Feminist films are necessary in the times we live in today. When woman’s rights are in danger, it’s necessary for audiences to reinvigorate the theme and explore the lives of woman in the fictional world. Though, these films are fiction they still explore real life issues such as sexism, abuse and the ultimate journey to freedom that women can go through. This list will feature just that. Some of the iconic feminist films across the decades that show strong, resilient female characters.

Thelma and Louise

This 1991 cult classic directed by legendary director of Alien Ridley Scott stars Geena Davis as Thelma and Susan Sarandon as Louise. This film embarks on the journey of two women on a weekend trip to escape their chaotic lives, but this quickly turns into a whirlwind journey full of violence and self-discovery. This filmexplores the themes of two women rebelling against the societal expectations that put women in a box and expect them to behave in a certain way.

Following Louise who kills a man attempting to assault Thelma, the two women find themselves on a run from the law. They travel through the Mexican border finding freedom, peace and love. With stunning cinematography, with excellent actresses and a feminist theme that will resonate with viewers, this surely is worth the watch.

The Colour Purple

The 1985 film directed by Steven Spielberg is based on Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker. Following the journey of an African American woman Celie in early 20th century, this film explores the themes of oppression, racism, poverty, abuse that Celie goes through. While, this film may seem to explore dark themes, it opens Celie up to a journey of self-discovery, love, sacrifice and finding the strength to speak for yourself.

Whoopi Goldberg has a breakthrough role in a stunning film that focuses on the journey of a black woman. Celie wasborn into poverty and underwentrepeated assaults by her father, but, despite the hardships in her life, Celie preserves escaping her abusive life and eventually finding peace. With this powerful female character and gripping storyline, this surely does make a great feminist film.

Kim Ji Young Born 1982

Based on the feminist book by Cho Nam Joo that was published in 2016, this Korean movie follows the life of Kim Ji-young, a woman in her 30s who starts to undergo a mental breakdown. She exhibits signs and disassociates, taking on the voices and acts of the women that have been around her such as her mother and grandmother. Her husband immediately acts on getting her to seek help. The story may sound simply but it is in fact much more complex than this.

This film accurately displays the themes of the book that explores gender discrimination, inequality, and sexism in the south Korean society. Much more than that the film shows the strength and brave front that many women have when faced with these issues. The novel, though controversial in South Korea, became an instant bestseller that resonated deeply with the woman who can relate to Kim Ji young’s story.

Staring to best actors in South Korea Jung Yu-mi and Gong Yoo, this film astutely explores the experiences that many women go through from the very early stages of their life. Despite all that, this film reminds audiences the importance of preserving through difficult times and the emotional performance only highlights that feminism is surely a movement many women need to feel free in their lives.

Little Women

This 2019 adaptation presents a fresh feminist take on the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott. Staring Florence Pugh as Amy March, Saoirse Ronan as Jo, Emma Watson as Meg, Eliza Scanlen as Beth, with Timothée Chalamet as Laurie, Laura Dern as Marmee, and Meryl Streep as Aunt March, this film’s star-studded cast gives an emotional performance worth the watch.

Greta Gerwig portrays a stunning film, with the beautiful period costumes, the soft lighting that enhances the scenes to evoke a timeless narrative of the sister’s life. In the modern feminist eyes, this film showcases the struggle of 4 women striving for independence, self-identity and breaking past the norms whilst they live in a society full of expectations of marriage and family.

The emotional performances of the actresses combined with the feminist perspective makes this a must watch for fans of the original novel and the contemporary audience today.

Barbie

Based on the kid’s fashion dolls by Mattel this 2023 film achieved success that exceeded expectations and made records of earning 1.4 billion dollars and becoming the highest grossing film of 2023. This stars Hollywood superstars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling directed once again by Greta Gerwig, shows a story where Robbie; the perfect blonde girl lives in Barbie land with other barbies. But the perfect fairytale is ripped apart when Barbie experiences an existential crisis, thus going on a journey into the real world alongside her loyal companion Ken.

The diverse cast, witty and engaging plot is a treat to watch. The film astutely portrays the journey that Barbie must go on to search for an identity that goes beyond her plastic life that has been given to her. Gerwig successfully combines the funny aspect of fashion dolls and uses themes of gender and society to teach the audience about what it means to live in a world as a woman when your life is already definded for you by your looks, and appearance.

Alien

This 1979 film staring Sigourney Weaver was a rarity at a time when the action-adventure films starred macho men only. The strong female character of Ellen Ripley – that would become iconic the moment she debuted – is part of a crew on Nostromo and must investigate a distress signal from an empty planet, but there is more than meets the eye as they must battle for their survival against an alien life form who seems hell bent on killing them off one by one.

The themes of horror, suspense, sci-fi, and survival is blended to create a masterpiece. Weaver gives a performance of her career, going against the conventional stereotypical norms of what it means to be a female lead in a typical male stared action film. Ripley is smart, strong, and equal to her male counterparts, not below or above in her role on this journey.

The gender is secondary to the overall story of this film. It simply portrays a character whose survival story engrosses the audience and have them rooting for the character to survive until the very end.

Legally Blonde

This list must end with a lighter more comedic tone with 2001 film Legally Blonde staring Reese Witherspoon. The film, with its comedy, manages to have a feminist message about the self forth of a woman and challenges stereotypes successfully. Elle played by Witherspoon is the typical blonde girl, who enrols at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend.

But, this journey of a supposed love story doesn’t last, as Elle finds out she is worth much more than being the blonde girlfriend to a male. She undergoes a journey of trying her best to prove her skills and intelligence in an environment that constantly tries to underestimate and dismiss her because of her stereotypical appearance of “dumb blonde”, making this a must watch feminist film.

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