International Women’s Day: The best films created by female directors

Happy International Women’s Day! Today, we are spending our time with our feet up watching the ultimate cult movies made by the most iconic female directors. We hope watching these films on International Women’s Day will help to empower Roku fans, regardless of gender, to follow their dreams!

Belle (2013) Director: Amma Asante

Belle was ground-breaking in terms of the success it received worldwide. It draws on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by representing themes of sisterhood and independence. And if that wasn’t enough, the director, Amma Asante, won ‘Best Movie by a Woman’ at the Women’s Film Critics Circle Awards.

Available on Prime Video, Google Play and YouTube,

Clueless (1995) Director: Amy Heckerling

Clueless is a masterpiece. A bold statement but one that sits perfectly well. Again, this is another film that has adapted Jane Austen brilliantly. Amy Heckerling, as an amazing director, helped launch so many actresses’ careers through this film such as Alicia Silverstone and Brittany Murphy. The definition of female empowerment beyond the film.

Available on Netflix, YouTube and Google Play.

Me Before You (2016) Director: Thea Sharrock

Thea Sharrock was the youngest artistic director in British theatre at 24 years-old. In 2011, she won the Critic’ Circle Theatre Award for Best Director. Me Before You was her feature film debut and she is currently working on her next project.

Available on Prime Video, Google Play and YouTube

Twilight (2003) Director: Catherine Hardwick

Twilight’s $400 million global success made Catherine Hardwick the most commercially successful female film director. She won ‘Young Hollywood Award for the Best Director’ in 2009 for Twilight. In the past, she’s won several awards for her successful film ‘Thirteen’.

Available on Netflix, YouTube and Google Play

Shrek (2001) Director: Vicky Jenson

Shrek was amazing in that it conveyed women as strong and independent through the main character, Princess Fiona. It’s no wonder that the film had such a well-received reception after its release. In 2002, it won ‘Best Animated Feature Film at the Academy Awards. Vicky Jenson is said to be ‘one of Hollywood’s most inspiring female directors’.

Available on Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube and Google Play 

Wonder Woman (2017) Director: Patty Jenkins

Wonder woman was a phenomenal reminder of empowerment through a female superhero. The film won several awards with Patty Jenkins being nominated for a couple herself, including Best Director at the Dublin Film Critics’ Circle in 2017, Empire Awards in 2018 and Saturn Awards in 2018.

Available on Prime Video, Netflix, Google Play and YouTube

Bend it like Beckham (2002) Director: Gurinder Chadha

As the highest-grossing sports film to focus on association football, it is amazing that this film achieved this status with a female lead. Prime Minister at the time, Tony Blair, wrote a congratulatory letter to Gurinder Chadha saying ‘We loved it, loved it, because this is my Britain’. A commercial and critical success that goes above and beyond a typical chick flick.

Available on Prime Video, Google Play and YouTube

Enjoy streaming all these iconic films directed by female stars on your Roku streaming player or Roku TV.

Let us know about your experience with your Roku streaming player or Roku TV on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Happy Streaming!