10 female-directed films releasing this winter for you to cozy up to.
1. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (Universal Pictures) | Release Date: December 5, 2025
Director: Emma Tammi (Five Nights at Freddy’s)
Images Courtesy of Universal Pictures (via IMDB)
What is it about? In this sequel to the hit Five Nights at Freddy’s film and video game. Freddy and friends have become local legends, inspiring a themed carnival — Fazfest. But after Abby (Piper Rubio) goes looking for her animatronic friends, the town will never be the same as they get a taste of Freddy beyond Fazbear Pizzeria.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? Even if it’s in the service of creepy toys and animatronics, it’s nice to see girls in STEM represented onscreen (Abby tinkers with toys). Also you can’t go wrong with a stacked cast, including the addition of Skeet Ulrich of Scream fame, McKenna Grace (Handmaid’s Tale), and Wayne Knight (Newman from Seinfeld), along with the return of Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail.
Who would love this? Fans of the Five Nights at Freddy’s game series or the first film; anyone who doesn’t mind getting scared and thinks animatronics, carnivals, or ghost children are creepy; teens and adults who like Chuck E. Cheese ironically.
2. Cover-Up (Netflix) | Release Date: December 19, 2025
Director: Marc Obenhaus (Steep) and Laura Poitras (All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, Citizenfour)
Images Courtesy of The New York Times: Redux (via Netflix)
What is it about? This buzzy political documentary examines the life and work of investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. Since the 1960s, Hersh helped expose multiple U.S. government cover-ups, including the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War and the torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib during the 2003 US invasion of Iraq.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? In an era when our First Amendment rights are increasingly threatened, investigative journalism is more important than ever. What could be timelier than a deep dive into the life of a journalist who made ‘speaking truth to power’ his life’s work? It’s also worth highlighting that the majority of the crew for this film are female, including the cinematographer, composer, and VFX department.
Who would love this? Journalists; fans of political dramas or documentaries; history buffs; that friend who always reminds you to question everything; people who still believe in freedom of the press.
3. Goodbye June (Netflix) | Release Date: December 24, 2025
Director: Kate Winslet (Directorial debut)
Images Courtesy of Netflix
What is it about? Kate Winslet makes her directorial debut in this quirky Netflix drama about dysfunctional family dynamics. Four siblings return home to be with their ailing mother before Christmas and must navigate her potential loss — and each other. Winslet also stars in it along with Helen Mirren, Toni Collette, and Timothy Spall.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? The screenplay was written by Winslet’s son, Joe Anders during a screenwriting course; so it’s a real-life family collaboration, too. After reading the script, Winslet felt compelled to direct it herself in order to have agency over the story since it’s loosely inspired by their family. It’s likely to be a tearjerker, especially with a powerhouse like Helen Mirren as the family matriarch, so bring some tissues with your popcorn.
Who would love this? Those of us with dysfunctional families; people who love biting British humor and banter; bittersweet criers; fans of heartfelt ensemble dramas; anyone who’s ever had to endure an excruciating holiday with family.
4. Soulm8te (Universal Pictures) | Release Date: January 9, 2026
Director: Kate Dolan (You Are Not My Mother)
What is it about? This spinoff from the M3GAN films focuses on a different AI android purchased by a grieving husband to cope with the loss of his wife. In typical M3GAN fashion, things turn deadly as the bot gains sentience and takes her job a little too seriously.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? It’s a futuristic R-rated film that’s rumored to be a little spicier than the first two M3GAN films. There are also thematic elements around the dangers and ethical responsibilities of utilizing AI, in the vein of Black Mirror. M3GAN has become somewhat of a queer icon, so here’s hoping this Soulm8te android makes the gays giggle as well.
Who would love this? Fans of the M3GAN franchise or The Conjuring Universe; fans of the “Be Right Back” Black Mirror episode; AI enthusiasts and haters; fans of 90s domestic thrillers (according to Deadline).
5. A Private Life (Sony Pictures Classics) | Release Date: January 16, 2026
Director: Rebecca Zlotowski (Other People’s Children, Grand Central)
Image Courtesy of Jérôme Prébois
What is it about? After the death of one of her patients, a psychiatrist embarks on a murder investigation with her ex-husband. A Private Life (Vie Privée in French) explores what happens when doubt creeps into your life, making you question everything and everyone, including yourself. Jodie Foster stars as the psychiatrist, Lilian Steiner, bringing her signature intensity to this intellectually complex French film.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? A Private Life puts a complicated, brilliant woman at the center of the kind of story usually reserved for men. Lilian Steiner becomes a sort of citizen detective, not only of her patient’s death, but her own life and psyche. The film offers a gripping look at what it means to practice empathy when your own emotions are on the verge of unraveling.
Who would love this? Freudians and psychology students; Jodie Foster fans; francophones; Hitchcockian-cinephiles; people who enjoy re-marriage films.
