33 Feminist Films Every Girl Should See In Her Lifetime

Because nothing is more important than girl power.

We recently asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us what film made them feel proud to be a woman. Here's what they said.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Warner Bros.

"I felt like there was fire in my veins walking out of the cinema. Not only is Charlize Theron's Furiosa a total badass, but the best thing is that it's not just her. To have such a range of women portrayed equally and beautifully was so uplifting. Women caring for each other, lifting each other and fighting hard for what is right. We need more of that both in Hollywood and in life."

Submitted by Emma Harding, Facebook.

2. Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

Redbus Film Distribution

"I’m not even into football but I love how Jess fights the stereotype that girls shouldn’t play football. She does whatever she wants in every aspect of her life."

Submitted by myeyelinerisalwaysonpoint.

3. The Craft (1996)

Columbia Pictures

"It’s a not-so-subtle metaphor for female empowerment and sexuality, but also has some (albeit dramatic) examples of what can happen when you try to tear down the other women around you, instead of build them up."

Submitted by kdizzy.

4. Mulan (1998)

Walt Disney Pictures

"Being raised by parents who lived in the past, I was taught to be quiet and listen. I thought I had to be weak. But Mulan taught me that I could be strong, that I could fight for my family and what I believe in. That movie made me proud to be a girl and from then on I never let anyone tell me what I couldn't do."

Submitted by Tamara Vega, Facebook.

5. The Color Purple (1985)

Warner Bros.

"A sisterhood of women, all standing together against the racism and sexism that they face and coming out on top. I think most women can learn something from The Colour Purple."

Submitted by elspethc2.

6. Legally Blonde (2001)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

"I was in middle school when I first saw it and thought, 'I could be a lawyer...' It became a passion of mine and drove me to participate in both high school and college mock trial programs. Now as I'm prepping for my first year of law school this fall to pursue a career in special education advocacy, I'm thankful for the confidence Elle gave me to go beyond what's expected and make a difference."

Submitted by MacKenzie Kelley, Facebook.

7. Gone With The Wind (1939)

Loew's Inc.

"Scarlett is the original HBIC. She sets her mind to something and she does it, whether it’s dragging her family out of poverty or eating as much BBQ food as she damn well likes. The best part is she has flaws too, and they help make her who she is. She inspired me so much I named my daughter after her."

Submitted by michelles42560a195.

8. Erin Brockovich (2000)

Columbia Pictures

"I saw it when I was about 10 and was so enthralled by her. She took a crappy situation, made an opportunity out of it, and then brought a serious environmental issue that was causing illness in lots of people to light. The fact that it’s based on a true story made it even better."

Submitted by caseyo5.

9. Serenity (2005)

Universal Pictures

"It had so many strong female characters. Kaylee was sweet but confident, Zoe showed you could be a leader, and River was just a total badass. It really changed my life."

Submitted by molly42books.

10. Matilda (1996)

TriStar Pictures

"It shows that women can be smart, women can make it on their own in the world, women can be literate, women can be physically strong... There are so many great things about it."

Submitted by Kylie Casino, Facebook.

11. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Buena Vista Pictures

"10 Things I Hate About You was the first chick flick I saw as a young girl where the female protagonist was openly and shamelessly feminist, no matter how unpopular it was. Kat Stratford doesn’t take any fuckboy’s shit."

Submitted by Anna Hill.

12. The Hunting Ground (2015)

The Weinstein Company

"I know it’s a documentary, but it was really an inspiration to see women working together to make a change."

Submitted by madip4098362ed.

13. Suffragette (2015)

Pathé

"It taught me to stand up for myself, and for women everywhere. I’m very proud to have that as a part of my history and I’m incredibly grateful to those women for all that they did to ensure my right to vote."

Submitted by notadisneyprincess.

14. Clueless (1995)

Paramount Pictures

"I really liked how Cher took herself seriously and wouldn’t rest until everyone else did, too. It portrayed teenage girls as actual people with thoughts and feelings."

Submitted by puffm.

15. The Harry Potter Series (2001-2011)

Warner Bros.

"Hermione absolutely blew me away. I wanted to be exactly like her. I studied hard and entered the gifted program, and now am in academic classes at my high school and I honestly couldn't have done it without Hermione. She taught me to be strong and brave and I don't think anyone could have taught me better."

Submitted by Kat Menon, Facebook.

16. Steel Magnolias (1989)

TriStar Pictures

"I grew up watching it and it really impacted me. Seeing both the laughter and tears of real life portrayed in a movie is something special. The focus of the movie is all on the women and their relationships and it has made me look at life in such a different way."

Submitted by Raina.

17. A League of Their Own (1992)

Columbia Pictures

"Women taking over a male dominated sport during World War II? Yes please. The characters in this film are so well rounded, it teaches you so much about life."

Submitted by krystenm4c95e128d.

