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

[whatsinanumber]

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

Lots of good suggestions by pp, I would add

Young woman and the sea
Coda

If they're allowed to be light but mostly centred around women then we love these for entertainment

Pitch Perfect 1,2,3
Legally Blonde

The Young Woman and the Sea is brilliant.

Many of the latest Starwars films and series have strong female characters in them.

Temple Grandin

I haven't read the whole thread so apologies if this has already been mentioned, but Reece Witherspoon set up a company to buy the film rights of books with interesting female lead characters. So films that she has made and starred in are worth watching
I'm sure you're right, but she was responsible for a terrible adaptation of Vanity Fair, also starring in it.
Re Black Doves, I don't enjoy films where thin women fight men. IRL they're just not capable of it, but somehow (in films) they kick ass.

Spies

I can't remember what it's called but the one that Reece Witherspoon goes on a long hike . ? Wild .
She's given a really good speech about female parts in films and has bought the rights to a fair few books to make into films . Big little lies another of hers - a mini series on Amazon I think.
The morning show another series on apple - think ok for a 15 year old . Reece and Jennifer Anniston main characters.
Can't think of many films though .

Another good series with a very strong female lead is “Unforgotten”.

His Girl Friday. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. They don't make them like that any more.

Its funny when there are threads which have lots of recommendations with absolutely no context as to what they are about.

Was there a post about age of DDs.

But also interesting because I watched Ocean 8 or whatever number it is for its all female cast and absolutely hated it. Because it was like that SciFi film where people where masks to make them seem younger.

It was so obvious all the the women had had plastic surgery and it was like looking at women who had a resemblance to someone you once knew. Quite disturbing.

re Thelma and Louise - when I watched it in a cinema I couldn't understand why the audience was laughing. Right from the start it was about women trying to escape men. And yes the ending isn't a "happy" ending because that is the reality for many women.

I thought Civil War was very artificial and a bit pleased with itself. But that may be that I always find it strange when films get made about war photographers praising them getting an extra special shot, as though all the people dying and being mutilated are just props for their careers! Has anyone seen the new Kate Winslet one?

This. Absolutely. 👏

Otherwise, Miss Potter.
The Holiday.

Not a film but I caught a smack the pony clip earlier; they were bloody funny

Sorry this is another old film - which I dont find surprising as current films might approach the I'm not really threatening Reese Witherspoon level of independent thinking, but wouldn't cover more hard hitting ones.

I remember being really moved by the film called Passion Fish, which focuses on 2 strong women, and the power balance between them. But do wonder if I would like it as much today. Although as I am usually totally entranced by Alfre Woodard I suspect I might still enjoy watching it.

Made by the same director (male) who made the often sad but also funny film Lianna about a woman who through Women's Liberation realises she is a lesbian. And the men who cant accept it.

Jurassic World Dominion has some strong female characters (and not just the dinosaurs).

I've remembered another one which is on BBC iplayer at the moment. Quiz Lady.

It's a comedy. Two very different adult sisters have to find a way to pay off their mother's debts after mum absconds from her retirement home.with a new man. One, as you may have guessed, is very good at quizzes.

Winter's Bone has very good, nuanced interaction between the female characters, as does North Country but they are not exactly light feelgood flicks.

Three Billboards
Steel Magnolias
The Big Chill
In Her Shoes
Brave
The Women
Erin Brokovitch
The First Wives Club
Overboard
Practical Magic
Miss Congeniality
He's Just Not That Into You

Lucy. This may not be age appropriate, but you're best judge.

These are series, but Damages was great for strong female characters. And Lost. Evangeline Lilly looked like she was actually fighting a lot of the time. Also Linda Hamilton in Terminator. Can't think of anything else sadly.

Lee. Yes, I've seen it, and thought it dealt with that aspect well. It doesn't flinch from the horror, and she works through it to get the shots because she understands the importance of the world also seeing and really understanding it.

Woman of the Hour (Anna Kendrick)

The Heat is hilarious with excellent female leads.
Bright Star.
Alien
Aliens
To Walk Invisible
You Won't Be Alone (folk horror)

Whale Rider

@Precipice I agree. I LOVED the film "I am not an easy man". It's very thought provoking watching the men act with the subtleties that women use. Just the scene where the men were chatting in the swimming pool changing room and he was wearing underwear with pretty flowers on them.

Brilliant film

Winter's Bone is absolutely brilliant.

And that reminded me of Leave No Trace, because they both feature vulnerable yet strong young female protagonists. LNT is a unique and very moving portrayal of a father/daughter relationship. Thomasin McKenzie is so good.

A miniseries, but fabulous -The English.
A western about a woman seeking revenge. I’ve seen this three times and have never tired of it.