12 women-led films to watch on International Women’s Day (and everyday)

There’s no crying in baseball, but these movies may bring on some tears.
March 8, 2021 10:35 a.m. EST
Vertical Entertainment, A24, HBO films, Fanart.tv Vertical Entertainment, A24, HBO films, Fanart.tv

March 8 is International Women’s Day, but women around the world know that the best time to celebrate their peers is every day. Every. Single. Day. Whether its women working in social justice, fighting for equal pay, helping another woman get a seat at the table or raising the next generation of activists, a woman’s work is literally never done. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take a well-deserved break to enjoy a comedy, drama, romantic or historical film by and starring other amazing women.

Whether you’re looking for a film that will make you laugh, cry, think, or all of the above, there is no shortage of great content being created by women. We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite films to watch on IWD and any day we need a pep talk from on our on-screen heroes.

Bend It Like Beckham

Writer, producer and director Gurinder Chadha’s British comedy Bend It Like Beckham has aged better than most romantic comedies from the early 2000s. The coming of age film starring Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley as teen soccer players who go against their parents’ wishes to varying degrees in order to pursue the sport they love remains a film that beautifully addresses gender, racism and the expectation of family.

The film is filled with positive messages, from the main characters remaining friends even after falling for the same guy, to Nagra’s character choosing her passion for soccer over a guy, and the binding power of sports. Chadha positively highlighted a British Sikh family in a way that is rarely seen in British and Western feature films and honoured their traditions, including Archie Panjabi’s choice for a more traditional life compared to her sister. There are many important lessons in Bend It Like Beckham and it’s a film that consistently leaves viewers feeling hopeful.

A League of Their Own

Before there was Bend It Like Beckham, there were the women of the Rockford Peaches. The comedy starring Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Lori Petty, Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell tells the true story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that began during World War II. The League was the first time white women were allowed to play professional baseball and helped spur a turning point in women working outside the home following the war. The friendships between the women, who faced sexism and highly uncertain futures, were beautifully tied together in this classic film directed by Penny Marshall. There’s no crying in baseball but we still haven’t been able to watch A League of Their Own without shedding several tears.

Watch A League of Their Own now on Crave.

Miss Juneteenth

There's no shortage of films that explore the often-complicated relationship of mothers and daughters, but with Channing Godfrey Peoples’ directorial debut Miss Juneteenth, new air is breathed into the topic. Nicole Behari plays Turquoise, a former Miss Juneteenth winner who lost her college scholarship after getting pregnant with her daughter Kai. In an effort to give her daughter a better future, Turquoise enters Kai into the local Miss Juneteenth contest, much to her teenage daughter's chagrin. Race, class, education and the enduring selfless love of a parent are beautifully interwoven in this moving 2020 film that has a 99 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Watch Miss Juneteenth now on Crave.

Lady Bird

Speaking of moms, another one of our favourite depictions of the often-chaotic relationships between teenagers and their mothers was brilliantly brought to life by Greta Gerwig in 2017’s Lady Bird. At some point, most teens have wanted to bail out of a moving car to get away from their parents. And at several points, most parents have wanted to open the door. Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf showcase an almost painfully realistic examination of a teenager's desire to carve out their own personality unique from their parents, and a mother's desire to help their child avoid unnecessary pain and mistakes. The relationship between Ronan’s character and Beanie Feldstein is yet another reason why Lady Bird is one of our top picks, with their pair realistically showing the difficulties of maintaining a friendship through the turbulent times of high school.

Watch Lady Bird now on Crave.

Real Women Have Curves

Before she was Ugly Betty, before she was one quarter of our favourite jean-sharing friends, before she was Amy on Superstore, and before Lady Bird, which closely mirrors several of the major themes in the 2002 film, America Ferrera was a body positive role model in Real Women Have Curves. Based on Josefina López’s book and directed by Patricia Cardoso, the film followed Ferrera’s Ana as she battles her domineering mother over her weight, her sex life and her future. Ferrera’s impressive performance in Real Women Have Curves kickstarted her incredible career and the film continues to be recognized for tackling major topics and delivering them with emotion, thoughtfulness and humour.

