16 Excellent Movies To Watch On Netflix That Were Directed By Women

In 2015, only 13 percent of the top 700 films were directed by women. Here are some movies directed by women you can watch on Netflix right now.

1. The Kids Are All Right (2010)

Focus Features

Written and directed by Lisa Cholodenko, The Kids Are All Right follows a same-sex couple as their kids decide that they want to reach out to their sperm donor. The stellar cast includes Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Josh Hutcherson, and Mia Wasikowska.

Drama, Rated R, 1h 46m

2. A League Of Their Own (1992)

Columbia Pictures

The legendary Penny Marshall directed this classic comedy about the first all-female professional baseball league. If you haven't seen it, watch it. If you've seen it, watch it again.

Comedy, Rated PG, 2h 7m

3. The Babadook (2014)

IFC Films

This horror thriller was the directorial debut of of Jennifer Kent, and is widely considered to be one of the best horror movies of the past several years. The challenges of parenting are nothing compared to dealing with a child's boogeyman appearing in your house.

Horror, Unrated, 1h 33m

4. Girlhood (2015)

Strand Releasing

Directed by Céline Sciamma, this French coming-of-age film follows Marieme (Karidja Touré), a teenage girl living in Paris who joins a gang of girls in order to escape the confines of her school and home life.

Drama, Unrated, 1h 53m

5. Bride and Prejudice (2004)

Miramax Films

This charming musical comedy was written and directed by Gurinder Chadha, who made waves with her previous feature, Bend It Like Beckham. Set in India, this movie infuses Bollywood style with the classic Pride and Prejudice narrative.

Romantic Comedy, Rated PG-13, 1h 51m

6. Middle of Nowhere (2012)

Participant Media

The excellent Selma isn't available to stream on Netflix yet, but Ava DuVernay's previous feature film is. Middle of Nowhere focuses on the struggles of a medical student after her husband is imprisoned for eight years.

Drama, Rated R, 1h 41m

7. Can't Hardly Wait (1998)

Columbia Pictures

This teen-comedy classic from the'90s might not have aged perfectly, but there's a reason it's still so beloved after almost 20 years. Directed by Deborah Kaplan, the movie takes the stereotypical graduation-party scene and makes it the focus of the entire film.

Comedy, Rated PG-13, 1h 40m

8. Fed Up (2014)

Radius-TWC

This documentary, directed by Stephanie Soechtig, tackles the issue of childhood obesity in America and how our food, our culture, and our politics have made the problem worse.

Documentary, Rated PG, 1h 35m

9. Frida (2002)

Lionsgate Films

This Oscar-winning biopic about Frida Kahlo was directed by Julie Taymor, known for her stage work and her stunning visual style. Taymor's Beatles musical Across the Universe is also available to stream on Netflix.

Drama, Rated R, 2h 2m

10. Clueless (1995)

Paramount Pictures

Amy Heckerling directed this classic '90s comedy, which serves as a modern-day interpretation of Jane Austen's Emma. It's Clueless. Nobody should have to tell you how great Clueless is.

Comedy, Rated PG-13, 1h 37m

11. Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005)

IFC Films

Miranda July wrote, directed, and starred in this ensemble comedy/drama about several people attempting to find a connection, which won the Caméra d'Or at Cannes.

Comedy/Drama, Rated R, 1h 31m

12. Half-Baked (1998)

Universal Pictures

One of the funniest stoner comedies ever made, Half-Baked still stands up today against the likes of Pineapple Express, in part thanks to an excellent cast headed by Dave Chappelle. Directed by Tamra Davis.

Comedy, Rated R, 1h 21m

13. Twinsters (2015)

Small Package Films

This adorable documentary follows two girls, one from California and the other from France, who discover each other on the internet after noticing that they look almost exactly alike. When they find out they were both adopted, they decide to meet and find out if they're long-lost twins, or just coincidental doppelgängers. Directed by Samantha Futerman.

Documentary, PG-13, 1h 28m

14. Wayne's World (1992)

Paramount Pictures

People who grew up in the '90s already know the comedic genius that is Wayne's World. Directed by Penelope Spheeris.

Comedy, PG-13, 1h 34m

15. Welcome to Me (2014)

Bron Studios

Directed by Shira Piven, Welcome to Me follows Alice (Kristen Wiig), a woman with borderline personality disorder who wins the lottery and decides to start her own talk show.

Comedy, Rated R, 1h 27m

16. What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)

Netflix

This Oscar-nominated documentary focuses on the life of singer and activist Nina Simone, using rare video footage and recordings. Directed by Liz Garbus.

Documentary, Unrated, 1h 42m