The Best Films Made About Womanhood Ranked

Not many characters in movies have earned the appreciation of women. Since the 1970’s, stories of strong women have often made for compelling movies. Whether it’s road warriors, prejudiced lovers or historical figures, the genre has created many strong characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite feminist films which deserve to be celebrated.

1. Pride & Prejudice

Jane Austen is a legendary author that always earned my mother’s appreciation. I remember bonding with a mother that acknowledged the author in English literature. She was always drawn towards the sense and sensibility of an author that impacted her identity. My mother would value books written from a feminist point-of-view. Through lifelong love for Jane Austen, my mother inspired me to make film criticism dreams come true. Few films I’ve seen have honoured an author that wrote stories about women without prejudice as powerfully as “Pride & Prejudice”. Following its release in 2005, Joe Wright’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about women. With the greatest film of his career, Wright did an extraordinary job of adapting Jane Austen’s most beloved literary classic about which readers care. Wright has always had an aptitude for making great movies about women in danger, and “Pride & Prejudice” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Wright effectively used montages capturing the lives of women with pride in romantic relationships causing prejudice. For instance, the scene in which Elizabeth angrily confronts Mr. Darcy in the rain about ruining her sister’s chances of marriage causing a dilemma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Keira Knightley, who embodied the most iconic heroine in Jane Austen’s literature effectively. Ultimately, what makes “Pride & Prejudice” my favourite film about women of all-time is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s literature to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Centuries following the publication of a book about prejudiced women developing romance facing destruction, it’s a captivating reminder of a great genre that has made commemorated movies about women which deserve immense appreciation.

2. Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is an inspirational comic-book heroine that earned my cousin’s appreciation. I remember a cousin that was once a huge fan of the iconic comic-book character. She would always praise a strong female warrior that had the abilities to inspire feelings of wonder. Fond of a legendary comic-book character, she would always love discussing a heroine she would treasure. In 2017, Patty Jenkins honoured the iconic heroine inspiring wonder in women in her movie “Wonder Woman”. Jenkins used captivating montages capturing hardships that a female heroine in WWII is facing. For instance, the scene in which Wonder Woman dodges bullets on the battlefield during WWII causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Gal Gadot, who embodied a feminist action heroine. Ultimately, what makes “Wonder Woman” a comic-book classic is its bold appeal. Unlike most comic-book movies, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. A wonderful tribute to a great comic heroine that inspires wonder, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor making movies which audiences commonly treasure.

3. Little Women

Writing is an activity that I’ve always enjoyed doing. As far as I can remember, I have always wanted to become a writer. At an early age, I loved to engage with words written on a page. Despite facing cyberbullying, nothing has stopped me from pursuing passions for writing. As someone that has always had a lifelong writing passion, I adored “Little Women”. Released in 2019, Greta Gerwig’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about sisters with a writing passion. Gerwig has always had an aptitude for making movies about women whose relationships are in danger, and “Little Women” showcased her strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Jo has a nervous breakdown after her book is burned by Amy destroying her writing causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Saoirse Ronan, who embodies a female writer facing rejection. Ultimately, what makes “Little Women” a classic is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the legendary book in order to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about sibling rivalry which would resonate with everyone. Centuries following the publication of a celebrated book about women that enjoy writing, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a fantastic genre that has manufactured commemorated movies about lives of inspirational women which are definitely worth undeniably celebrating.

4. The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is a legendary book about women that my brother always loved dearly. I remember forming strong bonds with a brother that loved a book series he considered to be iconic literature. A huge fan of Katniss Everdeen, he always spoke fondly about a book series that became a pivotal part of his routine. He became fond of a legendary book series about teenagers participating in a competitive game. In 2012, Gary Ross honoured the iconic book about competitive games in his movie “The Hunger Games”. Ross used captivating montages capturing hardships that a woman living in an impoverished district of society is facing. For instance, the scene in which Katniss volunteers as tribute participating in the games causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Jennifer Lawrence, who embodied a teenage girl facing an impoverished experience. Ultimately, what makes “The Hunger Games” a captivating classic is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the famous book series to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about government corruption which would resonate with everyone. As strong as arrows used by Katniss Everdeen, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making great movies that definitely deserve to be seen on big-screen.

