15 Iconic Movies Directed By Women That Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist ASAP
It’s no secret that the art of filmmaking has long been a bit of a sausage party. But in the spirit of celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 the best way we know how, we're shining a spotlight on the brilliant women who have shaped the world of cinema! These incredible women directors have broken barriers, shattered stereotypes, and given us some of the most unforgettable films of all time.
From Oscar-winning masterpieces to cult classics and indie gems, these works prove that women behind the camera are a force to be reckoned with. So grab your popcorn, clear your watchlist, and get ready to add these 15 must-watch movies to your binge list — because trust us, they’re that good!
1. Little Women (2019) Dir. Greta Girwig
Photo from Sony Pictures
There's no better way to kick off this list than with Little Women, Greta Girwig's highly praised adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's coming-of-age novel. Set in post-Civil War America, the film tells the story of the March sisters, Meg (Emma Watson), Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Beth (Eliza Scanlen), and Amy (Florence Pugh) as they navigate sisterhood, womanhood, their budding careers and romances. Rounding out the star-studded cast is Timothée Chalamet as their heartthrob neighbour Laurie, making this film extra replayable.
2. Black Box Diaries (2024) Dir. Shiori Itô
Photo from MTV Entertainment Studios
Journalist and filmmaker Shiori Itō brings her powerful story to the screen with Black Box Diaries, a deeply personal and courageous documentary that investigates her own sexual assault. While she aims to prosecute her high-profile offender, the film also sheds light on sexual violence and the painfully antiquated judicial system in Japan that stands in her way to achieving justice. Through raw storytelling and an unfiltered lens, Itō challenges societal norms and exposes the realities many women face, making this an essential watch for anyone, especially those passionate about crime and women's rights.
3. Eternals (2021) Dir. Chloé Zhao
Photo from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
After making history as the first woman of color to win Best Director at the Oscars for Nomadland, Chloé Zhao brought her signature poetic style to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Eternals. The result? A superhero movie that looks like a National Geographic documentary, but more existential. Featuring an insanely diverse cast (Gemma Chan! Angelina Jolie! Kumail Nanjiani! Harry Styles?!), the film explores immortality, love, and the mild inconvenience of saving humanity. While it had its critics, Zhao’s signature stunning cinematography and ambitious storytelling made it one of Marvel’s boldest films yet.
4. Barbie (2023) Dir. Greta Gerwig
Photo from Warner Bros. Pictures
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie didn’t just break the box office — it broke the patriarchy (and gave us I’m Just Ken, the unofficial national anthem of 2023). Greta Gerwig turned what could have been a fluffy toy movie into a razor-sharp, pastel-pink feminist satire starring Margot Robbie as the existentially conflicted doll and Ryan Gosling as the himbo of our dreams. With chef’s kiss costume design, a Dua Lipa-powered soundtrack, and monologues that had the entire theater tearing up, this film was THE moment.
5. Wonder Woman (2017) Dir. Patty Jenkins
Photo from Warner Bros. Pictures
Before Wonder Woman, the phrase 'female-led superhero movie' usually translated to 'box office disaster'. Enter Patty Jenkins, who gave us an absolute slay of a film starring Gal Gadot as the Amazonian warrior with the best lasso in town. The No Man’s Land scene? Chills. The blend of Greek mythology, epic fight sequences, and Chris Pine’s perfectly timed humor? Flawless. Wonder Woman didn’t just break records, it made every woman watching feel like they could punch a god and win.
6. American Pyscho (2000) Dir. Mary Harron
Photo from Lionsgate Films
If you’ve ever heard a guy say American Psycho is his favorite movie… run. But let’s give credit where it’s due — Mary Harron turned Bret Easton Ellis’s dark, twisted novel into a razor-sharp satire on toxic masculinity, consumerism, and men who love business cards a little too much. Christian Bale is terrifyingly good as Patrick Bateman, the Wall Street psycho with an extensive skincare routine, and let’s not forget that iconic chainsaw scene. Fun fact: this is the movie that made Bale commit to insane method acting — so you can thank (or blame) Harron for that.
7. Us and Them 后来的我们 (2018) Dir. René Liu
Photo from Netflix
If you love an emotional gut-punch in your romance films, Us and Them is coming for your soul. Directed by Taiwanese singer-songwriter René Liu, this heartbreakingly beautiful drama follows a couple whose love story unfolds in two timelines: one filled with youthful dreams, and the other with bittersweet reality. It has breathtaking cinematography, a soundtrack that will ruin you — Us (我們 ) by Eason Chan and Here, After, Us (后来的我们) by Mayday? Instant waterworks — and a storyline that feels painfully real. Make sure to watch this with tissues!
