There are plenty of great movies with top-notch ensemble casts. From the hilarious likes of SNL to the practically perfect casting choices in the MCU and Lord of the Rings movies, we live in an age where talent is diverse and widespread. It’s amazing to see so many skilled performers come together onscreen, especially when they have great chemistry. Amidst a huge slew of ensemble-casted movies is a subcategory that just doesn’t get enough spotlight: movies featuring an ensemble cast of women.
Women weren’t even allowed to participate in the earliest days of theater. It was a profession strictly reserved for men, and it stayed that way until Margaret Hughes broke the mold and became the first documented professional stage actress in 1660. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since that time, and there are tons of movies that focus on women’s ensemble casts. Here are eight of the best movies with an ensemble cast of women characters that you should watch.
8 Pitch Perfect
This hilarious movie is the musical you didn't know you needed, Pitch Perfect follows Beca, a young college student who finds herself a target for recruitment by the Barden Bellas. This formerly renowned acapella group has seen better days, and the team struggles with the old source material and a bad reputation. Through a little hard work and creativity, Beca and the rest of the Bellas start composing new music and using improv to win over the crowds at the ICCA Regionals. The soundtrack is enough to get you on your feet, the casting is phenomenal, and the movie is great for representation. Women from all walks of life make up the Barden Bellas, and we see each of them add their own twist to the musical performances.
7 Waiting to Exhale
This is a gorgeous story led by an ensemble of Black women, and the cast includes superstars like Whitney Houston and Angela Basset. We meet four longtime friends, each dealing with her own problems in life and love. Vannah is ultimately left behind by her married lover, and Bernie sacrificed her catering career for a husband that chose to divorce her. Robin finds herself single after a wild affair, and Glo lost her husband when he came out as gay. These strong women come together to support each other over time, and they finally achieve the happy endings they've always deserved. It's the kind of film that makes you recognize your own worth, and that's hard for cinema to do.
6 Steel Magnolias
One of the most unforgettable pieces of feminist cinematic history, Steel Magnolias gives us the likes of Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts and several other iconic actresses. Set in small-town Louisiana, a group of women is interconnected by an in-home hair salon — some work there, others visit to get their hair done. Throughout the film, we get a deeper look into each woman's life, and the group becomes an invaluable pillar of support for all involved. From weddings and pregnancy to medical emergencies and marital betrayal, the ladies are a force of unity, and encourage each other to keep on going. You'll want to have a box of tissues on-hand for this one.
5 Fried Green Tomatoes
Simply put, Fried Green Tomatoes is one of the best women empowerment films of all time. A lot of this comes from the immensely talented cast, and the rest stems from a beautiful story that preaches love, equality, empathy and self-growth. In the 1980s, Evelyn develops an unlikely friendship with the elderly Ninny, a woman living in the same rest home as her husband's aunt. As the two get to know each other, Ninny shares the story of Whistle Stop, a long-forgotten town where her family grew up. There, we meet Ninny's sister-in-law Idgie and her best friend Ruth; the women built an indestructible relationship over time, and their story inspires Evelyn to take charge in her own unhappy life.
4 Ghostbusters
Some of modern SNL's funniest regulars join forces in this exciting Ghostbusters remake! After a lengthy period of separation, best friends Abby and Erin reunite to investigate paranormal activity that may finally prove the existence of ghosts. The scientists add tech specialist Jillian and somewhat reluctant MTA guard Patty to their lineup, and the crew becomes New York City's underground ghost hunters. The movie is packed with comedians and skilled actors, and the comedic timing is positively sidesplitting. There are plenty of killer action sequences and callbacks to the old movies, and we get to some original Ghostbusters make surprise cameos. It's an all-around good time and worth a watch!
3 Coyote Ugly
The edgy girl power film of the 2000s, Coyote Ugly takes us to a seedy yet glamorous New York City, where aspiring songwriter Violet is steadily losing sight of her dream. She eventually gets wind of Coyote Ugly, a bar that's packed every night thanks to its lineup of entertaining bartenders. When she discovers how much money the girls make, she pounces on the opportunity to work there. There's plenty of romance, drama and sexy dancing, but the underlying coming-of-age story is a beautiful homage to all the late bloomers out there. Plus, Violet's rendition of LeeAnn Rimes' "Can't Fight the Moonlight" will be permanently stuck in your head afterward, and that's a good thing.
2 The Help
This movie grabs you by the hand and takes you on a walk through one of American history's most critical points: the early days of the Civil Rights movement. We're introduced to Minny and Aibileen, two Black maids dealing with racism and personal struggles together. When Skeeter, a young white socialite, seeks to write a book about the honest experiences of a Black maid, the ladies make enormous waves that change the world around them. Equal parts hilarious, moving and heartbreaking, The Help is a movie you absolutely can't miss.
1 Ocean’s 8
The heist film genre finally gets the Girl Boss remake we all wanted! Packed with stellar actresses like Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Mindy Kaling, Cate Blanchett, and Helena Bonham Carter, Ocean's 8 puts the spotlight on Debbie Ocean. As the brilliant sister of Danny Ocean, she establishes a team and plans to stage a heist at the world-famous Met Gala in New York. The cast shares incredible chemistry, and each woman brings something unique to the drawing board. Between the unbeatable crew of Hollywood veterans and the luxe of the setting, this is a treat best enjoyed with an ice-cold glass of wine and some good company.