FemaleDirectors.com is a website for female-directed movies: you can find, play, and add them to your Netflix queue, and buy them on Amazon.com. Browse within our genres to find movies from the female perspective.
Drama
Children of a Lesser God
rating:3.5

Children of a Lesser God

1986Runtime:0 minutes
Speech teacher James Leeds (William Hurt) uses unconventional methods to reach his hearing-impaired students but can't make headway with the school's deaf custodian, Sarah Norman (Marlee Matlin, who captured the Best Actress Oscar). The brainy but cynical Sarah thinks it's better to stay in the safe confines of her voiceless milieu than to contend with a callous world. Can James get through to Sarah and release her from her cocoon of silence?

Directed by:

  • Randa Haines
    • rating:3.5 3.5 Average Rating

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    Knockout
    rating:3.7

    Knockout

    2011Runtime:0 minutes
    This action-packed family film stars Steve Austin as Dan Barnes, a former pro boxer who retired after growing weary of his violent existence. Now a school janitor, Dan tries to help a new student, Matthew Miller (Daniel Magder), who is being targeted by bullies. While Matthew learns how to box and stand up to his tormenters, one of whom is the school boxing champ, Dan's newfound role as a teacher helps him come to terms with his tumultuous past.

    Directed by:

  • Anne Wheeler
    • rating:3.7 3.7 Average Rating

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    My Life Without Me
    rating:3.5

    My Life Without Me

    2003Runtime:0 minutes
    A mother of two stuck in a dead-end job, 23-year-old Anne (Sarah Polley) has received nothing but grief from her troubled parents and her slacker husband (Scott Speedman). But it takes an illness with a bleak prognosis to break open her longing for a better life. When she finds out she's dying, Anne makes a list of important things she wants to accomplish: get acrylic nails, sleep with another man and, most of all, realize her true potential.

    Directed by:

  • Isabel Coixet
    • rating:3.5 3.5 Average Rating

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    Om Shanti Om
    rating:3.7

    Om Shanti Om

    2007Runtime:0 minutes
    In the 1970s, small-time actor Om (Shah Rukh Khan) falls in love with superstar Shanti (Deepika Padukone), but the two of them are later killed in a suspicious on-set fire. When he's reincarnated 30 years later, Om is determined to punish the person who ignited the blaze. In his former life, he swears he saw Shanti's secret husband (Arjun Rampal) set fire to the set … which means his only chance to expose the truth is to have the movie remade.

    Directed by:

  • Farah Khan
    • rating:3.7 3.7 Average Rating

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    Independent
    The Poker House
    rating:3.5

    The Poker House

    2008Runtime:0 minutes
    Jennifer Lawrence stars in this gritty, coming-of-age drama as Agnes, the resilient eldest sister of a trio of young siblings forced to grow up in a broken home frequented by drug dealers, criminals, pimps and gamblers. Featuring a host of standout supporting performances, this effort from actress-turned-director Lori Petty also stars Selma Blair, Clarke Peters, David Alan Grier and Bokeem Woodbine.

    Directed by:

  • Lori Petty
    • rating:3.5 3.5 Average Rating

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    Away from Her
    rating:3.5

    Away from Her

    2006Runtime:0 minutes
    Grant (Gordon Pinsent) plunges into an emotional abyss after moving his Alzheimer's-stricken wife (Julie Christie) to a nursing facility and keeping his distance for her benefit. When she turns her affections toward another man, waves of guilt for past behavior pass over Grant. Christie earned an Oscar nomination for portraying the fading yet graceful Fiona in this astute and solemn tale written and directed by Sarah Polley.

    Directed by:

  • Sarah Polley
    • rating:3.5 3.5 Average Rating

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    High Art
    rating:3.2

    High Art

    1998Runtime:0 minutes
    Magazine editor Syd (Radha Mitchell) is stuck in a dreary relationship with her boyfriend (Gabriel Mann) when she befriends her upstairs neighbor Lucy (Ally Sheedy), a well-known photographer whose live-in actress girlfriend (Patricia Clarkson) is struggling with a drug addiction. Lucy fascinates Syd, and the pair hit it off. But when Syd calls on Lucy to do an assignment for the magazine, their friendship soon grows into something much more.

    Directed by:

  • Lisa Cholodenko
    • rating:3.2 3.2 Average Rating

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    Killer Diller
    rating:3.6

    Killer Diller

    2004Runtime:0 minutes
    Writer-director Tricia Brock brings Clyde Edgerton's acclaimed novel to life with some help from blues legend Taj Mahal and Grammy winner Keb' Mo'. After violating his parole, a young thief (William Lee Scott) is sent to live in a halfway house run by an eccentric Bible-banger (Fred Willard). As part of his punishment, the felon's forced to play "church music," but he changes his tune when he meets a piano-playing autistic savant (Lucas Black).

    Directed by:

  • Tricia Brock
    • rating:3.6 3.6 Average Rating

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    Horror
    Near Dark
    rating:3.3

    Near Dark

    1987Runtime:0 minutes
    In the dusty heart of the American southwest, innocent country boy Caleb (Adrian Pasdar) is handily seduced by a beautiful girl (Jenny Wright) into joining a pack of vicious drifters, which turns out to be no ordinary band of outlaws. Soon, Caleb is trapped in a nightmarish world of soulless evil and hellish mayhem that thrives on blood and absolute horror. This original vampire tale, co-starring Lance Henriksen, shocks with a ferocious bite.

