Here Are The Movies Women Say Have The Biggest Impact On Their Lives
There are so many great movies out there that speak to women on a deep level. There are coming-of-age stories that help us navigate the messy world of adolescence and adulthood. There are horror movies that allow us to explore our deepest fears. There are inspirational movies that remind us of our strength and resilience. And there are dark dramas that help us process the complexities of life. Many movies out there make many women feel seen and heard.
Reddit user, u/Michael_Michelle_J posed the question, "What movie(s) speak to you as a woman and why?"
Here are some of the movies that have resonated with women:
1.Steel Magnolias (1989)
"Steel Magnolias. The women's personalities and relationships are so archetypical. At different points in my life, I identify with different characters in the film. I've identified with Julia Roberts when she was a young woman wanting to get married and settle down and have children. I've related to Sally Fields when she lost her daughter because it just broke my heart. I ugly cry every time. I related to Dolly Parton. I related to Daryl Hannah. And I've turned into Weezy."
2.Legally Blonde (2001)
"I would have to say Legally Blonde. It may seem cliché but I genuinely love that movie. Especially when it comes to Elle. She went through a breakup, an identity crisis, and still came out feeling more confident and ready to kick ass. I honestly just love her character, and I wish more movies had a main character as confident in themselves as Elle. As a woman, it's really reassuring to see a female character so powerful and confident."
3.Black Swan (2010)
4.Gone Girl (2014)
"Okay I’m gonna say it. Gone Girl. The way that Amy deals with parents that have set up expectations beyond what she feels she’s ready for but goes for them anyways, dealing with a partner who puts their best foot forward at the beginning of the relationship but then stops trying and drains her of money and emotional support including caring for his ailing mother, then on top of that wants to fix their marriage with a baby while simultaneously having an affair. Also the Cool Girl Speech. Holy shit, it is everything."
5.Hatching (2022)
"Hatching — the way it presents generational trauma passed from mother to daughter in a monster metaphor is really relatable."
6.Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
"For me, it's always been Bridget Jones's Diary. Just the first one. Her views on life, dating and work all align with how I was feeling in my 20s/early 30s. Her character and friendships seemed to mirror my own on so many levels as a younger woman. I have watched the more recent films, and I don't feel that way about any of the others."
7.Pearl (2022)
"Pearl, because of the monologue she does really resonates with me. “What if this is right where I belong? I'm a failure. I'm not pretty or naturally pleasant, or friendly. I'm not smart, or funny, or confident.” The entire thing feels like I could’ve said it about myself too."
8.Poor Things (2023)
"Poor Things for sure. In the sense of growing up, discovering yourself, and not just settling for the things men tell you that you need."
9.White Chicks (2004)
"It hasn't aged perfectly, but I loved White Chicks growing up. As a girl in 2000s who didn't quite fit into the 'conventional feminine' type, I thought it was hilarious to see womanhood portrayed through two guys who didn't really understand how it worked. I felt like I could relate to it somehow since I felt like I was in this in-between place of liking stereotypical 'girl' things but also liking stereotypical 'guy' things and not really understanding where I fit. The movie also takes on a surprising amount of fem problems that are relatable, like body positivity, dealing with relationships, and mean girls. On top of that, so many of the women acting in this movie are hilarious and it was refreshing for me to see so many women be so funny (shoutout to Busy Philips and Jennifer Carpenter)."
10.Little Women (2019)
"I can see myself in Jo. And that attic monologue in the 2019 adaptation really gets me, up to this day. The last part where Jo admits she wants to be loved and that she’s lonely, it’s something most of us (me) find hard to say out loud."
11.Barbie (2023)
"The Barbie movie. It made some good points. I hate being told that I need to smile more. I hate being told that I’m being dramatic, hysterical, and unladylike when speaking up for myself because, according to them, I should just take it with a smile and be happy for someone else making decisions for me, because they don’t think my delicate state can take it. I hate that guys think they can just talk over me, but if I try it, I’m rude. I don’t need a man to be happy or feel complete. No means no. It doesn’t mean do the opposite. Or pester me trying to change my mind."
12.Uptown Girls (2003)
"Uptown Girls — that movie and both actresses Dakota Fanning and Brittany Murphy always do an amazing job at showing how different people deal with traumatic experiences. Growing up too fast/staying childlike as an adult are really portrayed well and the teacup ride scene at Coney Island always makes me sob."
13.The Virgin Suicides (1999)
"The Virgin Suicides. Women’s real and legitimate mental health issues are trivialized and even sexualized by men. The boys would rather fantasize about the girls than ask them how they felt about their situation or get to know them in a meaningful way. Even their deaths are glamorized and an object of obsession. It just drove home how women and girls can’t escape sexualization even in death."
