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Movies With Strong Female Leads on Netflix in 2022

Movies on Netflix With Strong Female Leads That You Can Watch Tonight

Mar 2 2022

Strong female leads have been dominating the big screen in recent years as we see movies like "Dune", "House of Gucci", and "The Batman" hitting cinemas and streaming services and receiving a huge response. Thankfully, you don't necessarily need to crawl out of the comforts of your home to absorb inspiration from dazzling female characters. Netflix has an incredible selection of movies with inspiring and powerful women who grow up, take risks, kick butts, and take names. We've rounded up a diverse selection of female-led films that you can stream instantly, including everything from quiet dramas like "Malcolm and Marie" to action thrillers like "Kill Bill".

Image Sources: Agam Darshi, Netflix and Everett Collection

Donkeyhead

"Donkeyhead" is a dramedy centred around the lives of a Sikh family who navigate their relationship dynamics whilst processing the death of a loved one. Written and directed by Agam Darshi, the film follows a family who come together to look after their sick father after he suffers from a major stroke.

Watch "Donkeyhead" on Netflix now.

Image Sources: Agam Darshi, Netflix and Everett Collection

Rocks

Starring BAFTA rising star winner, Bukky Bakray, "Rocks" follows the story of Olushola (nicknamed Rocks) who struggles to take care of herself and her younger brother when her mum leaves.

Watch "Rocks" on Netflix now.

Image Sources: Agam Darshi, Netflix and Everett Collection

"Falling Inn Love"

Netflix's feel-good romance "Falling Inn Love" has everything you need in a cheesy rom-com: a punny title, a gorgeous setting, and a scenario built to make its leads fall in (sorry, inn) love against all odds.

Watch "Falling Inn Love" on Netflix now.

Image Source: Everett Collection

"Fun Mom Dinner"

A group of friends and pre-school mums find themselves on an unexpectedly rowdy journey through LA, as they attempt a fun night out to take a break from their kids.

Watch "Fun Mom Dinner" on Netflix now.

Image Source: Everett Collection

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"Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé"

This powerful concert film takes viewers on an in-depth, behind-the-scenes journey into the iconic Coachella performance by world-renowned singer Beyoncé.

Watch "Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé" on Netflix now.

Image Source: Netflix

"Juanita"

Fed up with her life, mother of three Juanita spontaneously hits the road for a fresh start, ending up in Paper Moon, Montana.

Watch "Juanita" on Netflix now.

Image Source: Netflix

"Lady Bird"

In "Lady Bird", Saoirse Ronan portrays the strong-willed and deeply opinionated Christine, aka "Lady Bird," a California high schooler who dreams of going to college on the East Coast.

Watch "Lady Bird" on Netflix now.

Image Source: Everett Collection

"Lost Girls"

Based on the book of the same name by Robert Kolker, this drama tells the true story of a mother who relentlessly pushes law-enforcement agents to search for her missing daughter. In the process, a series of unsolved murders are uncovered — the victims of which were young women sex workers in Long Island.

Watch "Lost Girls" on Netflix now.

Image Source: Netflix

"Stepmom"

In this drama, Julia Roberts plays a young fashion photographer who seeks the acceptance of her fiancé's children, despite their strong allegiance to their mother (Susan Sarandon).

Watch "Stepmom" on Netflix now.

Image Source: Everett Collection

"The Edge of Seventeen"

Hailee Steinfeld shines in this coming-of-age film that explores the prickly ups and downs of female friendship in high school (especially when one of your friends starts dating your detested older brother — yikes, drama).

Watch "The Edge of Seventeen" on Netflix now.

Image Source: Everett Collection

"The Sweetest Thing"

In this rom-com, a girl must educate herself on the proper etiquette of wooing men after she meets Mr. Right.

Watch "The Sweetest Thing" on Netflix now.

Image Source: Everett Collection

"The Unforgivable"

Sandra Bullock plays Ruth Slater, a woman attempting to reenter society after serving time in prison for a violent crime. As she slowly adjusts to life on the outside, she struggles to put her life back together in a society that won't forgive her.

Watch "The Unforgivable" on Netflix now.

Image Source: Netflix

"Thunder Force"

In this action-adventure comedy, estranged childhood best friends Lydia (Melissa McCarthy) and Emily (Octavia Spencer) reunite after Emily creates a formula that gives ordinary people superpowers in a world where super-villains are commonplace.

Watch "Thunder Force" on Netflix now.

Image Source: Netflix

"Becoming: Michelle Obama"

"Becoming" follows the story of former first lady Michelle Obama as she reflects on her life in the white house, relationships with her friends and family, and helps to inspire young women everywhere.

Watch it now.

Image Sources: Agam Darshi, Netflix and Everett Collection

"Dumplin'"

Feeling like an outsider for much of her life, a young girl named Willowdean Dickson (Danielle Macdonald) decides to enlist in her hometown's beauty pageant, run by her ex-beauty queen mother (Jennifer Aniston), in this coming-of-age comedy film.

Watch it now.

Image Source: Netflix

"Eat Pray Love"

Julia Robert spends time eating and praying on her journey to self-discovery (which is based on Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir of the same name), which dives into what it means to be divorced and how you can find love again.

