By Keno Katsuda and Antora Majumdar
As we close the book on 2018 and wonder what’s in store for the upcoming year, we do know we can at least look forward to some thrilling new women-centric and women-made films. Women and Hollywood has put together a preview of 24 films releasing in the new year that we’re most looking forward to. While not a complete list, these are among the movies we’ll be sure to check out.
Women will definitely not be sitting on the sidelines in 2019. Right out of the gate comes “Miss Bala,” an action thriller that stars a female lead and is directed by a woman. And if you’re looking forward to more action flicks, the year also brings “Captain Marvel,” the first Marvel movie to feature a female superhero in the lead role. Later in the year you’ll get to relive a nostalgic favorite in the newest “Charlie’s Angels” reboot, featuring three new Angels.
If you’re someone who likes to read the book before watching the movie, get ready to hit the library. The year brings a plethora of page-to-screen adaptations from all different genres, including, “Where’d You Go Bernadette,” “The Sun Is Also a Star,” “Little Women,” and “How to Build a Girl.” And of course, we’re also marking our calendars for some smaller indies that are sure to strike a chord, like “Gloria Bell,” and “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.”
Clearly, whatever else 2019 throws at us, we’ll have some good movies to get us through.
To keep up-to-date with the year’s women-centric, directed, and written films, check out our monthly previews, sign up for our weekly newsletter, and take a look at our Films By and About Women page.
“Miss Bala” – Directed by Catherine Hardwicke (February 1)
“Miss Bala”
Jane the Virgin is getting her own action pic. “Miss Bala” sees Gina Rodriguez playing a woman who is kidnapped in Tijuana and forced to enter a drug cartel. Though it’s a remake of the 2011 film of the same name, 2019’s version was helmed by a woman, Catherine Hardwicke of “Twilight” fame. This is also newer, grittier territory for Gina Rodriguez, best known for her role as the sweet, wholesome Jane in “Jane the Virgin.” The cast and crew of this feature are said to be 95 percent Latinx, so be sure to check it out to support a fresh take on a film made by a diverse group of creatives.
“The Rhythm Section” – Directed by Reed Morano (February 22)
On the heels of the release of her 2018 film “I Think We’re Alone Now,” director Reed Morano is back with a female-led project. Based on the novels by Mark Burnell, “The Rhythm Section” is a spy thriller starring Blake Lively as lead Stephanie Patrick. Stephanie takes on the role of avenger after learning the airplane crash that killed her family was no accident. It’s been years since Lively left behind the Upper East Side socialite persona from her days on “Gossip Girl,” and she’s since branched out, working within a number of different genres. Her most recent performance as a suburban working mom with a dark secret in “A Simple Favor” was hypnotic, and we can’t wait to see how she takes on this new role of an agent on a mission.
“Captain Marvel” – Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck; Written by Meg LeFauve, Nicole Perlman, Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Liz Flahive, Carly Mensch, Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck (March 8)
“Captain Marvel”
After 20 films made in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it was high time we all got one helmed by a woman. “Captain Marvel” stars Oscar winner Brie Larson as Carol Danvers, a former U.S. Air Force pilot. Carol becomes part Kree and develops the powers of super strength, energy projection, and flight after her DNA is altered in an accident. When Earth becomes threatened by alien forces, Carol must draw upon both these new powers as well as her inner strengths to save her home planet. Obviously, we can’t wait to see young women all around the world find another superhero to look up to in the new year.
“Gloria Bell” – Written by Alice Johnson Boher and Sebastián Lelio (March 8)
“Gloria Bell”
It’s no secret that Hollywood has a poor track record when it comes to producing films with women over 40. Thankfully, “Gloria Bell” is a much-needed break in this tradition. The film follows Gloria, played by Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore, a divorcée who would rather spend her evenings on the dance floor than on the couch. On one such evening she makes a connection with a man named Arnold (John Turturro) and finds herself falling hard and fast. But between her ex-husband and her children, finding a place for him in her life isn’t as easy as she thought it would be. If the trailer is any indication, “Gloria Bell” looks to be the kind of film you’ll find yourself smiling about long after it’s over. We’re looking forward to rooting for Gloria, and Moore, in this heartfelt remake about love and life.
“Out of Blue” – Written and Directed by Carol Morley (March 15)
“Out of Blue”: TIFF
A noir film adapted from Martin Amis’ novel “Night Train,” “Out of Blue” stars Patricia Clarkson as a police officer dealing with a grisly homicide case. Writer-director Carol Morley previously helmed “The Falling,” rising star Florence Pugh’s (“Lady Macbeth,” “The Little Drummer Girl”) big break. It’s therefore no surprise that she’s able to pull an equally stunning performance from Clarkson in “Out of Blue” as well. Clarkson’s character, Detective Mike Hoolihan, nears a breakdown in the film — and Morley’s direction uses this to deftly reflect on universal questions of pain and the human condition.
