Feminist novels and films continue to influence how we view social justice and gender equality in a world where representation is more important than ever. In addition to providing entertainment, these works question long-standing patriarchal conventions, give voice to historically under-represented women, and advance intergenerational discussions about equality.

We must honour and celebrate the pioneering feminist voices who came before us if we genuinely wish to change the world. Recent research indicates that media with high levels of female representation not only changes cultural attitudes but also has a real effect; girls who are exposed to female role models in the media are 48% more likely to show interest in fields that are dominated by men.

Searching for a book or movie that will empower you? Our carefully chosen selection of outstanding feminist films and highly regarded feminist books will help you find your next source of motivation. We've also included feminist book reviews for those who appreciate careful consideration, so you can find texts that interest you.

Part 1: Groundbreaking Feminist Movies

Classic Feminist Cinema

Thelma & Louise (1991)
Director: Ridley Scott
IMDB Ratings: 7.6/10

This road trip film follows two women who start out just wanting a weekend away but end up on this incredible journey of self-discovery and giving the middle finger to a society that's been keeping them down. What makes it so special isn't just the amazing friendship between the leads (which, by the way, passes the Bechdel test with flying colours) but how it refuses to look away from the harsh realities women face.

The Color Purple (1985)
Director: Steven Spielberg
IMDB Ratings: 7.7/10

Two ordinary women head out for what should be a simple weekend getaway, and it turns into this wild, life-changing adventure that completely flips their world upside down. What struck me most wasn't just seeing female friendship portrayed with such authenticity (which was rare  enough in early 90s Hollywood), but how the film refuses to sugar coat the harsh realities women face.

Contemporary Feminist Films

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Director: Céline Sciamma
IMDB Ratings: 8.1/10

The story follows a female artist commissioned to secretly paint a portrait of a reluctant bride-to-be, and the intense connection that develops between them. What makes it so refreshing is how Sciamma completely ditches the male perspective that dominates cinema (seriously, 94% of films are still directed by men!). There's no male gaze here - just women seeing each other clearly, perhaps for the first time.

Little Women (2019)
Director: Greta Gerwig
IMDB Ratings: 7.8/10

The genius of this adaptation is how it honors each sister's different path without judgment. Jo pursues her writing career, Amy chases artistic success while being practical about marriage, Meg chooses family life despite their poverty, and Beth... well, I still can't think about Beth without tearing up. The point is, there's no "right way" to be a woman in their world or ours.

Promising Young Woman (2020)
Director: Emerald Fennell
IMDB Ratings: 7.5/10

This powerful and provocative piece follows a woman on a mission to seek justice for her best friend, whose assault was swept under the rug. With only about 25 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults leading to felony convictions, the story hits hard and for good reason. Fennell's film doesn’t just tell a story; it challenges viewers to question the systems we live in and the roles we all might unknowingly play in upholding them.

Latest Feminist Film Perspectives

She Said (2022)
Director: Maria Schrader
IMDB Ratings: 7.3/10

She Said isn’t just a film, it’s a reminder of the power of persistence and truth. It follows the real-life journalists who uncovered the Harvey Weinstein story and helped spark the #MeToo movement. But beyond the headlines, it’s about the women who came forward, often at great personal risk, to break decades of silence. The film captures their stories and the quiet strength. It’s a powerful look at what happens when people dare to hold the powerful accountable and how real change begins with someone deciding to speak up.

Barbie (2023)
Director: Greta Gerwig
IMDB Ratings: 6.8/10

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is a sharp, clever take on what it means to live in a world shaped by gender roles. While it raked in over $1.4 billion at the box office, the real success lies in how it sparked conversation. By taking an iconic doll and flipping the script, the film explores everything from beauty standards to power dynamics, all through a lens that’s both playful and surprisingly profound. It brought feminist ideas to the forefront in a way that felt fresh, funny, and incredibly accessible reminding us that even a story set in Barbieland can hold up a mirror to the real world.

