2018 saw a significantly low number of female-directed films in comparison to 2017. According toCelluloid Ceiling’s annual study, only 8% of the top 250 films from 2018 were directed by women, a 3% drop from the previous year. But, there’s a bright and beaming light at the end of this tunnel. 2019 is already on track to have a greater number of films in theaters with women working behind the camera. Film festivals have shown the greatest progression in inclusion, with women representing 42% of the competition directors at Sundance and 50% of films from Tribeca Film Festival’s line-up are either female-directed of co-directed by women. Not only that, but this year has already had a massively successful blockbuster co-directed by a woman.Anna Bodenhelped bring Carol Danvers’ powerhouse origin story to the big screen which garnered a whopping $153 million dollarsin its opening weekend–making it the seventh biggest opening for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the second biggest debut of a new Marvel character on-screen. Higher, further, faster indeed!
Change is slow, but it’s happening. Three months into 2019 and we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s to come this year. From monumental action-packed blockbusters to critically acclaimed independent films that are already sweeping festival-goers off their feet, here are 10 female-directed films that are worth keeping on your radar as we cruise through the remainder of this year.
10. High Life (April 5th)
French directorClaire Denismade her first foray into English-language filmmaking with this masterful take on the science fiction genre. Audiences were floored by this cosmic drama at its Toronto International Film Festival premiere in 2018 and Denis is more than ready to carry audiences the world over into the outer reaches of the galaxy as well.Robert Pattinsonleads this picture as a man named Monte who’s part of a group of death-row inmates sent into space to explore black holes and find alternative forms of energy. But when the entire crew goes missing, he’s left with the company of his baby girl, Willow, as the two of them hurtle through space towards a black hole.
9. Little (April 12th)
Karma works in mysterious ways. That’s the idea behind this comedy fromPeeplesdirectorTina Gordon Chism. The film starsRegina Hallas a hard-hearted businesswoman who wakes up one morning to find that she’s trapped in her 13-year-old body. Her younger self, played byblack-ishstarMarsai Martin, seeks help in her assistant April, played byInsecurecreatorIssa Rae, to find a way to navigate middle schoolandkeep her company running. Marsai Martin isn’t just the star of this film, though, she’s also the executive producer… and the youngest one in Hollywood at that! She came up with the idea when she was just 10-years-old and followed the project all the way through until the very end. That alone is something to celebrate in 2019!
8. Booksmart (May 24th)
Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut was an overnight success after its world premiere this year at the SXSW film festival in Austin, Texas. It’s already being calledthe best teen party comedy sinceSuperbad, and has so much more to offer then a simple girls-gone-wild narrative. Two overachieving high school students, played byKaitlyn DeverandBeanie Feldstein, try and fit four years of crazy parties into one riotous night. It’s a celebration of female friendships, the joy of reckless abandon, and being unapologetically young and dumb. It’s the perfect movie to kick your summer into high gear!
7. The Nightingale (TBD Summer release)
The sophomore feature from Australian horror filmmakerJennifer Kentis one not to be missed. It made its debut in 2018 at the 75th Venice International Film Festival and shocked audiences with its unforgiving and brutal storyline. Her follow-up to the widely-praised horror filmThe Babadookwasn’t rooted in horror, but was rather a rage-filled revenge thriller.Aisling Franciosiplays a young Irish convict woman in 1825 who’s chasing down a British officer played bySam Claflinseeking retribution for a violent act he committed against her family. The story will keep you on your toes, but is definitely not meant for those with a weak stomach.
6. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (November 22nd)
The incredible documentaryWon’t You Be My Neighbor?captured the hearts of audiences everywhere, reminding us that pure, unadulterated happiness does indeed exist in this world. NowMarielle Heller, the brilliant mind behind the Oscar-nominated filmCan You Ever Forgive Me?, is bringing us a feature film adaptation about Mr. Rogersstarring America’s Dad,Tom Hanks!Matthew Rhysplays a cynical journalist for Esquire who accepts an assignment to write a profile piece on the beloved television personality. It shines a light on the importance of kindness and is guaranteed to warm your heart.
5. The Rhythm Section (November 22nd)
Emmy-winning directorReed Morano, best known for her work onThe Handmaid’s Taleand her indie filmI Think We’re Alone Now, teamed up withBlake Livelyfor a mystery thriller that many have been anticipating since set photos dropped on the internet last year. Fresh off the success of her comedy noir,A Simple Favor, Lively plays a woman named Stephanie Patrick who searches for the truth behind a plane crash that killed her parents. Once she learns that the plane crash was no accident, she takes on the identity of an assassin to track down those responsible. Lively has proven time and time again, especially inA Simple Favor, that her acting ability has an impressive range. It’ll be exciting to see what she brings to the table with this character!
4. Charlie’s Angels (November 1st)
Actress-Writer-Producer-DirectorElizabeth Banksis an unstoppable comedic force in Hollywood. She’s always working onsomething. In early 2018, she announced that she’d be rebootingCharlie’s Angelsand impressive casting followed not long after.Kristen Stewart,Ella Balinska, andNaomi Scottwill be playing our three Angels andDjimon Hounsou,Patrick Stewart, and Banks herself will all be playing Charlie’s assistant Bosley. This time around, the Townsend Agency has gone global, hence the three Bosley’s, and the main villain remains unknown. There’s no doubt that Banks is the perfect fit to bring a fresh and fun energy into this classic girl-powered action-comedy!
3. Frozen II (November 22nd)
Disney really couldn’t let this one go… and no, I’m not sorry for that pun. But how can we blame them?Frozenis an absolute delight anddominatedthe box office with its release in 2013. It was a no-brainer that this adorable animated feature would be getting a sequel, and the time has come. 2019 is the year we reunite with Queen Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf as they head out on an adventure far beyond the reaches of Arendelle. Co-directorJennifer Lee, who also worked on the first film, returned to help bring this story back to the big screen and thaw our frozen hearts.
2. The Kitchen (August 9th)
Andrea Berloff, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter known for her work onStraight Outta Compton, decided to jump behind the camera for a change. Her directorial debut starsMelissa McCarthy,Tiffany Haddish, andElisabeth Mossas the wives of Irish Mobsters who take over for their husbands after they’re thrown in jail. It’s reminiscent ofSteve McQueen’s 2018 thrillerWidows, however this film takes place in the 1970’s and will have a vastly different tone, especially being told through a female lens. Both Moss and McCarthy have extensive, and impressive, experience working in dramas, but it’ll be exciting to see what Haddish can bring to the table in this genre.
1. Little Women (December 25th)
One of the most-anticipated films coming out this year is the sophomore feature fromLady Birdhelmer,Greta Gerwig. It’s the eighth adaptation of the film based on the 1868 novel of the same name byLouisa May Alcottand already boasts aphenomenalcast.Saorise Ronan,Emma Watson,Florence Pugh,Eliza Scanlen,Timothée Chalamet,Laura Dern,Bob Odenkirk,James Norton,Chris Cooper,Louis Garrel,Abby Quinn, andMeryl Streepmake up this incredible cast. For those that aren’t familiar with the narrative, it follows the lives of four sisters living in Massachusetts in the 1860s. Not much else is known about the film since production has been kept on the down low, but with Gerwig also penning the script it’s guaranteed to be a story filled with as much heart and soul asLady Bird.
