50 Best Movies for Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, and it’s a great time to reflect on all of the ways that women have left their mark on the world. A fun way to learn and celebrate women in history is through the movies, whether you’re watching biographies on iconic women, or learning about their struggles through documentaries and historic films. Read on to find 50 great movies celebrating women and their history.

1. Our Times: American women aren’t the only ones with a reform struggle to tell. Our Times focuses on Iranian women in the 2001 presidential election.
2. One Woman, One Vote: One Woman, One Vote documents the passing of the 19th Amendment by one vote.
3. The Amasong Chorus: Singing Out: This movie shares the growing subculture of lesbian and gay signing choruses through the rise of this feminist/lesbian chorus.
4. Iron Jawed Angels: Hillary Swank stars in this movie about the women’s rights movement in America.
5. The Passion of Joan of Arc: See the story of the powerful Joan of Arc in this movie.
6. Sisters of Selma: Catholic nuns had a large part in the efforts to secure voting rights for African Americans in Selma, Alabama, and this movie tells their story.
7. Nine to Five: These women show their boss that they can do a much better job than he can.
8. The Miracle Worker: The Miracle Worker shows Annie Sullivan’s amazing work as Helen Keller’s tutor.
9. Not for Ourselves Alone: Watch this movie about Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to learn about the struggle for women’s rights.
10. Two Women: Two Women is about two women who attended University of Tehran through the Islamic revolution.
11. The Sound of Music: Watch The Sound of Music in a different light — as the sexual awakening of a woman.
12. The Education of Shelby Knox: This girl transforms from a conservative Southern Baptist to feminist liberal Christian who fights for sex education and gay rights.
13. Mama Flora’s Family: See America in the 20th century through Flora, a black woman.
14. Lioness: Although policy forbids women from serving in direct ground combat units, these five female support soldiers ended up in direct ground combat in the Iraq war. They share their experiences through footage, journals, interviews, and more.
15. Far From Heaven: This woman realizes that picture perfect isn’t always perfect.
16. Evita: The musical Evita shares the life of a child from the lower class who rises to the role of first lady and spiritual leader of Argentina.
17. The Joy Luck Club: Amy Tan’s novel comes to life in this movie about a Chinese-American woman’s understanding of her roots.
18. Missing Peace: Watch Missing Peace to learn how how war fails women of faith in various religious backgrounds.
19. The Magdalene Sisters: Watch this movie about women in an asylum for “wayward women” in Ireland.
20. V for Victory: Watch V for Victory to see how important women were to WWII.
21. The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter: Rosie the Riveter celebrates the achievements of women in World War II, sharing interviews with real workers as well as footage from women working in WWII.
22. Sylvia: Gwyneth Paltrow stars in this movie about the poetry and life of Sylvia Plath.
23. Elizabeth: Elizabeth shows the growth of the new Queen Elizabeth.
24. Ida B. Wells: A Passion for Justice: This movie shares Ida B. Wells’ life as a black female journalist, best known for her anti-lynching campaign.
25. Around the World in 72 Days: Journalist Nellie Bly’s life is explored in this biographical documentary.
26. A Midwife’s Tale: Martha Ballard was an 18th century midwife whose life is told in this movie.
27. Warrior Queen: Warrior Queen offers the story of the Celtic queen Boudica, who shook the Roman Empire.
28. Madame Curie: Learn about the Polish woman scientist who discovered radium in Madame Curie’s biopic.
29. Mona Lisa Smile: The female students in this movie are bright, but seem to be just waiting around for the right man to marry, but their teacher helps them reach their potential.
30. 14 Women: Study the 109th Congress that had 14 women in the Senate through 14 Women.
31. Navy WAVES & Coast Guard SPARS: Partically produced in WWII, this movie shares the role of women in the military from the 40s to the 70s.
32. Heaven Will Protect the Working Girl: Watch this movie about immigrant women at the turn of the century.
33. The Circle: The Circle shows how a woman and her baby daughter are unwanted in Iran.
34. Phat Girlz: Mo’Nique’s movie discusses women living life to the fullest.
35. License to Thrive: License to Thrive depicts the journey of the legislation that opened doors for women in educational programs and activities.
36. Trouble the Water: Follow aspiring rap artist Kimberly as she finds redemption in surviving Hurricane Katrina.
37. Amelia: Amelia tells the story of Amelia Earhart, the young aviatrix who won the Distinguished Flying Cross for being the first woman pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
38. Frida: Learn about the life of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.
39. Erin Brockovich: Erin Brockovich’s movie shows the power of one woman who took down a power company polluting a city’s water supply.
40. Secrets of the Dead: Secrets of the Dead shares the lives of the race of warrior women, the Amazons.
41. Fly Girls: The story of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) and aviatrix Jacqueline Chochran in particular is told in Fly Girls, through archival film and home movies.
42. Companeras: Companeras offers the story of America’s first all-female Mariachi band.
43. North Country: Watch this movie about Josey Aimes, a woman who went to work in the iron mines.
44. Norma Rae: Sally Field stars in this movie about a textile worker who stands up against deplorable working conditions.
45. My Brilliant Career: Sybylla rejects the opportunity of marriage to maintain her independence and take a job as a governess.
46. Three Sovereigns for Sarah: Three Sovereigns for Sarah shares the true story of the Salem Witch Trials.
47. Born Into Brothels: Kids who are the children of prostitutes in Calcutta’s red light district were chosen to photograph their lives, and their work is shown in this movie.
48. Burning Times: The Burning Times takes a look at the witch persecutions that took place in Europe.
49. Salt of the Earth: Salt of the Earth tells a powerful story of feminism, as the wives of miners in a strike for wage parity play a pivotal role in victory.
50. Rosita: Rosita shares the journey of a 9 year old Nicaraguan girl who became pregnant from rape, and became a subject of political and religious debate.