#25. Troop Zero
Troop Zero premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in February. It stars Viola Davis as Rayleen, Mckenna Grace as Christmas Flint, Jim Gaffigan as Ramsey Flint, and Allison Janney as Miss Massey. This comedy-drama film, set in the 1970s in Georgia, is about an elementary school girl, Christmas Flint, a misfit, who dreams about living in outer space.
Christmas’ dreams become closer to being fulfilled when a national competition presents the opportunity to be recorded on NASA’s Golden Record. This movie is the second collaboration between Allison Janney and McKenna Grace, who played the role of mother and daughter in I, Tonya, the film based on the life of figure skater Tonya Harding. Don’t miss it! We promise you this film will put a grin on your face.
#24. Queen And Slim
To be released on November 27, 2019, this film tells the story of Slim, portrayed by Daniel Kaluuya, and Queen, played by British model Jodie Turner-Smith, who are forced to become fugitives on their first date as a couple. Queen and Slim is said to be “a modern take on the ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ trope.”
Not only does this film feature Jodie as a strong female character, but it also has screenwriter Lena Waithe and director Melina Matsoukas, a powerful duo behind the scenes. We’re all eagerly awaiting this release to see Jodie display her remarkable acting skills and deliver a strong performance that will surely not be outshined by anyone!
#23. Miss Bala
Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, this film’s leading actors are Gina Rodriguez, Ismael Cruz Córdova, and Anthony Mackie. This action thriller gives us a good chance to see a makeup artist Hispanic woman, Gloria, become stronger to free her best friend who was abducted by a Tijuana crime cartel. This movie was released on February 1, 2019.
Does the story ring a bell? It should because the film was based on the 2011 Mexican film of the same name, selected as the Mexican entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2012 Oscars. Although this new version didn’t earn critical acclaim, Gina Rodriguez’s performance received critical acclaim, which is why we think it deserves a chance.
#22. Bombshell
This upcoming movie will feature no other than Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Allison Janney, and Kate McKinnon, among other fantastic actresses. This is reason enough to buy tickets when it premieres in December. But, if you’re curious about the story, we can tell you that it is about female Fox News employees and their allegations against their boss Roger Ailes.
If this doesn’t satisfy your curiosity, you can look up the trailer which was released a few weeks ago and see these accolade recipients bring life to their characters. Don’t be shocked if you fail to recognize Charlize Theron in the trailer! She immersed herself so much in her role that the similarities with Megyn Kelly, the journalist on which Charlize’s role was based, are striking. Make sure not to miss this movie in theaters!
#21. The Hustle
This female-centered new version of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (starred by Steve Martin, Michael Caine, and Glenne Headly), which in turn is a remake of Bedtime Story, features Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson, two con artists trying to rip off an internet millionaire played by Alex Sharp. The Hustle earned $95 million worldwide.
Jac Schaeffer, one of the screenwriters, stated, “Rebel was always attached but then when Annie became involved it’s just a no-brainer.” She then added “Anne Hathaway, Rebel Wilson facing off. Like, who’s not going to go see that?” Well, Jac is right: this duo has a lot of chemistry on camera so we hope to see them together again.
#20. Dark Phoenix
X-Men: Dark Phoenix is the conclusion to the Fox X-Men series and stars these outstanding female actresses: Jennifer Lawrence, Sophie Turner, Alexandra Shipp, and Jessica Chastain. This superhero film received praise for the cast performances as well as for the score composed by legend Hans Zimmer.
Sophie Turner commented the following during an interview:
“This movie is very different to any of the X-men movies. You have Logan which is a Western drama, Deadpool is a comedy. Dark Phoenix is more like a family drama, and is much more character-driven, emotional. Take away the superhero, fantastical parts of it and it’ll hold up as a very good movie. If you take the fantastical parts out of prior movies, you’ll only get half an hour of material.”
#19. The Stand-In
It’s true, this movie isn’t going to be released this year but is set to be premiered early next year. All that we know about The Stand-In is that it will be entertaining and delightful. Drew Barrymore plays the role of a well-known comedy actress, ordered to do community service, who comes up with the idea of hiring her stand-in (also played by her!) to do it for her.
“I’m going into a film where I play two people, it’s a little schizophrenic,” the actress confessed on The Late Show. We know that Drew will be able to pull off her dual role in this movie without any problems. After all, she is known for her exceptional acting skills and the numerous accolades she has earned proves it.
#18. Dora The Explorer
Who hasn’t heard of this animated TV show? The Nickelodeon series, which premiered in 2000, still airs after 8 seasons and has become one of the longest-running series on the channel. The show became so popular that it was adapted for different audiences around the world. Thanks to this, the firm decided to adapt Dora’s adventures to the big screen!
The live-action movie, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, was released on August 9, 2019, and stars Isabela Moner as Dora. Critics have praised Isabela’s performance for “add[ing]a level of charisma the animated character couldn’t convey.” Don’t miss the chance to watch this adventure comedy film suited for adults and children alike.
