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So fed up with watching films with no decent female roles - please give me your recommendations

224 replies

whatsinanumber · 01/02/2025 23:17

Watched yet another 'classic' film tonight in which the occasional (beautiful) woman flitted on screen either grieving for a man or being seduced by one, the rest was just a bunch of guys shooting at each other. I don't know what the actual percentage of the films I've watched in my life that have been like that but, thinking about it tonight, it feels absurdly high. I know this is much discussed but watching films with teenage DDs I'm just reminded how few films there seem to be with fully-formed girls and women in them who aren't just there to look hot. I started googling 'female empowering films' and got stuff like Superwoman and, while I don't have a problem with Superwoman, that's not really what I'm after - I don't especially need to be showing my daughters films in which the women kick ass and beat all the men in fights, or being heroes in some other capacity. They don't need to be all about women, I just want there to be nuanced girls and women on screen being part of what's going on, having conversations etc.

I'm sure they are out there, I'm just all out of ideas and would love to have a list on hand for when we are choosing films as a family. So if you have any favourite films with great female characters please share!

Going to bed shortly but pick this up again in the morning. Thanks in advance

OP posts:
SwanRonsen · 02/02/2025 05:12

I think reese witherspoon is on a mission to change this, so anything with her in it or produced by her. Especially wild and big little lies.

SwanRonsen · 02/02/2025 05:17

NonCrimeHakeIncident · 02/02/2025 00:37

Civil War. It might not be suitable for your DDs depending on age but it was refreshing to see a female lead in her 40s with no makeup, just being a war photographer, no frills.

Absolutely agree with this. I was so captivated by kirsten dunst looking so normal and relatable throughout. Superb performance

theculture · 02/02/2025 05:29

For younger teens A series of unfortunate events TV series

FebruaryCrow · 02/02/2025 05:44

Aliens.

It features not just Ellen Ripley but also the tough and brave female marine/pilot/medic of the United States Colonial Marine Corps. (The panicky one was big-mouth male Private Hudson.) Private Vasquez became a bit of a fan legend in her own right. It was unusual for the time (1979 release date).

hholiday · 02/02/2025 05:58

I’m not sure if you’ll be able to find them, but back when the BBC was at the height of its costume drama days, they did adaptations of some of Elizabeth Gaskell’s novels. Most people remember the adaptation of Cranford - the female-run village - with its stellar cast… Dench, Atkins etc. But they also did a wonderful six-part take of her unfinished book Wives and Daughters, with Keeley Hawes. It is really special and I think would be a wonderful mum-daughter watch if you can track it down. And also, obviously, the Jennifer Ehle/ Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice. I remember watching this with my German exchange partner when she came to stay and she didn’t want to go home until she had found out what happened!

Oh - and while I remember, Heidi Thomas, who adapted Cranford and also, more recently, created Call the Midwife, also adapted I Capture the Castle with Romola Garai in the lead. It’s one of my favourite books and the film is lovely - love Romola Garai

LindorDoubleChoc · 02/02/2025 06:05

Nine to Five - the original and best feminist movie.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 02/02/2025 06:11

The Radium Girls

PermanentTemporary · 02/02/2025 06:35

I really wouldn't go for Million Dollar Baby. I think the plot is disturbing and nihilist and I remember it as being a lot more focused on Clint Eastwood.

countrypunk · 02/02/2025 06:47

hholiday · 02/02/2025 05:58

I’m not sure if you’ll be able to find them, but back when the BBC was at the height of its costume drama days, they did adaptations of some of Elizabeth Gaskell’s novels. Most people remember the adaptation of Cranford - the female-run village - with its stellar cast… Dench, Atkins etc. But they also did a wonderful six-part take of her unfinished book Wives and Daughters, with Keeley Hawes. It is really special and I think would be a wonderful mum-daughter watch if you can track it down. And also, obviously, the Jennifer Ehle/ Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice. I remember watching this with my German exchange partner when she came to stay and she didn’t want to go home until she had found out what happened!

