The 50 Best Movies Directed by Women

“Me and You and Everyone We Know” is an independent romantic comedy-drama film starring John Hawkes, Miranda July, and Miles Thompson. Set in Los Angeles, it explores themes of loneliness, intimacy, and art in a unique and often humorous way. It was a critical success, winning several awards including the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

This German tragicomedy concerns a practical-joking father who tries to reconnect with daughter. It received critical acclaim for its humor, acting, and powerful themes of family, responsibility, and growing up. The film was nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes and an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

In the comedy-drama “Girlfriends,” two New York City friends – played by Melanie Mayron and Anita Skinner – navigate the complexities of their relationships and lives. The film is a realistic portrayal of the struggles and joys of female friendships in the 1970s, and received critical acclaim for its exploration of female relationships and the complexity of its characters. It was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 2018.

This British drama, starring Kate Maberly, Heydon Prowse, and Andrew Knott, tells the story of a young orphaned girl, sent to live in England after spending her childhood in India, who discovers a secret garden on the grounds of her guardian’s estate. The film depicts her struggles to restore the garden and the lives of the people in her life.

“Desert Hearts” is a romantic drama set in Reno, Nevada, in 1959. It follows a young professor, Vivian (Helen Shaver), as she finds love and acceptance with another woman, Cay (Patricia Charbonneau). The film was praised for its realistic and sensitive depiction of a lesbian relationship at a time when such stories were not commonly seen. It was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 1986 Sundance Film Festival.

This crime drama stars John Cassavetes and Peter Falk as two childhood friends whose relationship is tested by gangsters and betrayal. The film is noted for its improvisational dialogue and its frank portrayal of the difficulties of male friendship. It was a critical success, but a commercial failure at the box office.

“Winter’s Bone” is a drama featuring Jennifer Lawrence as Ree Dolly, a 17-year-old girl in the Ozarks of Missouri, who embarks on a desperate search to find her missing father, while trying to protect her family from being evicted from their home. The film was a critical success, earning numerous awards and nominations, including Academy Award nominations for Lawrence and Granik for Best Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay, respectively.

A drama film about a group of punk rockers living in a suburban neighborhood, “Suburbia” explores themes of youth alienation and the struggle of fitting into society. The movie was acclaimed for its realistic portrayal of punk culture and received positive reviews from critics. It is now considered a classic of its genre and a cult classic.

“Private Life” is a 2018 American comedy-drama film directed by Tamara Jenkins. It follows an aging couple, played by Paul Giamatti and Kathryn Hahn, attempting to cope with infertility and the stresses of modern life. The film premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. The movie received critical acclaim, with particular praise for the performances of Giamatti and Hahn.

Set in rural Louisiana in the 1960s, “Eve’s Bayou” tells the story of the life of 10-year-old Eve Batiste (Jurnee Smollett), who discovers a dark secret and its devastating consequences within her family. Despite the serious subject matter, the film is filled with magical realism, allowing for a unique and captivating story. It was critically acclaimed and gained cult status for its honest and raw depiction of family life.

Actress Olivia Wilde made her directorial debut with this coming-of-age comedy. The film follows two high school seniors, played by Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever, as they attempt to cram four years of fun into one night before their graduation. The movie received critical acclaim, with many praising the performances of its lead actresses and Wilde’s direction.

“Zero Dark Thirty” is a 2012 American historical drama film directed by Kathryn Bigelow. It is based on the decade-long manhunt for Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden after the September 11 attacks. The film follows a CIA operative’s search for bin Laden in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $132 million worldwide and earning five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.

Written by English novelist Nick Hornby (“About a Boy,” “High Fidelity”), “An Education” is a coming-of-age drama that follows the story of Jenny (Carey Mulligan), a bright schoolgirl, as she navigates through the challenges of growing up in 1960s suburban London. Critically acclaimed, it earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, and was praised for its accurate and sensitive portrayal of the period.

“Things Behind the Sun” is a drama about a young woman, played by Kim Dickens, who struggles to cope with the psychological trauma she experienced as a child. The film deals with themes of family, love, and tragedy, ultimately exploring the lasting effects of childhood abuse.

In this romantic comedy, follows Wil (Michelle Krusiec), a young Chinese-American lesbian, as she deals with the pressures of her conservative Chinese family while trying to maintain her secret relationship with another woman. Along the way, she finds her place and learns to accept her identity. The movie is hailed for its honest and heartfelt portrayal of a young lesbian woman struggling with her identity.

The 1994 version of “Little Women” is a beloved classic directed by Gillian Armstrong. The beloved story, based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, concerns the lives of the four March sisters – Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy – as they come of age during the American Civil War. Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, and Kirsten Dunst star in this heartwarming tale of sisterhood, courage, and resilience that has been loved by viewers for decades.

