These are the most streamed movies directed, written, and produced by women.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the streaming guide website JustWatch has put together a list of the most streamed movies directed, written, and produced by women.
Many of these movies have themes concerning the human condition and often tell a story from a female perspective, but not always.
These female creatives have captivated their audiences through their use of visuals, themes, and narratives that challenge our perception of the world.
Movies like The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, a French filmmaker who seems preoccupied with subverting traditional feminine roles in thriller and horror movies, and Blink Twice, directed by American actress and filmmaker Zoë Kravitz, examine societal standards of femininity and dismantle them.
Films like Barbie challenge what it is to be a woman by embracing conventional and unconventional understandings of femininity, and Priscilla tells the story of a real-life woman who was constantly overshadowed by her husband.
Now, let’s take a look at JustWatch’s most streamed movies created by women:
1. The Substance
In first place is The Substance, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, which has been streamed mainly on MUBI, according to the streaming website.
The body horror flick grapples with themes of identity, aging, and conventional femininity as Moore’s character is flung out of Hollywood after she turns 50.
To “stay relevant,” Moore’s character takes “the substance” that ultimately transforms into a younger, better version of herself. But it doesn’t come without its drawbacks.
2. Anatomy of a Fall
Anatomy of a Fall was streamed most in the US on Hulu.
The French legal drama Anatomy of a Fall, directed by Justine Triet, features themes of guilt, blame, and resentment after a woman is suspected of her husband's murder after their partially blind son finds his father dead in their chalet.
Daniel, played by Milo Machado-Graner, is the main witness and faces a dilemma as to what to do next.
3. Past Lives
This movie, directed by Canadian director and playwright Celine Song, has been streamed on some of the most popular streaming platforms, including Prime Video and Paramount+.
Past Lives follows the relationship between two lifelong friends over the course of 24 years. The film examines love, destiny, distant relationships, and what-ifs as Nora and Hae Sung navigate their ever-changing friendship.
Song, who also directed the not-yet-released film Materialists explores romance and complex relationships through film.
4. I Saw the TV Glow
I Saw the TV Glow is a horror-fantasy film directed by American filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun, which has been streamed mainly on HBO Max.
The film stars two high school students, played by Justice Elio Smith and Jake Haven, whose favorite TV shows force them to reckon with their identities and question reality.
This horror flick is a coming-of-age story that comes well before the internet. The movie is a nostalgic horror flick that examines identity and what it’s like being a queer teenager growing up in the 90s.
5. Blink Twice
This is a personal favorite of mine that I streamed on Amazon Prime but others have watched on Fubo and MGM+.
Blink Twice is a horror mystery that features the incredible talent Naomi Ackie and Channing Tatum. I’m quite a fan of horror, but the themes within this movie made it tough to watch, and it could be one of the more destabilizing films of 2024.
The movie examines relationships between men and women, the role women play in society, and toxic masculinity – to name just a few.
No spoilers, but don’t meet your idols.
6. Barbie
The movie of 2023 that hit the screens at the same time as Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig, explores femininity and masculinity, feelings of desperation to be appreciated, and subverting traditional gender norms.
Barbie, which was streamed on platforms like HBO Max and Netflix, stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. The pair go on a journey to the real world to uncover who they are.
Greta Gerwig has also directed other movies where women are at the forefront. For example, films like Little Women and Lady Bird make up Gerwig’s filmography.
7. Love Lies Bleeding
The film Love Lies Bleeding is the seventh most streamed film according to JustWatch and has been streamed on HBO Max.
The psychological thriller Love Lies Bleeding, directed by director and screenwriter Rose Glass, tackles, some would say carelessly, themes of addiction, body image, and devotion.
The plot follows a lesbian relationship between Jackie (Katy O'Brian) and Lou (Kristen Stewart) in the early 90s.
8. Priscilla
Priscilla, based on the life of Priscilla Presley, was the eighth most-streamed film and was streamed mainly on HBO Max.
The story of the life behind Elvis Presley's shadow was directed by American director and actress Sofia Coppola, who also directed films like Lost in Translation and The Bling Ring.
Priscilla examines themes of loneliness, gender norms, and conventions, as well as teenage angst and social status in Mephisis during the 60s.
9. Janet Planet
The 2023 coming-of-age drama Janet Planet was streamed mainly on HBO Max and features a young girl preoccupied with her imagination living with her mother one summer.
Janet Planet, directed by American playwright and film director Annie Baker, explores mother-daughter relationships, unhealthy dynamics within families, and suicidal ideation.
10. Maria
This is our first and last film directed by a man. Maria, directed by Pablo Larrain, is the story of the famous operatic singer Maria Callas seven days before her death in 1977.
Maria follows the protagonist, played by Angelina Jolie, as she lives her life before her untimely demise in Paris.
The film explores identity and isolation as a woman navigates her way through her life. Maria has been described by Netflix as a “creative reimagining” of stories of famous women who have lived their lives shackled by fame and femininity.
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