It’s hardly a secret that Hollywood is dominated by white male directors. But there are a wealth of films made by women - both studio blockbusters and quiet indie movies - that also deserve the acclaim and attention afforded to films directed by men. And with more female directors working in Hollywood today than ever before, the balance seems to be shifting in the right direction.
For every Ryan Murphy, there’s a Regina King making innovative, creative films and bringing a new voice to Hollywood and beyond. From the violent comedy-thrillers of Mary Harron to the sentimental road movies of Kelly Reichardt, check out these criminally underrated female directors.
Andrea Arnold
Andrea Arnold has some serious hit movies to her name - Fish Tank and American Honey are just two. Her movies speak to entire generations, encapsulating coming-of-age narratives that are both relatable and dramatic. But despite that, Andrea Arnold isn’t yet a household name.
Known for her work with both non-professional actors as well as big name Hollywood stars, Arnold’s films rely on the real-life experiences of her amateur actors to create emotional depictions of love and angst.
Melina Matsoukas
Melina Matsoukas cut her directorial teeth in the music video world, having directed the videos for Kylie Minogue’s “Wow” and Beyonce’s “Formation,” among videos for tons of other renowned artists. “Formation," in particular, has an iconic video that’s designed to linger long in everyone's memory. From there, she directed commercials and TV episodes and released her feature debut in 2019: Queen & Slim.
Matsoukas has been in the directing game for a long time, but it’s only since the release of Queen & Slim that her unique work has begun to be recognized outside of the music industry.
Penny Marshall
Although best known for playing Laverne in the '70s sitcom Laverne & Shirley, Penny Marshall followed her acting career by directing a series of successful movies, including Big and A League Of Their Own. These movies include some of the most memorable scenes ever captured on camera, including Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia playing Chopsticks on the piano, to Geena Davis's great.
But although these films are known the world over, thanks to their romantic storylines, memorable characters, and prolific stars, Penny Marshall isn’t quite as famous as her films - especially compared with her contemporaries, Nora Ephron and John Hughes.
Mary Harron
An inspiration to a generation of filmmakers, American Psycho director Mary Harron specializes in dark stories with gritty characters. From murderous Wall Street banker Patrick Bateman to would-be assassin Valerie Solanas, Harron thrives on creating movie versions of literary characters or real-life people with a sinister streak.
Mary Harron is a bold, brave filmmaker, making violent, horror-strewn movies that aren’t typically associated with female directors. Some of her films may not be underrated, but her daring break-the-rules vision for her films is.
Jennifer Lee
The director of Frozen and Frozen II deserves a heck of a lot of recognition. Better known for being the chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Lee co-directed Frozen, which became the fifth highest-grossing film of all time.
Animation directors tend to be less well-known than their live-action counterparts, but for Lee to generate the levels of success seen in Frozen - which was also her directorial debut - means she deserves serious credit for elevating the film (and its sequel) to such heady heights.
Regina King
Like many directors, Regina King began her film career as an actress and made her way into directing over the course of her career. Having directed a number of television episodes, she released her directorial feature debut, One Night In Miami…, in 2020.
King’s film explores Black identity, and what it means to be an illustrious Black public figure in a prejudiced society. Following its critical success, King is sure to become a major player in the film industry.
Mia Hansen-Løve
French filmmaker Mia Hansen-Løve has won a series of accolades for her films. Her 2009 movie Father Of My Children won the Un Certain Regard prize at Cannes and follows the familial consequences after a father takes his own life in the street. That said, her films are little-known outside her native France, though they are so masterfully crafted that they definitely should be.
Hansen-Løve’s films rely on subtlety and a light touch; there are no smash cuts or jumpscares here. But it’s this authenticity and realism that makes her films unique, and deserving of widespread acclaim.
Miwa Nishikawa
Like many modern Japanese filmmakers, Nishikawa’s films focus on family. Her complex narratives revolve around the dysfunction inherent in many (or maybe most) families, exploring pride and, conversely, shame.
Miwa Nishikawa directed her first feature film with the production input of prolific Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda. Her movies have received a whole host of awards in her native Japan, so it may only be a matter of time before her work reaches more Western audiences.
Kelly Reichardt
A far cry from those directors who create studio movies, Kelly Reichardt films are distinguished by their minimalism, low budgets, and simple stories told beautifully. Many of her films have earned success at Sundance, as well as other film festivals, proving she doesn’t need a studio budget to create a fantastic film.
Reichardt has been vocal about the difficulties in making films as a woman, particularly when it comes to funding movies. Luckily for audiences, she went on to make Old Joy and Wendy and Lucy, plus a wealth of other amazing films.
Nia DaCosta
Nia DaCosta is slated to direct The Marvels, a spot which is sure to catapult her into the spotlight - especially as the second-youngest person to direct a Marvel film after Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther. DaCosta’s directorial debut Little Woods won the Nora Ephron Prize at the Tribeca Film Festival, an award given to a “woman who embodies the spirit and vision of the legendary filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron.”
DaCosta may be at the beginning of her career, but she’s already won over the film industry with her thrilling filmmaking and audacious scripts.