8. Anatomy of a Fall (2023) Dir. Justine Triet
Photo from Neon
Murder mystery? Courtroom drama? Psychological thriller? Anatomy of a Fall said, why not all three? This Palme d’Or-winning film by Justine Triet follows a woman accused of murdering her husband, with their visually impaired son as the key witness (yep, it’s not looking too good for her). Sandra Hüller delivers a masterclass in acting, while the film expertly dissects gender biases and the chaos of marriage. Also, if you ever wanted to see a dog give an Oscar-worthy performance, this is the movie for you.
9. Booksmart (2019) Dir. Olivia Wilde
Photo from United Artists Releasing
Think Superbad, but make it feminist, chaotic, and full of iconic one-liners. Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut Booksmart follows two typically well-behaved and academically overachieving besties (Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever) as they attempt to cram four years worth of partying into one wild night before graduation. It’s laugh-out-loud hilarious, painfully relatable (especially for all the once-nerds and good kids out there), and filled with moments that will make you text your bestie immediately. Extra points for Billie Lourd’s unhinged rich-girl character who randomly appears at every party.
10. Twilight (2008) Dir. Catherine Hardwicke
Photo from Summit Entertainment
Say what you will about Twilight, but Catherine Hardwicke took an indie vampire romance and turned it into a global cultural phenomenon. The blue-tinted cinematography? The awkward-yet-iconic Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson chemistry? The baseball scene set to Supermassive Black Hole? Now that's what we love to see (and hate on, if you must). Whether you were Team Edward, Team Jacob, or just here for the fun 2000’s energy, this film defined an era and gave us the most quotable dialogue in YA movie history.
11. A Wrinkle in Time (2018) Dir. Ava DuVernay
Photo from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Ava DuVernay made history as the first Black woman to direct a $100M+ blockbuster with A Wrinkle in Time, and while the film had mixed reviews, you cannot deny its ambition. With a dazzlingly diverse cast (Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon, and Storm Reid absolutely slayed), jaw-dropping visuals, and a storyline about self-acceptance and cosmic magic, this movie is a dreamy, otherworldly ride. Plus, the costume design is absolutely it. If nothing else, watch for Oprah floating in peak celestial goddess mode.
12. The Matrix (1999) Dir. Lana & Lilly Wachowski
Photo from Warner Bros.
Bet you didn’t know The Matrix was directed by not just one, but two women! Lana and Lilly Wachowski changed cinema with their mind-bending, leather-clad sci-fi masterpiece. Bullet time? Iconic. Red pill vs. blue pill? Cultural reset. Keanu Reeves looking stupidly cool in those fully-opaque sunglasses? Unmatched. Beyond the epic fight scenes, this film is a deep dive into identity, technology, and breaking free from systems of control. It’s also easily one of the most influential movies of all time, and we can thank the Wachowski sisters for that.
13. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) Dir. Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert (Produced by & Starring Michelle Yeoh)
Photo from A24
Okay, so the Daniels directed this one, but let’s be real — Michelle Yeoh and producer Jonathan Wang’s powerhouse presence made it the defining film of 2022. A multiverse action-comedy-drama (yes, all at once), this film had everything: butt plug fight scenes, googly eyes, an emotional monologue about laundry and taxes, and Ke Huy Quan serving heart-melting husband goals. Not only did it sweep the Oscars (Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress), but it proved that Asian moms can, in fact, save the universe.
14. Bird Box (2018) Dir. Susanne Bier
Photo from Netflix
Before we had The Last of Us, we had Sandra Bullock blindfolded in Bird Box, a post-apocalyptic thriller that singlehandedly made everyone suddenly terrified of looking outside. Directed by Susanne Bier, this tense, gripping film follows a mother protecting her kids from mysterious creatures that drive people to madness if seen. It broke Netflix streaming records, spawned a very questionable internet challenge or ten, and made us all wonder: could we survive a world where sight is the enemy?
15. Our Times (2015) Dir. Frankie Chen
Photo from Focus Films
If you ever had a high school crush that made you act like a complete fool, Our Times will hit you right in the feels. This Taiwanese rom-com is packed with 90s nostalgia, an accidental wingmen-to-lovers romance, and enough high school drama to make you thankful you’re not 16 anymore. With Vivian Sung as the awkward yet lovable protagonist and Darren Wang as the bad boy with a heart of gold, this film is a whole teenage fever dream. Bonus: the soundtrack is pure Mandopop perfection.
More empowering goodness to check out this International Women's Day:
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