6. 28 Years Later: Bone Temple (Sony Pictures Entertainment) | Release Date: January 16, 2026
Director: Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels)
Images Courtesy of Sony Pictures
What is it about? A continuation of the 28 Days Later franchise, 28 Years Later: Bone Temple comes on the heels of the recent 28 Years Later film that premiered in June 2025. The 4th film in the franchise, Bone Temple focuses on a group of survivors — the “Jimmies” — that may be more terrifying than the infected.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? Although Danny Boyle isn’t directing, he’s still producing this film, handing over the reins to the very capable Nia DaCosta. More women directing horror — and film franchises — please. We love to see it, especially from a woman of color.
Who would love this? Fans of the 28 Days Later franchise; zombie lovers; people who still love watching dystopias despite the current state of the US; anyone who read Lord of the Flies and wondered how bad it would get if they were adults.
7. Wuthering Heights (Warner Bros) | Release Date: February 13, 2026
Director: Emerald Fennell (Saltburn, Promising Young Woman)
Images Courtesy of Warner Brothers
What is it about? A tale of obsession, revenge, and familial trauma, Wuthering Heights is the ultimate gothic romance. Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi star in this eroticized film adaptation of the classic Emily Brontë novel. Director Emerald Fennell also wrote the screenplay and hones in on the passionate but deeply destructive relationship between Catherine and Healthcliff.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? Due to the casting of Elordi as Heathcliff who is described as “dark-skinned” in the novel, as well as the liberties taken by Fennell from the source material, controversy abounds. But Fennell’s film promises to be a rather graphically tantalizing exploration of fantasy and forbidden fruit (think a female version of Call Me By Your Name’s peach scene). It’s bound to get everyone talking, whether you’re swooning or side-eyeing.
Who would love this? Romance novel readers; Jacob Elordi fans; anyone who has ever been obsessively in love with someone who wasn’t good for them; fans of period dramas; revenge story lovers (it’s what Fennell does best).
8. The Bride (Warner Brothers) | Release Date: March 6, 2026
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Lost Daughter)
Images Courtesy of Warner Brothers
What is it about? Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale star in actress-turned-director Maggie Gyllenhaal’s campy take on the Bride of Frankenstein. Set in 1930s Chicago, Frankenstein (Bale) turns to the fabulous Dr. Euphronius (Annette Bening) to create a monstrous companion for him. What ensues is a wild ride that becomes a lot more than anyone bargained for.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? In a Collider interview with John Magaro, one of the film’s stars, he revealed that the film has musical numbers, and is very much inspired by Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers. It’s Hollywood musical meets classic movie monsters, albeit with a bit more violence. Basically, there’s something for everyone!
Who would love this? People who enjoy Bonnie & Clyde, us against the world love stories; classic movie monster fans; musical theatre geeks; anarcho-punks; Lady Gaga’s “Little Monsters”.
9. Reminders of Him (Universal Pictures) | Release Date: March 13, 2026
Director: Vanessa Caswill (Love at First Sight)
Image Courtesy of Universal Pictures
What is it about? Lauren Graham of Gilmore Girls fame stars in this Colleen Hoover book adaptation. It’s a complex, character-driven story about Kenna, a recently incarcerated woman who tries to rebuild her life and connect with her child while meeting resistance from the people whose lives she upended.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? Reminders of Him shines a light on the implicit biases society has about women, especially when it comes to being a good mother. It’s a powerful portrait of resilience, forgiveness, and agency, as Kenna fights to reclaim her life and provide for her child. Also, you can’t deny that Lauren Graham shines when she’s portraying a multi-faceted, flawed character with a heart of gold.
Who would love this? Colleen Hoover fans; BookTok girlies; mothers; people who love redemption arcs; anyone who has a complicated relationship with their mother.
10. Dead Lover (Cartuna and Dweck Productions) | Release Date: March 20, 2026
Director: Grace Glowicki (Tito)
Images Courtesy of Cartuna
What is it about? Dead Lover is a campishly cartoonish acid trip about a stinky female gravedigger. After she finally finds a lover who can stand her stench, he tragically dies, inspiring the gravedigger to resurrect his corpse and rekindle their bond. Grace Glowicki wrote, directed, and stars in the film, which premiered at Sundance in early 2025.
Reasons you should BUST out the popcorn? The film has been making the festival circuit to great acclaim as a must-see for its wacky storyline and visuals. It was shot on 16mm by a female cinematographer — both notable qualities to highlight for their rarity and style. Although it has a similar Frankenstein narrative to The Bride, the two films couldn’t be more different. Dead Lover gets surprisingly gross-out graphic in the last act. You have been warned.
Who would love this? Improv comics; hipsters and weirdos; art school dropouts; fans of indie horror comedies like Life After Beth; fans of The Mighty Boosh or Adult Swim.
Main Image The Bride Courtesy of Warner Brothers
