With Women’s Month underway, it only felt natural for the Woman and Home team to highlight a few of our favourite female-led movies that struck a chord with us after watching them for the very first time.
Seeing a powerful female character on the big screen is often an incredibly inspiring experience. And in several cases, these characters are meant to do just that – empower their female audiences.
Whether it inspires you to get a haircut, walk into a room with confidence, or do something thoughtful for your family, strong female characters in cinema are necessary uplifting cultural icons. So, if you’re home one weekend with no plans to get out of the house, cuddle up on the couch with one of these moving female-led films…
ALSO SEE: 20 Inspiring Quotes By Empowering Women
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Erin Brockovich/Universal Pictures
Julia Roberts won an Academy Award for her captivating portrayal as single mother of three, Erin Brockovich. Buy the DVD on takealot.com.
Last Holiday (2006)
Last Holiday/ Paramount Pictures
In this endearing film, a terminally-ill woman named Georgia decides to sell her belongings to fund spending the rest of her days at a lavish European hotel. Queen Latifah is powerful in the lead role. Buy the DVD on takealot.com.
Hidden Figures (2016)
Hidden Figures/Fox 2000 Pictures
Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe play an astounding trio in this pioneering NASA story. Buy the DVD on takealot.com.
Ocean’s Eight (2018)
Ocean’s Eight/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
This witty remake of the Ocean’s films stars a phenomenal ensemble cast that includes Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Paulson, Helena Bonham Carter, and Awkwafina. Buy the DVD on takealot.com.
The Favourite (2018)
The Favourite/Fox Searchlight
This highly-acclaimed period film starring Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone received a whopping 10 Academy Award nominations this year. Buy the DVD on takealot.com.
Sister Act (1992)
Sister Act/Touchstone Pictures
Lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) becomes an excellent choir conductor in this legendary-status film. This musical movie is simply stellar. Buy the DVD on takealot.com.
The Kitchen (2019)
The Kitchen/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
In this crime drama, three Irish mobsters operating in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen are put in jail. Their wives, although unfamiliar with mafia matters, start calling the shots. Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, and Elisabeth Moss are superb as the female trio. Out in cinemas nationwide from 16 August.
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Thelma & Louise/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
Geena Davis (Thelma) and Susan Sarandon (Louise) are inspiring figures in this road film where two friends desire a more fulfilling life. Buy the DVD on takealot.com.
Juanita (2019)
Juanita/Netflix
Alfre Woodard is incredible and utterly relatable as Juanita in this comical drama about a mom who hits the road solo in order to turn a new page somewhere new. Available to stream on Netflix.
Nine to Five (1980)
Nine to Five/20th Century Fox
Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton are a tour-de-force trio in this uplifting film about besting one’s authorities. Buy the DVD on takealot.com.
By Features Writer Marike Watson
