13 Fantastic Female-Directed Films Coming Out in 2018
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Last year was groundbreaking in many ways, especially when it comes to women in film. Patty Jenkins soared with her astonishing release of Wonder Woman and signed on for the sequel. Greta Gerwig became the fifth woman to receive a best director Oscar nod, thanks to her heartwarming coming-of-age masterpiece, Lady Bird. And Rachel Morrison became the first female cinematographer to be nominated for an Oscar in history. As we push on in 2018, there are a handful of new, exciting projects with women at the helm. Naturally, we wish there were more female-directed films in 2018, but we'll keep hoping that Hollywood wakes up and gives these talented auteurs a shot.
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Forever My Girl
The Director: Writer-director Bethany Ashton Wolf
The Lowdown: Starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, Forever My Girl follows a country star who returns home after a decade away.
The Release Date: Jan. 19
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Half Magic
The Director: Actress and first-time director Heather Graham
The Lowdown: Graham's directorial debut is a sex-positive R-rated romp about a trio of women who decide to only pursue relationships with decent men.
The Release Date: Feb. 23
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You Were Never Really Here
The Director:We Need to Talk About Kevin's Lynne Ramsay
The Lowdown: With its staggering Sundance premiere, You Were Never Really Here is already causing a stir. The Joaquin Phoenix vehicle follows a traumatized veteran who tracks down missing girls for a living.
The Release Date: April 6
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Blockers
The Director:Pitch Perfect writer Kay Cannon
The Lowdown: This raunchy, NSFW comedy will be brought to life by Pitch Perfect's Kay Cannon with the help of John Cena, Leslie Mann, and Ike Barinholtz. The "restricted" trailer features butt-chugging (yep), eggplant emojis, and a sex pact between high schoolers.
The Release Date: April 6
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A Wrinkle in Time
The Director:Selma and 13th director Ava DuVernay
The Lowdown: The adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's 1963 novel boasts an incredible female-driven cast including Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, and Reese Witherspoon. There's already a couple mesmerizing trailers to boot!
The Release Date: April 6
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I Feel Pretty
The Director: Hilarious writing duo Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein
The Lowdown: This duo has worked together on a ton of films including Never Been Kissed, How to Be Single, He's Just Not That Into You, Valentine's Day, and The Vow. But this is their first time directing. Amy Schumer plays a woman who, after an accident, comes to believe she's the most beautiful woman on the planet.
The Release Date: June 29
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Valley Girl
The Director:A Deadly Adoption's Rachel Lee Goldenberg
The Lowdown: This musical remake, starring Mae Whitman, Jessica Rothe, and Josh Whitehouse, tells the story of an edgy Hollywood kid who falls for a sweet suburban girl from the San Fernando Valley.
The Release Date: June 29
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The Spy Who Dumped Me
The Director: Writer and Chasing Life creator Susanna Fogel
The Lowdown: Starring Mila Kunis, Kate McKinnon, and Sam Heughan, The Spy Who Dumped Mefollows a pair of girlfriends who fight to survive when an ex-boyfriend shows up with an army of deadly assassins nipping at his heels.
The Release Date: July 6
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The Darkest Minds
The Director:Kung Fu Panda mastermind Jennifer Yuh Nelson
The Lowdown: Based on the YA novel of the same name, the film depicts a world in which 98 percent of the population has been wiped out, and the remaining 2 percent have special abilities. Amandla Stenberg is set as the star.
The Release Date: Sept. 14
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Can You Ever Forgive Me?
The Director:Diary of a Teenage Girl's Marielle Heller
The Lowdown: Melissa McCarthy stars in the film as real-life celebrity biographer Lee Israel, who earned her keep in the '70s and '80s with stunning profiles on Katherine Hepburn, Estee Lauder, and more.
The Release Date: Oct. 19
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Mulan
The Director:Whale Rider director Niki Caro
The Lowdown: This live-action adaptation of the classic Disney film has only just locked in its title character (Liu Lifei is taking the reins), but rest assured, production is underway.
The Release Date: Nov. 2
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Mary Queen of Scots
The Director: Renowned theater director Josie Rourke
The Lowdown: Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan star in this period piece that examines the 16th-century rift between the Queen of Scots and the Virgin Queen.
The Release Date: Nov. 2
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What They Had
The Director: First-time writer-director Elizabeth Chomko
The Lowdown: Chomko wrote and directed this Sundance Film Festival debut, which stars Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon, and Blythe Danner. It paints the picture of a family in crisis.
The Release Date: TBA