10 Movies to watch to celebrate International Women’s Day

Do you know the rich history behind the celebration of Women’s Day? It is tied to the growing labor movements in North America and Europe in the early 1900s. The first International Women’s Day was celebrated on March 19th, 1911. Today, International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the achievements that women have made and their call for gender equality. It is a platform to raise awareness about the issues that women face.

Even today, women face several issues, and this day is a recognition of all the struggles. This powerful movement that has celebrated women through the years can be honored through the medium of movies. Movies have the unique power to transport us to different worlds. The stories of resilience, struggle, and unwavering determination are a rich tapestry of women’s experiences.

From historical dramas that shed light on the struggle for equality to contemporary stories that portray individual achievements, movies are a medium that has the power to connect. So let’s delve into the 10 Movies to watch to celebrate International Women’s Day.

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1)Turning Red

Turning Red is a movie you can watch with your whole family and end up with a heartwarming feeling. The movie is set in 2002. A 13-year-old girl named Mei discovers their hereditary trait. She finds out that when she experiences strong emotions, such as anger, she turns into a giant red panda. It is also linked to hormonal shifts as she hits puberty.

The mother-daughter relationship in the movie is complicated. This has resonated with the viewers. Mei’s mother is controlling and overbearing. As Mei learns to embrace her new form as a red panda, she also has to reconcile with her mother. The movie is about accepting your own self no matter the differences and the bond of family. This movie is relevant for Women’s Day as it amplifies the relatable and touching journey of womanhood.

2)Suffragette

The list is incomplete without the movie, which delves into the radical early days of the feminist movement in Britain. Suffragat is a movie that will make you feel a lot of things. The movie is centered around a young woman and her mother in early 20th-century London. Maud Watt’s life is all about grueling labor and struggle. She struggles with systemic oppression.

The shift from peaceful protest to a more radical action as women become more frustrated with the lack of progress has resonated with the viewers and is relevant even today. Women’s Day is about celebrating women and their struggles, and this movie depicts the harsh realities women in the past have faced. From police brutality to social ostracism, the hard choices women had to make to obtain equality make it an impactful movie even now.

3)The Six Triple Eight

The all-Black Women’s unit of the Women’s Army Corps during World War II is an inspiring part of history that shows how women have overcome obstacles through time. The movie is about this unit that played a crucial role during World War II when the massive backlog of undelivered mail needed to be delivered to boost the soldiers' morale by connecting them to their loved ones back home. 855 women were tasked to take on this role.

Despite the rampant racism and sexism that these women endured, they demonstrated resilience and determination. Their story is not just inspiring but celebrates the extraordinary women who played a vital role but have been overlooked in the chapter of World War History. This Women’s Day, let’s celebrate these unsung heroes who have overcome immense obstacles to perform vital service to their country.

4)Legally Blond

If a woman is determined to do something, nothing in the world can stop her from achieving her dreams. So is the story of Legally Blonde. Though Elle’s motivation for attending Harvard Law School was driven by her ex-boyfriend, her determination to overcome the challenges and underestimation of everyone around her and become a successful lawyer is heartwarming and truly inspiring.

The societal expectations and stereotypes put on women regarding femininity and intelligence have been challenged beautifully in this movie. Elle Woods defies the notion that being girly and fashionable precludes being intelligent and capable. Truly an empowering story for this Women’s Day.

5)Miss Congeniality

The tough-as-nails FBI agent’s story is a great watch for Women’s Day. Gracie Hart, an unfeminine agent, transforms herself from a gruff agent to a pageant contestant for a case. She learns to walk, talk, and act like a beauty queen. As she navigates the world of pageants, she begins to appreciate other contestants and understands their intelligence.

She not only overcomes the threat but also wins the pageant. The traditional notions of femininity have been challenged in this movie. It has shown that women should not be confined to one specific role; they can be both strong and feminine. It is funny and heartwarming and is a must-watch.

6)Booksmart

Molly and Amy are academically focused and high-achieving students, focusing on becoming successful and getting accepted into a prestigious college. They have given their time to studies, but they discover that their classmates whom they perceived as less studious have also been accepted to prestigious colleges. This revelation makes them realize that they have missed out on the fun aspects of high school and become determined to rectify that.

Their journey turns out to be chaotic as they go through a wild night, going through parties and understanding their peers. This movie challenges the idea that women are one-dimensional and portrays the importance of women being able to be whoever they want to be. This makes the movie an excellent choice for Women’s Day.

7)Brave

Yet another great example of the themes of women's empowerment and the importance of creating one’s own path. Brave is about Merida, a princess with a free spirit. She rejects the traditional expectations that have been placed upon her. She also has a desire for independence and takes control of her own destiny. This creates a conflict between her mother and her.

Merida seeks a solution from a witch who transforms her mother into a bear. She embarks on a journey to break the curse and learns to communicate better with her mother. The traditional stereotypes of a princess are contradicted by a strong and capable female protagonist. The core values of this movie make it a great watch for Women’s Day.

8)Bend It Like Beckham

Bend It Like Beckham has been a great watch for Women’s Day since its release. Jess Bhamra, a British Indian Sikh, has a passion for football. Although her traditional parents are against it, she joins a local women’s team. Jess struggles to balance her cultural expectations with her love for the sport. Bend It Like Beckham celebrates women's empowerment and the challenges faced because of the stereotypes against women. This movie is an inspiring story that shows how nothing feels as good as following one's dreams and passions.

9)Hidden Figures

Let’s dive into this powerful biographical drama that has resonated with women since its release. Hidden Figures is the story of three African American women who played one of the most crucial roles at NASA during the early days of the American Space Program. Katherine Johnson was the brilliant mathematician who calculated the trajectories for Project Mercury and the orbital flight of astronaut John Glenn.

Dorothy Vaughn, the supervisor who taught her team of human computers the programming language FORTRAN, and Mary Jackson, the aspiring engineer who fought to overcome racial and gender barriers, became the first female African American engineer. Very few movies celebrate the brilliance of women in the way this movie does. It inspires future generations and is a remarkable celebration of women that can be a great watch for Women’s Day.

10)Real Women Have Curves

A powerful movie fitting for Women’s Day, Real Women Have Curves, is about Ana’s journey of self-discovery. Ana is a fresh graduate with a scholarship to Columbia University. However, her mother believes that Ana should prioritize her family obligations.

She wants Ana to work in her sister’s garment factory and find a husband. She is torn between her dreams and the realities of a working-class family. The strength Ana has shown in facing societal and cultural pressures is truly resonating. This movie celebrates self-love and the pursuit of dreams.

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