Oh - and while I remember, Heidi Thomas, who adapted Cranford and also, more recently, created Call the Midwife, also adapted I Capture the Castle with Romola Garai in the lead. It’s one of my favourite books and the film is lovely - love Romola Garai

I absolutely loved Wives and Daughters! Great shout. The whole series was on YouTube, not sure of it still is. I also loved North and South. I think that's on Amazon Prime.

Possibly not appropriate, but Terms of Endearment is a wonderful female-focused film. A perfect film actually.

All About Eve is an absolute classic, I've loved that since I was a teenager. And it features a yet to breakout Marilyn Monroe!

Another vote for Thelma and Louise, one of my all time favourites! I rewatch it regularly and I don't think it's dated.

Also Fried Green Tomatoes - a great mother daughter watch. I read the book recently and unusually it wasn't a patch on the film!

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 02/02/2025 06:52

Double Indemnity. Barbara Stanwyck. Classic film noir from the 1940s.

Black Narcissus. Mostly women.

All about Eve. Ages since I saw this, but the two performances I remember are Bette Davis and Ann Something. Couldn't tell you any of the men in it.

TheaBrandt · 02/02/2025 06:55

Lots of these recommendations are sooo old - some I watched as a young person and I’m 50! Is it that people stopped watching newer films or that films you watch as a teen stick in your mind?

Sausagenbacon · 02/02/2025 06:57

Terminator II
Pillow Talk
Gentlemen Prefer Blonds

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 02/02/2025 06:58

I hardly ever watch newer films. Why is that an issue? If we were talking about books it would be quite normal to recommend 19th century classics.

OrsolaRosso · 02/02/2025 07:01

Enola Holmes

Damsel

TheaBrandt · 02/02/2025 07:01

Not an issue just surprised to see so many old films being recommended. Thelma snd louse I agree is a timeless classic but Double Jeopsrdy?! Badly dated and clunky we watched with teens and they eye rolled! Likewise sleeping with the enemy.

DeanElderberry · 02/02/2025 07:06

Bride and Prejudice - a very good re-setting of Pride and Prejudice - Indian, with the funniest 'you have delighted us long enough' show-off teenage daughter performance, and the best Charlotte explanation of why marrying Mr Collins was a good choice for her.

Older TV series - Star Trek Voyager, with a woman Captain, a woman Chief Engineer, Seven of Nine.

ToriTheStoryteller · 02/02/2025 07:08

So many great suggestions here! I'm not great at watching films, but some TV ideas from me:

Borgen. Danish series centering on female politician. Brilliant stuff. I am so used to violence being an everyday part of TV that I had to rewatch the 1st series because I hadn't concentrated properly, expecting something horrific to happen to her to bring her down/maker her a victim.

Five Bedrooms. Aussie series about professionals sharing a house. Great mix of women in terms of personalities, age, lifestyle etc.

Bubblebuttress · 02/02/2025 07:09

Woman and the sea. Daisy Ridley is amazing in it.

IsItAllRubbish · 02/02/2025 07:12

LetsGoToJapan · 01/02/2025 23:20

Hidden Figures

100%

TheaBrandt · 02/02/2025 07:13

After the party on channel 4 was an excellent NZ drama about a normal looking middle aged woman dealing with very difficult family situation. Was really good worth watching.

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 02/02/2025 07:17

Juno (although ....)
Little Women
Thelma &Louise
Fighting with my Family
Brooklyn

Not the lead character, but Toni Collette has a really strong role in "Juror No 2"

Which reminds me, Muriels Wedding is absolutely brilliant for great female characters.

SydneyCarton · 02/02/2025 07:19

Bend It Like Beckham
A League Of Their Own
Top Of The Lake (TV series)

countrypunk · 02/02/2025 07:21

Oh another - Unbelievable on Netflix is a superb series. Fantastic acting and so, so moving and enraging.

Buttonless · 02/02/2025 07:25

Godless - it’s a miniseries rather than a film. A western set in a town populated entirely by women.

Antiopa12 · 02/02/2025 07:28

Far from the Madding Crowd with Carey Mulligan . Good for teenage girl to think of criteria for choosing a good partner in life.

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