11 Female-Centric Flicks You Need To Stream During Women’s History Month

You’ve been here before. It’s time for a quiet night in with a cozy cup of tea, your comfiest pajamas, and – fingers crossed – something worthwhile to watch. But, as you scroll, scroll, scroll through the algorithmically-generated Rolodex of movies on Netflix, Prime Video, MAX, or Hulu, you find your eyes glazing over. 

Everything they’ve got to offer you feels like a bad time. Every female-coded flick feels like it’s all just borderline (or outright) feminist propaganda, but what you’re craving is a movie much like a warm hug or a well-deserved nightcap. 

In honor of Women’s History Month, I asked my colleagues over at Independent Women’s Forum – who are genuinely the most intelligent women I know who prove you can have the baby and the bag – to share with me some of their favorite female-centric films. In no particular order, here are 11 excellent options for your next movie night.

1. Steel Magnolias (1989)

Set in Louisiana during the 1980s, Steel Magnolias follows the stories of six women supporting each other through the tragedies of their lives. Sometimes written off as a “chick flick,” this film is actually quite raw (autobiographical in its origins) and full of depth despite snappy, humorous dialogue. 

Starring an ensemble cast of Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts, Steel Magnolias is a tear-jerking comedy made memorable through its unmistakable Southern charm that perfectly illustrates the deep-rooted value of companionship among women.

2. The Iron Lady (2011)

Meryl Streep gave an Oscar-winning performance as Margaret Thatcher in the 2011 film The Iron Lady, looking back at the life of Britain’s first woman prime minister. Taglined “Never Compromise,” this film documents Thatcher’s uniquely inspirational yet unmistakably anti-feminist take on global female leadership.

From her anti-authoritarian principles to her bootstraps upbringing to her rejection of using sex as a political talking point, women everywhere can look up to ladies like Thatcher – and Streep’s interpretation is a great way to get introduced to her legacy.

3. The Joy Luck Club (1993)

Based on the best-selling book by Amy Tan, 1993’s The Joy Luck Club is a reflection on four East Asian women’s lives and their friendships. A heartwarming love letter to the plights of first-generation Chinese Americans and the mother-daughter relationships unique to their upbringing, this film takes you through complicated intercultural and intergenerational conflicts in a string of complementary vignettes. 

This movie is so much more than a “chick flick,” it’s a moving piece of history told through fiction that women – no matter their cultural heritage – can relate to as they reflect on the impact that their own mother had on their lives.

4. Gorillas in the Mist (1988)

Wildlife expert and primatologist Dian Fossey went to Africa to study gorillas and found herself developing a deep bond with these distant relatives to us Homo sapiens. Gorillas in the Mist is based on the autobiography of Fossey’s fight to save African mountain gorillas from poachers hunting them to extinction and stars Sigourney Weaver. 

Rightly nominated for several Academy Awards, Fossey’s story is often compared to Jane Goodall’s work with chimpanzees, but it truly stands on its own two feet and serves as an awesome, uplifting film for true female empowerment.

5. Erin Brockovich (2000)

In this dramatization of a true story, Julia Roberts plays the titular character Erin Brockovich, who brings “a small town to its feet and a huge corporation to its knees.” 

A hardworking divorcée with several small children, Brockovich initiates a legal case against a local utility company after investigating health concerns following groundwater contamination. It’s dramatic, it’s gripping, and it’s also notably packed with amazing wardrobe choices for Roberts as she plays this undeniably smart, successful woman.

6. Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)

After watching this film in theaters, I gushed in my own review over how beautifully Everything Everywhere All At Once proved the power of the mother. The Oscar award-winning film follows Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh) who grows in her strength as a mother and wife, learning true patience, grace, and love. 

This film demonstrates how you can take the concept of “nothing matters” from a destructive, nihilistic mindset to the peace and harmony of the mundane found in Taoist teachings – all through the lens of a mother’s love. This one is a must-watch, as it’s an overall fun film that simultaneously destroys cynicism and refreshes outlooks on marriage and motherhood.

7. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Endlessly quotable á la Mean Girls, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a romantic comedy following a young Greek woman named Toula who has to navigate family drama when she brings a non-Greek man into the picture. 

Though this is a rom-com and is a perfect feel-good film for when you need some serotonin, My Big Fat Greek Wedding also serves as a truly great depiction of stable relationships, family values, and appreciation for your own cultural roots. The filmmakers thoughtfully explore the intricacies of a tight-knit culture and how it comes into conflict with individuality – all while giving a spotlight to a strong female lead, no girlbossing needed.

8. Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable (2018)

After surviving a devastating shark attack that resulted in the loss of her left arm, Bethany Hamilton fought against all odds and continued her meteoric rise in the world of competitive surfing. The film Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable is a powerful documentary that details her positive attitude, inspiring determination, and true passion for her sport. Audiences get to watch her firsthand set, evaluate, and accomplish amazing goals – all while dealing with a physical setback that could easily cause her to simply give up on her athletic prowess. Though it's unrelated to this documentary, let’s be honest – Hamilton herself also gets bonus kudos for speaking up against males being allowed to compete against females. 

9. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (2011)

In traditional Chinese culture, one of the most important relationships a young girl could develop is that of her “laotong,” a lifelong friend who pledges undying loyalty and love despite all odds. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan explores this topic through culturally rich storytelling – from secret codes to sex-based constraints against women. 

Based on the novel by Lisa See (which I will admit takes the cake over the movie adaptation), this film focuses on the importance of sisterhood through suffering and gives audiences a glimpse of the very real plight of women who lived during and before the 19th century in China.

10. Cinderella (2015)

After this live-action remake, all other attempts have failed in comparison. 2015’s Cinderella, starring Lily James, is beautifully shot, well-acted, and hits all the marks for a heart-warming romance without veering into modern girlboss territory. 

You likely know the story so well from the wildly popular, animated classic by Disney, but this rendition of the Cinderella story is mystical and magical without ever being annoyingly self-referential. James as Cinderella demonstrates some seriously admirable feminine qualities and truly breathes real life into this fairytale classic.

11. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

An underrated one among the many Studio Ghibli hits, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a beautifully animated, delicately scripted, and expertly scored film following a young woman truly attempting to save the world. Audiences watch as Princess Nausicaä’s deep-rooted relationship with nature fuels her passion to protect her seaside kingdom following a global war – no matter the sacrifices she must make. 

She’s clever and compassionate, but her bravery and empathy lead her to accomplish great feats. Truly, this movie depicts one of the most inspiring role models for young girls from animated films of this caliber.

Closing Thoughts

Look, the human condition isn’t one sans scandal or any amount of trials and tribulations, but girls and women want – and deserve – a higher caliber of female role models in the media that’s crafted for us to consume. I won’t deny that there are, of course, women out there who like Camilla Cabello’s girlboss take on Cinderella, Summer from 500 Days of Summer who just wants shallow hookups, or pretty much any female character from Euphoria. 

But there are also more gals out there grounded in good values who want to see better reflections of the fairer sex on screen. We know that the era of the girlboss is going, going, and gone, so perhaps it’s time for showrunners to get with the times and grind out some better feminine content.

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