Don't you just feel amazing when a movie or series talks about important women's issues and shows a side of females we don't usually see in fiction? Here at Cosmo, we love tales of women supporting women, female friendships, and anything that tackles women's rights! We recently asked Cosmo Girls to share the most empowering movies and shows they've seen on Netflix, and they seriously delivered.
From Sex Education to Enola Holmes, here's a list of female empowerment movies + shows for your next binge-watching sesh:
1. Sex Education
The plot, according to Netflix: "Insecure Otis has all the answers when it comes to sex advice, thanks to his therapist mom. So rebel Maeve proposes a school sex-therapy clinic."
Why you should watch it: "I will never stop raving about the bus scene in Sex Education."—Andrea
"Also the scene where they held baseball bats and sledgehammers. That scene sends a message across."—Bianca
2. Moxie
The plot, according to Netflix: "Inspired by her mom's rebellious past and a confident new friend, a shy 16-year-old publishes an anonymous zine calling out sexism at her school."
Why you should watch it: "It has one of the BEST REPRESENTATIONS OF A FEMINIST MAN. Seth Acosta is LOVE."—Cindy
"I didn't go to a co-ed school but I kind of related to the part of the movie about the dress code, and I loved how women supported women here and no woman was an antagonist (except for the boomer principal)."—Samantha
3. The Bold Type
The plot, according to Netflix: "At a women's magazine in New York, three millennials juggle their careers, romance, friendships and big-city life while finding their own voices."
Why you should watch it: "It's all about pursuing your dreams, owning your mistakes, fighting for what you think is right, and never settling."—Ginyn
4. Outlander
The plot, according to Netflix: "A World War II army nurse finds herself torn between two lives—and loves—when a mystical Scottish landmark hurls her 200 years into the past."
Why you should watch it: "Considering that most of it is set in an era when women were not empowered at all, I love how Claire really stands up for herself, her loved ones, and her values. And Jamie was quite supportive of all that and respected what his wife could do!"—Reg
5. Hidden Figures
The plot, according to Netflix: "Three brilliant African American women overcome bigotry and sexism to become the brains behind the launch of the first American astronaut into space."
Why you should watch it: "Women representation in a male-dominated field!"—Bea
"Considering it's based on a true story, I love how they started off with thinking that it's impossible to make it in NASA as black women but they eventually made it a reality!"—Samantha
6. Good Girls
The plot, according to Netflix: "Three suburban moms orchestrate a local grocery store heist to escape financial ruin and establish independence—together."
Why you should watch it: "Y'all got Christina Hendricks (Joan from Mad Men), Mae Whitman (hello, Katara from Avatar), and Rhetta (Donna from Parks And Rec) as a badass suburban criminal trio. The show calls out trashy male behavior and gives women agency in the show. I love how they don't have to shirk their femininity just to be an action girl and put their mom knowledge to good use. Plus, may shippable pairing doon and one of them is a gangster. Medyo adik ako sa series so I could go on and on about this show."—Karen
7. Workin' Moms
The plot, according to Netflix: "Maternity leave is over and it's time for these four moms to return to work while navigating kids, bosses, love, and life in modern-day Toronto."
Why you should watch it: "I'm nowhere near [to] becoming a mom pero grabe it made me appreciate women even more."—Karla
8. Firefly Lane
The plot, according to Netflix: "Best friends Tully and Kate support each other through good times and bad with an unbreakable bond that carries them from their teens to their 40s."
Why you should watch it: "I think Firefly Lane is often overlooked; it's the story of two unlikely best friends who grew up to become journalists. There's a discussion on struggles like divorce, miscarriage, motherhood, being a career woman. It's a really great show."— Mmina
9. Otherhood
The plot, according to Netflix: "Feeling forgotten on Mother's Day, three best friends leave the suburbs and drive to New York City to surprise their adult sons."
Why you should watch it: We LOVE heartfelt friendship + family movies!
10. The Queen's Gambit
The plot, according to Netflix: "In a 1950s orphanage, a young girl reveals an astonishing talent for chess and begins an unlikely journey to stardom while grappling with addiction."
Why you should watch it: "I love that it's about women's inner strength and brilliance!"—Cah
11. Rhythm And Flow
The plot, according to Netflix: "In this music competition show, judges Tip 'T.I.' Harris, Cardi B, and Chance the Rapper hit the streets to find the next rap superstar."
Why you should watch it: "You'll see how women can rap [and] hit those bars!"—Nikki
12. Jane The Virgin
The plot, according to Netflix: "After vowing to remain chaste until marriage, Jane Villanueva learns she's pregnant due to a medical slip-up and has to rethink her future."
Why you should watch it: "Girls run the world!!!"—Merryl
13. Someone Great
The plot, according to Netflix: "On the heels of a blindsiding breakup, music journalist Jenny braces for a new beginning—and one last adventure with her closest friends."
Why you should watch it: It's seriously one of the funnest barkada movies out there! Check out our honest review for Someone Great here.
14. Call The Midwife
The plot, according to PBS: "Inspired by the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, Call The Midwife follows the nurses, midwives, and nuns from Nonnatus House, who visit the expectant mothers of Poplar, providing the poorest women with the best possible care."
Why you should watch it: "It's all about women and the cast is so incredibly diverse in terms of ethnicity, social class, jobs, religion...and their stories are always at the center. The triumphs and struggles of motherhood, family, being a working woman—it just covers all manners of women's issues...It's touching, charming, funny, heartbreaking, and empowering. I love it and rewatch it regularly. Plus, the costumes are incredible."—Elliot
15. Enola Holmes
The plot, according to Netflix: "While searching for her missing mother, intrepid teen Enola Holmes uses her sleuthing skills to outsmart big brother Sherlock and help a runaway lord."
Why you should watch it: "This quote: 'Politics doesn't interest you because you have no interest in changing a world that suits you so well.'"—JM
If you've seen all of these already, congrats, Enola Holmes is super proud of you!!
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