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.
Romance
A New Leaf
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A New Leaf

1971
Having squandered his sizable inheritance, self-centered New York playboy Henry Graham (Walter Matthau) schemes to marry a wealthy woman -- and then kill her. But when his new bride, Henrietta (Elaine May), proves to be an innocent klutz, Henry starts to change. Soon Henry is disposing of his self-serving ways instead of his wife. Co-written and directed by May, this romantic comedy was nominated for two Golden Globes, including Best Picture.

Directed by:

  • Elaine May
    • rating:4.1.png 4.1 Average Rating


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    Amor Real
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    Amor Real

    2004
    True love threatens to tear a family apart in this epic Mexican serial set in the 1800s. Rich and beautiful Matilde falls in love with Adolfo, but her mother, Augusta, disapproves of the relationship when she learns Adolfo is poor. Augusta forces her daughter to marry rich and handsome Manuel Fuentes Guerra, but Matilde plays with fire by continuing to be with Adolfo. Adela Noriega, Fernando Colunga, Helena Rojo and Chantal Andere star.

    Directed by:

  • Monica Miguel
    • rating:3.5.png 3.5 Average Rating


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    Saving Face
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    Saving Face

    2005
    Dutiful daughter Wil (Michelle Krusiec) sidesteps her mother's (Joan Chen) attempts to marry her off in Alice Wu's romantic comedy. At 28, Wil's the old maid of her traditional Chinese family, so there's no way she can tell them about her budding lesbian romance with Vivian (Lynn Chen). But her widowed mom has her own problems, as she learns she's pregnant at 48. Kicked out by her disapproving father, she seeks refuge at Wil's place.

    Directed by:

  • Alice Wu
    • rating:3.5.png 3.5 Average Rating


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    Run Away Home
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    Run Away Home

    2004
    After her family moves to a conservative town, teenager Tamara finds friendship with Brenda and starts dating Rusty. But when her mother contracts tuberculosis and is sent away, Tamara becomes responsible for keeping her family together.

    Directed by:

  • Gail Harvey
    • rating:3.5.png 3.5 Average Rating


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    Comedy
    Just One of the Guys
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    Just One of the Guys

    1985
    When her essay about a woman posing as a male jock is scoffed at during a contest, a teenage journalist decides to prove her theory's feasibility by dressing up as one of her male peers and enrolling at a neighboring high school.

    Directed by:

  • Lisa Gottlieb
    • rating:3.5.png 3.5 Average Rating


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    The Parent Trap
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    The Parent Trap

    1998
    When Hallie Parker and Annie James meet at summer camp, they think they have nothing in common -- only to discover that they're identical twins. Soon, they're up to their freckles in a scheme to switch places and get their parents back together.

    Directed by:

  • Nancy Meyers
    • rating:3.6.png 3.6 Average Rating


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    She-Devil
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    She-Devil

    1989
    When her two-timing husband deserts her for a toffee-nosed romance novelist, dowdy housewife Ruth Patchett goes berserk and -- aided by her mother -- sets out to methodically ruin his life in this dark comedy.

    Directed by:

  • Susan Seidelman
    • rating:3.3.png 3.3 Average Rating


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    Madeline
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    Madeline

    1998
    A mischievous French girl named Madeline tries to save her boarding school from the real estate market but finds it difficult to persuade the building's owner not to sell. When that approach fails, she uses her wits to discourage prospective buyers.

    Directed by:

  • Daisy Von Scherler Mayer
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


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    Drama
    Stander
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    Stander

    2003
    Disgusted by corruption within the force, South African cop Andre Stander begins robbing banks incognito and then investigating his own heists. He's soon caught and sent to jail, but he escapes and becomes a cult hero.

    Directed by:

  • Bronwen Hughes
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


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    The Sea Change
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    The Sea Change

    2010
    Having endured a dreadful upbringing spent in foster homes and institutions, Nikki (Natalie Press) sets out to murder the birth mother (Janet McTeer) who abandoned her. But while carrying out her plan, Nikki meets a likable half brother (Colin Morgan) who drastically alters her outlook. Based on the novel Island by Jane Rogers, this psychological drama captures the tension of Nikki's internal struggle as she's torn between revenge and redemption.

    Directed by:

  • Elizabeth Mitchell
    • rating:3.6.png 3.6 Average Rating


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    Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love
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    Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love

    1996
    Born into a wealthy and powerful family, Tara (Sarita Choudhury) is luckier than her lowly servant, Maya (Indira Varma), when it comes to material things. But Maya has become richer in matters of the mind and soul -- even as she dons Tara's hand-me-downs. When Tara weds a handsome king (Naveen Andrews), she thinks she's found true love. In a cruel twist of fate, however, he takes Maya as his comely courtesan in this 16th century feudal saga.

    Directed by:

  • Mira Nair
    • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


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    The Third Miracle
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    The Third Miracle

    1999
    Deeply devout Helen O'Regan (Barbara Sukowa) is nominated for sainthood when her death causes a statue of the Virgin Mary to weep blood and cure a terminally ill girl. A skeptical priest (Ed Harris) is sent to investigate the miracles and prove that Helen was only human. But as he seeks a logical explanation in a realm supported by faith, he discovers his true purpose in life. Anne Heche co-stars.

    Directed by:

  • Agnieszka Holland
    • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


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    Foreign
    A Matter of Size
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    A Matter of Size

    2009
    Fed up with their fruitless attempts to lose weight, Herzl (Itzik Cohen) and his three heavyset friends decide to give up their tortuous diets and try their luck in the girth-friendly arena of sumo wrestling. Led by Japan native Kitano (Togo Igawa), Herzl and crew discover that there are places in the world where oversized waistlines are appreciated. Dvir Benedek and Shmulik Cohen also star in this lighthearted comedy.

    Directed by:

  • Sharon Maymon
    • rating:3.3.png 3.3 Average Rating


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    Italian for Beginners
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    Italian for Beginners

    2000
    Director Lone Scherfig's playful and endearing story follows seven strangers from a small, rainy suburb who come together once a week to learn Italian. Andres (Anders W. Berthelsen), Jorgen (Peter Gantzler) and the others are all looking to fill a void in their lives. And as they embark on a journey of discovery, friendship and the limitless possibilities of love, they soon find that the class offers them much more than just a new language.

    Directed by:

  • Lone Scherfig
    • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


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    Leaving
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    Leaving

    2009
    Bored with her life of leisure, Suzanne (Kristin Scott Thomas) decides to reestablish her career as a physiotherapist. But first, she'll need an office ... and that's where her troubles begin in this drama from Catherine Corsini. As soon as Suzanne meets the man her husband hired to construct her backyard office, she falls hard -- and the attraction is mutual ... and dangerous. Sergi López and Yvan Attal co-star.

    Directed by:

  • Catherine Corsini
    • rating:3.3.png 3.3 Average Rating


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    The Betrayal
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    The Betrayal

    2008
    During the Vietnam War, the United States performed secret operations in Laos, which led to much destruction in that country. After the war, the fallout of U.S. foreign policy remained, forcing Thavisouk Phrasavath and his family to flee the country. This documentary -- more than 20 years in the making -- follows Phrasavath's journey from war-torn Laos to his painful reunion with his family in Brooklyn years later, and netted an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary.

    Directed by:

  • Ellen Kuras
    • rating:3.3.png 3.3 Average Rating


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    Now and Then
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    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


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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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