Part 2: Essential Feminist Literature

Pioneering Feminist Novels

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985)
Goodreads Ratings: 4.⅕

The Handmaid’s Tale isn’t just a dystopian story, it’s a deeply unsettling vision of what happens when women are stripped of their rights and reduced to their reproductive roles. What makes it hit even harder is how close it feels to reality, even decades after it was written. The book speaks to the fear and frustration of losing control over your own body, a fear that still resonates today as reproductive rights continue to be debated and restricted. It’s a reminder that the fight for freedom and autonomy is far from over.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (1937)
Goodreads Ratings: 4.0/5

At a time when the voices of Black women were largely silenced in literature, Hurston wrote a story that refused to be quiet. Their Eyes Were Watching God follows Janie Crawford as she searches for love, freedom, and a sense of self on her own terms. It’s a deeply personal journey, one that challenges the expectations placed on her by both race and gender. What makes the novel so powerful is its honesty, Janie isn’t perfect, but she’s real, and her story is one of strength, growth, and the struggle to be heard in a world that rarely listens.

Contemporary Feminist Fiction

Circe by Madeline Miller (2018)
Goodreads Ratings: 4.2/5

Madeline Miller takes a name most of us barely remember from mythology and turns her into a powerful, deeply human character. The novel follows Circe, a goddess often dismissed or vilified as she carves out her own path, defying the gods and refusing to be defined by the roles others assign her. It’s a story about transformation, self-discovery, and the strength it takes to reclaim your voice. 

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo (2019)

Goodreads Ratings: 4.3/5

Winner of the Booker Prize, Girl, Woman, Other is a rich, vibrant tapestry of twelve interconnected stories mostly centered on Black British women each navigating their own path through life. Bernardine Evaristo brings these voices to the forefront with honesty, depth, and warmth, offering a much-needed reflection of experiences that are too often overlooked in mainstream literature. It’s a moving reminder of how our lives can be so different, yet still deeply connected.

Feminist Non-Fiction and Essays

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay (2014)
Goodreads Ratings: 3.8/5

This collection of witty and insightful essays embraces the contradictions of modern feminism, advocating for an inclusive movement that acknowledges human complexity and rejects rigid ideological purity. Gay's candid reflections on everything from competitive Scrabble to sexual violence have made feminist theory accessible to new generations of readers, with over 500,000 copies sold worldwide.

Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit (2014)
Goodreads Ratings: 3.8/5

The essay that inspired the term "mansplaining," Solnit's collection examines gender-based silencing and violence while making a compelling case for women's voices and stories as essential to social progress. Studies show women are interrupted 33% more often than men in professional settings, making Solnit's analysis of the political implications of whose voice gets heard more relevant than ever.

Part 3: Deep Dive Book Reviews

"Feminism Is for Everybody" by bell hooks
Goodreads Ratings: 4.2/5

hooks' accessible introduction to feminist theory continues to serve as a gateway for those new to feminist thought. Her intersectional approach—emphasizing that genuine feminism must address race, class, and other forms of oppression—challenges the "lifestyle feminism" that reduces political movement to individual consumer choices. With fewer than 30% of Americans identifying as feminists despite over 80% supporting gender equality, hooks' clear articulation of feminism as a movement that benefits everyone remains essential reading.

"Women, Race & Class" by Angela Y. Davis
Goodreads Ratings: 4.6/5

Davis' seminal text analyzes the interconnections between gender, racial, and economic oppression throughout American history. Her examination of how the early women's rights movement often excluded Black women's concerns provides crucial historical context for understanding contemporary debates within feminism. For readers seeking to understand how different systems of oppression reinforce one another, Davis' work remains foundational.

Conclusion

From groundbreaking films that challenge how we see female characters to literature that reimagines women's place in history and society, feminist perspectives continue to evolve across media and eras. These works don't exist in isolation but contribute to an ongoing conversation about gender equality that spans generations and cultures.