Films About Young Women Coming to Power
The narrative of young women coming to power is a compelling and rich theme in cinema. These films often explore the journey of female protagonists as they navigate societal obstacles, personal challenges, and internal struggles to assert their identities, gain independence, and influence their worlds. They highlight themes of empowerment, resilience, and the transformative power of self-discovery, all while showcasing the diverse experiences of young women in various contexts.
List of Films About Young Women Coming to Power
“The Breadwinner”, 2017
Director: Nora Twomey
This animated film follows Parvana, an 11-year-old girl in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, who disguises herself as a boy to support her family after her father is arrested. Through her bravery and resourcefulness, she learns to navigate a world that seeks to suppress her.
Starring: Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Noorin Gulamgaus, Laara Sadiq, Ali Rizvi, Shaista Latif, Kanza Feris, Kawa Ada, Kane Mahon, Ali Kazmi, Mran Volkhard, Ezra Sholeh, Lily Erlinghauser, Wamiq Furoghudin, Millad Hamidkohzad, Salaman Hamidkohzad, Abu Hashim Dostyar, Sapeda Hashim Dostyar, Ali Hassan, Finn Jackson Parle, Enayat Mazaryar, Patrick McGrath;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: animation, drama, family, war;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “The Breadwinner” on the website imdb.com
“Lady Bird”, 2017
Director: Greta Gerwig
Set in Sacramento, California, this coming-of-age story focuses on Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, a high school senior who yearns for freedom and independence. As she navigates her turbulent relationship with her mother and her aspirations for a better life, Lady Bird discovers her own identity and voice.
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein, Lois Smith, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Odeya Rush, Jordan Rodrigues, Marielle Scott, John Karna, Jake McDorman, Bayne Gibby, Laura Marano, Marietta DePrima, Daniel Zovatto, Kristen Cloke, Andy Buckley, Paul Keller, Kathryn Newton, Myra Turley, Bob Stephenson, Abhimanyu Katyal, Chris Witaske, Ben Konigsberg, Gurpreet Gill, Richard Jin, Joan Patricia O'Neil, Robert Figueroa, Carla Valentine, Roman Arabia, Monique Edwards, Matthew Maher, Anita Kalathara, Debra Miller, Georgia Leva, Derek Butler, London Thor, Shaelan O'Connor, Christina Offley, Sabrina Schloss, Connor Mickiewicz, Erik Daniells, Cynthia Cales, Giselle Grams, Ithamar Enriquez, Luisa Lee, Danielle Macdonald, Adam Brock;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Lady Bird” on the website imdb.com
“Moxie”, 2021
Director: Amy Poehler
Based on the novel by Jennifer Mathieu, this film tells the story of a shy teenager, Vivian, who finds inspiration from her mother’s rebellious past and starts a feminist revolution at her high school. Through her efforts, she empowers her classmates to stand up against sexism and inequity.
Starring: Hadley Robinson, Lauren Tsai, Alycia Pascual-Pena, Nico Hiraga, Sabrina Haskett, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sydney Park, Anjelika Washington, Emily Hopper, Josie Totah, Ike Barinholtz, Marcia Gay Harden, Josephine Langford, Joshua Walker, Clark Gregg, Charlie Hall, Avery Bagenstos, Eon Song, Ron Perkins, Aaron Holliday, Roman Arabia, Greg Poehler, Helen Slayton-Hughes, Xander Evans, Avantika, Kevin Dorff, Carla Valentine, Corey Fogelmanis, Cooper Mothersbaugh, Gracie Lawrence, Yoo Ji-young , Brady Reiter, Ben Harris, Raven Owens, Doug Smith, Bela Salazar, Eloise Wong, Lucia de la Garza, Mila de la Garza, David Schwartz, Olivia Abreu, Jordan Andrusky, Lindsay Ballif, Sydney Bell, Ana Luiza Bourroul, Molly Cravens, AprilAnn Dais, Mariliana Davila, Rocío de la Grana;
Production year: 2021;
Genre: drama, comedy, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Moxie” on the website imdb.com
“The Hunger Games”, 2012
Director: Gary Ross
In a dystopian future, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place in a brutal televised competition. As she fights for survival and becomes a symbol of rebellion against an oppressive regime, Katniss evolves from a reluctant participant to a powerful leader.
