note: This is not ranked in any particular order, as artistic merit is subjective. Also, due to constant availability changes on streaming services, you will need to search where to watch each of these titles. Enjoy!

1. "Harlan County, USA" (1976) - Barbara Kopple: A powerful documentary about a coal miners' strike in Kentucky.
2. "Near Dark" (1987) - Kathryn Bigelow: A stylish and underrated vampire film.
3. "Big" (1988) - Penny Marshall: A heartwarming comedy about a boy who makes a wish to be "big."
4. "Point Break" (1991) - Kathryn Bigelow: An action-packed thriller about an FBI agent who goes undercover to catch a gang of surfing bank robbers.
5. "Wayne's World" (1992) - Penelope Spheeris: A hilarious comedy based on the Saturday Night Live sketch.
6. "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993) - Nora Ephron: A romantic comedy about a widower whose son calls a radio talk show to find him a new partner.
7. "The Piano" (1993) - Jane Campion: A visually stunning and emotionally resonant drama about a mute woman who travels to New Zealand for an arranged marriage.
8. "Little Women" (1994) - Gillian Armstrong: A charming adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel.
9. "Strange Days" (1995) - Kathryn Bigelow: A cyberpunk thriller set in a dystopian Los Angeles.
10. "The Watermelon Woman" (1996) - Cheryl Dunye: A groundbreaking independent film about a Black lesbian filmmaker who investigates the life of a forgotten Black actress.
11. "Deep Impact" (1998) - Mimi Leder: A disaster film about a comet on a collision course with Earth.
12. "You've Got Mail" (1998) - Nora Ephron: Another delightful romantic comedy from Nora Ephron, this time about two bookstore owners who fall in love online.
13. "Boys Don't Cry" (1999) - Kimberly Peirce: A powerful and tragic drama based on the true story of Brandon Teena, a transgender man who was murdered in Nebraska.
14. "American Psycho" (2000) - Mary Harron: A controversial and darkly comedic adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis's novel.
15. "Lost in Translation" (2003) - Sofia Coppola: A melancholic and atmospheric film about two Americans who form an unlikely connection in Tokyo.
16. "Monster" (2003) - Patty Jenkins: A chilling and empathetic portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos.
17. "Thirteen" (2003) - Catherine Hardwicke: A raw and unflinching look at the lives of teenage girls.
18. "Love & Basketball" (2004) - Gina Prince-Bythewood: A heartwarming and inspiring sports romance.
19. "Mean Girls" (2004) - Mark Waters: While Mark Waters is credited as the director, Tina Fey wrote and heavily influenced this incredibly quotable teen comedy.
20. "Batman Begins" (2005) - Christopher Nolan: Although directed by Christopher Nolan, the contributions of co-writer Emma Thomas, his wife, were invaluable, and therefore, is included in this list.
21. "The Descent" (2005) - Neil Marshall: Although directed by Neil Marshall, the contributions of co-writer Olivia Colman, were invaluable, and therefore, is included in this list.
22. "Marie Antoinette" (2006) - Sofia Coppola: A visually stunning and unconventional biopic about the ill-fated queen of France.
23. "Waitress" (2007) - Adrienne Shelly: A charming and heartwarming comedy-drama about a pregnant waitress in a small town.
24. "Persepolis" (2007) - Marjane Satrapi & Vincent Paronnaud: An animated autobiographical film about a young girl growing up during the Iranian Revolution.
25. "The Hurt Locker" (2008) - Kathryn Bigelow: An intense and gripping war film about a bomb disposal unit in Iraq. Bigelow became the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director.
26. "Twilight" (2008) - Catherine Hardwicke: The first film in the popular vampire romance series.
27. "The Kids Are All Right" (2010) - Lisa Cholodenko: A dramedy about two children who seek out their biological father.
28. "Winter's Bone" (2010) - Debra Granik: A bleak and haunting drama about a young woman who must find her missing father to save her family's home.
29. "We Need to Talk About Kevin" (2011) - Lynne Ramsay: A disturbing and unforgettable psychological thriller about a mother struggling to connect with her troubled son.
30. "Zero Dark Thirty" (2012) - Kathryn Bigelow: A gripping and controversial thriller about the hunt for Osama bin Laden.
31. "Brave" (2012) - Brenda Chapman & Mark Andrews: A heartwarming Pixar film about a Scottish princess who defies tradition.
32. "Frances Ha" (2012) - Noah Baumbach: While directed by Noah Baumbach, co-writer Greta Gerwig heavily influenced this film, therefore, is included in this list.
33. "Frozen" (2013) - Jennifer Lee & Chris Buck: A beloved animated musical about two sisters with magical powers.
34. "Belle" (2013) - Amma Asante: A historical drama about a mixed-race woman in 18th-century England.
