Today is International Women’s Day and it is the perfect time to learn about inspiring and powerful women throughout history that paved the way for a better life for women now.
A great way to learn about this information is through film. Nowadays there are a wide variety of movies that cover feminist issues, working rights and identity, along with other groundbreaking topics for women in the past and present day.
If you’re looking to celebrate International Women’s Day with your feet up while you enjoy a movie night with your daughter(s), look no further. We’ve found our favourite movies with female leads to mark this important day. Check out our list below and don’t forget to grab all your favourite snacks!
Little Women
Starring Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen, this 2019 adaptation explores the lives of the March sisters as they enter womanhood years after the civil war. Directed by Greta Gerwig.
The Help
This film's story focuses on the life of a white woman and aspiring journalist Skeeter, and her relationship with two black maids, Aibileen Clark and Minny Jackson during the Civil Rights Movement in 1963. Skeeter wants to write a book from the point of view of the maids to highlight the risks they face while working for white families. Starring a large female cast including Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney and Sissy Spacek.
Legally Blonde
This movie sees Reese Witherspoon overcome stereotypes about blonde women as she tries to win back her ex-boyfriend by getting a degree at Harvard Law School. She goes on to become a successful lawyer and proves that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.
Homecoming
A 2019 concert film that shows the behind-the-scenes of Beyoncé's preparation for her performance at Coachella. The Netflix movie shows the pure talent and dedication Beyoncé has to being a performer- a very inspiring watch.
The Woman King
This 2022 movie set in the 1820’s is about an all-female warrior unit that protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey during the 17th and 19th centuries. Starring Viola Davis, she must train the next generation of warriors. This film has a strong female and POC cast including Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch and Sheila Atim.
Mulan
Whether you want to watch the original 1998 Disney movie if you have a younger daughter or the 2020 live action remake, this powerful story follows a girl who disguises herself as a male warrior in order to prevent her sick dad from having to enlist in the war as he has no male heir.
Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey
This Superhero film follows Harley Quinn as she joins forces with Helena Bertinelli, Dinah Lance and Renee Montoya to save Cassandra Cain while being threatened by a Gotham City crime lord.
On the Basis of Sex
A biographical film based on the difficult life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg- the second woman to serve as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. It shows a woman trying to live and work in a male-dominated world.
Hidden Figures
Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe, this film tells the story of three African-American women who had to fight racial and gender discrimination while working for NASA during John Glenn’s launch into orbit.
Lady Bird
Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, this movie follows the life of Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan) as she prepares to graduate from high school. She has a strained relationship with her mum, which only gets worse as they disagree on what college she should go to, but all is not lost for the pair. A very good watch if you have a teenage daughter.