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Wes Bentley, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz, Amandla Stenberg, Alexander Ludwig, Willow Shields, Leven Rambin, Toby Jones, Sandra Ellis Lafferty, Paula Malcomson, Rhoda Griffis, Sandino Moya-Smith, Raiko Bowman, Dwayne Boyd, Anthony Reynolds, Judd Lormand, Kimiko Gelman, Nelson Ascencio, Bruce Bundy, Dayo Okeniyi, Jack Quaid, Latarsha Rose, Isabelle Fuhrman, Ian Nelson, Kalia Prescott, Ethan Jamieson, Jacqueline Emerson, Mackenzie Lintz, Imanol Yepez-Frias, Annie Thurman, Dakota Hood, Amber Chaney, Karan Kendrick, Shane Biseell, Kate Kneeland, Steve Coulter, Sharon Morris, Tim Taylor, John Ross, Phillip Troy Linger, David Abernathy, Scott Alms, Chase Anderson, Nicholas Azarian;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: science fiction, action, thriller, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 142 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Hunger Games” on the website imdb.com
“A Wrinkle in Time”, 2018
Director: Ava DuVernay
Based on the classic novel, this fantasy adventure follows Meg Murry, a young girl who embarks on a journey through space and time to rescue her father. Guided by three mysterious beings, Meg learns to embrace her strengths and confront her insecurities.
Starring: Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Levi Miller, Deric McCabe, Chris Pine, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Peña, André Holland, Rowan Blanchard, Bellamy Young, David Oyelowo, Conrad Roberts, Yvette Cason, Will McCormack, Daniel MacPherson, Akemi Look, Tim Kang, Lyric Wilson, Michele Norris, Claire Montwill, Catelynn Brown, Ariyah Brown, Losa Fifita, Joyce Larkin, Teonee Motley, Oz Kalvan, Isaac Ordonez, Kai Miller, Leighton Leevard, Guillaume Seeleuthner, Jacob Eddington, Easton Tath, Giselle Paredes, Kevyn Bashore, Eric Bell Jr., Alexia Rae Castillo, Jasmine Dampiér, Ceasar Romero Evans Jr., Ce'Ara Riley Evans, Will Greenburg, Kimberly Guerrero, Analise Hoveyda, Jesse Jacobs, Punnavith Koy, Daniel R. Lawson Jr., Sheila M. Lockhart, Kimberlee Oren;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: science fiction, fantasy, adventure, family, drama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 4,3;
More information about the film “A Wrinkle in Time” on the website imdb.com
“The Edge of Seventeen”, 2016
Director: Kelly Fremon Craig
This coming-of-age comedy-drama centers on Nadine, a teenager struggling with the trials of adolescence, including friendship, love, and family dynamics. As she navigates her tumultuous teenage years, Nadine learns to assert herself and find her place in the world.
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner, Kyra Sedgwick, Woody Harrelson, Hayden Szeto, Alexander Calvert, Eric Keenleyside, Nesta Cooper, Daniel Bacon, Lina Renna, Ava Grace Cooper, Christian Michael Cooper, Jena Skodje, Josh Simpson, Kavandeep Hayre, Meredith Monroe, Katie Stuart, Lyle Reginald, Chris Shields, Christian Lagasse, Lauren K. Robek, Paul Herbert, Laine McNeil, Peter Brown, David Hardware, Raylene Harewood, Kelsey Marsland-Anderson, Brayden Snow, Kayzhia Snow, Laura Ward;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Edge of Seventeen” on the website imdb.com
“Wild Rose”, 2018
Director: Tom Harper
This musical drama tells the story of Rose-Lynn Harlan, a young woman from Glasgow with dreams of becoming a country music star in Nashville. As she grapples with her ambitions and responsibilities as a mother, she fights for her dreams and ultimately discovers her voice.
Starring: Jessie Buckley, Sophie Okonedo, Julie Walters, Adam Mitchell, Daisy Littlefield, Nicole Kerr, James Harkness, Doreen McGillivray, Matt Costello, Jane Patterson, Lesley Hart, Carol Pyper Rafferty, Natalie Mcconnon, Maureen Carr, Louise Mccarthy, Allison Simpson, Janey Godley, Brian McQuade, Craig Parkinson, Margaret MacKenzie, Marianne McIvor, Carolyn Calder, Natali McCleary, Ryan Kerr, David McGowan, Martin Docherty, Jamie Sives, Kern Falconer, Benny Young, Tanya Wiles, Josh Whitelaw, Helen Katamba, Maryam Hamidi, Mark Hagen, Bob Harris, Ashley McBryde, Gemma McElhinney, Atta Yaqub, Vanya Eadie, Sondra Morton, Ashley Shelton, Robin Daugherty, J. Thomas Bailey, Aly MacRae, Phil Cunningham, Stuart Nisbet, Ben Nicholls, Neil MacColl, Chris Vatalaro, Andy May;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“The Diary of a Teenage Girl”, 2015
Director: Marielle Heller
Set in 1970s San Francisco, this film follows 15-year-old Minnie as she explores her burgeoning sexuality and identity. Through her experiences, she learns to embrace her desires and assert her autonomy in a world that often seeks to define her.