    Directed by:

  • Kathryn Bigelow
    • rating:3.3 3.3 Average Rating

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    Red Riding Hood
    rating:3.3

    Red Riding Hood

    2011Runtime:0 minutes
    In this horror-fantasy reimagining of the classic tale, young Valerie juggles a difficult romantic decision with feelings of fear and grief as her town is terrorized by a legendary werewolf, which has killed her sister and hungers to feast again.

    Directed by:

  • Catherine Hardwicke
    • rating:3.3 3.3 Average Rating

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    The Mummy's Hand
    rating:3.3

    The Mummy's Hand

    1940Runtime:0 minutes
    Archaeologists Steve Banning (Dick Foran) and Babe Jenson (Wallace Ford) are determined to find the tomb of Princess Ananka. But equally resolved to stop them is museum curator professor Andoheb (George Zucco), secretly a high priest of Karnak sent to protect the sacred tomb. As the scientists exhume the site, Andoheb brews the mystic tana leaves that revive the mummy Kharis (Tom Tyler) and consequently dooms all those within the mummy's reach.

    Directed by:

  • Christy Cabanne
    • rating:3.3 3.3 Average Rating

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    Sherlock Holmes
    rating:3.1

    Sherlock Holmes

    2009Runtime:0 minutes
    Not to be confused with the Robert Downey Jr. blockbuster, as a mob of monsters invades London, Dr. Watson believes that the creatures exist but Holmes suspects that Spring-Heeled Jack is responsible in this low-budget take on the classic character.

    Directed by:

  • Rachel Goldenberg
    • rating:3.1 3.1 Average Rating

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    Special Interest
    The Trouble with Angels
    rating:3.8

    The Trouble with Angels

    1966Runtime:0 minutes
    Two teens turn a staid convent upside down with their youthful glee and zany antics. Although the pair gets in trouble for transgressions like invading the nuns' quarters and substituting soap for sugar in the kitchen, their charm wins everyone over.

    Directed by:

  • Ida Lupino
    • rating:3.8 3.8 Average Rating

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    Dancing for Mr. B: Six Balanchine Ballerinas
    rating:3.2

    Dancing for Mr. B: Six Balanchine Ballerinas

    1989Runtime:0 minutes
    Through interviews and performance excerpts, ballerinas Mary Ellen Moylan, Maria Tallchief, Melissa Hayden, Allegra Kent, Merrill Ashley and Darci Kistler salute their legendary teacher, George Balanchine, and share the impact he had on their lives. A perfectionist who demanded the best from his students, Balanchine achieved considerable acclaim for his wonderful ballets such as "Concerto Barocco," "Serenade," "Firebird," and "Stars and Stripes."

    Directed by:

  • Deborah Dickson
    • rating:3.2 3.2 Average Rating

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    Dogtown and Z-Boys
    rating:3.7

    Dogtown and Z-Boys

    2002Runtime:0 minutes
    Legendary skateboarder Stacy Peralta directed this fast-paced, award-winning documentary that focuses on the Z-Boys of Venice Beach, Calif., who revolutionized skateboarding in the 1970s when they infused surfing techniques into the sport. Credited with founding skating culture as we know it, these young, innovative guys became legends in the field, and the depth of their influence is still felt in a variety of sports -- and society -- today.

    Directed by:

  • Stacy Peralta
    • rating:3.7 3.7 Average Rating

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    Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream: Teatro alla Scala
    rating:3.3

    Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream: Teatro alla Scala

    2007Runtime:0 minutes
    Titania (Alessandra Ferri), Oberon (Roberto Bolle), Puck (Riccardo Massimi) and company find romance and adventure during one wild midsummer night in this sumptuous ballet staging of the Shakespeare classic, featuring music by Felix Mendelssohn and original choreography by George Balanchine. Israeli conductor Nir Kabaretti presides over the Corps de Ballet of the Teatro alla Scala in this glorious production.

    Directed by:

  • Tina Protasoni
    • rating:3.3 3.3 Average Rating

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    Now and Then
    rating:3.8

    Now and Then

    1995Runtime:0 minutes
    Waxing nostalgic about the bittersweet passage from childhood to puberty in this tender coming-of-age tale, four childhood girlfriends -- Teeny, Chrissy, Samantha and Roberta -- recall the magical summer of 1970. During their walk down memory lane, they reconcile experiences with boys, secrets, bullies and more. Lesli Linka Glatter directs; Gaby Hoffmann, Ashleigh Aston Moore, Cloris Leachman, Thora Birch and Christina Ricci co-star.

    Directed by:

  • Lesli Linka Glatter
    • rating:3.8 3.8 Average Rating

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    Now and Then (1995)
    A heartwarming movie about four childhood girlfriends who, in adulthood reunion, relive their experience of the life-changing summer of 1970, including a mystery death, divorce, standing up to the boys, first kiss, and the meaning of true friendship. Each explores her unique identity amidst family and friends. Beautifully directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.
    - Frances   
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