Movies for International Women's Day

Celebrate a woman director with your movie tonight

Happy International Women’s Day!

If you’re sitting down to watch a movie tonight (or really any time this Women’s History Month), consider watching a film directed by a woman. It may seem shocking, given that only 7 women have ever been nominated for best director and only two women have won, but women direct some really excellent films and you should support them so maybe we can increase that number. Here’s a quick list of movies directed by women in the past few years in various genres so you can pick one that fits your cravings.

1. Booksmart (Olivia Wilde) - One of the best comedies from the past probably 10 years. Two goodie-goodie high school senior girls focused on getting into good schools realize that all of their classmates who had fun are also getting into those same good schools, so the night before graduation, they decide to do the party thing. It is goofy and funny and inclusive and absolutely fantastic. (streaming on Hulu)

2. The Invitation (Karyn Kusama) - Slow burn horor is my jam, and this one does that incredibly well. I’m not going to say much to avoid spoilers, but you may want to rethink your next dinner party invitation after you watch this one. (streaming on AMC+)

3. The Lost Daughter (Maggie Gyllenhaal) - One of the most honest looks at motherhood that I have ever seen portrayed on screen. It might be the most “woman movie” I have on the list, but I have never seen the exhaustion of mothering shown so vividly. I had a lot of emotions after watching that. Spectacular performances from Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley. (streaming on Netflix)

4. You Were Never Really Here (Lynne Ramsay) - The tone set in this movie is just phenomenal. Joaquin Phoenix plays a veteran turned assassin for hire. The violence is intense, but set up in such a way that the tension before it is more brutal that the actual attacks. The increasing madness of Phoenix’s character is directed in a way that keeps it from feeling absurd. A unique, but enthralling thriller. (streaming on Amazon Prime)

5. The Farewell (Lulu Wang) - A beautiful look at family, death, expectations, cultural differences, legacy. Awkwafina is absolutely perfect in this movie. It is funny and sad and inspiring. And based on Lulu’s actual story. Genuinely heartwarming in a way that you didn’t know your heart needed warmed. (streaming on Showtime)

6. Promising Young Woman (Emerald Fennell) - I think about this movie regularly. It is presented as a revenge movie, and it kind of is, but not the way you expect. Another absolutely astounding cast, including lots of men who have been in shows as “nice guys.” It has a deeply upsetting end, so I would encourage some caution for women who have experienced abuse, but genuinely, this is easily one of my favorite movies of the past five years. (streaming on HBO Max)

What are some of your favorite films directed by women? I’d love to hear them!