Now more than ever is the time to sit back and take advantage of one's Netflix membership. But in a sea of options, which do we choose? Netflix has category selections, but sometimes viewers have the urge for a specific type of film that there simply isn't a category for.
If ever there was a moment when you are overwhelmed with the flood of male-lead, male-made movies, you're in luck--here's a variety of empowering female-lead and, as a bonus, many of them female-made movies on Netflix right now.
Erin Brockovich
Erin Brockovich is a movie based on the true-life story of the woman who leads a lawsuit against the Pacific Gas and Electric company. Julia Roberts stars as Brockovich, a single mother of three struggling to find a job.
Following a car accident, Brockovich loses her case against the person who hit her--but goes on to insist she works for her lawyer who lost her the case. One day she becomes skeptical about the details of a form she reads in the office, and the rest is history. This is a tail of curiosity and persistence in the face of sexism and endless judgment.
The Bookshop
The Bookshop stars Isabel Coixet as Florence Green, a woman determined to open a bookshop in a small English village very resistant to the idea. Florence is suffering from recently becoming a widow, and she wants to strike out and do something that matters to her.
She faces trial and tribulation at every turn but continues to hold her own and stand up for her business and her belief in books.
Steel Magnolias
The title of this film speaks to its beauty. Although originally written by a man Robert Harling, the plot is one that speaks well to the experiences of women and features complex female characters and relationships.
It is the tale of the difficult yet loving relationship between mother and daughter, and the strength and support to be found in female friendships.
Spirited Away
Spirited Away is an animated film by Hayao Miyazaki, renowned director and animator at Studio Ghibli. The film is suitable for a spectrum of ages and boasts an impressive young female lead. Miyazaki fans span all ages, genders, and nationalities.
Though originally in Japanese, Spirited Away is amongst Miyazaki's many translated films, and one that is held dear to fans for the strong, good-humored, charming, questioning, flawed, relatable young protagonist who is swept away to a fantastical land where she is made to work every day and scheme a way to save her parents.
Lady Bird
Lady Bird stars Saoirse Ronan and marks director Greta Gerwig's directorial debut. "Lady Bird" is the name that the protagonist has given herself after deciding that she found the fact that parents get to choose the name of their child to be ridiculous.
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Lady Bird is a teenager about to graduate high school who has a dear best friend, worries about college, and rebels against her parents by wanting more than her working-class life. We see a complicated relationship between a daughter who wants to find her own voice and a mother who wants to be appreciated for what she has offered.
Sense & Sensibility
This film is a beloved adaptation of Jane Austen's novel of the same name. The screenplay of the film was written by actress Emma Thompson. Thompson both wrote the screenplay and acted in the film, both for which she won awards.
The film is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, Austen adaptation of all time. Kate Winslet plays opposite as Thompson as two sisters who lose their fortune and must turn to marriage in order to maintain their status.
Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold
This documentary discusses the life of famed writer Joan Didion, known for her brilliant novels, essays and screenplays and her sharp observations of her time. If you are interested in influential women, writers, politics, or simply getting a glimpse into the mind of a genius human being, this is the film for you.
It is directed by Didion's nephew, Griffin Dunne, and includes snippets of Didion's life and Didion herself reflecting on her life and writing.
The Incredible Jessica James
It takes some digging to find films centered around complex female characters, and it takes even deeper digging to find films with complex leading ladies who are women of color. The Incredible Jessica James is a wonderful film, starring Jessica Williams as a young playwright living in New York City and suffering the confusion of modern dating.
She meets a man on a blind date and ends up involved with him, fluctuating between trying to take part in a relationship in a "post-relationship" world while simultaneously preferring her life of independence.
Mistress America
This film stars Greta Gerwig and Lola Kirke. Lola is Tracey, a young freshman at college trying to figure out how to fit in and how to be cool. She's interested in writing and determined to join the most popular writer's club. Greta plays a slightly-older-than-Lola character, Brooke, who assumes the role of a wise elder. She shows her around New York City, flourishing her care-free, creative life and imparting advice on Lola at every turn.
As their time together proceeds, Tracey's view of Brooke fluctuates between seeing her as a hero and feeling bad for her. This film explores the difficulties of being a young, female artist trying to make it today.
Thelma & Louise
Thelma and Louise is a timeless classic known by many. Two young women strike out on an adventure together, one escaping the controlling grasp of her husband, the other eager take a break from their small town.
When the girls find themselves the victims of a drunk abusive man at a bar, they end up on the run from the police. Thelma and Louise is the hilarious and heartbreaking story of two best friends who defend each other until the very end.