“Loving Vincent” – a biographical drama – is the first fully painted animated feature film, made up of 65,000 frames of oil paintings on canvas. The film is a celebration of the life and controversial death of the renowned post-impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh. The film was nominated for a number of awards, including Best Animated Feature at the 90th Academy Awards.

“Love & Basketball” is a romantic sports drama starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps as two next-door neighbors in Los Angeles who fall in love while pursuing their basketball dreams. The film follows their relationship through the years, highlighting the pressures of their respective family and cultural backgrounds. It was a critical and commercial success, earning an NAACP Image Award and a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Feature.

This coming-of-age comedy-drama stars Hailee Steinfeld as Nadine, a high school student who struggles with the pressures of adolescence. It follows her as she seeks out the help of her teacher and older brother to navigate the difficulties of high school life. The film’s themes of friendship, family, and growing up are explored in a humorous yet heartfelt manner.

This drama stars Frances McDormand as Fern, a nomad who embarks on a journey through the American West following the economic collapse of a company town in Nevada. “Nomadland” explores themes of loneliness, poverty, and community through her eyes. The film received critical acclaim, winning numerous awards including multiple Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTA Awards.

A superhero movie based on the DC Comics character of the same name, “Wonder Woman” stars Gal Gadot as the titular heroine, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery while fighting a war between the gods of Olympus and the forces of evil. It was a critical and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing superhero origin film, and the highest-grossing film directed by a woman.

“Away from Her” is a Canadian drama starring Julie Christie as Fiona, a woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease who moves into a long-term care facility. The film follows her husband Grant (Gordon Pinsent) as he struggles to accept her illness and their changed relationship. The movie explores the pain of love, loss, and acceptance in the face of a devastating illness.

“Boys Don’t Cry” is based on the true story of Brandon Teena, a trans man – played by Hilary Swank – who seeks love and acceptance in a predominantly rural town in Nebraska and suffers a horrific hate crime. The film won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actress for Swank.

This Belgian movie tracks a woman’s mundane everyday routine while gradually revealing the underlying depression and desperation of her life. Through long shots and minimal dialogue, it explores themes of femininity, monotony, and alienation. It has been lauded as one of the most influential films of the 1970s and is considered not only a masterpiece of feminist cinema but one of the greatest films of all time.

In “Leave No Trace,” follows Will (Ben Foster), a veteran suffering from PTSD, and his daughter, Tom (Thomasin McKenzie), as they try to survive life in the forest near Portland, Oregon, without being detected by the authorities. The film explores themes of family, resilience, and freedom. It received critical acclaim and was nominated for numerous awards, including a Grand Jury Prize at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.

“Big” is a fantasy comedy-drama starring Tom Hanks as a young boy who is magically transformed into an adult. The film follows his attempt to navigate the adult world while trying to maintain his childhood innocence and enjoyment of life. The film was a box office success, grossing over $151 million on a budget of $18 million. It was nominated for two Academy Awards and won the 1989 BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay.

In this coming-of-age comedy-drama, Saoirse Ronan is featured as Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, an outspoken and rebellious high school senior who navigates her way through her senior year in Sacramento while trying to figure out her life and future. “Lady Bird” was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $80 million on a $10 million budget and receiving numerous awards and nominations, including five Academy Award nominations.

This drama follows a mute Scottish woman (Holly Hunter) who is sold into marriage to a New Zealand frontiersman (Sam Neill). Harvey Keitel appears as a mysterious neighbor. The film earned critical acclaim for its powerful performances, beautiful visuals, and captivating score. It was nominated for three Academy Awards and won a Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

“Mostly Martha” is a romantic comedy-drama about a workaholic chef named Martha (Martina Gedeck) who must learn to balance work and family when her sister dies and she is left to care for her niece and at the same time forced to confront her own emotional issues. The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards including an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

In this critically acclaimed drama, director Fox tells the story of her own childhood sexual abuse, looking back from her late forties. Laura Dern plays Fox as an adult. The movie explores the complex topics of memory, power and abuse. It was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards and won the Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Narrative Filmmaking.

“Promising Young Woman” is a dark comedy thriller starring Carey Mulligan as a woman on a mission to avenge the death of her best friend. The film follows Mulligan’s character as she seeks justice in a world that is often hostile to women’s stories and desires. It was released to critical acclaim and has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

“The Rider” stars Brady Jandreau as a young rodeo rider who is trying to make sense of his life after suffering a near-fatal head injury. The film follows his struggles to reconnect with his family and friends as he deals with the aftermath of the accident. It was praised for its realistic representation of rodeo life and rural America.

In this Chinese drama, a young girl named Xiu Xiu (Li Xiaolu) who is sent to a Tibetan village to learn the traditional ways of her people. She experiences the harsh realities of life in rural China and has to make difficult decisions about her future. The film was praised for its realistic and powerful portrayal of youth in modern China.

“Monsoon Wedding” is an Indian drama that tells the story of a Punjabi family living in New Delhi, celebrating the arranged marriage of their daughter Aditi (Vasundhara Das). It is a colorful, vibrant exploration of modern India and its culture, full of love, laughter, dance, and music. The film was a critical and commercial success, and was nominated for several awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.

