Films about goddesses often explore themes of divine intervention, mythology, spirituality, and the perennial human fascination with the celestial and supernatural. These films tend to bring to life ancient myths or create new tales that imbue their characters with the awe-inspiring powers, moral complexities, and depth associated with goddesses from various cultures around the world. Whether drawing directly from folklore or inventing entirely new narratives, movies about goddesses offer viewers a chance to engage with the divine feminine in all its forms, from the fiercely protective to the cunning and wise.
“Wonder Woman”, 2017
Director: Patty Jenkins
This film tells the story of Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, Diana meets an American pilot who tells her about the massive conflict raging in the outside world. Convinced that she can stop the threat, Diana leaves her home for the first time. Fighting alongside men in a war to end all wars, she finally discovers her full powers and true destiny. Diana is an embodiment of the warrior goddess archetype, drawing from various mythologies.
Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Saïd Taghmaoui, Ewen Bremner, Eugene Brave Rock, Lucy Davis;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: science fiction, action, war, fantasy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 141 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Wonder Woman” on the website imdb.com
“Clash of the Titans”, 2010
Director: Louis Leterrier
A fantasy adventure film that dramatizes the Greek myth of Perseus. Among its pantheon of gods and goddesses, it features characters such as Zeus, Hades, and notably, Thetis, a sea goddess portrayed in a supporting role. The story revolves around Perseus's quest to battle both men and gods to stop the underworld from spreading on Earth and the heavens.
Starring: Sam Worthington, Mads Mikkelsen, Gemma Arterton, Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson, Alexa Davalos, Jason Flemyng, Pete Postlethwaite, Liam Cunningham, Ashraf Barhom;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: fantasy, action, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “Clash of the Titans” on the website imdb.com
“Immortals”, 2011
Director: Tarsem Singh
This visually striking film draws heavily from Greek mythology, featuring several gods and goddesses in a story of epic scope. The plot focuses on Theseus, a mortal man chosen by Zeus to lead the fight against the ruthless King Hyperion, who is on a rampage across Greece to obtain a weapon that can destroy humanity. The gods and goddesses are portrayed as powerful yet bound not to interfere directly in human affairs unless the Titans are released.
Starring: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans, Stephen Dorff, Isabel Lucas, Kellan Lutz, John Hurt, Stephen McHattie, Mark Margolis;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: fantasy, action, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
“The Love Witch”, 2016
Director: Anna Biller
While not about goddesses in the mythological sense, “The Love Witch” explores themes related to the divine feminine, witchcraft, and old pagan religions, which often venerate goddess figures. The film tells the story of a beautiful young witch who uses spells and magic to get men to fall in love with her, in a visually stylized manner that pays homage to 1960s Technicolor films.
Starring: Samantha Robinson, Gian Keys, Laura Waddell, Jeffrey Vincent Parise, Jared Sanford, Robert Seeley, Jennifer Ingrum, Randy Evans, Clive Ashborn, Lily Holleman;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: melodrama, comedy, fantasy, crime;
Age: 16+;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “The Love Witch” on the website imdb.com
“Moana”, 2016
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall, Chris Williams
This animated film by Disney, while not explicitly about goddesses, centers on the story of Moana, a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana meets the once-mighty demigod Maui, who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. The movie is rich with Polynesian mythology and features Te Fiti, an island goddess who is central to the plot's resolution.
Starring: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk, Oscar Kightley, Troy Polamalu, Puanani Cravalho;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: animation, musical, fantasy, comedy, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Moana” on the website imdb.com
Concluding, films about goddesses not only offer a rich tapestry of storytelling imbued with myth, magic, and mystique but also serve as a powerful medium to explore and reinterpret the complexities of femininity, power, and divinity. By weaving narratives around these celestial figures, filmmakers invite audiences into worlds where the divine feminine takes center stage, challenging traditional roles and offering new perspectives on strength, wisdom, and virtue. Whether it's through the lens of high fantasy, historical drama, or modern-day metaphor, these films contribute to a broader cultural conversation about the roles women have played—and can play—in society, mythology, and in the pantheon of deities that continue to inspire awe and reverence. As more stories about goddesses make their way onto the screen, they promise to enrich our visual and intellectual landscapes with tales that have captivated the human imagination for millennia, reminding us of the enduring power of myth and the ever-evolving portrayal of the divine.