“Where’d You Go, Bernadette” – Written by Holly Gent, Richard Linklater, and Vince Palmo (March 22)
“Where’d You Go, Bernadette?”
Annapurna’s “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” is another page-to-screen adaptation we’ve been eagerly awaiting. The book, written by Maria Semple, is about an agoraphobic woman who goes missing right before a family trip and is told from the perspective of her daughter, Bee, as she searches for clues to help find her mother. Cate Blanchett — no stranger to playing out-of-the-box characters as her turn as the goddess of death in “Thor: Ragnarok” proved — is taking on the role of Bernadette. With years of experience bouncing between genres, Blanchett is sure to deliver as the eccentric titular character. The film also boasts a strong ensemble cast, including Judy Greer and Kristen Wiig.
“Fast Color” – Directed by Julia Hart; Written by Julia Hart and Jordan Horowitz (March 29)
In “Fast Color,” Ruth (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), has the power to cause earthquakes. Living in a dystopian world with no water, Ruth is on the run from everyone. With nowhere to turn, she returns from her long-abandoned home to her mother (Lorraine Toussaint) and daughter (Saniyya Sidney). Rather than taking on the typical battle of good, this action pic is concerned with the complicated intricacies of being a black woman with power, as well as the profound relationships between the three women at its center. Mbatha-Raw has never failed to churn out a strong performance (see “Black Mirror,” “Belle,” and “Beyond the Lights”), so this is not one to miss.
“The Sun Is Also a Star” – Directed by Ry Russo-Young; Written by Tracy Oliver (May 17)
YA books have given way to some of the best representations of diversity on-screen in recent years. “The Hunger Games” franchise emphasized that women, too, can be revolutionaries, “Love, Simon” showed us that queer coming-of-age stories are just as important as any other, and most recently, “The Hate U Give” looked at how the next generation is fighting back against systemic racism and oppression. So it makes sense that “The Sun Is Also a Star,” based on Nicola Yoon’s YA novel, would be the next great depiction of two types of characters we don’t often get to see. Yara Shahidi (“Grown-ish”) leads as Natasha, a young woman whose Jamaican immigrant family is on the verge of deportation, and Charles Melton (“Riverdale”) stars opposite as Daniel, a Korean-American teen who is gearing up for a college interview that he doesn’t want to go through with. As they struggle with identity and destiny, the young couple are drawn to one another in a way they did not expect. Equally as swoon-worthy as this epic romance is the team delivering it: director Ry Russo-Young and screenwriter Tracy Oliver. Russo-Young directed the 2017 YA drama “Before I Fall,” and Oliver co-wrote the hugely popular 2017 comedy “Girls Trip.”
“Booksmart” – Directed by Olivia Wilde; Written by Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, and Katie Silberman (May 24)
Olivia Wilde is best known as an actress, working in both television and film, appearing in productions like “Vinyl” and “Her.” She has also recently moved into the role of producer working on films she’s starred in, like “Drinking Buddies” and “Meadowland.” But in “Booksmart” she takes up the mantle of director, making her feature directorial debut. The film is about two high school seniors, portrayed by Beanie Feldstein (“Lady Bird”) and Kaitlyn Dever (“Last Man Standing”), who have been overachievers their whole high school careers. As they come to their last day before graduation, they realize they might not have made the most of their experience. The solution? Use their last night to make up for four years of lost time.
“The Kitchen” – Written and Directed by Andrea Berloff (September 20)
After winning a Writers Guild Award and nabbing an Oscar nomination for her “Straight Outta Compton” screenplay, Andrea Berloff has moved on to her directorial debut with “The Kitchen.” The film is sure to elicit comparisons to this year’s “Widows,” as both feature wives who take over for their gangster husbands after they are unable to complete their jobs. But with the casting of Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, and Elisabeth Moss as the leads, expect for this to be another fresh — and possibly funnier — take on women in crime.
“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” – Directed by Marielle Heller (October 18)
The critically-acclaimed “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” was only released this fall, but director Marielle Heller has a already moved on to her next big project with “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” Starring Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers — of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” fame — the story is about a cynical journalist (Matthew Rhys, “The Americans”) whose worldview is changed after he is tasked with writing a profile on Rogers. As Heller mentioned in an interview with Women and Hollywood, she “loves stories about misunderstood people.” Like her latest film, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” includes complex relationship dynamics, and at its heart is about finding connection.
