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 [1] and signed on for the sequel [2]. Greta Gerwig became the fifth woman to receive a best director Oscar nod [3], thanks to her heartwarming coming-of-age masterpiece, Lady Bird. And Rachel Morrison became the first female cinematographer to be nominated for an Oscar [4] 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.
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 [5] after a decade away.
The Release Date: Jan. 19
Half Magic
The Director: Actress and first-time director Heather Graham
The Lowdown: Graham's directorial debut is a sex-positive R-rated romp [6] about a trio of women who decide to only pursue relationships with decent men.
The Release Date: Feb. 23
You Were Never Really Here
The Director: We Need to Talk About Kevin's Lynne Ramsay
The Lowdown: With its staggering Sundance premiere [7], You Were Never Really Here is already causing a stir. The Joaquin Phoenix [8] vehicle follows a traumatized veteran who tracks down missing girls for a living.
The Release Date: April 6
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 [9] features butt-chugging (yep), eggplant emojis, and a sex pact between high schoolers.
The Release Date: April 6
A Wrinkle in Time
The Director: Selma and 13th director Ava DuVernay [10]
The Lowdown: The adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's 1963 novel boasts an incredible female-driven cast including Oprah Winfrey [11], Mindy Kaling, and Reese Witherspoon [12]. There's already a couple mesmerizing trailers [13] to boot!
The Release Date: April 6
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 [14]. But this is their first time directing [15]. 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
Valley Girl
The Director: A Deadly Adoption's Rachel Lee Goldenberg
The Lowdown: This musical remake [16], 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
The Spy Who Dumped Me
The Director: Writer and Chasing Life creator Susanna Fogel
The Lowdown: Starring Mila Kunis [17], Kate McKinnon, and Sam Heughan, The Spy Who Dumped Me follows a pair of girlfriends [18] 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
The Darkest Minds
The Director: Kung Fu Panda mastermind Jennifer Yuh Nelson
The Lowdown: Based on the YA novel of the same name [19], 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 [20].
The Release Date: Sept. 14
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
The Director: Diary of a Teenage Girl's Marielle Heller
The Lowdown: Melissa McCarthy stars in the film [21] 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
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 [22] (Liu Lifei is taking the reins), but rest assured, production is underway.
The Release Date: Nov. 2
Mary Queen of Scots
The Director: Renowned theater director Josie Rourke
The Lowdown: Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan star in this period piece [23] that examines the 16th-century rift between the Queen of Scots and the Virgin Queen.
The Release Date: Nov. 2
What They Had
The Director: First-time writer-director Elizabeth Chomko
The Lowdown: Chomko wrote and directed this Sundance Film Festival debut [24], which stars Hilary Swank [25], Michael Shannon, and Blythe Danner. It paints the picture of a family in crisis.
The Release Date: TBA