For as long as Hollywood as been around, the American film industry has been primarily run by men. Now, however, some of the best working directors today are women. Of course, it is no secret that male directors are still given more opportunity and acclaim than women directors. The only way to change that is to support women-directed movies.

The Academy Awards is the most respected achievement one can receive in the world of cinema. For the 94 years that the Oscars have been around, only seven women have been nominated in the category of Best Director. Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to ever win Best Director in 2010 for her work on The Hurt Locker. In 2021, Chloé Zhao became the second woman to win the Oscar — and the first woman of color to do so. This year, Jane Campion received her second Best Director nomination for her film The Power of the Dog. These are historic moments to behold, but the fact remains that there are so many more women directors who should have been nominated (or won). While the Academy catches up with the times, here are eight must-watch movies from women directors.

Related: Lina Wertmuller, First Woman Nominated for Best Director, Dies at 93

8 The Hurt Locker

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The Hurt Locker is an extremely important film in the world of cinema as its director Kathryn Bigelow made history becoming the first woman to ever win the Academy Award for Best Director in 2010. Bigelow is a gifted filmmaker known for her work in the war/action genre, also receiving praise for her war/thriller Zero Dark Thirty starring Jessica Chastain. With a 97% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and the six Oscar wins, it's safe to say the picture was a sensation. Bigelow even beat out ex-husband James Cameron in the Oscar race for Best Director, who was up for his innovative sci-fi/action Avatar.

7 Nomadland

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Similar to Bigelow, Nomadland director Chloé Zhao also made history at the Academy Awards in 2021 for being the second woman to ever win the Oscar for Best Director but also for being the first woman of color to receive the honor. Nomadland is a story of community and comfort that redefines the meaning of home in a way that leaves viewers with an appreciation for our chosen lifestyles and the people we surround ourselves with. From the screenplay, to the jaw-dropping scenery, and incredible acting from Frances McDormand, there is so much about this film to rave about. In addition to Best Director, Nomadland won Best Picture at the Oscars, and Frances McDormand won her third Academy Award in the category of Best Actress for her portrayal of Fern.

6 Lost in Translation

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Lost in Translation is a romance/drama starring the beloved Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. You could say the film's director Sofia Coppola was born to make movies as she is the daughter of legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, director of The Godfather. Coppola actually made her film debut as a baby in The Godfather and later in life had a supporting role in The Godfather Part III as Mary Corleone, the daughter of Michael Corleone (played by Al Pacino). Just like her father, Sofia Coppla has a gift and all of her films, especially Lost in Translation, are worth watching.

5 Little Women

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Actor-turned-director Greta Gerwig is one of the most talented and acclaimed women directors working today. Her adaption of Little Women gives a breath of fresh air to a timeless masterpiece. Everyone knows and loves the story of the March sisters Jo, Amy, Meg, and Beth, but Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, and Eliza Scanlen are such incredible actors, they are able to give a new and more relatable life to these characters. If these four women weren't enough, the film also stars Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, and the one and only Meryl Streep.

Related: Actors Who Became Great Directors

4 A League of Their Own

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It's only fitting that this story of equality and women empowerment be directed by a woman. While A League of Their Own is a light-hearted comedy, it is also based on the true story of how women saved baseball during World War II. Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, and Madonna give hilarious performances as they star in Penny Marshall's 1992 sport/comedy.

3 Boy's Don't Cry

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Two time Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank received her first Oscar for her emotional performance in Boy's Don't Cry. Swank plays Brandon Teena, a young transgender boy attempting to live life as his authentic self while constantly being faced with the pressures and consequences of how others feel about his transition. The film was directed by the talented Kimberly Peirce, who, since the release of Boy's Don't Lie in 1999, has gone on to direct films such as Carrie and Stop-Loss.

2 Lady Bird

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Lady Bird is yet another work from Greta Gerwig who wrote and directed this incredible 2017 drama/comedy. One of the most special aspects of Gerwig's work is her ability to make the story feel so personal to the viewer. In all of her work, you can see a little piece of yourself in each character. Lady Bird is a confusing, odd, and frustrated teen, figuring out not only who she is, but who she wants to become, ultimately contemplating the question of what her purpose in life is. Saoirse Ronan gives one of the best performances of her career in this film that ended up receiving a 99% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.

1 The Piano

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Jane Campion, director of The Piano, is one of the best women directors working in the industry. For years, she has been putting out incredible work. From Bright Star and An Angel At My Table to The Piano her talent as a filmmaker and storyteller is unmatched. The Piano earned Campion her first ever Academy Award nomination for Best Director, and although she didn't win, the film did take home the Oscars for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Original Screenplay. Campion's most recent film is the western/drama The Power of the Dog, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Jesse Plemons. The movie received 12 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for this upcoming 2022 Academy Awards. Campion is a brilliant director and could possibly become the third woman to win Best Director in just a few months.