14.Interstellar (2014)
"Interstellar — the father/daughter relationship really speaks to me. I love my dad so much and always fear losing him. we also bond over sci-fi and watch Star Trek together."
15.Nymphomaniac (2013)
"Nymphomaniac (part 1 and part 2) — at the end, once she’s told this old man her entire vulnerable story, he still tries to take advantage of her. No matter how much you explain yourself to a man, he will put that aside to get what he wants by violating you (that can be emotional or physical). And I hate to talk this way, but I’ve yet to meet a man who does not behave this way."
16.The Witch (2015)
"The Witch, I really related to being sexualized and accused of doing things just because you're a woman. I loved the idea of, 'Oh you think I'm a monster, let me really become a monster.' I love that ending and certainly lived vicariously through it. I'm not great at explaining things, but I never take any power back in my life and I enjoyed seeing her take her own power in the end."
17.Everything, Everywhere, All at Once (2022)
"Everything, Everywhere, All at Once really got me. It represented the complexity of mother-daughter relationships while overlapping with how much we feel that we’ve 'missed out' on our lives."
18.Blue Jasmine (2013)
"Blue Jasmine, amazingly portrayed by Cate Blanchett as a former socialite who loses it all and tries desperately to rebuild her life. Her desperation really struck a chord with how some women really struggle to fit into social circles."
19.Pride and Prejudice (2005)
"Pride and Prejudice! I see elements of myself in every one of the sisters. And my dream is for a quiet, intelligent, gentle man who also isn’t afraid to take action for the right cause. I like how Elizabeth speaks her mind. How Jane, with her reserved nature, follows her heart while maintaining level-headedness. I also relate a bit to the younger sisters and their silly nature and the artsy side of their lives, with parents encouraging their interests — reading, playing the piano, dancing...of all the sisters, I think I’m most like Jane, though."
20.Hidden Figures (2016)
"Hidden Figures!!! Loved seeing strong family of women work and fight against the system to earn their rightful place in STEM."
21.Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
22.Erin Brockovich (2000)
"Erin Brockovich. I grew up watching that movie and it made me feel like I could have a voice too and that I could stand up, be myself, and be heard!!! The fact it’s inspired by a true story gives it even more meaning. It’s what got me into female empowerment!!!"
23.North Country (2005)
"North Country. As a woman in trades, usually the only one in a sea of guys, as a daughter who could never please her father, as a woman who got into bad relationship after bad relationship, as a rape survivor, and as a single parent. To stand up against all of that and prevail...incredible movie. I've seen it so many times and it never ceases to move me."
24.He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)
"He’s Just Not That Into You. I don't know if it was just life-changing as I watched it and realized I had made WAY too many excuses for men who were just, plain and simple, not that into me. I think it’s a really good movie for women of all ages to watch, but especially young, impressionable women!!! He is not scared of you because he likes you so much, he just doesn’t want you and that’s okay because good riddance."
25.Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)
"Brittany Runs a Marathon! It deals a lot with female friendship dynamics, body issues, and dating. It’s really inspiring and makes you want to get your shit together."
26.Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
"Rosemary’s Baby. It’s so well-written and portrays an entire group of people gaslighting a normal woman so they can use her womb, and then telling her she should be grateful."
27.Jennifer's Body (2009)
"Jennifer’s Body is good too but it was so misunderstood. A lot of people don’t see that Jennifer is the victim, Needy is the hero, and the band are the villains. People just think it’s a thirst trap movie, unfortunately."
28.Ladybird (2017)
"I feel like Ladybird and Barbie are amazing representations of a woman's complexity in a society that undervalues us as women. Ladybird even has the mother/daughter relationship that so many movies fail to convey."
29.Chicago (2002)
"Chicago. While many of the female characters are kind of shitty people (at times, at least), it was kind of empowering for me at 13 years old to see all that female swagger and self-determination."
30.Moana (2016)
"Moana. Having an opening song where the young female character is literally told that she is the future and her community is counting on her was so powerful. Having her then say, 'I need to do what I need to do,' and go do it anyway, is also incredibly powerful. And Moana discovering the truth about Te Fiti makes me cry every. Single. Time. This movie depicts the responsibility that we as women have for helping to heal each other from the harms of our society in the most profound, impactful way. It also makes Maui responsible for repairing the harms he caused, but it doesn't center him or his story as a hero — it's really about women supporting women."
Do any of these movies resonate with you? Let me know in the comments!
Note: Some responses may have been edited for length/clarity.