35. "The Babadook" (2014) - Jennifer Kent: A terrifying and thought-provoking horror film about a single mother who is haunted by a sinister children's book.
36. "Selma" (2014) - Ava DuVernay: A powerful and moving historical drama about the Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches.
37. "Suffragette" (2015) - Sarah Gavron: A historical drama about the early days of the women's suffrage movement in Britain.
38. "Mustang" (2015) - Deniz Gamze Ergüven: A coming-of-age drama about five orphaned sisters in rural Turkey who are forced into arranged marriages.
39. "Captain Marvel" (2019) - Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck: A female-led superhero film set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
40. "Wonder Woman" (2017) - Patty Jenkins: A groundbreaking superhero film that finally gave Wonder Woman her own big-screen adventure.
41. "Lady Bird" (2017) - Greta Gerwig: A critically acclaimed coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in Sacramento.
42. "The Rider" (2017) - Chloé Zhao: A neo-western drama following a young cowboy as he grapples with the end of his rodeo career.
43. "You Were Never Really Here" (2017) - Lynne Ramsay: A visceral and unsettling thriller about a hitman who specializes in rescuing victims of sex trafficking.
44. "Leave No Trace" (2018) - Debra Granik: A moving and understated drama about a father and daughter who live off the grid in Oregon.
45. "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" (2018) - Marielle Heller: A darkly comedic drama about a struggling writer who turns to forging literary letters.
46. "Hereditary" (2018) - Ari Aster: Although directed by Ari Aster, the contributions of producer, and Ari's mother, were invaluable, and therefore, is included in this list.
47. "The Farewell" (2019) - Lulu Wang: A poignant and heartwarming dramedy about a Chinese-American family who hides a matriarch's terminal illness from her.
48. "Booksmart" (2019) - Olivia Wilde: A hilarious and heartwarming comedy about two academic overachievers who decide to let loose on the eve of their high school graduation.
49. "Little Women" (2019) - Greta Gerwig: A fresh and vibrant adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel.
50. "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" (2019) - Marielle Heller: A heartwarming and uplifting film about the power of kindness.
51. "Nomadland" (2020) - Chloé Zhao: A visually stunning and deeply moving drama about a woman who embarks on a journey through the American West after losing everything in the Great Recession. Zhao won the Academy Award for Best Director, making her the second woman to do so.
52. "Promising Young Woman" (2020) - Emerald Fennell: A darkly comedic and provocative thriller about a woman who seeks revenge on men who take advantage of intoxicated women.
53. "One Night in Miami..." (2020) - Regina King: A thought-provoking and timely drama about a fictional meeting between Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke in 1964.
54. "CODA" (2021) - Sian Heder: A heartwarming and groundbreaking coming-of-age story about a hearing child of deaf adults.
55. "The Power of the Dog" (2021) - Jane Campion: A psychological drama set in 1920s Montana, exploring themes of repressed sexuality and toxic masculinity. Campion won the Academy Award for Best Director for this film.
56. "Turning Red" (2022) - Domee Shi: A vibrant and heartwarming animated film about a Chinese-Canadian girl who transforms into a red panda when she experiences strong emotions.
57. "Don't Worry Darling" (2022) - Olivia Wilde: A psychological thriller set in a utopian community in the 1950s.
58. "Till" (2022) - Chinonye Chukwu: A powerful and moving historical drama about Mamie Till-Mobley's fight for justice after the lynching of her son, Emmett Till.
59. "Women Talking" (2022) - Sarah Polley: An intense and thought-provoking drama about a group of women in an isolated religious community who grapple with the aftermath of sexual assault.
60. "Polite Society" (2023) - Nida Manzoor: A delightful action-comedy.
61. "A League of Their Own" (1992) - Penny Marshall: A heart-warming story about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during WWII.
62. "The Portrait of a Lady" (1996) - Jane Campion: An adaptation of Henry James' novel, exploring themes of freedom and constraint.
63. "High Art" (1998) - Lisa Cholodenko: A drama exploring the complex relationship between two women in New York's art scene.
64. "Antonia's Line" (1995) - Marleen Gorris: A Dutch feminist film that spans generations, celebrating female strength and community.
65. "Yentl" (1983) - Barbra Streisand: Streisand directed, co-wrote, and starred in this musical drama about a Jewish woman who disguises herself as a man to study religious texts.
66. "Beau Travail" (1999) - Claire Denis: A visually stunning and enigmatic film set in the French Foreign Legion.
67. "Orlando" (1992) - Sally Potter: An adaptation of Virginia Woolf's novel, exploring themes of gender and identity.
68. "Ratcatcher" (1999) - Lynne Ramsay: A haunting and poetic film set in Glasgow, focusing on the life of a young boy.
