For springtime, we’re keeping an eye on a selection of films that spotlight themes, characters, and storylines where women take center stage. From hard-hitting dramas that explore how women are treated in different global communities to heart-pounding thrillers with female protagonists at the helm, these films maintain a strong focus on women while spanning a variety of genres.
There’s Still Tomorrow (C’è Ancora Domani)
Directed by Paola Cortellesi
Out March 7 in select theaters and available on streaming
Who is this for? Film aficionados, people who enjoy complex tragicomedies, history buffs, cinephiles who appreciate neo-classics
Set in postwar Rome, There’s Still Tomorrow is a captivating black-and-white period drama that follows the journey of Delia (Paola Cortellesi), a woman trapped in an abusive marriage, yearning for a brighter future for herself and her daughter, Marcella (Romana Maggiora Vergano). Tired of the constant disrespect and humiliation from the men in her life, Delia decides to take a stand, taking small but significant strides to change their lives. Winner of six Italian Academy Awards, There’s Still Tomorrow is a powerful cinematic masterpiece that balances heartfelt storytelling with an emotional gut punch that lingers long after the credits roll.
Directed by Rungano Nyoni
Out March 7 in theaters
Who is this for? Female empowerment advocates, people who enjoy unusual coming-of-age tales, audiences who appreciate narratives from a global view
In the dead of night on a dark, foreboding road, Shula (Susan Chardy) discovers her Uncle Fred’s corpse lying in the middle of the path. The discovery of his body brings up underlying feelings of anger, betrayal, and relief in the man’s death as the women in the community bond over their shared pain caused by the man in his life. Based on the short story written by Nigerian author Buchi Emecheta, On Becoming A Guinea Fowl is an empowering film that explores complex themes involving identity, gender, and culture surrounding Nigerian life. The A24 film won the Un Certain Regard Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Directed by Alex Scharfman.
On March 28 in theaters
Who is this for? Fans of horror comedies, people who like their revenge p*rn with a side of fantasy, Wednesday fans, horrorhounds who enjoy a little whimsy with their gore.
After a father and his daughter duo (Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega) accidentally mow down a mythical creature with their car, they take the corpse to his boss (Richard E. Grant), where he and his cronies see it as a potential cash cow. But their plans take a dark turn when vengeful unicorns rise up and decide to take their revenge on the selfish humans. Blending horror and comedy with sharp “eat-the-rich” satire, this A24 creature feature serves as a fantastical yet chilling warning about the dangers of greed, wrapped in absurdist humor and monstrous mayhem.
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra
Out March 28 in theaters
Who is this for? People who worship at the altar of Blumhouse, scary movie enthusiasts, folks to love family films with dark twists, cinephiles who touch of gerontophobia
The latest Blumhouse scarefest follows a grieving widow struggling to move forward after the devastating loss of her husband. Isolated in her remote farmhouse with her son and daughter, Ramona (Danielle Deadwyler) soon notices a mysterious elderly woman, draped in black, sitting motionless in a rocking chair on her lawn. Her presence is unsettling, as if she has arrived to grant Ramona’s darkest, most desperate desires. A chilling exploration of the repercussions of overwhelming grief and its profound impact on a family, The Woman in the Yard manifests sorrow into something terrifying, giving tragedy a face and turning it into a relentless force that stalks the family from the shadows.
Directed by Bill Guttentag
On March 21 in theaters
Who is this for? Students and teachers looking to be inspired, rebel girls, people who want to be the change they see in the world
Rule Breakers tells the inspiring and true story of the first all-girls robotics team from Afghanistan. At its heart is Roya Mahboob (played by Nikohl Boosheri), an Afghan businesswoman who leveraged her skills and influence to support young women denied access to education. She provided them with opportunities to learn coding and founded the Afghan Dreamers, the Afghan Girls Robotics Team, who aim to compete against other teams around the globe. Based on Preeti Shenoy‘s book, the film explores the personal struggles of both Mahboob and her team as they persevere in a society that challenges their every step.
Directed by Mark Anthony Green
On March 14 in theaters
Who is this for? People are intrigued by Jared Leto, cult film fanatics, people who find The Bear too relaxing
A young writer named Ariel (Ayo Edebiri) is asked to chronicle the comeback of aging rock star Alfred Moretti (John Malkovich) by visiting the elusive icon at his sprawling property. However, things seem amiss when she visits his idyllic, isolated compound as it appears he has built a cult of personality around himself, surrounding himself with an entourage of lackeys and followers who appear to worship him. The A24 thriller also stars Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, Tony Hale, Amber Midthunder, and Stephanie Suganami in a horror film that blends chills with music to create a film that digs deep into central themes of fame and obsession.
Directed by Patricia Riggen
On April 10 on Amazon Video Prime
Who is this for? People who really want to see a female president in action, Viola Davis fans, fans of political thrillers
World peace is thrown into chaos when the intergovernmental forum known as the G20 summit is taken over by terrorists while being held in Cape Town, South Africa. It is up to U.S. President Taylor Sutton (Viola Davis) finds a way to outsmart the terrorists and save the world leaders, but save her own family who is also at the summit. The political thriller co-stars Anthony Anderson, Antony Starr, and Marsai Martin.
Directed by Eli Craig
On May 9 in theaters
Who is this for? Horror hounds, Pennywise apologists, Fangoria fans, folks who enjoy their thrills and chills with a side of scary clown
Based on the best selling horror novel by Adam Cesare, Clown in a Cornfield is the slasher coming-of-age story of teen Quinn, who moves to the community of Kettle Springs with her doctor dad for a fresh start, only to find the locals in the doldrums thanks to a financial crisis and the populace at odds between the generations. Soon, a sinister figure emerges from the cornfields, bearing a fixed smile and a crossbow bolt. His name is Frendo the Clown and he wants to play, but he doesn’t play nice.
IMAGES COURTESY OF: (THERE’S STILL TOMORROW (C’È ANCORA DOMANI), VISION DISTRIBUTION; (ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL), ELEMENT PICTURES; THE WOMAN IN THE YARD) BLUMHOUSE; (DEATH OF A UNICORN),SECRET ENGINE; (RULE BREAKERS), ANGEL STUDIOS; (G20), AMAZON PRIME; (CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD), TEMPLE HILL ENTERTAINMENT; (OPUS), A24