“Charlie’s Angels” – Directed by Elizabeth Banks; Written by Elizabeth Banks, David Auburn, and Jay Basu (November 1)
They’re back! Though much has been kept under wraps for this highly-anticipated reboot of the beloved franchise, we know that Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska will be playing the Angels. Plus, this story of badass women is directed by Elizabeth Banks, who previously helmed box office smash “Pitch Perfect 2.” If Banks’ success on that film is any indication, “Charlie’s Angels” is poised to be a hit.
“Frozen 2” – Directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck; Written by Allison Schroeder (November 22)
Sequel to the 2013 mega hit, “Frozen 2” is one of the only Disney films in the next few years that will have a woman director on board. Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck are returning to revive our favorite Arendelle sisters Elsa and Anna, bringing them back for another winter adventure. Lee has worked on scripts for a number of Disney projects, including “Wreck-It Ralph” and “A Wrinkle in Time” and was recently named the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. In the original film, instead of a hero showing up on a white horse ready to save the day, we saw two sisters save each other, making the film more than just a fun flick, but one which had an important message. With such a powerful woman at the helm of this sequel, we know this film is sure to be just as empowering as the first.
“Queen & Slim” – Directed by Melina Matsoukas; Written by Lena Waithe (November 27)
“Queen & Slim” follows Jodie-Turner Smith and Daniel Kaluuya’s characters on an ill-fated date. When the two kill a police officer in self-defense after a traffic stop goes awry, they decide to run away together. Melina Matsoukas’ feature directorial debut is much-needed right now, as black lives in America are still being taken and threatened every day. As Matsoukas stated, “It’s a film that defines black love as a revolutionary act. It shows that our union is the greatest weapon against assault on black people in America.” This film is sure to be one of the most discussed in 2019, so it’s definitely not one to miss.
“Little Women” – Written and Directed by Greta Gerwig (December 25)
Whether it’s the early 2000s or the late 1800s, Greta Gerwig has become the go-to as the voice of a young woman coming of age. Her 2017 film “Lady Bird” was a truly real and heartfelt portrait of the struggles of growing up, and it received much praise. Gerwig was nominated for Best Director at the 90th Academy Awards for her work on the film, and it was also up for Best Picture, only the 13th film directed by a woman to receive such a nomination. Gerwig will be applying both her writing and directing talents to the newest adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel of the same name in this classic story of the March sisters. Equally as exciting are the names associated with the film. The cast list is star-studded: Saoirse Ronan is playing Jo, Emma Watson is Meg, Florence Pugh is Amy, Meryl Streep is Aunt March, and Laura Dern is Marmee.
Expected in 2019, But No Official Release Dates Yet:
“Always Be My Maybe” – Directed by Nahnatchka Khan; Written by Ali Wong, Randall Park, and Michael Golamco (Available on Netflix)
Ali Wong has long been a favorite of comedy nerds, but the release of her stand-up special “Baby Cobra” in 2016 and her follow-up, “Hard Knock Wife,” catapulted her to glory. With “Always Be My Maybe,” Wong finally has the chance to lead a feature. Wong and Randall Park are directed here by Nahnatchka Khan, creator of “Fresh Off the Boat” (on which Park stars and Wong formerly wrote). After the success of “Crazy Rich Asians” this year, we’re hoping to see more inclusive and Asian-made and -fronted features make it to the screen. “Always Be My Maybe” looks to be a hilarious rom-com with an equally superb supporting actors, Keanu Reeves, Daniel Dae Kim, and Vivian Bang among them.
“Animals” – Directed by Sophie Hyde; Written by Emma Jane Unsworth
If you aren’t familiar with Alia Shawkat, you’re really missing out. The actress has appeared in comedy TV series like “Arrested Development,” “Transparent,” and most recently, “Search Party.” In each role she has proven that she can hit the high comedic notes while also bringing a level of authenticity to every performance, and making them feel incredibly relatable. In her newest appearance on the big screen she plays Tyler, who loves to spend her time partying alongside her best friend Laura, played by Holliday Grainger (“Tulip Fever”). But when Laura gets engaged to a man who disapproves of the hedonistic lifestyle Tyler leads, she finds she’s in danger of losing her best friend. This story of growing into adulthood, created by and starring women, already feels like a favorite.
“Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché” (Documentary) – Directed by Pamela B. Green; Written by Pamela B. Green and Joan Simon
“Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché”
Narrated by Jodie Foster, the documentary “Be Natural” traces the life and career of the first female filmmaker, Alice Guy-Blaché. She wrote, produced, or directed nearly 1,000 films. Unfortunately, Guy-Blanché was eventually shut out of the very industry that she helped to pioneer. As she stated in her interview with Women and Hollywood, director Pamela B. Green hoped that the film would “further the conversation about how necessary women are to the art of cinema. If people know about Alice — or knew about and continued to remember her contributions to early cinema — how different might the creative and business landscape be? There were many, many women filmmakers in the early years but history has forgotten them. It’s time to change that.” This documentary is essential viewing for all feminist film fans who desire to learn more about the history of women in film, and to inspire us to follow our dreams in filmmaking.
“How to Build a Girl” – Directed by Coky Giedroyc; Written by Caitlin Moran and John Niven
Caitlin Moran’s hit semi-autobiographical novel “How to Build a Girl” is being adapted into a feature. This film also stars Beanie Feldstein, this time as a bright, working-class girl in the ’90s who dreams of breaking out of her provincial small-town life to become a writer in London. Moran, who co-wrote the screenplay, has always been an outspoken, exciting feminist writer, and it’ll be interesting to see how Feldstein makes the role her own — how she does opposite the supporting cast, including Emma Thompson and Jameela Jamil of “The Good Place.”
“The Last Thing He Wanted” – Directed by Dee Rees; Written by Dee Rees and Marco Villalobos
Dee Rees’ “Mudbound” was one of the most compelling films of 2017. Her latest project is a political thriller, adapted from Joan Didion’s “The Last Thing He Wanted.” Starring Anne Hathaway as main character Elena McMahon, the story is about a journalist who quits her job to take care of her ailing father. But what starts innocently enough turns into a new and dangerous career as Elena finds herself taking on her father’s mantle as the arms dealer for a government agency. Through her work, Rees has proven that she is an accomplished writer and director, unafraid to tackle big themes, imbibing her characters with a level of complexity that is difficult to achieve within the runtime of a film. And we can’t wait to see how she puts her spin on this gripping narrative.
“Late Night” – Directed by Nisha Ganatra; Written by Mindy Kaling
“Late Night”
Wouldn’t it be exciting to have a late night talk show run by a woman? Mindy Kaling has turned this fantasy into a reality through her latest project, “Late Night.” Starring Emma Thompson as the host Katherine and Kaling herself as one of the writers, this is easily one of the most anticipated films for comedy geeks everywhere. Even better: the film is from prolific TV director Nisha Ganatra (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Love”). Make sure to check “Late Night” out for an excellent writer-director combination created by women of color.
“Native Son” – Written by Suzan-Lori Parks
Premiering at the upcoming 2019 Sundance film festival, “Native Son” is a new incarnation of Richard Wright’s 1940 book, one of the first best-selling novels by a black author in the U.S. Ashton Sanders (“Moonlight”) stars as Bigger Thomas, a young African-American man growing up in poverty in Chicago. In an effort to help his family, he takes a job with a wealthy family, changing his life more drastically than he thought possible. Suzan-Lori Parks, whose play “Topdog/Underdog” won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 2002, wrote the script. Her other credits include, “Betting on the Dust Commander,” “365 Plays/365 Days” and “Father Comes Home From the Wars, Parts 1, 2 & 3.” With such an accomplished writer at the helm, we imagine that “Native Son” will tackle its themes with particular nuance and depth, and will be the kind of film that follows us home long after we’ve left the theater.
“Troupe Zero” – Directed by Bert & Bertie; Written by Lucy Alibar
“Troupe Zero”
This new comedy-drama features a group of elementary school children, led by Christmas Flint (Mckenna Grace), who start a Girl Scout troop together to win a talent show. The project was written by Lucy Alibar, most famous for co-writing the excellent “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” The directors are Bert & Birdie, a female writing-directing duo known for their unique, dark aesthetics and direction. Look out for this to see a stylish film starring some rising young actors as well as established pros Viola Davis and Allison Janney.
“Wine Country” – Directed by Amy Poehler; Written by Emily Spivey and Liz Cackowski (Available on Netflix)
Based on a real trip she took with friends, Amy Poehler’s directorial debut, “Wine Country” will make its way to Netflix sometime next year. Like the real experience, the premise of the film is based on a group of girlfriends traveling to Napa Valley to celebrate a 50th birthday. Written by SNL writing alums Emily Spivey and Liz Cackowski, and featuring cast members Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, and Ana Gasteyer, the film promises lots of laughs. Netflix promoted the movie in a fun way, posting a video of Poehler and some of her collaborators on their Twitter page. But let’s be honest, there’s not much of a marketing push needed for us to watch this one. You had us at “Amy Poehler.”
