The Best Movies Directed by Women

Women have always been active in movies. Although most movies are directed by men, many women have directed successful movies. In recent years, some of the best award winners have been produced or directed by women. It all started when Kathryn Bigelow’s film The Hurt Locker became a critical and commercial success. In this post, we will focus on some of the best films directed by women.

[ photo: upi.com ]

American Psycho

Directed by Mary Harron, this psychological thriller comedy was released in 2000. The movie is based on a novel of the same name, written by Easton Ellis and published in 1991. It stars Willem Dafoe, Christian Bale, Chloë Sevigny, Josh Lucas, Cara Seymour, Samantha Mathis, Reese Witherspoon, and Justin Theroux.

In 1992, the film rights to the novel were purchased by the producer Edward R. Pressman. Mary Harron not only directed the movie but also cast Bale in the lead role. In 1997, worldwide distribution was acquired by Lionsgate.

Monster

This drama film was released in 2003, and it is about a woman called Aileen Wuornos. This woman tool lives of six men in the 1980s and early 1990s and was executed in Florida in 2002. Charlize Theron played the role of Wuornos, and Christina Ricci played the role of Selby Wall, Her fictionalized lover. 

The movie was written and directed by Patty Jenkins. For her amazing portrayal, Theron won 17 awards and received overwhelming critical acclaim. Many critics think that Monster is one of the best movies directed by a woman.

The Hurt Locker

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the setting of this 2008 American film is the conflict in Iraq. Mark Boal, a freelance writer, wrote the screenplay. The movie stars Anthony Mackie, Jeremy Renner, and Brian Geraghty. During 2008, the movie appeared at the Venice Film Festival.

It was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival, and then Summit Entertainment picked it up and distributed in the USA. The Hurt Locker received huge critical acclaim and saw commercial success.

Point Break

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, this 1991 American action film starred Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, Gary Busey, and Lori Petty. “Point break” is a surfing term. In the film, Rookie FBI agent Johnny Utah was starred by Keanu Reeves. He investigates some bank capers committed by surfers.

To infiltrate the surfing community, Johnny goes underwater. Going there, he develops a friendship with the leader of a gang of surfers. Johnny finds that the criminals steal money and gems and give them away to the poor.

A League of Their Own

Directed by Penny Marshal, this American comedy-drama movie was released in 1992. It tells a fictionalized account of a professional basketball league. The film stars Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madona, and Lori Petty. Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel wrote the screenplay. The movie is based on a story by Kim Wilson and Kelly Candaele.

The Library of Congress termed the movie as culturally, historically and aesthetically significant, and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry. The story is amazing. During World War 2, America had a shortage of athletic young men. Funded by a candy maker, a professional female baseball league sprung up. The story revolves around this all-female baseball league.

The Babadook

Written and directed by Jennifer Kent, this 2014 Australian horror movie stars Noah Wiseman, Essie Davis, Daniel Henshall, Barbara West, Haylay McElhinney, and Ben Winspear. This movie was based on a 2005 short film, Monster.

Although the movie was initially not a commercial success, it received wide critical acclaim at Sundance Film Festival in 2014. The Film received more attention in Europe and the United States. Against a $2 million budget, it grossed $7.5 million.

The story revolves around a single mother. After the death of her husband, her son is always afraid of a monster lurking in the house. Soon she discovers something bizarre all around her. Five years after its release, the movie is still highly popular.

Wayne's World

Directed by Penelope Spheeris, this 1992 American comedy film stars Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, and hosts of the Aurora, a cable TV show. NBC’s Saturday Night Live aired a sketch of the same name, and the movie was adapted from it. In its theatrical run, the movie earned $121.6 million. In 1992, it was one of the highest-grossing films. Wayne's World was filmed in 34 days. It was Mike Myers’ first film. It also featured Tia Carrere, Rob Lowe, Brian Doyle Murray, Chris Farley, and Robert Patrick.

The story of the movie is based on the TV show. The Producer, Rob Lowe, wants to take the show to commercial television. Dana Carvey and Mike Myers try to save their show. This ordinary tale takes an extraordinary hue in the movie.

Lost in Translation

This American comedy-drama movie was released in 2003. Directed by Sophia Coppola, the film tells the story of a lonely, aging movie star, Bob Harris. He meets a conflicted newlywed in Tokyo, and the story goes on. While filming a Japanese commercial, Bob meets Charlotte who is with her photographer husband.

In this foreign land, Bob and Charlotte try to understand one another and develop love. Gradually they form a bond that is unlikely but meaningful. The movie stars Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, Anna Faris, Giovanni Ribisi, and Fumihiro Hayashi. It generated great attention from movie lovers all over the world.

Pet Sematary

Directed by Mary Lambert, this 1989 American horror movie is based on a novel of the same name, written by Stephen King. An important character in this movie, Zelda was played by Andrew Hubatsek. The movie became highly popular all over the world, especially in English-speaking countries.

Dr. Louis Creed, with his wife and two children, relocates from Boston to rural Maine. Soon after the relocation, mysterious things start to happen. Not far from their new home, deep in the woods, the couple discovers a mysterious burial ground. And when Louis turns to Jud Crandall, his neighbor, some unspeakable and horrific things take place. It is a great horror, which has deep symbolism, close to The Great Gatsby color symbolism.

Carrie

This American supernatural horror film was released in 2013, based on a novel of the same name written by Stephen King in 1974. The Film was directed by Kimberly Peirce. Screen Gems and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, producers of the film, claim that the screen was faithful to the original novel. The movie starts, among others, Chloë Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore.

For many teenagers, high school can be tough. But it is especially hellish for Carrie White. She is an awkward teen, and she deals with bullies. But she has amazing talent. She can move objects with her mind. When things get worse, Carrie unleashes the powers.

Bio

My name is Emma Cooper, I am a blogger and work as an editor. I have a Master's Degree in literature and love both reading and writing about books and literary topics. I also help students with their literary assignments - articles, essays and summaries of books, my works you can see at freebooksummary website