The Shape of Water was the first female lead film to win the Best Picture Oscar since 2004's Million Dollar Baby. It's not that female lead films don't get made, it's just they don't always get the credit they deserve. We've picked seven female ensemble films that you can watch in honour of International Women's Day
9 to 5
News of a reboot / sequel has brought 9 to 5 back into the headlines so it's a great time to check out the original. Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton play co-workers who decided to team up for revenge on their sexist, bullying boss. The cast is legendary, the subject matter is timely, and while the fashion may be dated, the film as a whole holds up.
Whip It
Drew Barrymore's directorial debut stars Ellen Page as reluctant pageant girl, Bliss Cavendar, with a supporting cast that includes Kristen Wiig, Alia Shawkat and Marcia Gay Haden. It's set in the Austin, roller derby community and will have you googling both roller skates and flights to Texas. The film isn't perfect, there's plenty of coming of age and sports movie clichés, but watching a supportive group of women kick ass is always fun.
Coyote Ugly
Look, we know this film isn't great and we're not going to pretend otherwise. In spite of its flaws, it's a lot of fun. Piper Perabo plays an aspiring songwriter with stage fright, and there's the obligatory love story, but really it's all about the dancing on top of the bar which seemed like great craic. Best of luck getting Can't Fight the Moonlight out of your head
Pitch Perfect
Ignore the sequels; the original film is the only one you need to watch. Anna Kendrick is Becca, a surly college student who gets talked into joining her college's acapella group which includes Anna Camp, Rebel Wilson and Brittany Snow. It's two hours of fun that will have you laughing and singing along, perfect for a girls night in.
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane
The story around this film is almost more famous than the film itself. Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were aging Hollywood stars struggling to get work. Despite hating each other they teamed up to make this film where they play reclusive sisters living together in a crumbling mansion. It's funny and haunting all at once with two incredible performances at the centre, if you haven't seen it, check it out.
Bridesmaids
One of this decade's biggest comedy hits that proved women could do gross out humour just as well as men. Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph lead the film but it was Rose Byrne and Melissa McCarthy who stole the show. McCarthy has experienced a career boost since the film's release, and female lead comedies have become a regular feature at the box office.
Thelma and Louise
The film's ending caused a lot of controversy upon its release but it has since become an often referenced classic. Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis star as best friends Louise and Thelma who get caught up in an escalating series of events after stopping off in a roadside diner. The script was written by Callie Khouri, who won the Oscar for best original screenplay despite it being her first film script.