#17. Birds Of Passage
Selected to open the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, this Colombian crime movie was released in the USA in February this year and depicts the story of a Wayuu family, a Native American ethnic group, led astray by the Colombian drug trade. We like this film because of its stronger female characters Úrsula, the matriarch, played by Carmiña Martínez, and Zaida, Úrsula’s daughter, played by Natalia Reyes.
Film producer Cristina Gallego affirmed that “It’s a film about the clash between feminine thought and masculine actions. It’s about the clash between the rational world and the intuitive, between tradition and wild capitalism.” It’s a must-see film for anyone who wants to watch a story told by women.
#16. The Woman In The Window
The Woman in the Window depicts the story of an agoraphobic child psychologist, Amy Adams, who sees something she shouldn’t have seen while spying on her puzzling new neighbor, Julianne Moore. Afraid to call the police, Anna Fox, Amy Adam’s character, wonders if what she witnessed was real or a product of her lively imagination.
If you’re eager to watch this movie, be aware that it was delayed until next year! But you should definitely check the book on which this movie is based if you can’t wait until 2020. The thriller novel will capture your attention and it won’t let you concentrate on anything else until you finish it.
#15. Like A Boss
Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne, and Salma Hayek are the lead actresses on this film which is set to be released on January 2020 (although initially, it was going to be released in June this year). The story is about two friends with completely different personalities who agree to start a beauty business together. They’ll soon realize that it won’t be as easy as they had originally thought.
One friend is very practical whereas the other one wants to earn her fortune and live extravagantly. Salma plays the role of an executive who wants to buy Tiffany and Rose’s beauty company and doesn’t hesitate to put the partners at war to achieve her goal. Fun fact: the original title for this film was Limited Partners but the studio decided to change it to make it more attractive.
#14. Paradise Hills
Set on an island named Paradise, this fantasy drama tells the story of Uma, portrayed by the beautiful Emma Roberts, who is sent to the island to learn how to be a proper lady. It turns out, however, that this so-called paradise hides a threat to Uma and the other residents. Paradise Hills also stars the talented Danielle Macdonald, Awkwafina, Jeremy Irvine, Arnaud Valois, Eiza González, and Milla Jovovich.
The secluded “princesses” will prove that they don’t need a prince charming to save them from their prisons. Although the film was screened at the Sundance Film Festival early this year, it will be released to the public in November. Make sure to buy the tickets in advance before they sell out!
#13. Noelle
The brilliant Anna Kendrick has been chosen to star in this comedy film, which will premiere on November 2019 on the upcoming on-demand service Disney+. We’ll also be able to see Bill Hader, Billy Eichner, Julie Hagerty, and Shirley MacLaine, the Academy Award winner and a living legend.
Santa wants to retire and pass on the baton to his son Nick, played by Bill Hader. However, it’s a pressure he isn’t ready to handle yet. Thankfully, Noelle (Anna Kendrick), Santa’s daughter, is there to lend a helping hand to her stressed-out brother. Will she be the one who takes over the business in the end? Can’t wait to see!
#12. Isn’t It Romantic
Disillusioned with love, architect Nataly (Rebel Wilson) finds herself in a parallel world that follows the stereotypical rules of romantic comedy films, which he utterly hates. What’s more, she is no other than the leading woman! Follow her (mis)adventures as she tries to return to her normal life.
Christopher Orr, a film critic, expressed, “We now have an official subgenre in which a woman is initially presented as unattractive; is concussed into a fantasy in which she becomes impossibly desirable; and from the experience gleans important, affirmative lessons about believing in herself.” We couldn’t agree with him more.
#11. The Aftermath
We love Keira Knightley as much as we love period dramas, so this film turned out to be a good combo to spend a peaceful afternoon. Set in postwar Germany in 1945, this film tells the story of a married couple (Keira Knightley and Jason Clarke) who ends up sharing a house with its previous owner (Alexander Skarsgård), a German widower.
When asked about her starring in many period dramas, Keira commented, “They’re the most interesting characters. And I just thought that this was a fascinating woman going through something horrific.” Keira also said that she felt a lot of empathy for her character and she was able to portray her beautifully, so make sure to watch this movie if you haven’t done so.
#10. Star Wars: Episode IX
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will see the light on December 20, 2019. It’s set one year after the events of Star Wars: Episode VIII so we’ll get to see the Resistance, or what’s left of it, repelling the First Order again as well as the culmination of the conflict between the Jedi and the Sith. Sadly, this will bring the Skywalker saga to an end.
The best part of this Star Wars sequel trilogy is that Daisy Ridley has a prominent role in what has been a male-dominated saga up until recently. Also, we’re happy to see legend Carrie Fisher back in her role as Princess Leia. Although the actress passed away in 2016, Episode IX will include unreleased footage from the previous two movies. Mark the date down on your calendar!
#9. Alita: Battle Angel
It doesn’t matter if you aren’t a Japanese manga (comic) lover, this is a story you’ll definitely enjoy. This cyberpunk action movie features Rosa Salazar as Alita, the heroine, a cyborg who wakes up in a new body and with no memories from her past life. Alita then begins a journey to learn about herself and fulfill her destiny.
