For Millennials. By Millennials.
Over the years, we have witnessed the growth in women’s empowerment and it is the best thing ever. After centuries of being oppressed and treated like they were ‘less’, women started taking up a stand for themselves and showing what they are truly capable of. In this time and age, woman empowerment is definitely highlighted a lot more, especially in the entertainment industry. Now we do get to see many females lead movies and TV shows (and absolutely nail it).
If you want to be amazed by these strong female-led movies and TV shows, we are here to bring you a list of the best feminist movies to watch online, as well as TV shows, that you can either stream on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.
1. Homecoming
Starting off the list strong with Queen Beyonce herself, this 2019 Netflix documentary explores Beyonce’s performance at the 2018 Coachella Music Festival. The performance was so iconic that it later received six Emmy nominations. It also won Best Music Film at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. The documentary takes the viewers behind the scenes as to how everything goes. This results in the most powerful and enlightening experience for the viewer. This concert film does not only feature Beyonce, it is also written, executively produced, and directed by her.
The film also features people that are closest to Beyonce like her children, her sister Solange and her husband Jay-Z. Homecoming is available to stream on Netflix and its Beyonce so of course, it should definitely also be on your list of feminist movies to watch online.
2. The Handmaid’s Tale
Based on Margaret Atwood’s groundbreaking feminist book, The Handmaid’s Tale is created by Bruce Miller for Hulu. The series stars actors like Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Alexis Bledel, and Madeline Brewer. The Handmaid’s Tale’s female characters are initially oppressed. But it does not take long for them to begin rising up in opposition to their oppressors. This dystopian drama, led by June, is set in Gilead, a futuristic society where women can be employed as handmaidens to bear children for the males who own them.
After being beaten and subjected to mental torment, the handmaids vow to avenge their “owners” by planning a treacherous escape. You can watch this series on Hulu and according to ratings, it is one of the best feminist tv shows to watch online.
Related: The Handmaid’s Tale Vs. Game Of Thrones, Who Will Win?
3. Hidden Figures
Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson were three Black women who worked at NASA as mathematicians and engineers. They played a crucial role in the historic launch of John Glenn (Glen Powell) into orbit in 1962. Hidden Figures tells the untold true story of these three women. The biographical drama vividly describes their extraordinary accomplishments in the space program. Despite the persistent racism and sexism, they experienced as they tried to juggle parenthood and their careers. Most people were never aware of this event before the movie came out, which is a stark illustration of how frequently women, especially women of color are left out of historical narratives.
This biographical drama is directed by Theodore Melfi and written by Melfi and Allison Schroeder. It features Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe as the three main leads. You can watch this feminist movie on Amazon Prime. Additionally, it is among the top feminist movies on Amazon Prime.
4. The Bold Type
This drama series by Sarah Watson highlights how women in powerful positions also have to struggle to make their way. While also adding some comedic relief to the show as well. This Freeform series stars Katie Stevens, Aisha Dee, Meghann Fahy, and Sam Page in key roles. The story follows the lives of three best friends Jane, Kat, and Sutton who work for a women’s magazine called ‘Scarlet’.
The trio handles personal problems, women’s rights issues, and family conflict while navigating the ups and downs of living in Manhattan. This show demonstrates how amazing it is to see women supporting one another. The Bold Type is available to watch on Netflix.
Related: Amanda Lasher Signs Off From The Bold Type
5. Bend It Like Beckham
Continuing the girls supporting girls mantra is this 2002 sports comedy by Gurinder Chadha with a screenplay also written by Chadha. The movie follows an 18-year-old Indian girl from London named Jess Bhamra (played by Parminder Nagra) who is passionate about soccer. But her parents, (played by Anupam Kher and Shaheen Khan), forbid her from playing because she is a woman. Jess secretly joins a local women’s team after meeting Jules Paxton (played by Keira Knightley). Jules is fascinated by Jess’ talent, and eventually draws the attention of prominent college scouts in the United States.
The highlight of the film and probably the one scene you could watch on repeat is the final scene of Jess and Jules advancing to take control of American women’s soccer. You can watch this feminist movie online by streaming it on Hulu. It is also one of the best feminist movies available on Hulu.
6. Wonder Woman
A female superhero is what women empowerment definitely needed, especially after seeing predominantly male superheroes. Thus in 2017, Director Patty Jenkins and writer Allan Heinberg came out with this prequel spin-off to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. This was produced by Warner Brothers. Based on the DC character of the same name, Wonder Woman follows Gal Gadot’s Diana, Princess of the Amazons. She discovers the horrors of World War I i.e. the war to end all wars when she saves an American pilot named Steve.
She enters the conflict zones and utilizes her powers to stop the violence and prevent the loss of innocent lives. The movie also stars Chris Pine, Robin Wright, and Connie Nielsen. This feminist movie is one of the best feminist movies to watch online and is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
7. Grace and Frankie
Netflix’s Grace & Frankie, one of the most adored shows on the platform, is unique in its dedication to the on-screen representation of women beyond the age of 70. Grace and Frankie stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as two ladies whose marriages are abruptly upended when they learn their husbands are gay and decide to leave them for one another.
With lots of humor, tears, and mood-lifters along the road, they forge an unexpected friendship as partners in crime and sparring partners as they confront an uncertain future together. The series is created by Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris. Sam Waterston, Martin Sheen, Brooklyn Decker, and Baron Vaughn co-star in supporting roles. Grace and Frankie is one of the best feminist TV series on Netflix.