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March means a few things. There’s March Madness, St. Patrick’s Day and of course, National Women’s History Month. This is the time of year in which we specifically celebrate all if the awesome accomplishments that women have made over the years and recognize women for their strength in changing history. Women are bosses, artists, students, mothers, aunts, grandmothers and so many more things. There are so many great female role models out there, with women like Michelle Obama, Oprah, Lady Gaga and Malala making their voices heard.
One thing that we need more of is female empowerment. While the Women’s March on D.C. was super empowering for many women around the world, there is still more that needs to be done. Here are 15 movies that we think truly empower women and show us all the potential that women have inside them, perfect for watching and celebrating the holiday.
1. Ghostbusters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ugHP-yZXw
The reboot to the classic 1980s film, this movie did not disappoint. It features a wide range of female character personalities, as well as actors of different minorities. The movie proved, despite the haters, that women can write and act in comedies without needing a male lead. The film even made fun of how women are often portrayed in movies through Chris Hemsworth’s character (and yes, he does take his shirt off).
2. Bend It Like Beckham
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sETt_XmwSE
This comedy is the ultimate story of fighting against oppressive gender roles and making your dreams come true through hard work and determination. Parminder Nagra and Kiera Knightly star in this sports movie about two girls doing anything they can to make their dream of playing soccer come true, even if it means going against family traditions.
3. Legally Blonde
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8I-Qzmbqnc&t=3s
Name a more iconic female-led movie about college… We’ll wait. Nothing is more inspiring than watching Elle Woods work her butt off to get into Harvard Law and become a successful lawyer while watching her sexist ex unable to find post-grad employment. #Goals.
4. Mulan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAbGAkkOgcM
This Disney movie does not care one bit about traditional gender roles. Mulan is a bad ass who loves her family so much that she risks her life by disguising herself as a man and joining the army in secret to protect her father. Not only did she become one of the best warriors of the Chinese military, but she saved all of China. Total girl power.
5. Miss Congeniality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwrEnPYHsyQ
This comedy breaks down the stereotypes that men and women are guilty of perpetuating about one another. It totally destroys the idea that you can’t be tough and pretty at the same time. It also shows that beauty pageants are super hard and not as easy as the competitors make it seem. Also, you learn some pretty handy self-defense in this movie.
6. The Devil Wears Prada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTDSwAxlNhc
Think fashion is simple? Think again. The Devil Wears Prada shows how serious the fashion industry is, as well as the societal pressures put on people who work in fashion. Not to mention the film shows that women can be hardcore bosses. Meryl Streep is both terrifying and #goals at the same time in this movie. You take your pick.
7. Easy A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNbPnqyvItk
Tired of slut shaming? Yeah, so are we. This movie shows what slut shaming can do to a person’s reputation and how they feel about themselves. Also, it shows just how harmful gossip can be. Emma Stone totally knocks this movie out of the park.
8. Selena
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVMSuZXEz4s
American music wouldn’t be what it is today without the beloved Selena. This movie takes us through her life and how she became the famous singer that she was and still is today. This movie is super relevant when considering the challenges like racism and immigration stereotypes that Selena faced, stigmas that still exist today.
9. She’s The Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UiPki2uxM8
Another classic movie about breaking down stereotypes and showing that girls have just as much potential as any guy. After her soccer team is disbanded due to lack of funding, Viola disguises herself as her twin brother and joins the men’s soccer team. Not only does she kick ass on the field but she also exemplifies breaking rigid gender roles and doing what you love.
10. Hidden Figures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wfrDhgUMGI
This is an incredible true story about three African-American women, all of whom are the reason why NASA was able to launch a rocket into space successfully. It’s an empowering movie about women in science and mathematics dealing with racism and sexism. It shows how the workforce used to oppress black women and the systematic struggles that they overcame.
11. A League of Their Own
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcN392H2jx0&t=1s
When the men went to war during WWII, the women played baseball. This is an inspiring true story about women overcoming obstacles all for their love of the game. They face sexism both on and off the field and give us all a look into how different it used to be for women in sports.
12. Thelma and Louise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iBFmKlO4BY
One of the most famous female-led movies ever made, Thelma and Louise shows the importance of friendship, trust and love. This movie tackles difficult topics like sexual assault, sexism and feminism. This movie sparked the conversation about feminism in Hollywood and the typical obedience of female characters in movies.
13. Mean Girls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAOmTMCtGkI
Every 2000s kid watched Mean Girls at least twice. This iconic movie made important statements about how girls treat other girls, how boys treat girls and how social status isn’t everything. Mean Girls is empowering for any girl who has ever felt like they had to pretend to be someone else just to be “popular.”
14. Moana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKFuXETZUsI
Disney knocked this movie out of the park. Not only does Moana not feature an unnecessary romantic plot line, but it shows a girl being the next in line as Chief without having to get married first. This movie features a great role model for young girls who are still trying to find their place in the world. Also, the soundtrack is killer and we’re only slightly bitter it didn’t win an Oscar.
15. Mad Max: Fury Road
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_4nzm9ICuo
Hailed as a feminist movie, Mad Max features women taking matters back into their own hands after being forced into sex slavery. These strong women not only escape from their captors, but they survive the incredibly dangerous desert, not once needing a man to save them. Charlize Theron plays a character who proves that having a disability doesn’t mean you can’t be ferocious.