We highly recommend this movie not only because of the action scenes and visual effects but also because of Rosa Salazar’s spot-on portrayal. Director Robert Rodriguez and producer James Cameron have hinted that this movie could lead to many sequels. Lead actress Rosa Salazar is also hoping for a sequel movie. We’re also looking forward to it too!
#8. Where’d You Go, Bernadette
Released on March 22, 2019, Where’d You Go, Bernadette is a story about a mother-daughter relationship, which, of course, has its ups and downs. Emma Nelson plays the part of a 15-year-old teen who tries to find Cate Blanchett, her mother, who suffers from anxiety and wants to reconnect with herself.
“I think there’s a little bit of Bernadette in everybody,” Cate confessed. Then, the actress added, “We’re all pretending to be one thing when we’re actually something else. We’re always running from some part of our past that we think we’ve dealt with. Normally it rears its ugly head at 4 a.m.”
#7. Frozen II
Get ready to sing again! The long-awaited sequel is almost here and it will hit theaters on November 22. The computer-animated movie will be set only three years after the first film and will uncover the secrets behind Elsa’s magical powers. Of course, Elsa won’t be alone as Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven will be right with her to accompany Elsa in her journey.
Josh Gad, who brings Olaf to life, revealed the following:
“(…) I think the songs are even better in this movie. Now I’ve set the bar so high, but they are so good. Bobby Lopez and Kristin Lopez, who wrote the original, they came back and did songs that are just [phenomenal]. That’s the big concern. How do you top those [Frozen] songs? They’re even catchier, I’m sorry to say.”
#6. The Kitchen
We’ve got another movie based on a comic book! The Kitchen tells us the story of three women (Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, and Elisabeth Moss) as they take control of New York’s Hell’s Kitchen in the late ‘70s in order to ensure their financial welfare after their mobster husbands are sent to jail.
“Yes, it’s [about]taking power and it’s women working together, but it’s not without repercussions. So part of what’s not making this crime story too glamorous is that yes, they gain power, they gain money, they take control of their lives, but there are definite repercussions on not only the three of them as a group but in each one individual,” Melissa McCarthy remarked.
#5. The Rhythm Section
This time, we’ll see Blake Lively starring in an action-packed thriller and on the lookout for revenge! The Rhythm Section is also based on a novel of the same name and tells the story of Stephanie Patrick (Blake), a woman who lost her family in a plane crash that wasn’t accidental.
Although The Rhythm Section was supposed to hit the theaters on February 22, 2019, its release was postponed until January 2020. This is another movie we will have to wait to watch but, if we consider that Blake is starring it, we’ll be definitely seated on the front row when it premiers.
#4. Little Women
Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel has a new adaptation! Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, and the iconic Meryl Streep were chosen to bring our favorite childhood characters to life. This new version is set to be released on December 25. Dear Santa, please bring us the movie tickets!
If you’re wondering if this new adaptation will be worth the wait, we think it will. On the one hand, the film is directed by Greta Gerwig, who won an Academy Award nominee for her directorial work in Ladybird. On the other hand, the movie stars an amazing cast worthy of several accolades. What’s more, this new version will focus on the sister’s young adult lives. These are more than enough reasons to check this movie out.
#3. Charlie’s Angels
The Angels are back! The revamp version now features Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska. Additionally, we need to mention that Elizabeth Banks not only directs this adaption but she also wrote the screenplay and plays a supporting role. Not bad, right? We’ll also be able to see Sam Claflin, Noah Centineo, Djimon Hounsou and Patrick Stewart.
As far as we know, this movie will be the continuation of the original TV series and the two previous films featuring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu. The Townsend Agency has become an international agency with several Angels’ groups and many “Bosleys”, and our top three agents have been chosen to protect us from a dangerous technology that threatens the world.
#2. Captain Marvel
Did you think we had forgotten about our fierce and strong-willed Captain? We could never do such a thing! This movie, released on March 8 (International Women’s Day), was a game-changer for all the upcoming female superhero films. Captain Marvel proved that women don’t need a knight in shiny armor to save the day or to be acknowledged as worthy.
Oscar recipient Brie Larson was in charge of bringing Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) to life and she did it extraordinarily. In fact, Anthony Lane of The New Yorker asserted, “Superhero cinema has lectured us, ad infinitum, on the responsibility that is conferred by extraordinary gifts. Praise be to Larson, for reminding us that they can be bringers of fun.”
#1. What Men Want
What Men Want is a loose adaptation of the 2000 movie What Women Want, which was starred by Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt. In this version, Empire’s lead actress, Taraji P. Henson, plays the role of a successful sports agent who gains the ability to hear what men think. Although she wasn’t happy at first with her new skill, Taraji’s character (Ali Davis) realizes that it may be what she needs to succeed in a male-dominated business.
Taraji expressed about her character “She’s trying to win this fight but she’s fighting like a guy and that’s foreign to men. What she learns is she needs to just fight like a girl, ’cause God gave her a certain gift that he didn’t give guys.” If you feel like watching a good romantic comedy, make sure to check What Men Want out!