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
Desert Hearts
rating:3.4.png

Desert Hearts

1985
Uptight literature professor Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) heads to Reno, Nev., in 1959 for a quickie divorce. While staying with Frances Parker (Audra Lindley) at her ranch to establish residency, Bell meets Parker's adopted daughter (Patricia Charbonneau), a casino worker 10 years her junior. Bell finds herself increasingly drawn to the open and self-assured lesbian, and their developing intimacy releases buried emotions Bell has never explored.

Directed by:

  • Donna Deitch
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Mail Order Bride
    rating:3.2.png

    Mail Order Bride

    2008
    "Melrose Place" alums Daphne Zuniga and Greg Evigan star in this suspenseful Hallmark Channel Western about a grifter named Diana (Zuniga) who assumes the identity of her dead friend Jen in order to escape her con-man boss (Evigan). Along with Jen's name comes a rancher fiancé, Beau (Cameron Bancroft), whom neither woman has met. But just as Beau begins to catch on to the con, Diana's hit with a bigger problem: Her boss is back, and he's not happy.

    Directed by:

  • Anne Wheeler
    • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong
    rating:3.9.png

    American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong

    2008
    In the first American Girl film based on a modern-day character, young Chrissa finds her life turned upside down when she transfers to a new school, as she struggles to find her own way, make new friends and deal with a clique of bullies. Chrissa tries to adapt to her new surroundings, but she is targeted by a close-knit group of girls in this story about friendship and standing up for yourself. Annabeth Gish and Timothy Bottoms star.

    Directed by:

  • Martha Coolidge
    • rating:3.9.png 3.9 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    The Notorious Bettie Page
    rating:3.2.png

    The Notorious Bettie Page

    2005
    Provocative filmmaker Mary Harron delivers an intimate biopic about 1950s pinup girl Bettie Page (Gretchen Mol), who whetted many a male appetite with her raven locks and sadomasochistic poses before becoming the target of a U.S. Senate investigation. Although she longed to be an actress, the unassuming girl from Nashville, Tenn., would ultimately become the nation's first bona fide bondage queen -- and a convert to Christianity.

    Directed by:

  • Mary Harron
    • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Independent
    The Ballad of Jack and Rose
    rating:3.1.png

    The Ballad of Jack and Rose

    2005
    Writer-director Rebecca Miller elicits an astounding performance from husband Daniel Day-Lewis, who plays Jack, a father intent on raising his daughter (Camilla Belle) as an environmentally responsible adult. His complete devotion to the cause moves him to the remotest of islands, where he feels he'll be able to lead a more compassionate, "green" life. No matter how he tries, however, he can't seem to run from the demands of human interaction.

    Directed by:

  • Rebecca Miller
    • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    The Incredibly True Adventure of 2 Girls in Love
    rating:3.3.png

    The Incredibly True Adventure of 2 Girls in Love

    1995
    While working part-time at her aunt's gas station, defiant tomboy Randy Dean (Laurel Holloman) falls in love with Evie Roy (Nicole Ari Parker), a rich, straight honor student who's already in a relationship. The two girls navigate the magical and confusing world of young love. Writer-director Maria Maggenti's touching and funny debut won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Independent Film in 1996.

    Directed by:

  • Maria Maggenti
    • rating:3.3.png 3.3 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Whale Rider
    rating:3.8.png

    Whale Rider

    2003
    A Maori tribe must contend with the distinctly nontraditional concept of having a female leader when the intended heir to the throne dies during childbirth, leaving his twin sister, Paikea, to prove herself in this inspiring coming-of-age tale.

    Directed by:

  • Niki Caro
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Teenage Dirtbag
    rating:3.6.png

    Teenage Dirtbag

    2009
    In this sensitive drama based on true events, two disparate teens from different social circles and home environments find common ground when the creative writing class they share opens new doors of communication. Troublemaker Thayer (Scott Michael Foster) relishes harassing popular cheerleader Amber (Noa Hegesh). That is, until they form a bond through the written word. But can their budding relationship withstand the pressure of peers and family?

    Directed by:

  • Regina Crosby
    • rating:3.6.png 3.6 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Thrillers
    Population 436
    rating:3.1.png

    Population 436

    2006
    For a century, Rockwell Falls has had the same number of residents: 436. A census taker (Jeremy Sisto) is sent there to figure out how the town managed to accomplish such a dubious feat in this disturbing drama. Once he arrives, he quickly senses all's not well and is subsequently stripped of his freedom. If he doesn't fall in line with the village's oppressive rules, he may end up lost forever. David Ames and Fred Durst co-star.

