10 Movies to Stream in Honor of Women’s History Month
Use Women’s History Month as Your Excuse to Watch These Cinematic Masterpieces
Finding something you and your partner can both tolerate watching is no easy feat. Luckily, March marks a worldwide commemoration of women’s achievements with Women’s History Month, meaning there’s no better time to stream some female-led films.
The annual celebration of Women’s History Month stems back to 1982, and while we’ve certainly made some strides in equality since then, there are still some discrepancies in Hollywood in the opportunities women are given. Recent research found that while the percentage of female-directed top-grossing films reached a historic high in 2020, that number declined to just 17% in 2021. In 2020, whereas festivals picked up an average of 12 narrative films directed by men, they only considered or screened six directed by women — but the good news is, they picked roughly the same number of documentaries made by women and men.
However, the pay gap is still a glaring issue. A comparison of the highest-paid actors revealed that the average salary for men is $57.4 million for men, whereas the average salary for women is $21.8 million — meaning they earn 62% less.
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One of the best things you can do to support women in Hollywood is by watching their films. From biopics about legendary women in history to fictional flicks with an all-female cast or director, here are a handful of options to add to your queue.
10 Female-Focused Films to Watch for Women's History Month
Erin Brockovich
This powerhouse film, which is based on a true story, follows a single mom-turned-activist who uncovers one of the biggest corporate cover-ups in American history. While working at an attorney’s office, Erin Brockovich (played by Julia Roberts) discovers that the local water is causing devastating illnesses for citizens, leading her to launch a class-action lawsuit against the energy company knowingly contaminating the water, Pacific Gas and Electric.
Stream it on: Peacock TV, Amazon Prime Video, or Apple TV
Wild
In the silver screen adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s best-selling autobiographical book, Reese Witherspoon plays a woman who makes a spur-of-the-moment decision to hike more than a thousand miles along the Pacific Crest Trail by herself in order to work on healing from the loss of her mother, the end of her marriage, and recovering from heroin addiction. Of course, along the way, this adventure forces her to face a number of emotional and mental obstacles and ultimately become stronger for it. Equal parts inspirational and evocative, this is might just motivate you to hit the trails yourself.
Stream it on: Disney + or Amazon Prime Video
Homecoming
Not only was Beyonce the first Black woman to headline Coachella, but she’s also the most awarded and nominated singer in the history of the Grammy Awards. This documentary details all the intensive preparations that went into her 2018 Coachella performance as an ode to the Black college experience and Greek life. In addition to some behind-the-scenes tidbits showcasing her grueling rehearsals and artistic vision, you’ll also be privy to some vulnerable moments as she shares more about her family life, perfectionism, and challenging pregnancy with twins.
Stream it on: Netflix
Hidden Figures
It’s no secret that women are massively underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). In fact, research shows they only make up 28% of the workforce in these fields. But in the 1960s — an era still riddled with gender and racial inequalities — Black NASA mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan managed to play a crucial role in the successful launch of astronaut John Glenn. It’s an impressive feat, especially considering that NASA’s Langley Research center was still sex- and race-segregated at that time. This film sheds a much-deserved spotlight on their triumphant story.
Stream it on: Disney+
On the Basis of Sex
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, along with being the Supreme Court’s first Jewish female justice, was a strong advocate for gender equality throughout her illustrious career. This biopic, directed by the legendary Mimi Leder, follows Ginsburg’s journey from the time she was a student at Harvard Law School to winning her first case, the groundbreaking "Moritz v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue,” which happened to center around gender discrimination. (The documentary RBG is also worth scoping out if you prefer to watch real footage of these events rather than the dramatized version).
Stream it on: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Hulu
I Am Greta
From the time she delivered her powerful, impassioned 2019 speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit, Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg has become a household name. This documentary features never-before-seen footage of her rise to notoriety and the impact of her efforts, starting with her school strike in front of the Swedish parliament and culminating with her wind-powered excursion across the Atlantic Ocean to attend the Climate Action Summit. While exploring the ups and downs of her sudden fame, the film exposes just how much inaction on climate change is weighing on Thunberg, and how far she’ll go to get people to take the issue seriously.
Stream it on: Hulu
Radium Girls
In the 1920s, young female factory workers began developing mysterious and serious illnesses. It was later discovered these illnesses (and sometimes deaths) were caused by toxic materials they were ingesting because they were instructed to wet their brushes — which were coated with radioactive paint — by licking them. Based on that true story, this film follows two such women who served as pioneers in the workplace safety movement. Sisters Bessie and Jo decide to sue their employer and expose the dangerous conditions that led countless women to die of radium poisoning. It’s a gripping story worth watching solely for the historical significance, and a predominantly female cast and crew: executive producers Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner, as well as directors Ginny Mohler and Lydia Dean Pilcher.
Stream it on: Netflix or Amazon Prime
Bombshell
It’s easy to see why this film serves as the ultimate tribute to brave women fighting workplace misconduct, in a pre-#MeToo world, no less. Eye-opening, provocative, and exhilarating with just a dash of humor for good measure, Bombshell follows the true story of three Fox News employees who decide to expose and sue CEO Roger Ailes for his persistent sexual harassment. While accurately depicting the misogyny and unequal power dynamics that still plagues many newsrooms, it also emphasizes the courage it often takes for women to speak up.
Stream it on: Hulu, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime Video
Wonder Woman
While Wonder Woman has been portrayed many times throughout the years since her comic book debut in 1941, this 2017 adaptation stands out. That’s in part because it explores how Diana, princess of the Amazon, trains to fulfill her destiny of becoming the lady superhero we know and love today. To boot, this Patty Jenkins-directed iteration became the highest-grossing film by a solo female director. It’s no surprise that this film was a smash box office success as it fearlessly tackles sexism while also offering plenty of action and humor to keep you entertained. It even got the feminist seal of approval from activist Gloria Steinem.
Stream it on: HBO Max, Hulu, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime Video
Ghostbusters
Some fan boys of the OG Ghostbusters may have struggled to accept this new female-driven adaptation, but it’s hard to deny that comedians Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Kate McKinnon bring a fresh brand of humor to the franchise. Misogynistic trolling aside, this hilarious reboot follows four women working as supernatural scientists who decide to launch a ghost-catching business in New York City. The only snag? They have to try and prove to all of modern society that ghosts even exist.
Stream it on: Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video
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