With International Women's Day (8 March) just around the corner, what better way to celebrate than with your girlfriends while watching some inspiring films featuring strong women directed by women? We've compiled 10 incredible films directed by amazing women that absolutely belong on your watchlist.
Whether you're in the mood for a feel-good movie, a nostalgic rom-com, or even a comedy, each tale imparts valuable lessons about girlhood, navigating modern society as a woman, and the essence of female friendships. There’s truly something for everyone.
Director and writer, Greta Gerwig in all pink with the Barbie Cast. (Photo from: @panavisionofficial)
1. Kim Ji-young: Born 1982 directed by Kim Bo-young
This South Korean drama isn’t just a movie — it’s a mirror. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, tells the all-too-relatable story of a woman navigating motherhood, career sacrifices, and sexist nonsense in modern Korea.
When she starts expressing emotions through the voices of other women in her life, her family grows concerned — what’s happening to her? This film is a gut-punching look at the struggles women face in everyday life, and it’s painfully relatable.
Stream it on Disney+.
Cast: Jung Yu-Mi, Gong Yoo, Kim Mi-Kyung, Gong Min-Jung, Kim Sung-Cheol, Lee Eol, Lee Bong-Ryun
Watch it when you: need to scream into the void about society’s double standards.
2. Turning Red directed by Domee Shi
Domee Shi’s Pixar hit is a vibrant, hilarious, and painfully real look at growing up, family expectations, and embracing your messy emotions. Mei Lee is a confident, quirky 13-year-old navigating school, boy band obsessions, and a slightly overbearing mother. Then she discovers her family’s generational curse: turning into a giant, fluffy red panda.
This hilarious and heartwarming Pixar film captures the chaos of puberty, the beauty of female friendships, and the struggle of balancing who we are vs. who we’re expected to be.
You can stream it on Disney+.
Cast: Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Sherry Cola, Jordan Fisher
Watch it when you: want to relive your chaotic tween years but with more giant red pandas.
3. Our Times directed by Frankie Chen
This Taiwanese rom-com has everything: childhood sweethearts, glow-ups, and the kind of dramatic love letters we all wish we had received in school. Lin Truly is an awkward high school girl hopelessly crushing on the most popular guy in school.
When Lin accidentally gets tangled up with the campus troublemaker, Xu Taiyu, their love-hate friendship turns into something deeper. Set against a backdrop of Walkmans, love letters, and old-school romance, this Taiwanese hit is like a warm hug from your teenage years.
You can stream it on WeTV.
Cast: Darren Wang, Vivian Sung, Dino Lee, Jerry Yan, Joe Chen
Watch it when you: feel nostalgic for your old-school girl days and cringe at the idea of awkward teen crushes.
4. 21st Century Girl directed by Bang Woo-ri
It’s 1999, and Na Bo-ra is your typical high schooler until her BFF Yeon-du heads to the U.S. for heart surgery and asks Bo-ra to spy on her crush, Baek Hyun-jin. Bo-ra agrees, but a simple mission turns into an unexpected twist of fate, mistaken identity, and unexpected love.
As Bo-ra infiltrates the school’s broadcasting club to get close to Hyun-jin, she instead finds herself drawn to Poong Woon-hom a quiet but warm-hearted boy who’s about to change her life forever.
Watch it on Netflix.
Cast: Kim You-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Park Jung-woo
Watch it when you: to reminisce about your first love and ugly cry.
5. Barbie directed by Greta Gerwig
Barbie lives in Barbieland, where everything is perfect — until she starts questioning… everything. Why are her feet suddenly flat? Why does she feel an unexplainable sadness? Cue a wild journey into the real world, where she faces patriarchy and self-discovery.
Greta Gerwig’s record-breaking blockbuster is more than just fun, it’s a feminist manifesto wrapped in glitter and camp. There’s even a sequel underway!
You can stream it on HBO Max.
Cast: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Emma Mackey, America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Issa Rae
Watch it when you: want to cry, laugh, and scream “I AM KEN-ENOUGH” at your screen.
6. Yellow Rose directed by Diane Paragas
Rose, an undocumented Filipina teen in Texas, dreams of becoming a country music star. But when her mother gets detained by ICE, she’s forced to choose between chasing her dream and staying with the only family she has left.
This film is heart-wrenching, timely, and deeply personal, shedding light on immigration struggles while celebrating the power of music and resilience.
Stream it on Apple TV.
Cast: Eva Noblezada, Princess Punzalan, Lea Salonga
Watch it when you: need a reason to follow your dreams or love country music.
7. Booksmart directed by Olivia Wilde
Molly and Amy have spent high school doing everything right — straight As, student council, the whole overachiever package. But on the eve of graduation, they realise their partying classmates also got into top colleges. Now, they have to cram four years of fun into one epic night before they graduate and go their separate ways.
Packed with sharp humour, wild escapades, and an incredibly real female friendship, Booksmart is super smart, super funny, and unforgettable.
You can stream it on Apple TV.
Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Molly Gordon, Diana Silvers, Billie Lourd
Watch it when you: need a good laugh, this coming-of-age comedy will keep you laughing from beginning to end.
8. Dear Zindagi directed by Gauri Shinde
Kaira, a young cinematographer, is stuck in a cycle of bad relationships, career struggles, and emotional burnout. Enter Dr. Jehangir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan in peak wisdom mode), who helps her unpack her past, heal, and embrace life.
This film is a therapy session in cinematic form, reminding us that mental health matters, and self-love is a journey.
You can stream it on Netflix.
Cast: Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, Ira Dubey
Watch it when you: need a cinematic therapy session, because this is an instant comfort movie.
9. Rye Lane directed by Raine Allen Miller
This British rom-com is fresh, fun, and shot in the brightest colours ever. It’s about two heartbroken 20-somethings finding love while roaming South London. Think Before Sunrise but with more jokes and better outfits.
For a day, they go from strangers to partners in crime, helping each other heal, get revenge, and maybe fall in love.
Stream it on Disney+.
Cast: David Jonsson, Vivian Oparah, Colin Firth
Watch it when you: want a good rom-com fix that will have you rooting for love.
10. Yolo directed by Jia Ling
Jia Ling directs and stars in this dramedy as Leying, a woman who has spent the last decade living in isolation with her parents after withdrawing from society. Then one day, she decides to take control — pushing herself physically, emotionally, and mentally to become the best version of herself.
It’s funny, moving, and a reminder that it’s never too late to start over. You will root for Leying from start to finish.
Stream it on Netflix.
Cast: Jia Ling, Lei Jiayin, Zhang Xiaofei
Watch it when you: need motivation to get out of your comfort zone.
(Cover photos from: @panavisionofficial and Lotte Entertainment)
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