Women in movies have always struggled to find their place. Per Dr. Martha M. Lauzen of The Center for the Study ofWomen in Television and Film, “the percentage of U.S. top-grossing films featuring sole female protagonists increased slightly from 31% in 2021 to 33% in 2022,” which means it is rarer for a woman CEO to be represented on-screen. Women still struggle to succeed in the business sector in the real world, thus it is inspiring to watch and see success stories of women entrepreneurs who overcame similar obstacles to ours, even if they are few and far between. Women must frequently deal with constant gender prejudices and stereotyping. It would make sense that we would look to our entertainment for encouragement when we needed a little nudge and incentive to keep waging the good battle for equality.Strong women-led filmscan serve as a source of inspiration.
According to The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy’s student paper,The Acronym, “Fictional characters can act as motivating agents. Seeing an iconic character may influence the viewer to become more like that character or become less like a repulsive character.” Not only are there women leads in the films on our list, but there are also women entrepreneurs and CEOs who had to struggle to thrive in a patriarchal society. There is a Joy Mangano and a J.C. Wiatt for every Mark Zuckerberg and Jerry Maguire, respectively. Every single one of these ladies broke downboundaries between men and womenin the workplace, and continue to inspire the next generation of strong, independent women. Some of these women are based on real people, while others are wholly fictitious.
10Tess McGill — Working Girl (1988)
InWorking Girl, Sigourney Weaver’s characterTess McGillis an ambitious and devoted Irish American. She is a stockbroker’s secretary, who aspires to become an executive in the future. Tess is extremely intelligent, but her male coworkers and employer treat her poorly, and she leaves her job out of anger at their misogynistic attitudes.
She is reprimanded by the staffing agency representative who recruited her for her actions, but she is given one more opportunity to work as Katharine Parker’s assistant, a young employee in another company’s Mergers and Acquisitions department. Tess must endure numerous hardships to advance in the corporate world, despite Katharine’s first appearance as a helpful ally. This is because people are rarely as kind as they appear to be. And that is a life lesson we must all learn.
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9J.C. Wiatt — Baby Boom (1987)
A brilliantJ.C. Wiatt, played by Diane Keaton, is a workaholic management consultant in Manhattan whose life is flipped upside down when she inherits a young child inBaby Boom. She struggles with single parenthood and gender discrimination while trying to advance up the male-dominated business ladder, all the while raising the child on her own. Whatever she chooses to do, Ms. Wiatt serves as a reminder to give greater thanks to our moms and a symbol of the challenge of juggling personal and professional obligations.
8Mildred Pierce — Mildred Pierce (1945)
InMildred Pierce, the remarkable womanMildred, decides to raise her two girls alone while independently supporting herself by selling baked goods, serving customers, and eventually founding her own restaurant after her husband deserts her for another woman. Even if you’re not a fan of black-and-white movies, this crime thriller will have you gripped to your seat and discreetly rooting for Ms. Pierce, who is played by the gorgeous Joan Crawford.
Ms. Pierce, a former wife, a present mother, and a successful businesswoman inspires working women all over the world despite the fact that her life continually deviates for the worst. She is a strong-willed and sympathetic heroine who wants the best for her children.
7Annie Walker — Bridesmaids (2011)
We frequently feelAnnie Walker’s (Kristen Wiig) grief about losing her baking company as she resents her current deadbeat work as a sales clerk at a jewelry store in the film,Bridesmaids. Naturally, that isn’t what this film is truly about; instead, it’s designed to be a feel-good bawdy comedy about women discovering new meaning in relationships and sticking together through tough times. The majority of the film’s running gags and slapstick humor cover Ms. Walker’s emotional scars and weaknesses. But, despite all of its hilarious splendor, there are hints of one woman’s efforts to reclaim her life. And we can all identify with it.
6Michelle Darnell — The Boss (2016)
As one of the top CEOs in the world,Michelle Darnell(Melissa McCarthy) enters an event riding a huge gold phoenix and is accompanied by backup dancers and fireworks inThe Boss. It is obvious she is thinking she is better than everyone else. Payback for her crappy attitude comes in the shape of an insider trading scandal and a subsequent prison term. With some assistance from her friends' daughters' Girl Scout Cookie Empire, Ms. Darnell must continue on the path to her rebirth.
The film frequently seems to be aiming for a somewhat more subversive atmosphere before it devolves into excessive animosity and four-letter curses start flying. Demonstrating that, occasionally, being a little cruel is necessary to acquire what you want in life.
5Gabrielle Chanel — Coco Before Chanel (2009)
A biography of one of the fashion industry’s most prolific creators,Coco Before ChanelrecapsGabrielle Chanel’s turbulent existence, from her early, gloomy years until the point just before her career really takes off. Before she succeeds, Chanel’s life is a long one filled with challenges, but she eventually becomes famous because of her perseverance and strength. “There’s no one else like you,” as is implied when it is spoken to Chanel in the film. The film showcases that using your individual strengths — which each woman possesses — will help you reach your own goals making it very relatable.
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4Jules Ostin — The Intern (2015)
The Internstars Anne Hathaway asJules Ostin, the vivacious entrepreneur and creator of the Brooklyn-based e-commerce fashion firmAbout The Fit. She grows her firm from her kitchen to a fully-fledged corporation with more than 200 workers in the course of 18 months. When you pair her with a vintage Robert DeNiro, who is Ms. Ostin’s senior intern, a friendship that is bursting with helpful career advice results. The movie presents her husband, Matt, as a stay-at-home parent who gave up his work to take care of his kid, and if that doesn’t inspire you to bring out the snacks, we don’t know what will.
3Joy Mangano — Joy (2015)
See the origins of the million-dollar domestic industry empire founded byJoy Manganoand based on real-life events in the film,Joy. The legendary Jennifer Lawrence portraysMs. Mangano, a single mother who makes ends meet by working as an airline booking agent. After creating a self-wringing mop, Ms. Mangano navigates the treacherous commercial landscape where betrayals abound and allies turn become enemies. Yet ultimately, the character this film centers on is the one we truly adore.
2Miranda Priestly — The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Despite not actually being an entrepreneur, one of the most formidable and recognizable leaders in recent film history can be found inThe Devil Wears Prada.Miranda Priestly, the editor-in-chief of the fictional fashion magazine Runway, is portrayed by a caustic Meryl Streep. When she’s not instilling dread in the hearts of all of her workers, she’s managing fashion shows, meeting with designers, and establishing one of the most ruthless yet successful businesses in film history. Ms. Priestly, who is most known for her razor-sharp wit and sarcasm, never loses her place at the top, or her sense of style.
1Virginia “Pepper” Potts — Iron Man 2 (2010)
When you need assurance that everything is functioning effectively, smoothly, and under control, who are you gonna call?Pepper Potts(Gwyneth Paltrow) of Marvel Cinematic Universe fame. The presence of Ms. Potts among the superheroes always has a beneficial impact on the team, even though she isn’t an official member of the Avengers (still, she does have her own armor and participated in the big fight inAvengers: Endgame). She is extremely intelligent, well-organized, and unafraid to call someone out on their foolishness.
Tony’s bigger job was to serve as the Avenger’s commander (which some will debate) and he realizes that Pepper was the ideal choice to lead Stark Industries into the future inIron Man 2, when he promotes her. Some will say she was handed the position, but throughout the MCU films, Pepper proved she has the wherewithal to stand tall in the male-dominated technology field. For all women, Pepper’s climb from Tony’s personal assistant to CEO is an inspiration.