“Awakenings,” a drama film starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro, relates the true story of a doctor who discovers a treatment that awakens long-dormant patients from a catatonic state. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards and was a critical and commercial success.

This war thriller film, starring Jeremy Renner, follows an American Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team during the Iraq War as they are targeted by insurgents. The film won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Bigelow, making her the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director. It is noted for its intense and authentic portrayal of modern warfare.

“Bаstard Out of Carolina,” starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, is based on the novel of the same name by Dorothy Allison and tells the story of an abused girl growing up in South Carolina during the 1950s. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe and two Independent Spirit Awards. It explores themes of family, poverty, abuse, and resilience.

In this comedy-drama, Walter Matthau stars as an aging millionaire who attempts to marry a young woman (played by director May) in order to avoid bankruptcy. Despite its dark humor and unusual story, the film was well-received by critics and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

“Lost in Translation” stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as Bob and Charlotte, two lost and lonely Americans in Tokyo. The film follows their blossoming relationship as they explore the city and each other, forming an intimate connection as they confront their own feelings of loneliness in a foreign culture. The film is a meditation on human connection and the search for understanding in a world of alienation and confusion.

Written and produced as well as directed by Har’el, “Honey Boy” stars Shia LaBeouf as a character based on his own life experiences, navigating the complexities of his relationship with his father over the course of a decade as a young actor. The film received critical acclaim, with praise for LaBeouf’s performance, Har’el’s direction, and the emotional honesty of its screenplay. It was nominated for several awards, including Independent Spirit Awards for Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay.

This biographical drama follows the story of Janet Frame, a New Zealand writer who has endured a difficult life. It explores Janet’s relationship with her family, her struggles with mental illness, and her journey to becoming a celebrated author. The film was highly acclaimed, winning numerous awards, including the Grand Prix at the Valenciennes International Film Festival. It was also nominated for five Academy Awards.

A historical drama starring David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr., “Selma” follows the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery marches, pivotal moments in the civil rights movement, organized in an effort to secure equal voting rights for African-Americans. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning over $50 million at the box office and numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

An American-Chinese comedy-drama film featuring Awkwafina, “The Farewell” follows a Chinese-American family who, upon learning their grandmother has only a short while left to live, decide not to tell her and schedule a wedding to gather before she dies. The film received critical acclaim, with many praising Awkwafina’s performance.

“Little Miss Sunshine” is a comedy-drama film featuring Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, and Toni Collette, Alan Arkin, Abigail Breslin, and Paul Dano as members of a dysfunctional family making a cross-country road trip in a Volkswagen Type 2 van to get to a beauty pageant. Despite their various issues, they bond and become closer as a family. The film received critical acclaim and won two Academy Awards, for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor.

A Saudi Arabian drama written and directed by Al-Mansour – one of the first female Saudi filmmakers – “Wadjda” tells the story of a young girl (Waad Mohammed) living in a suburb of Riyadh, who challenges the restrictions imposed on her gender by entering a Quran recitation competition. The film was the first feature-length movie shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, and it won several awards, including the Best Arabic Language Film at the Dubai International Film Festival. It was also nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards.

This science fiction action film, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Carrie-Anne Moss, follows a computer hacker who discovers that the world has been taken over by an artificial intelligence. He joins a group of rebels in a fight against the machines in a virtual reality world. “The Matrix” mixes groundbreaking special effects with philosophical themes, and it was a box office success and a critical success.

The 2019 adaptation (the seventh to be filmed) of the revered Louisa May Alcott novel of the same name, set during the Civil War, was written as well as directed by Gerwig and stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, and Florence Pugh. The familiar story concerns the March sisters as they grow up and come of age, facing both joy and heartache. “Little Women” received critical acclaim, with praise for Gerwig’s screenplay and direction, the musical score, and the performances of its cast. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won one, for Best Costume Design.

“CODA,” a drama starring Emilia Jones, Eugenio Derbez, and Troy Kotsur, follows Ruby (Jones), as the only hearing member of her family, who must choose between her family’s fishing business and her own musical ambitions, finding her own voice and a sense of self-worth in the hearing world. The film was praised for its strong performances, unique style, and heartfelt story. It won the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.

Set in the slums of Bombay (Mumbai), this drama follows the life of an impoverished street kid (Shafiq Syed) who finds himself alone in the big city. The film deals with themes of poverty, human resilience, and the struggles of street children in India. It was the first Indian film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the first film to be produced by the National Film Development Corporation of India.

“Capernaum” tells the tale of an impoverished and impulsive 12-year-old boy in Lebanon (Zain Al Rafeea) who sues his parents for neglect. The film explores themes of poverty, injustice, and the struggle of marginalized children living in the slums of Beirut. It was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards and won the Jury Prize at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.