Hollywood is still a man’s world, from the writing to the behind-the-scenes crew even to the main characters that are featured. It can be hard to find movies that are truly empowering to women and don’t depict us in an overemotional, negative or crazy light. However, thanks to some fellow UCLA Bruins, we’ve compiled a list of movies that made us feel empowered. What better time to watch them than the month of International Women’s Day? Here are nine women-empowering movies to add to your must-watch list:
- Promising Young Woman
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Starting off our list is a movie that was recommended twice! Our very own Her Campus UCLA chapter president, Isabella Bruyere, gave us this recommendation, as well as Ella Player. Promising Young Woman is an Oscar-winning film that follows a female lead who creates an elaborate revenge scheme to get back at everyone who has crossed her path in retaliation for her sister being sexually assaulted.
Bruyere told us she loves this movie because “Whether or not you morally agree with Cassie’s revenge methods, I’m obsessed with a woman who refuses to give anyone (man or woman) a pass for their half-assed excuses…regarding the heartbreaking sexual assault and trauma of her sister, Cassie makes it her mission to call out and (for lack of a better term) punish everyone who enabled it, turned a blind eye or blamed the victim. She’s witty and smart-mouthed, and when it comes down to it, a great portrayal of feminine rage!! There’s nothing gentle or delicate about her response to the situation, something that’s completely valid and not always shown in media.”
Player shares a similar sentiment, as she explained “It absolutely f***** me up and made me sick to my stomach to the point that I had to pause it multiple times while watching. It was so amazingly done and conveyed all the fear and anger I feel as a woman so perfectly.”
- Hidden Figures
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Hidden Figures was mentioned by two Bruins as well because it is that impactful. The 2016 film which was nominated for three Oscars follows three African-American women who work for NASA as mathematicians or “computers” during the space race. The three women deal with the intersectionality of racism and sexism within the 1960s workplace, and it is actually based on a true story!
Sarah Munch* chose Hidden Figures because “I love how the plot is based on a true story and is very empowering for women of color. It’s a very meaningful story.” Brittany Duke* also named Hidden Figures as her movie! She told Her Campus UCLA “I love that it’s about Black women in STEM, and it was amazing to see it on a big screen!”
I agree with both Brittany and Sarah because growing up as a Black girl, it was sometimes a struggle to see positive representation where we are represented as poised, smart and worthy of being a main character. Hidden Figures was able to accomplish all three!
- La La Land
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This 2016 film won six Oscars!! But I mean, who doesn’t love watching Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling dance together? La La Land follows a jazz pianist and a struggling actress as they fall in love while navigating their lives in Los Angeles. However, the last ten minutes have a total twist that most people, including myself, were not expecting. (*Spoiler alert in the next paragraph in case you haven’t seen it*)
For Hailey Long,* La La Land has a special place in her heart since “It was the first romantic movie I saw where the main characters followed a semi-realistic relationship. I will always love La La Land because Mia and Sebastian don’t end up together. I love how the movie shows how sometimes our passions and a relationship can’t always coexist and in that case, it’s more than okay to choose yourself.”
- Frances Ha
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This movie has female empowerment both in front and behind the camera as Greta Gerwig not only co-directs, but stars in the movie as Frances Halladay. Frances is a 27 year old struggling dancer who takes an apprenticeship at a dance company in New York City. The story touches on themes of dreams, financial troubles and friendships.
Frances Ha comes recommended from fellow HC at UCLA writer Amelia Boeh. “Frances’ monologue about her best friend Sophie is everything I could ever want in a friendship. Greta Gerwig’s character is creative, awkward, charming, bumbling, and overall quite like myself (complete with her so-called “man-walk”). It is a beautiful film about female friendship and finding a place for yourself in the world.” Boeh passionately explains.
In fact, she loves this movie so much, Boeh mentioned it in her recent article celebrating Galentine’s day. You can read it here.
- Thelma and Louise
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This recommendation is a good 90s throwback. Thelma & Louise came out in 1991 and won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The story follows two best friends who embark on a road trip together, but things get messy after Louise shoots a man who attempts to sexually assault Thelma and shouts vulgarities at them. The rest of the movie shows them fleeing from law enforcement and trying to find their way to safety.
Amanda Aspen* says this movie is empowering because “Both are fascinating and complex characters and their whole story is basically just a massive f***-you to the patriarchy. They choose each other over and over and protect one another in a way that is just so honestly incredible. Amazing example of female friendship and solidarity, and also just a really fun, interesting movie. Also [it] endorses killing rapists!”
- Ocean’s 8
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This movie brings the term “all-star cast” to a brand new level. This spin off of Ocean’s 11 follows a group of women that includes Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Awkwafina, Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter and Sarah Paulson who are all trying to pull a heist at the Met Gala. They specifically target one of the guests who is played by Anne Hathaway. It’s funny, filled with action and definitely all female power.
Clara Abel* loves Ocean’s 8 because “the women are so intelligent, and the fact that they’re able to pull off an elaborate crime is pretty sick.”
- The Devil Wears Prada
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Anne Hathaway is making another appearance in our list with the recommendation of The Devil Wears Prada from Maddie Wang*. Hathaway’s character Andrea “Andy” Sachs gets an assistant position at a top fashion publication where she is constantly trying to earn the approval of her relentless boss, Miranda Priestly, played by the iconic Meryl Streep. Andy deals with trying to balance her career and personal life, all while being introduced into the fashion world.
The Devil Wears Prada is a personal favorite of mine, and Wang summarizes perfectly why it is such a great movie: “I love the idea that you can choose to have a makeover for your own empowerment. I love dressing up and it is completely for me and my self confidence. The movie just reminds me it is possible to be both beautiful and career focused. Plus I love Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Stanley Tucci!” - Legally Blonde
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“What? Like it’s hard?” Legally Blonde with all its famous quotes and iconic storyline easily earn it a spot on this list. For those who don’t know, the movie follows Elle Woods (played by Reese Witherspoon), who makes her way to Harvard Law School to follow her ex-boyfriend with the hopes to win him back. In her pursuits, she realizes her own intelligence and falls in love with the idea of being a lawyer.
If Alexandra Tabacu didn’t recommend this movie, I would have done so myself. Legally Blond came to the top of Tabacu’s mind because “I love the notion that being super girly and being intelligent are not mutually exclusive.”
- Miss Congeniality
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I am ending this list with a recommendation of my own: Miss Congeniality! As someone who has competed in pageants, there are multiple reasons why this movie is one of my all time favorites, and the theme of female friendship is definitely one of them. Sandra Bullock plays an undercover FBI agent who poses as a contestant at the Miss United States pageant after the organization receives a terrorist threat. Bullock’s character goes to the pageant with preconceived notions of what the other contestants will be like, but is surprised to find the girls to be intelligent, kind and empowering.
I love this movie not only because of the setting, but also because it shows the value of female friendship. The main character goes to extreme lengths to protect her friends even when the rest of her agents don’t believe her leads in the investigation. Also, like many other movies on this list, it shows you can still be feminine in a male-dominated field!
Between getting ready for finals and spring break, take some time to watch one (or all) of these movies! Watch them and remember there is power in your womanhood, and do not let anyone take that away from you. Happy International Women’s Day! Stay strong in your femininity.
*All astriked names are aliases of students who wished to remain anonymous