Top 10 Best Movies About Women And Directed by Women

The eagerly awaited Barbie live-action movie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, and helmed by the undeniably talented Greta Gerwig, has just hit theatres. The way it approaches womanhood is one of the aspects of the movie that stands out the most, at least according to critics so far.

The history of women’s stories is ancient. There are many female-centric films that are just as good, especially considering that they are actually seen through the “female gaze” and frequently give audiences a different and, on occasion, more accurate point of view. Men have produced some of the most well-known films, such as the comedies Legally Blonde by Robert Luketic and A Woman Under the Influence by John Cassavetes, both of which are unquestionably great pictures.

These are some of the top films that examine various experiences, stages, and circumstances in women’s life, ranging from The Edge of Seventeen to Portrait of a Lady on Fire.

10.Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ (2019):

Adèle Haenel plays the young daughter of a French countess in Céline Sciamma’s historical drama Portrait of a Lady on Fire, which is set in 1770 and centres on their passionate love affair.

This amazing work of cinema, which portrays yearning and queer love in a unique way, is unlike anything viewers have probably ever seen, largely because of its melancholy story, outstanding acting, and breathtaking photography that appears to have been taken straight out of a painting. Girlhood is another fantastic film from Sciamma that you should see if you’re looking for more female-focused films.

9.Vagabond (1985):

The very touching drama film Vagabond was written and directed by Agnès Varda, a forerunner of the French New Wave. It chronicles the voyage of a free-spirited young woman (Sandrine Bonnaire) as she travels from place to place, working odd jobs and lodging with whoever would have her.

Mona prefers freedom over comfort and is willing to go to tremendous measures, even if it means suffering horrific outcomes, to obtain it.

Like many other Varda films (such as Cléo from 5 to 7), Vagabond is unquestionably a feminist at its core, handling important subjects in an engaging manner, such as the desire for liberty on all levels among women. Many people see it as Varda’s finest because of its immensely devastating but captivating plot.

8.Jeanne Dielman (1975):

Delphine Seyrig portrays Sylvain’s widowed mother in this 1975 Chantal Akerman drama. Sylvain is the son of Jan Decorte, a young man. She works intermittent prostitution jobs to support herself and spends her days doing menial household chores like food shopping, cooking, and housework.

In Jeanne Dielman, feminine sorrow, oppression, and the strain placed on women to maintain the look of an ideal wife and mother are depicted in an ever-relevant and sympathetic manner. Some consider Akerman’s film to be the pinnacle of slow motion, and it offers viewers a potent remark.

7.Little Women (2019):

With a superb ensemble cast that includes Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Timothée Chalamet, and Laura Dern, this Greta Gerwig-directed picture, which is an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel of the same name, reinvents the well-known classic. Little Women is a time-traveling novel that focuses on the lives of the four March sisters, who have extremely different goals and distinctly different personalities.

Gerwig demonstrated her directorial and screenwriting talents in the films Little Women and Frances Ha, which both deal with womanhood and the challenges of figuring out your way in life, before she got her hands on the summer blockbuster Barbie.

6.Daughters of the Dust (1991):

As the first film made by a black female director to receive a wide theatrical release, Daughters of the Dust is one of the most revolutionary films made by and about women. The Gullah ladies of three generations live on the South Carolina Sea Islands in the year 1902.

Julie Dash’s amazing film explores themes of tradition, religion, tolerance, and family, giving spectators a lyrical look on all of these subjects. It has a wonderful production design and out-of-this-world cinematography that will transport viewers back in time.

5.Raw (2016):

The protagonist of the superbly created film Raw is Justine, a 17-year-old vegetarian played by Garance Marillier. Justine learns about a bizarre, brutal, and terrifyingly intriguing world during her first week at veterinary school.

Justice starts to suffer unanticipated effects as she engages and is forced to consume raw flesh for the first time.

The disturbing body horror film by feminist director Julia Ducournau is unquestionably one of the most alluring and thought-provoking examples of the genre. This frightening film is an uncommon but remarkable coming-of-age and dark comedy that explores the idea of female hunger and pleasure in all spheres of one’s life, including intellectual, professional, and sexual.

4.The Virgin Suicides (1999):

The Virgin Suicides is based on the same-named book by Jeffrey Eugenides, and it is directed by Sofia Coppola, who has certainly made a name for herself in the industry. The five enigmatic and sad Lisbon sisters, the subject of many of the local boys’ infatuation, are at the focus of the story.

Coppola’s debut feature illuminates loss and memory with a surreal backdrop and intriguing subject. The Virgin Suicides presents itself as a light and feminine picture, yet it is ultimately dark and eerie despite its provocative title. This 1999 movie still has resonance today because it deals with touchy subjects including depression, eating disorders, religious tyranny, and societal deterioration.

3.The Babadook (2014):

The Babadook, which is regarded as a modern horror masterpiece and has a stellar 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is Jennifer Kent’s outstanding feature directorial debut. Essie Davis plays a troubled widow who learns that the monster stories her son has been mentioning are real.

The Babadook, a riveting film that explores the psychological disintegration of a damaged female heroine, is a great choice for horror aficionados. The movie succeeds in being memorable because it skillfully integrates the genre with delicate issues of trauma and mental health. As a result, it will undoubtedly stick in viewers’ minds for some time.

2.American Honey (2016):

American Honey, an underrated A24 gem, follows Sasha Lane’s Star, a disobedient adolescent who escapes her troubled home with a travelling sales crew. Star gets in with the bunch of outcasts and takes part in their unique (and dubious) way of life.

The must-see road trip film by Andrea Arnold features gorgeous cinematography and standout acting. The three-hour slice-of-life film, which has a unique and refreshing story, captivates viewers with its compelling writing and fascinating reflections on the lives of numerous underprivileged young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, showing both their lack of opportunities and their struggle to find their place in the world.

1.The Edge of Seventeen (2016):

Kelly Fremon is me. In Craig’s tale of adolescence with Hailee Steinfeld (who gives one of her best performances), Nadine’s unpleasant high school experience can be related to by many young girls. It’s one of the teen films with the most realism available.

Nadine can’t help but feel alone in the world because she is the most uncomfortable girl in town and because her brother (Blake Jenner) has started dating her best friend (Haley Lu Richardson).

The Edge of Seventeen is an excellent movie because it truly addresses universal topics, such as the sensation of not belonging anywhere (particularly as a teenager), and is a classic that many people rightfully look to for comfort and peace.

In addition to highlighting these fears, Fremon Craig’s film also accurately captures the high school experience, making for a bittersweet yet engaging viewing that is sure to keep viewers entertained.