Watch Real Women Have Curves now on Crave.

Little Women

We’re still waiting for justice for director Greta Gerwig, who was shut out of the Best Director category at the 2020 Academy Awards, but in the meantime, we will continue re-watching her brilliant retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s famous story of the March sisters. The incredible cast of Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet and Meryl Streep brought a new life to the 150-year-old book, earning six Oscar nominations, five BAFTA nominations, two Golden Globe nominations and a lot of little girls asking their parents for more siblings. Just a reminder, four kids was much more doable in 1868 before car seats and dental braces. 

The Farewell

If there was any doubt left that Awkwafina is one of the most talented actors to take Hollywood by storm in the past 10 years, her moving turn as a young American who flies to China to say goodbye to her dying grandmother in The Farewell solidified the rapper's position as an A-lister. Along with Gerwig, writer and director Lulu Wang was also unceremoniously shut out of the Oscars in 2020, but Awkwafina's beautifully understated performance did earn her a Golden Globe.

The Secret Life of Bees

This list could quickly turn into a Gina Prince-Bythewood appreciation post. If you want romance, there’s Love and Basketball. Music and drama? Beyond The Lights. Action? The Old Guard. If you are looking for a historical film that is dramatic, heartwarming and celebrates the perseverance of family, friendship, and Black men and women living in the South in the 1960s, there’s The Secret Life of Bees. Prince-Bythewood’s adaption of Sue Monk Kidd’s novel features an all-star cast of Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo and Paul Bettany and is a film that examines the impact of the family we are born into and the one we choose.

Watch The Secret Life of Bees on Crave.

Birds of Prey

Cathy Yan’s Birds of Prey is one of the latest films to put a women-centric cast in the driver’s seat of an action film. Margot Robbie continued her transformation into Harley Quinn, bringing frenetic energy to the character and helping to dispel the myth that protagonists have to be likeable. The big-budget film didn’t reach its massive breakeven number in ticket sales, but Yan’s stunning visuals and Robbie’s full-throttle performance make for a fun ride.

Watch Birds of Prey now on Crave.

The Photograph

International Women’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate films and performances that uplift and inspire, but it’s also a great day to take a moment and appreciate a sexy, sexy romantic film. Canadian director Stella Meghie honours Black love in her 2020 film The Photograph, which stars Insecure creator Issa Rae as the daughter of a famous photographer who tries to understand her late mother while at the same time falling for a journalist, played by Lakeith Stanfield. Rae and Stanfield’s chemistry on screen is palpable and the film is packed with incredible performances from Y’lan Noel, Courtney B. Vance and Chanté Adams.

Watch The Photograph now on Crave.

Harriet

The incredible story of Harriet Tubman is brought to life in Kasi Lemmons’ 2019 biopic Harriet, which earned Tony, Emmy and Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo an Oscar nomination (the EGOT status is imminent). Erivo’s turn as the famed abolitionist is told with searing urgency in the film that also stars Janelle Monae, Leslie Odom Jr. and Joe Alwyn. The story of Tubman’s incredible life is displayed on the big screen as a testament to her incredible will and devotion to freeing fellow slaves, with her acts as runner for the Underground Railroad and a spy for the Union helping to free more than 800 people during her lifetime.

Watch Harriet now on Crave.

The Joy Luck Club

The stunning adaptation of Amy Tan’s 1989 novel featured an ensemble cast of Tsai Chin, Kieu Chinh, Lisa Lu, France Nuyen, Rosalind Chao, Lauren Tom, Tamlyn Tomita, and Ming-Na Wen, who together told the stories of four women who survived an incredible journey from China to America, where they became mothers and brought with them the trauma and strength from their childhood. Jumping between time periods and stories, The Joy Luck Club beautifully brings to light the experience of eight Chinese-American mothers and their daughters, but it’s a film that many immigrant families can see themselves reflected in.

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: Celebs react to Harry and Meghan’s bombshell Oprah interview

[video_embed id='2155891']BEFORE YOU GO: Celebs react to Harry and Meghan’s bombshell Oprah interview[/video_embed]


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