Starring: Bel Powley, Willie, Kristen Wiig, Abby Wait, Alexander Skarsgård, Miranda Bailey, Carson Mell, John Parsons, Madeleine Waters, Austin Lyon, Quinn Nagle, Davy Clements, Charles Lewis III, David Fine, Susannah Rogers, Christopher Meloni, Bob Scott, Anthony Williams, Joshua Grannell, Margarita Levieva, Lance Hill, Jon Freeman, Persephone Gloeckner-Suits, Natalie Stephany Aguilar, Drew Benda, Robert Cure, Patrick Darrow, Patrick Engler, Douglas Gawoski, Emily Marie Grant, Samantha Hyde, Liz Imperio, Laura Kennon, Josh Kornbluth, Mark Lavell, Kim Lefebvre, George W. Leonard, John Lobato, Annie Lore, Alexas Medina, Mary Lu Marr, Malachi Maynard, Giovanni Miller, Mahal Montoya, Carole Morey, Biff O'Hara, Neil O'Neill, Tye Olson, Hangwei Ou;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “The Diary of a Teenage Girl” on the website imdb.com
“The Farewell”, 2019
Director: Lulu Wang
While primarily focused on family and cultural identity, the film also highlights Billi, a young woman who grapples with the expectations of her family and her own aspirations. As she navigates the challenges posed by her grandmother's illness, Billi learns to assert her identity within her cultural context.
Starring: Awkwafina, Zhou Shuzhen, X Mayo, Lu Hong, Lin Hong, Ma Tzi, Diana Lin, Yang Xuejian, Becca Khalil, Jiang Yongbo, Chen Han, Aoi Mizuhara, Xiang Li, Liu Hongli, Zhang Shimin, Jing Zhang, Liu Jinhang, Lin Xi, Shi Lichen, Wang Lin, Yue Xin, Xiaoxiao Sun, Li Dong, Qin Puxia, Wang Ruiqi, Jim Liu, Geng Yuqiu, Wang Yuzhuo, Xiao Shouchang, Zhao Yonghua, Jiang Zuohai, Lv Xinyang, Chen Jing, Sun Weifeng, Diane Dehn, Ines Laimins, Johnny Michaels, Gil Perez-Abraham;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
“To All the Boys I've Loved Before”, 2017
Director: Susan Johnson
This romantic comedy follows Lara Jean Covey, a high school junior whose secret love letters are mysteriously sent out. As she navigates the complexities of love and relationships, Lara Jean grows in confidence and learns to take control of her own narrative.
Starring: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Andrew Bachelor, Trezzo Mahoro, Madeleine Arthur, Emilija Baranac, Israel Broussard, John Corbett, Kelcey Mawema, Julia Benson, Joey Pacheco, Edward Kewin, Jordan Burtchett, June B. Wilde, Isabelle Beech, Hunter Dillon, Christian Michael Cooper, Rhys Fleming, Pavel Piddocke, Jeb Beach, Cameron Crosby, Yael Yurman, Yasmin Pena, Dean Alonzo Hoover, Treyden Pastro, Richard Stewart Rigby;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “To All the Boys I've Loved Before” on the website imdb.com
These films showcase the power and resilience of young women as they embark on transformative journeys, challenging societal norms and embracing their identities in the pursuit of empowerment.
In the vast landscape of cinema, there exists a collection of films that beautifully captures the journey of young women as they navigate the complexities of power. These films delve deep into the depths of female empowerment, showcasing the strength, resilience, and determination of these young protagonists. From period dramas to modern-day tales, each film takes us on a transformative journey, highlighting the obstacles and triumphs that shape these young women's rise to power. Through their stories, we witness the transformation of timid individuals into fierce leaders, challenging societal norms and redefining their own destinies. These films serve as a reminder that age is not a determinant of power, and that young women possess a potent force that can reshape the world around them.