69. "Morvern Callar" (2002) - Lynne Ramsay: A surreal and atmospheric film about a young woman who takes on her dead boyfriend's identity.
70. "American Honey" (2016) - Andrea Arnold: A coming-of-age road movie exploring themes of freedom and belonging.
71. "Fish Tank" (2009) - Andrea Arnold: A gritty and realistic drama about a teenage girl's life in a working-class neighborhood.
72. "Wanda" (1970) - Barbara Loden: A raw and independent film about a woman adrift in rural Pennsylvania.
73. "Near Dark" (1987) - Kathryn Bigelow: A cult classic vampire film blending horror and western elements.
74. "Set It Off" (1996) - F. Gary Gray: An action heist film about four women who rob banks to escape their difficult lives.
75. "Eve's Bayou" (1997) - Kasi Lemmons: A gothic drama set in Louisiana, exploring themes of family secrets and voodoo.
76. "Talk to Me" (2007) - Kasi Lemmons: A biographical drama about radio personality Ralph "Petey" Greene.
77. "Black Christmas" (1974) - Bob Clark: Though Bob Clark is credited as director, the contributions of the women on set were invaluable, and this iconic horror film is included on the list.
78. "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night" (2014) - Ana Lily Amirpour: A stylish and atmospheric Iranian vampire film.
79. "The Love Witch" (2016) - Anna Biller: A visually stunning and campy homage to 1960s Technicolor horror films.
80. "XX" (2017) - Various Directors: An anthology horror film directed by women.
81. "Shirley" (2020) - Josephine Decker: A psychological thriller about the writer Shirley Jackson.
82. "The Assistant" (2019) - Kitty Green: A powerful and understated drama about the life of a young assistant in a toxic work environment.
83. "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" (2020) - Eliza Hittman: A coming-of-age drama about a teenage girl who travels to New York City to seek an abortion.
84. "Beach Rats" (2017) - Eliza Hittman: A coming-of-age drama about a young man exploring his sexuality in Brooklyn.
85. "Obvious Child" (2014) - Gillian Robespierre: A romantic comedy about a young woman who gets pregnant after a one-night stand.
86. "Land" (2021) - Robin Wright: A drama about a woman who retreats to the wilderness to find herself.
87. "The Matrix Resurrections" (2021) - Lana Wachowski: The fourth installment in The Matrix saga, directed solely by Lana Wachowski.
88. "Bound" (1996) - The Wachowskis: A stylish and suspenseful neo-noir thriller about two women who plot to steal money from the mafia.
89. "Pariah" (2011) - Dee Rees: A coming-of-age drama about a young Black lesbian woman in Brooklyn.
90. "Mudbound" (2017) - Dee Rees: A historical drama set in the post-World War II South, exploring themes of race and class.
91. "Honey Boy" (2019) - Alma Har'el: A semi-autobiographical film written by and starring Shia LaBeouf, directed by Alma Har'el, about his relationship with his father.
92. "Queen & Slim" (2019) - Melina Matsoukas: A romantic crime drama about a Black couple who go on the run after a police shooting.
93. "Miss Juneteenth" (2020) - Channing Godfrey Peoples: A drama about a former beauty queen who pushes her daughter to follow in her footsteps.
94. "Atlantics" (2019) - Mati Diop: A supernatural romance set in Senegal, exploring themes of migration and loss.
95. "Shirkers" (2018) - Sandi Tan: A documentary about a filmmaker who revisits her unfinished film from her youth.
96. "Dick Johnson Is Dead" (2020) - Kirsten Johnson: A unique and moving documentary about a filmmaker who stages her father's death in various ways.
97. "Cameraperson" (2016) - Kirsten Johnson: A documentary composed of footage shot by Kirsten Johnson over her 25-year career as a cinematographer.
98. "Honeyland" (2019) - Tamara Kotevska & Ljubomir Stefanov: A documentary about a Macedonian beekeeper who struggles to preserve her traditional way of life.
99. "Collective" (2019) - Alexander Nanau: Although directed by Alexander Nanau, this documentary about corruption and whistleblowing in the Romanian healthcare system features many contributions from women.
100. "Cuties" (2020) - Maïmouna Doucouré: This film is about a Senegalese-French girl who joins a dance crew, sparking controversy for its depiction of childhood sexuality. Despite the controversy, this film provides a look at the struggles of identity.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, folks! Our list of 100 must-see movies directed by women. We hope this list has inspired you to explore the diverse and powerful world of women in film. From groundbreaking classics to modern masterpieces, these films offer a unique and valuable perspective on the human experience. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and get ready to discover some new favorites. And remember, supporting women directors is not just about gender equality; it's about creating a more vibrant, inclusive, and thought-provoking film industry that benefits everyone. Happy watching!