International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 to commemorate women’s cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements. It is also a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

In New Zealand, IWD, the universal female suffrage movement, originated from labor movements in North America and Europe during the early 20th century. The earliest version was purportedly a “Women’s Day” organized by the Socialist Party of America in New York City on February 28, 1909. This inspired German delegates at the 1910 International Socialist Women’s Conference to propose “a special Women’s Day” be organized annually, albeit with no set date; the following year saw the first demonstrations and commemorations of International Women’s Day across Europe.

After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917 (the beginning of the February Revolution), IWD was made a national holiday on March 8; it was subsequently celebrated on that date by the socialist movement and communist countries.

International Women’s Day is commemorated worldwide; it is a public holiday in several countries and is observed socially or locally. The UN celebrates the holiday in connection with a particular issue, campaign, or theme in women’s rights. In some parts of the world, IWD still reflects its political origins, being marked by protests and calls for radical change; in other areas, particularly in the West, it is mainly socio-cultural and centered on a celebration of womanhood.

Keeping International Women’s day in mind, we’ve compiled a list of inspiring films that celebrate the resilience and passion of independent women. So whether you’re after a feel-good movie, an empowering story, or a classic tearjerker that can teach some important lessons, there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes.

12. Little Women (2019)

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Featuring a star-studded cast of Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, and Timotée Chalamet, Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s timeless novel Little Women, is proven to be refreshing and innovative. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, the story follows the four March sisters—Meg, Beth, Amy, and Jo—and their different ambitions. The women teach us to not take no for an answer and fight for what we believe in.

You can watch it here. 

11. Joy Luck Club (1993)

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Based on the 1989 novel of the same name by Amy Tan, Joy Luck Club is a thought-provoking exploration of mother-daughter relationships centered around two generations of women from polarised cultural backgrounds. Offering a candid portrayal of the conflicts between four Chinese immigrant mothers and their U.S.-born daughters, the movie is full of tender moments that illustrate how vital and emotionally rewarding family relationships can be.

You can watch it here.

10. Iron Lady (2011)

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Meryl Streep is considered one of the greatest actors in Hollywood, and her role as Margaret Thatcher in Iron Lady is genuinely unforgettable. The autobiographical drama film follows Thatcher from her early years, striving hard to break gender and class barriers to become England’s first female prime minister. 

You can watch it here.

9. Hidden Figures (2016)

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The movie tells the real-life story of three Black women—Katherine, Mary, and Dorothy—who worked at NASA in the 1960s. Despite the racism and gender inequality they face, these talented “human computers” continue to pursue their dreams and passions in the white male-dominated industry. In the end, the trio played a crucial role in the momentous launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit.  

You can watch it here.

8. 20 30 40 (2014)

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Directed by acclaimed Taiwanese actor and producer Sylvia Chang, 20 30 40 tells the tale of three women. Each at a different stage in life dealing with love, loss, and the stress of finding a place to belong with societal pressures placed on women. The youngest Xiao Jie (Angelica Lee) is a 20-year-old pursuing her dream of becoming a pop star. Xiang Xiang (Rene Liu) is a flight attendant in her thirties torn between her affair with a married man and a young lover. And 40-year-old Lily Zhao is a flower-shop owner who divorced her husband after finding his infidelity and wants to get back in the dating scene.

You can watch it here.

7. Parched (2015)

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Parched is the story of four Gujarati women who grapple with the challenges of patriarchal village life. Rani (Tannishtha Chatterjee) is a widow whose son frequently rebels against her. At the same time, Janaki (Lehar Khan) is a child bride who doesn’t want to marry Rani’s son. But succumbs to the arranged marriage under cultural pressures. Rani’s close friend, Lajjo (Radhika Apte), comes next, and she is physically and mentally abused by her alcoholic husband. Then there’s Bijli (Surveen Chawla), working in an erotic dance troupe. Beyond tackling gender inequalities, the realistic, heartwarming portrayal of female bonding makes the movie worthwhile. 

You can watch it here.

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6. Mulan (2020)

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The 2020 live-action remake of Mulan made strides for representation; it’s the first Disney-branded film with an all-Asian cast. Director Nikki Caro is one of the few women to direct a movie with a high budget of US$200 million. Loosely based on a historic Chinese ballad, the movie’s exciting battle scenes feature Mulan, who disguises herself as a male warrior to save her father. While the plot has enduring appeal, the movie drew criticism for filming in Xinjiang province. Where some Uighur Muslims have been put in internment camps, and for the lead actress Liu Yifei’s controversial comments supporting the police during Hong Kong’s protests.  

You can watch it here.

5. The Breadwinner (2017)

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The Breadwinner, the animated film based on the children’s book of the same name by Deborah Ellis. It follows a young Afghan girl named Parvana whose father has been imprisoned. Set in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime, where women cannot leave the house without a man. Parvana decides to disguise herself as a boy to work and feed the family. 

You can watch it here.

4. Frida (2002)

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Set in Mexico City, Frida is a biographical film of artist Frida Kahlo. Known for her bold approach to art and ambivalent attitude towards traditional notions of womanhood. The movie follows the confident, independent, and sexually liberated Frida as she navigates her complex and enduring relationship with her mentor, Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina). And her illicit affairs with Leon Trotsky (Geoffrey Rush) various women.

You can watch it here.

3. Wild (2014)

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Based on Cheryl Strayed’s 2012 memoir, which documents her 1,100-mile life-changing solo hike along in 1995. Wild is a woman-led movie that is sure to make you feel empowered and inspire you to do more and be more. Cheryl (Reese Witherspoon) is facing turbulent challenges. Still, instead of heading deeper into her downward spiral, she decides to hike solo along the Pacific Crest Trail. One of America’s most extended and most demanding trails. Spoiler alert: it becomes a life-changing journey. 

You can watch it here.

2. Erin Brockovich (2000)

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Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts), a single mother of three, is stuck in a challenging situation after losing a personal injury lawsuit. With no choice, the unemployed Brockovich agrees to work as a legal assistant for her lawyer to maintain her livelihood. Still, she fails to live up to everyone’s expectations at work due to her inappropriate clothing and stiff manners. Nonetheless, she develops a determination to fight for justice and plays a vital role in an anti-pollution lawsuit.

You can watch it here.

1. The Help (2011)

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A young, aspiring journalist Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone), is determined to write a book based on African American maids’ point of view. On the white families they work for, exposing the hardships and racism the maids face everyday life. Expect tons of inspirational moments, as well as some tears, as they revisit past challenges and question race relations and friendships. 

You can watch it here.