14 movies that actually pass the Bechdel Test to celebrate women any day

The Bechdel Test (also known as the Bechdel-Wallace Test) has been floating around in pop culture discourse for quite some time with its origin dating back to a cartoon from 1985. In Alison Bechdel’s cartoon Dykes to Watch Out For, two women in “The Rule” discuss seeing a film only if it satisfies the requirements of 1) having at least two women in it, 2) women who talk to each other and 3) women who talk about something other than a man. Bechdel credits her friend Liz Wallace for the idea.

According to a 2014 study by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, only 31% of named characters in films from 2010-2013 were female, and that number dropped even lower (23%) when examining if the characters were a lead or co-lead. We can only hope that this number has increased over the last seven years, but finding films that meet this test is still much harder than it should be. 

In honour of International Women’s Day, here are 14 films to watch that thankfully DO pass the Bechdel Test. 

Godmothered (2020)

Even though most fairy tales would fail this test, Godmothered, starring Isla Fisher and Jillian Bell, has many moments that check all three boxes. Bell’s character becomes the guiding light for Fisher and her family to find happiness over the holidays, but the salient message in this film is the ways the characters find their true love and happiness not in the confines of a romantic relationship. 

The Farewell (2019)

Written and directed by Lulu Wang, The Farewell is a heartfelt film about a family’s masterful plan to bid farewell to the matriarch of the family. Starring Awkwafina, there are many moments in this beautiful film focused on the importance of family, the strong role her grandmother plays, and the love the family shares.

Stream it now on Crave.

Miss Juneteenth (2020)

Another film from a female filmmaker, Miss Juneteenth is writer-director Channing Godfrey Peoples' feature film debut. This complex mother-daughter story follows Turquoise Jones (Nicole Beharie), a former beauty queen, and her rebellious daughter (Kai Alexis Chikaeze) as she prepares (rather reluctantly) for the Miss Juneteenth pageant in hopes of landing a scholarship to a Historically Black College of her choice. Not only does the film pass the Bechdel Test with flying colours, it could also be considered to pass the lesser-known "DuVernay Test."

The DuVernay Test, coined by film critic Manohla Dargis and named for Ava DuVernay, calls for "African-Americans and other minorities [to] have fully realized lives rather than serve as scenery in white stories" and be created by a person whose culture is reflective of the film.

Stream it now on Crave.

Like a Boss (2020)

Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne play two best friends and business partners who have been offered an investment opportunity by a larger beauty company owned by Salma Hayek’s character. Since the film focuses more on their entrepreneurial dynamic and less on their love lives, this film's main message highlights the importance and power of female friendship.

Booksmart (2019)

It is no surprise that this coming-of-age film passes with flying colours. The two lead characters, Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein), have many conversations throughout that aren’t centred around boys. It's refreshing to see that not even their motivation for going to the party is not driven by their interest in a boy. Booksmart was also Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut making it a home run for uplifting women in film. 

Oceans 8 (2018)

This all-female heist movie not only has a star-studded cast but succeeds in pulling together an amusing caper with almost all of their conversations focused on the con instead of men. Each of the eight characters has a unique backstory and distinct character traits that makes them integral to the success of their masterplan.

Hidden Figures (2016)

Hidden Figures features the star-studded cast lead by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe, who tell the true story of how the Black women working at NASA were an integral part of Project Mercury. As much of this film is talking about space and the professional obstacles they unfortunately faced, this film highlights their knowledge of science, engineering and geometry in lieu of focusing on their love lives. 

Frozen (2013)

This animated sensation is a refreshing female-driven musical from Disney. Even though much of the plot is driven by the antics of Anna’s suitors, the movie is focused on her and Elsa's relationship as sisters rekindling their bond. 

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was a teen hit because it showed how the differences between the four main characters were what brought them together. Through their conversations and letters in the film, they talk about everything, including, but refreshingly not limited to, boys. In fact, the topic that comes up the most throughout the film is their friendship itself. 

Stream it now on Crave.

Mean Girls (2004)

Despite us all having crushes on Aaron Samuels after watching this movie (especially when his hair is pushed back), Mean Girls was a progressive commentary on female friendship and packed with moments that still are referred to in pop culture today. In particular, the scenes with Janis and Cady offer a window into female friendship focused less on chasing boys (and more on bringing down Regina George). 

Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

Despite this movie being named after the male soccer (or football as they call it across the pond) star David Beckham, the central plot in this film is focused on female friendship and the perseverance of women in sport. The female characters find themselves talking more about the sport and their athletic aspirations than the boys they are crushing on.

Sister Act (1992)

It is not a surprise that a film about a lounge singer played by Whoopi Goldberg forced to join a convent (with powerful and memorable musical numbers) passes this test. The friendship and conversations between this female-led cast are grounded in the ways the women support themselves and their community, and the only “him” they follow is rooted in their faith.  

Steel Magnolias (1989 or 2012)

Whether you head down to Louisiana in 1989 or 2012, you’re going to find a stellar cast of powerhouse women. The earlier film stars Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah as a group of southern women who go through weddings, sickness, births and deaths holding (and razzing) each other the whole way.

The 2012 version stars an equally amazing cast of Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad, Alfre Woodard Adepero Oduye and Condola Rashad. As the delightful Clairee Blecher said, “If you don't have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me.”

Watch it now on CTV Throwback.

A League of Their Own (1992)

If you haven’t seen A League of Their Own, consider this your cue to finally watch the darn thing. And if you have seen it, then you know it’s always good for a rewatch. The Garry Marshall film casts Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Rosie O’Donnell and Madonna as part of a women’s baseball team in WWII America when professional baseball drafted women into the league while men were drafted into the war effort. Coached by none other than Tom Hanks, the ladies show just how much of a crime it is that men dominate sport. 

Watch it now on CTV Throwback.

For more captivating women-led movies and television shows to watch online for free, check out the International Women's Day Hub on CTV. 

BEFORE YOU GO: Regina King hopes her success inspires young Black women to go after their goals

[video_embed id='2119209']BEFORE YOU GO: Regina King hopes her success inspires young Black women to go after their goals [/video_embed]