From queen bees to indie chicks, there’s a feminist film for everyone.
This summer’s movie offerings have ranged from superhero civil war to a farting corpse tale. While there are exceptions, summer movies almost always seem to be fueled by testosterone (Aren’t they all, though?) and that can prove challenging for when you’re in the mood to see some feminist badassery go down on-screen, even if it means a bikini-clad chick battling a shark. Luckily, there are some awesome new female-centric movies streaming online that can perhaps tide us over until the Ghostbusters girl gang and the anti-bake sale Bad Moms get here. Depending on your mood or tastes, here are some picks for the best women power flicks to stream this summer.
Netflix:
For the girl gone wild: Mean Girls
This legendary teen comedy follows regular but super smart girl Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) on her quest to navigate high school’s intricate cliques, politics, and Plastics. This cult flick, written by Tina Fey and starring a plethora of teen and SNL stars, is guaranteed to have something for everyone, from nerds to jocks to “the cool Asians”, and everyone in between. Plus it has some of the most memorable movie quotes of the early aughts. That’s so fetch, right?
(Available on Netflix)
For the girlboss in you: Working Girl
You too can have a mind for business and a body for sin just like Tess McGill, the secretary-turned-HBIC excellently played by Melanie Griffith in this romantic dramedy directed by Mike Nichols. With the Academy Award nominated performances of Griffith, Sigourney Weaver, and Joan Cusack, and a slick supporting turn by Harrison Ford, this workplace saga is sure to teach you a career lesson or two, from walking to work in style to expertly greeting your office guests. Coffee, tea, or me, anyone?
(Available on Netflix)
For your sister squad goals: Mustang
This portrait of female empowerment revolves around a group of sisters who must band together against all odds within a conservative society. Shot beautifully and set in a remote Turkish village, this Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film is the directorial debut of Turkish-French director Deniz Gamze Ergüven, whose personal life experience inspired the inciting incident of the film.
(Available on July 9 on Netflix)
For all the feels: Tallulah
Grab a box of tissues and a bottle of red as you watch the story of Tallulah, a free-spirited young woman who rescues a baby from a literal bad mom, pretends the child is her own, then seeks the help of her ex-boyfriend’s estranged mother Margo. This tearjerker stars Ellen Page and Allison Janney in a Juno reunion filled with laugh/cry vibes about love, family, and relationships.
(Available on July 29 on Netflix)
Amazon Prime:
For the woman warrior: Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & Vol. 2
Quentin Tarantino’s martial arts western saga about a bad ass bride on a quest for vengeance is now playing in its full and gory glory. Filled with memorable characters, action sequences, and killer music, this revenge tale is a bonafide contemporary classic tailor-made for repeat viewing. Wiggle your big toe if you agree.
(Volume 1 and Volume 2 available on Amazon Prime)
Hulu:
For the girls: Tiny Furniture
A tale for when you’re feeling contemplative about those in-between stages in life, like the one after you graduate college but before you make something of yourself. This first feature from Girls creator Lena Dunham is part prelude to her popular HBO show and part indie hipster melodrama, featuring characters that aren’t exactly the most likable and neither do they get along. Sound familiar? That’s because that’s life, friends.
(Available on Hulu)
For the indie chick: Your Sister’s Sister
This darling indie features a love triangle of sorts between a man and two sisters. Man aside, it’s about sisters played fantastically by Emily Blunt and Rosemary Dewitt in a picture written and directed by Lynn Shelton. Set in an isolated cabin in the woods, this is the perfect viewing for when you just want to get away… and watch a movie, of course.
(Available on Hulu)
Amazon Prime & Hulu:
For the little monster in all of us: Rosemary’s Baby
This brooding horror flick about a pregnant woman who gradually discovers the dark secret about her baby’s true father is sure to creep you out. Fun fact: The film is based on the bestselling book of the same name by Ira Levin and was writer/director Roman Polanski’s Hollywood debut. Many occult films came after this but none have come close to this psychologically terrifying masterpiece featuring fine performances by Mia Farrow and Ruth Gordon.
(Available on Amazon Prime and Hulu)
Dig the flicks on this list? Did we miss other great girl power films that are streaming online? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’re always on the lookout for great film finds.
Related Topics: Feminism, Women