5. Bright Star

Poetry is an art form that my grandfather always loved dearly. I remember a grandfather that was once a famous Pakistani author with timeless literature. He would always love to write bright stories that earned the spotlight. As someone treasuring bright memories of a grandfather that sought to become a famous writing star, I appreciated “Bright Star”. Released in 2008, Jane Campion’s movie offered a powerful portrait of women falling in love with poets.  Campion successfully used montages capturing a strong woman falling in love with a legendary poet with a lifelong love of writing. For instance, the scene in which Fanny becomes aware that Keats suffers from terminal illness causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Abbie Cornish, who portrayed a woman falling in love with a poet people cherish. Ultimately, what makes “Bright Star” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about poets, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of poetry to appreciate it. It delivers a profound message about illness which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of a poet that readers celebrate, it’s a riveting reminder of an genre that has made movies about inspirational women which audiences appreciate.

6. Short Term 12

Mental hospitals are settings where strong women are often common. Mental institutions are often run by strong women in positions of power with strong dedication. The role that women play running short-term mental hospitals is beautifully depicted in the movie “Short Term 12”. Released in 2013, Destin Daniel Cretton’s movie captured women running mental hospitals facing adversity. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Short Term 12” stand out is its depiction of mental hospitals. Cretton uses captivating montages capturing hardships women in mental hospitals are facing. Assisted by Brie Larson who is amazing in the lead role, Cretton created a compelling drama. A powerful portrait of foster care workers seeking to assist teens facing despair, it’s a strong reminder of a genre making great movies about which audiences care.

7. Promising Young Woman

Sexual assault is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Since the Weinstein scandal, Hollywood has avoided a topic that’s painful. In an industry ignoring sexually assaulted women, it’s worth praising “Promising Young Woman”. Released in 2020, Emerald Fennell’s movie offered a powerful portrait of assault. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Promising Young Woman” stand out is its depiction of assault. Fennell uses montages capturing a feminist woman seeking vengeance against men that have committed assault. Assisted by Carey Mulligan who is captivating in the lead role, Fennell created a satire about revenge that’s captivating. A powerful portrait of a promising young woman seeking vengeance, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a celebrated genre manufacturing movies earning a huge audience.

8. Hidden Figures

When it comes to the most inspiring women in NASA’s space history, it’s worth discussing the hidden figures. During the 1960’s, three African-American women participated in NASA’s space program. The women broke barriers of colour to become legendary figures. In 2016, Theodore Melfi honoured the hidden figures in his movie “Hidden Figures”. What makes “Hidden Figures” stand out in the space genre is its empowering depiction of women. Melfi uses captivating montages to capture obstacles black women working for NASA in the 1960’s were facing. Accompanied by Taraji P. Henson who is excellent, Melfi honoured hidden figures in history. A heartfelt tribute towards Africa-American women that participated in NASA, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made commemorated movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.

9. Becoming Jane

Jane Austen is a legendary woman that built a lasting reputation. An iconic author, Austen penned timeless literature that changed the world forever. Austen’s timeless stories have often been adapted into unforgettable movies. In 2008, Julian Jarrold honoured the iconic author writing stories that entertain in his movie “Becoming Jane”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Becoming Jane” stand out is its depiction of writers.  Jarrold uses captivating montages capturing hardships a female writer seeking to publish stories is facing. Assisted by Anne Hathaway who is extraordinary in the lead role, Jarrold honoured an author that’s beloved today. A beautiful biopic about an author that’s iconic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies which have always captivated public.

10. Anora

Few movies ever made about women facing a dilemma are as beloved as “Anora”. Released in 2024, Sean Baker’s Oscar-winning movie captured prostitute women facing adversity. Baker used montages capturing hardships that a prostitute in breakups is facing. Assisted by Mikey Madison who is amazing in the lead role, Baker created a commemorated prostitution movie. Although I appreciated the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of prostitute women that are treated poorly in prostitution causing tragedy has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Anora’s desire to become wealthy, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre manufacturing memorable movies about women seeking identity which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.