Netflix may be a mixed bag when it comes to original content, but it's also brought us critically acclaimed films such as Roma [1] and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, as well as lighter flicks such as To All the Boys I've Loved Before [2]and The Perfect Date [3]. Needless to say, it's pretty great that we can watch premium movies from the comfort of our own homes.
Netflix has also distributed films by a handful of female directors in 2019 alone, spanning across genres, including action thrillers, romantic comedies, and arthouse dramas. While we definitely recommend watching female-helmed pictures such as Lulu Wang's The Farewell [4] and Olivia Wilde [5]'s Booksmart [6] in theatres, it's worth checking out Netflix's offerings. From Someone Great [7] to Wine Country [8], here are new female-directed films that you can watch on the streaming service right now.
Knock Down the House
Directed by Rachel Lears, Knock Down the House [10] is a documentary about four working-class women who run for office. The most recognised face is none other than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [11], the firebrand politician who worked as a bartender not long ago and has since become one of the most prominent advocates for progressive policies.
Watch it now. [12]
Someone Great
In Jennifer Kaytin Robinson's Someone Great, Gina Rodriguez plays a young music journalist who spends her final moments in New York City reminiscing her relationship with her ex and celebrating with her best friends. It's a little bit like (500) Days of Summer with its reverse breakup story and great music [13].
Watch it now. [14]
Good Sam
Tiya Sircar (Vicky from The Good Place) leads in Kate Melville's feel-good film as a reporter who's looking for more to do in her job. Her character in Good Sam comes across a story that catches her curiosity and ends up finding love along the way.
Watch it now. [15]
Homecoming
We're still not over the excitement of Homecoming, by the way. In this special Netflix documentary, Queen B herself acts as the producer, director, and star, piecing together her epic Coachella performances and showing us how hard she really worked to train for the music festival.
Watch it now. [16]
Lionheart
Besides directing this Nollywood film, Genevieve Nnaji also stars in it as well. She plays the protagonist Adaeze, a young woman who needs to fill her father's shoes in the family business when he becomes sick.
Watch it now. [17]
Unicorn Store
In her directorial debut [18], Brie Larson plays a guileless, rainbow-loving character named Kit who seeks out to build a unicorn home while balancing a dreaded temp job. Along her adventures, she meets Virgil (Mamoudou Athie) and The Salesman (Samuel L. Jackson [19]).
Watch it now. [20]
Wine Country
In Amy Poehler's goofy and heartfelt comedy [21], beloved SNL ladies (including Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, and Poehler herself) play a group of middle-aged women who go to wine country to celebrate one of their own's 50th birthday. The longer the women stay together, the more tensions pop up.
Watch it now. [22]
The Breaker Upperers
New Zealanders Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek directed the rom-com The Breaker Upperers with comic Taika Waititi as their executive producer. In front of the camera, they star as two best friends who no longer believe in love and create an agency to help couples break up.
Watch it now. [23]
Close
Vicky Jewson helms this action thriller about a bodyguard and an heiress who face an attacker. The former teaches her client how to fight, so if you're still on that John Wick 3 high, here's your chance to get your dose of kickass.
Watch it now. [24]
And Breathe Normally
An African asylum-seeker and Icelandic single mother form a bond as they both face deportation in Isold Uggadottir's award-winning film. Full of staunch imagery of the Icelandic landscape, the film addresses poverty, LGBTQ+, and refugee issues.
Watch it now. [25]
Paris Is Us
Helmed by Elisabeth Vogler, Paris Is Us is a French art film that focuses on a young couple, Anna and Greg. When her lover makes plans to go to Barcelona and a plane crashes, Anna wonders if he had been on that plane.
Watch it now. [26]
Always Be My Maybe
Fresh Off the Boat showrunner Nahnatchka Khan directs Randall Park and Ali Wong in this lovely romantic comedy about childhood best friends who reconnect much later in life. Sasha is a celebrity chef and Marcus is an indie rapper who still works for his father — can their relationship happen? In other news, Keanu Reeves [27] just so happens to play a sexy jerk in Always Be My Maybe [28].
Watch it now. [29]