18. Belle (2013)

Fox Searchlight Pictures

"Belle is an empowering movie for both women and people of colour, specifically if you’re mixed race. It deals with finding where you fit in when you come from two cultures, fighting back against sexism and racism, and also has a really beautiful romantic subplot. If that wasn’t convincing enough though, it was directed by a mixed race woman!"

Submitted by savannahn4fb090ab1.

19. The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)

Walt Disney Pictures

"Mia told the world she didn’t need to marry to be queen, her grandmother had done it alone for most of her reign, and Mia totally called out the antiquated law and had it reversed."

Submitted by elyssifer.

20. Pocahontas (1995)

Walt Disney Pictures

"She was strong, rebellious, bold, adventurous, and wise. She was kind in ways other Disney princesses were not. She stopped a war and chose herself and her duty to her people over a man. She is my favourite Disney princess and still inspires me 20 years later."

Submitted by Cara10.

21. Miss Congeniality (2000)

Warner Bros.

"Here was a smart, bushy-haired girl who was more interested in doing a good job than being 'pretty'. To show the dynamic of females, and our competitiveness in such a true but humorous way was brilliant. But in the end I learned that being kind, smart, funny, and doing the right thing would matter much more than being pretty. Even if I fall down a lot or snort when I laugh."

Submitted by briannam44b6460d7.

22. Fried Green Tomatoes (1992)

Universal Pictures

"I watched it when I was about 12 and I loved how the movie is about finding empowerment within yourself. The main character listens to a story from an elderly woman and learns how to love herself. I believe it’s important to encourage other women and learn from each other."

Submitted by ashleyf4e24616bc.

23. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)

20th Century Fox

"Not only was Leia a bonafide princess, she was also a senator, and a leader in the Rebel Alliance. She was one of the galaxy’s greatest heroes due to her strong leadership skills."

Submitted by QueenVell.

24. Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

Columbia Pictures

"Not only does the movie empower collegiate women in the 1950s to strive for more than marriage, it tells them it's OK to choose the stay at home life as well! Highlighting that choice perhaps makes it the most feminist movie ever."

Submitted by Emily Turner, Facebook.

25. Iron Jawed Angels (2004)

HBO

"I had never realised the hurdles women faced to gain the right to vote until I saw this movie. There were some willing to face torture and even death to ensure women have a voice. It’s the most inspiring movie and makes you proud to be a woman and an American."

Submitted by silverk.

26. The Help (2011)

Walt Disney Studios

"All of the women were brave, trailblazing, strong, dignified and put what's right above what's expected. Skeeter chose her beliefs and her work over her boyfriend in the end even though it made her sad and that's a good message for girls."

Submitted by Kirsty Brough, Facebook.

27. The First Wives Club (1996)

Paramount Pictures

"It's about three middle-aged women whose husbands all divorce them for younger women. Their dear friend kills herself the day her ex-husband remarries, so they all band together to start a shelter for abused women in NYC. It's about a group of sassy, empowered women who finally realise they deserve to be treated better. They deserve to be loved. And they can do literally anything they set their minds to. Especially if they do it together."

Submitted by Jamie Christina Waldrop, Facebook.

28. Obvious Child (2014)

A24

"Jenny Slate's character has an abortion after a one night stand with a guy she actually really likes. However, she knows she isn’t prepared for it and chooses to terminate the pregnancy. There’s great friendship and family in the film and it really helps to destigmatise abortion."

Submitted by bear44b88c74b.

29. Wild (2014)

Fox Searchlight Pictures

"It just hit me so hard that this woman went and did something badass on her own. It seemed so freeing. It hit me really personally. A great movie."

Submitted by Liz Frederick Chow, Facebook.

30. Kill Bill (2003)

Miramax Films

"I feel like this movie helped shape who I am as a person. I first saw it when I was 7 or 8 and I was so empowered by the strength and tenacity of The Bride. I was happy to see a woman on screen who didn't have to wear a dress or be saved by any princes. I wanted to grow up to be a warrior like her."

Submitted by Nicole Serra, Facebook.

31. She's Beautiful When She's Angry (2014)

Netflix

"It's a documentary about the feminist movement in the 1960s and 1970s, with interviews with many of the women who were part of it. Sure, it makes you angry to see injustice, but it's also highly uplifting to see what these women did, and how it paved the way for equality forty to fifty years later. These women were, and still are, amazing figures who haven't stopped fighting."

Submitted by Sarah Diana, Facebook.

32. Death Proof (2007)

Dimension Films

"Each female character – there are many to choose from – was one of a kind, her own individual: cool, confident, sexy, sassy, authentic, comfortable in her own skin, of her own mind and opinion, her own kind of sexual, her own kind of smart, her own kind of funny. It empowered me to be me, and never apologise."

Submitted by Caroline Nissen, Facebook.

33. Chicago (2002)

Miramax Films

"If someone pisses you off, dispose of them and do a wicked tango number."

Submitted by omahoney89.

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