    Directed by:

  • Michelle Maxwell MacLaren
    • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    After.Life
    rating:3.1.png

    After.Life

    2009
    As the life of young Anna Taylor (Christina Ricci) hangs precariously in the balance, funeral director Eliot Deacon (Liam Neeson), who has a mysterious ability to help the dead transition to the afterlife, has complete control over her fate. Though it's possible she isn't dead after all, it's equally possible that she's already in hell. Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo directs and co-writes this macabre thriller; Justin Long co-stars.

    Directed by:

  • Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo
    • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    The Betrayed
    rating:3.3.png

    The Betrayed

    2008
    After surviving a terrible car crash, a young wife and mother regains consciousness only to discover that her real nightmare has just begun: She is now the prisoner of a deranged masked man who accuses her husband of stealing money from the mob. Can she get away from her captor -- and is there any truth to his story? Melissa George, Donald Adams and Christian Campbell co-star in this psychological thriller from director Amanda Gusack.

    Directed by:

  • Amanda Gusack
    • rating:3.3.png 3.3 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    The Escape
    rating:3.3.png

    The Escape

    2009
    When terrorists in war-ravaged Afghanistan kidnap and threaten to slay outspoken Danish journalist Rikke Lynvig (Iben Hjejle), young, English-speaking Taliban operative Nazir Osmani (Faegh Zamani) helps her plan a daring getaway. But when Nazir himself also escapes Afghanistan and seeks Rikke's help in Denmark, she is torn between personal loyalty and the political fallout of aiding a terrorist. Kathrine Windfeld directs this tense thriller.

    Directed by:

  • Kathrine Windfeld
    • rating:3.3.png 3.3 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Action & Adventure
    The Ballad of Little Jo
    rating:3.2.png

    The Ballad of Little Jo

    1993
    Based on a true story, this Western chronicles the adventures of wealthy Josephine Monaghan (Suzy Amis), who, longing for more than just the narrow and subservient life women lived at the time, passes herself off as a man in the Old West. But when love strikes and Josephine falls for a man (David Chung), she must decide whether revealing her secret is worth the risk she'll face for deceiving others.

    Directed by:

  • Maggie Greenwald
    • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Doctor Who: Snakedance
    rating:3.5.png

    Doctor Who: Snakedance

    1983
    When his companion Tegan (Janet Fielding) begins exhibiting signs of possession by the Mara upon the TARDIS's arrival on Manussa, the Doctor (Peter Davison) must take her and Nyssa (Sarah Sutton) to find the cave mouth that's shaped like a snake that she keeps seeing in her nightmares. But when Tegan runs off under mind control, it's up to the Doctor to make sure that the Mara can't find the means for a physical return.

    Directed by:

  • Fiona Cumming
    • rating:3.5.png 3.5 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Superman Doomsday
    rating:3.4.png

    Superman Doomsday

    2007
    To defend Earth, Superman (voiced by Adam Baldwin) battles an evil entity known as Doomsday, who proves too strong for the Man of Steel. But as the world mourns the fallen superhero, Lex Luthor's (James Marsters) joy in his enemy's demise is short-lived: Even death can't stop Superman. This animated epic is based on DC Comics' 1993 "The Death and Return of Superman" story arc.

    Directed by:

  • Lauren Montgomery
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Superman/Batman: Apocalypse
    rating:4.0.png

    Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

    2010
    Endowed with powers equal to Superman's, Supergirl splashes down on Earth in the midst of a hail of Kryptonite. No sooner has she landed than the problems begin for the Caped Crusader, who must rescue her when Darkseid nabs her. To thwart Darkseid's plans to make Supergirl one of his Female Furies, Batman must join forces with Superman to confront the powerful enemies Darkseid has assembled around his control center in Apokolips.

    Directed by:

  • Lauren Montgomery
    • rating:4.0.png 4.0 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Now and Then
    rating:3.8.png

    Now and Then

    1995
    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.png 3.8 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    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   
    We periodically update our movie database by adding new female directors and their movies. If you would like to receive notice of these new additions when they happen, please email us at:
    frances 'at' femaledirectors.com