Watch it now.

Image Source: Everett Collection

"Enola Holmes"

"Stranger Things" star Millie Bobby Brown plays Enola Holmes, a young girl who is left under the care of her two brothers after she wakes up on her 16th birthday to find her mother gone. While her brothers want to send Enola to finishing school, she escapes to London to find her mother and becomes a detective in her own right.

Watch it now.

Image Source: Netflix

"Gerald's Game"

Steamy and suspenseful, the Netflix film "Gerald's Game" is based off of Stephen King's dark novel about a couple that gets into trouble after a harmless sex game goes awry during a mini vacation. The woman, played by Carla Gugino, is left handcuffed to the bed while confronting her demons.

Watch it now.

Image Sources: Agam Darshi, Netflix and Everett Collection

"Malcolm & Marie"

John David Washington and Zendaya star in this drama as a film director and his girlfriend who contend with revelations about their relationship following Malcolm's successful movie premiere.

Watch it now.

Image Source: Netflix

"Marriage Story"

This dramedy stars Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson as a New York City theatre director and his wife, a former teen actress turned stage performer. Charlie and Nicole's already rocky marriage comes apart after Nicole accepts a starring role in a TV pilot and moves to Los Angeles with their son, and the movie follows the subsequent unraveling of their lives together. If you need a good ugly cry, this one is for you.

Watch it now.

Image Source: Everett Collection

"Mudbound"

Mary J. Blige and Carey Mulligan portray two household matriarchs who develop an unconventional friendship in Dee Rees's critically acclaimed historical drama "Mudbound". The film has been celebrated at the Golden Globes and is currently enjoying well-deserved Oscar buzz.

Watch it now.

Image Sources: Agam Darshi, Netflix and Everett Collection

"Nappily Ever After"

Violet Jones (Sanaa Lathan) seems to have it all together until she hits a snag in her love life. After giving herself a dramatic makeover, she slowly begins to rediscover herself and what is truly important in life.

Watch it now.

Image Source: Netflix

"Otherhood"

Directed by "Sex and the City" executive producer Cindy Chupack, this comedy is based on the novel "Whatever Makes You Happy" by William Sutcliffe, telling the story of three suburban moms (played by Patricia Arquette, Angela Bassett, and Felicity Huffman) who show up in the NYC apartments of their adult sons unannounced.

Watch it now.

Image Source: Netflix

"She's Gotta Have It"

Spike Lee's indie film "She's Gotta Have It" forever changed the landscape of independent filmmaking as it became a critical and popular hit with a budget of only $175,000. It's about a young black woman named Nola Darling who prizes her independence above any of her three suitors.

Watch it now.

Image Sources: Agam Darshi, Netflix and Everett Collection

"Sierra Burgess Is a Loser"

In an attempt to win over her crush, a young girl enlists the help of a popular girl who once used to torment her. While it's a love story at its heart, the best relationship is the friendship that develops between the two young women.

Watch it now.

Image Source: Netflix

"Someone Great"

Starring Jane the Virgin's Gina Rodriguez, Pitch Perfect's Brittany Snow, and She's Gotta Have It's DeWanda Wise, this comedy tells the story of aspiring music journalist Jenny (played by Rodriguez), whose boyfriend of nine years unceremoniously dumps her as soon as she lands her dream job in San Francisco. However, her two BFFs, Blair and Erin (played by Snow and Wise, respectively), are there to help her get over her ex with one last crazy weekend in New York City before she moves across the country, and they seriously deliver.

Watch it now.

Image Source: Everett Collection

"Step Sisters"

Here's a lighthearted Netflix original if you're in the mood for a comedy about a fearless female leader. As she dreams of Harvard Law School, a sorority president and star student helps a rowdy rival sorority with a step dancing competition when the group trashes her school's reputation.

Watch it now.

Image Sources: Agam Darshi, Netflix and Everett Collection

"The Incredible Jessica James"

A struggling playwright navigates her career and breakup while falling for a divorced app designer in this quirky romantic comedy. Former "The Daily Show" correspondent Jessica Williams stars as the titular heroine of "The Incredible Jessica James". You might also recognise her costars Lakeith Stanfield from "Get Out" and Chris O'Dowd from "The IT Crowd".

Watch it now.

Image Sources: Agam Darshi, Netflix and Everett Collection

"To All the Boys I've Loved Before"

Jenny Han's bestselling novel meets the big screen in this sweet adaptation, which not only focuses on Laura Jean's (Lana Condor) love life but also her ever-evolving relationships with her best friend and two sisters.

Watch it now.

Image Source: Everett Collection

"To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You"

Lara Jean and Peter's new relationship hits a speed bump when the last recipient of Lara Jean's secret letters shows up. As she struggles with feelings for two guys, Lara Jean has to figure out what she really wants out of life — and love.

Watch it now.

Image Source: Everett Collection

"To the Bone"

Ellen is an anorexic teenager who becomes part of a quirky, loving group home run by her offbeat doctor. To the Bone is a touching drama based on the personal experiences of the film's writer and director, Marti Noxon. It highlights performances from Lily Collins, Keanu Reeves, and Retta.

Watch it now.

Image Sources: Agam Darshi, Netflix and Everett Collection

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