Best films directed by women

It’s women’s history month, and through working on this piece, it has come to my attention just how few films are actually directed by women — it’s upsetting.

I was barely able to come up with a top 10 list. If I were asked to come up with more films, I’m not sure I would be able to. So many films, including some of my favorite films about women, are directed by men.

However, in honor of women’s history month, I decided to highlight some of my favorites.

‘Barbie’ (2023) — Greta Gerwig

Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” was the movie of the summer in 2023, with a sea of pink flooding cinemas that caused the box office to skyrocket. It’s a fun, colorful, heartfelt and overall wonderful story of womanhood through the lens of the popular Mattel doll. Gerwig is one of my favorite directors, and I was unbelievably excited when I found out she had taken on this project.

‘Lady Bird’ (2017) — Greta Gerwig

Another Gerwig project, “Lady Bird” follows a high school senior navigating the hardships of life and wanting to escape to somewhere else. Starring Saoirse Ronan, the film is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.

‘The Substance’ (2024) — Coralie Fargeat

Though it didn’t do too great at the Oscars, Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance” was a milestone for horror, with star Demi Moore taking away best actress at multiple award shows. The film studies the way people view women aging and tackles that subject head-on using body horror. It’s brilliant and disturbing, and one of the best, most creative films I have seen in a long time.

‘My Old Ass’ (2024) — Megan Park

I initially watched this film just because I love Aubrey Plaza. However, it ended up affecting me a lot more than I thought it would. Megan Park’s film emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and how the only thing you can’t get back in life is time.

‘Lisa Frankenstein’ (2024) — Zelda Williams

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When I first saw this film, it wasn’t my favorite. However, after two rewatches and learning to appreciate the campiness, it quickly became a fun, enjoyable watch. Zelda Williams’ directorial debut follows a teenage girl who is fascinated by the dead and her story with a school and family who don’t understand her.

‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ (2022) — Halina Reijn

Another campy horror comedy, “Bodies Bodies Bodies” follows a group of friends as their hurricane party vacation turns into a murder mystery game gone wrong. Halina Reijn’s film is so unbelievably funny yet simultaneously leaves the audience guessing throughout the entire film.

‘Bottoms’ (2023) — Emma Seligman

This is another favorite film of mine. Starring Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott, “Bottoms,” directed by Emma Seligman, follows two high school girls who are looking to get girlfriends. In an attempt to make this dream a reality, the two protagonists form a fight club at their school.

‘Clueless’ (1995) — Amy Heckerling

It’s a fun, ’90s girlhood classic. Starring Alicia Silverstone as Cher, Amy Heckerling’s “Clueless” follows the protagonist, a popular, rich girl, as she navigates school and tries to do what she thinks is good. There isn’t a lot to it, but it’s fun, entertaining and overall, a classic.

‘The Fallout’ (2021) — Megan Park

Another film from Park, “The Fallout” is a bit hard to watch at times as it deals with the difficult topic of the aftermath of a school shooting. The film stars Jenna Ortega and Maddie Ziegler as two survivors of the shooting as they learn to move forward in life after going through such a traumatic life event. It’s brilliant and handles the difficult topic without glorifying it in any way.

‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ (1999) — Jamie Babbit

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love this movie. Starring Natasha Lyonne, Jamie Babbit’s “But I’m a Cheerleader” follows Megan, a cheerleader, as she navigates learning about and accepting her sexuality. It’s a funny, ridiculous and over-the-top comedy about homosexuality and gay conversion therapy, but it’s one of my favorite films of all time, and it likely always will be.

While working on this piece has taught me that not nearly enough films have been directed by women, we have some of these incredible films to show that we need more female directors in the film industry.

powers40@miamioh.edu