Movies About Women Empowerment

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen
Rated R

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is a 2003 action film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It stars Uma Thurman as the Bride, a former assassin seeking revenge on her former boss and lover Bill who betrayed her. After being left for dead and spending four years in a coma, the Bride sets out on a bloody quest for revenge, assisted by her former master, Pai Mei. Her journey takes her to Japan, Mexico, and the United States, where she confronts and kills members of the Deadly Vipers Assassination Squad, the group that betrayed her. Along the way, she discovers secrets about her past and discovers that Bill is still alive and in hiding. The film is filled with violence, dark humor, and stylistic flourishes that have become Tarantino trademarks.

From Tate Taylor, starring Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard
Rated PG-13

The Help is a 2011 American drama film directed by Tate Taylor and based on Kathryn Stockett's 2009 novel of the same name. Set in Jackson, Mississippi during the early 1960s, the film tells the story of a young white woman and aspiring journalist, Skeeter Phelan, who decides to write a book detailing the stories of African-American maids who have spent their lives taking care of white households. Despite facing opposition from her family and the society of the segregated South, Skeeter is determined to lead a civil rights movement by interviewing several African-American maids and recording their stories. As the book progresses, the maids become more empowered to speak out against the racism and injustice they have faced working for white families, ultimately inspiring a change in the racial dynamics of the town. Along the way, Skeeter has to overcome her own internal struggle with racism and classism as she forms meaningful relationships with the women she interviews. In the end, The Help celebrates the courage of strong African-American women, and the power of working together for a common cause.

From George Miller, starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz
Rated R

Mad Max: Fury Road is an action/adventure film directed by George Miller and released in 2015. It is the fourth installment in the Mad Max franchise and stars Tom Hardy as Max Rockatansky and Charlize Theron as Imperator Furiosa. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, the film follows Mad Max and Furiosa as they flee across a desert wasteland to evade a tyrannical warlord, Immortan Joe, and his army of marauders. Along the way, they are joined by a group of female refugees and must battle the elements, mutated beasts, and their pursuers in order to survive. The film is packed with action and is highlighted by its intense car chases, impressive stunts, and stunning visuals.

From Theodore Melfi, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner
Rated PG

Hidden Figures is a 2016 biographical drama directed by Theodore Melfi and starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe. The film tells the true story of three black female mathematicians who worked at NASA during the Space Race in the 1950s and 1960s. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson were highly accomplished and intelligent women who faced daily obstacles of racism and sexism. Despite the odds, these women made groundbreaking contributions to the success of America’s space program and became celebrated figures in the process. Through their resilience and dedication, they helped to shape the future of America and gain recognition for their work.

From Nora Twomey, starring Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Noorin Gulamgaus, Laara Sadiq
Rated PG-13

The Breadwinner is an animated film directed by Nora Twomey and based on the book by Deborah Ellis. The story follows 11-year-old Parvana who lives with her family in Kabul, Afghanistan under the oppressive rule of the Taliban. When her father is unjustly arrested, Parvana disguises herself as a boy in order to support her family. With courage and creativity, she confronts danger and injustice to find her father and restore her family’s dignity. Along her journey, Parvana discovers the power of stories and uses them to overcome the obstacles in her path. The film is a powerful and inspiring tale of freedom and family.

From Directors: Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook, starring Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Miguel Ferrer
Rated G

Mulan is a Disney animated musical action-adventure film directed by Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook. It is based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, and was released in 1998. The story follows Mulan, the strong-willed daughter of an honored warrior, who masquerades as a man in order to take her father's place in the Imperial Chinese Army and fight against the invading Huns. With the help of her guardian dragon, Mushu, and lucky cricket, Cri-kee, she uses her intelligence and courage to win the respect of her fellow warriors and save her country from certain defeat. The film is widely acclaimed for its strong female lead and its groundbreaking animation, and was nominated for an Academy Award for its music.

From Matthew Vaughn, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Chloë Grace Moretz, Garrett M. Brown
Rated R

Kick-Ass is a 2010 action-comedy superhero film based on the comic book of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, the film stars Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Chloë Grace Moretz. The story follows Dave Lizewski (Johnson), an ordinary teenager who decides to become a real-life superhero, calling himself "Kick-Ass". Despite having no superpowers, Dave uses his determination and resources to train himself in martial arts and sets out to take down the city's criminals. Along the way, he meets two other equally unusual heroes: Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and Hit-Girl (Moretz). Together, they take on the criminal underworld led by the ruthless mobster Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong). Through their adventures, they learn the importance of teamwork and the power of friendship.

From Steven Soderbergh, starring Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, David Brisbin, Dawn Didawick
Rated R

From Shekhar Kapur, starring Cate Blanchett, Liz Giles, Rod Culbertson, Paul Fox
Rated R

From Kathryn Bigelow, starring Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, Mark Strong
Rated R

From Directors: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, starring Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad
Rated PG

From Niki Caro, starring Charlize Theron, Jeremy Renner, Frances McDormand, Thomas Curtis
Rated R

From Julie Taymor, starring Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Geoffrey Rush, Mía Maestro
Rated R

From Gary Ross, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci
Rated PG-13

From Andy Tennant, starring Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott, Patrick Godfrey
Rated PG-13

From Mimi Leder, starring Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Sam Waterston
Rated PG-13

From Davis Guggenheim, starring Malala Yousafzai, Ziauddin Yousafzai, Toor Pekai Yousafzai, Khushal Yousafzai
Rated PG-13

From Sarah Gavron, starring Carey Mulligan, Anne-Marie Duff, Helena Bonham Carter, Meryl Streep
Rated PG-13

From Jay Roach, starring Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, John Lithgow
Rated R

From David Leitch, starring Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman, Eddie Marsan
Rated R

From Directors: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris, starring Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Riseborough, Sarah Silverman
Rated PG-13

From David O. Russell, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Edgar Ramírez
Rated PG-13

From Paul Feig, starring Sandra Bullock, Michael McDonald, Melissa McCarthy, Demián Bichir
Rated R

From Mike Newell, starring Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal
Rated PG-13

From Steven Soderbergh, starring Gary Oldman, Antonio Banderas, AJ Meijer, Arsenio Castellanos
Rated R