It ’s no secret that most Hollywood pic , peculiarly blockbuster flick , are directed by men . Some of themost influential picture show directorsinclude Steven Spielberg , Martin Scorsese , Quentin Tarantino , Francis Ford Coppola , Christopher Nolan , and others of the male persuasion . But as the tides alter and we edge closer to equation in film , female directors are making waves .

Even though only three woman in the 96 - twelvemonth history of theAcademy Awardshave gain ground an Oscar for Best Director , these all happened in the 21st century , which paint a picture a move in the correct direction . With a distaff director being one of the most talked about in 2023 , and withWomen ’s History Monthin full swinging , it ’s a right metre to celebrate the good distaff directors ever .

8. Chloe Zhao

Known mostly for put to work on independent photographic film , Chloe Zhao gained attention when she became the second female manager to earn an Academy Award for Best Director , forNomadlandin 2021 . Sadly , Zhao did not get the fanfare typical of the live ceremonial occasion since it was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when everything was virtual . That movie also won Best Picture , further shedding light on Zhao ’s tremendous talent .

Zhao went on to work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe ( MCU ) when she was tapped to direct the movieEternals , which she also co - wrote . Reviews were interracial , but Zhao may have plenty more up her sleeve . Citing directors like Spike Lee and Ang Lee as her influence , Zhao ’s style is to await deep within reference to offer a level of authenticity and realness to the stories she tells on camera .

7. Sofia Coppola

Hailing from a Hollywood family , Sofia Coppola is the daughter of famous filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola . play since she was an baby ( she appeared in her father ’s movieThe Godfatheras a baby , and again inThe Godfather Part IIIas Mary Corleone ) , Coppola eventually shift her focus to behind the camera , working as a director , as well as a film writer and manufacturer . The first feature - length movie she directed wasThe Virgin Suicidesin 1999 . She won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for 2003’sLost in Translation , but Coppola has yet to win for guide . She did , however , become the third woman music director to be nominated in that class for this same movie .

Coppola tend to focus on moving-picture show with grim themes , including unity likeMarie AntoinetteandSomewhere . But she has also branched out to focus on theme of wealthiness and femininity with picture likeThe Bling Ring . This get over with her late biographical dramaPriscillaas well , which chronicle the life of Priscilla Presley . While not every movie she directs is perfect , Coppola has made her mark in Hollywood as one of the well distaff directors on the tantrum .

6. Penny Marshall

A few of the biggest movies from the 1980s and ’ 90s hailed from the late Penny Marshall , includingJumpin ’ Jack Flash , Big , Awakenings , A League of Their Own , Renaissance Man , andThe Preacher ’s Wife . She followed that up with 2001’sRiding in car with Boysbefore dislodge focusing to directing TV , include episode of shows likeAccording to JimandUnited States of Tara .

Her films often focus on feminist report , which are also central to her biggest on - screen role as Laverne in the pop 1970s and ’ 80s sitcomLaverne & Shirley . Marshall herself never received Best Director accolades at the Academy Awards , but three of her moving-picture show received Academy Award nomination , an telling track phonograph recording since she only direct seven high - profile film in her career . What ’s more , Bigwas the first moving picture take aim by a fair sex that gross more than $ 100 million at the box office in the U.S. Marshall ’s acting career was more extensive than her directing career , but even if her list of acting roles is much longer , many of the movies she directed are still fondly remembered today .

5. Ava DuVernay

As a filmmaker , screenwriter , and producer , Ava DuVernay rose to fame with her work onSelma , which garner her the distinction of being the first Black woman to get a Best Director nomination at the Golden Globes . The film was also nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards .

DuVernay break boundaries when she became the first Black woman to direct a movie that had a $ 100 million budget with 2018’sA Wrinkle in Time . Having worked on TV series as well , including the documentaryColin in Black & White , based on the adolescent twelvemonth of former NFL player Colin Kaepernick , as well as the Netflix seriesWhen They See Us , DuVernay often homes in on pressing social event and racial tensions in her employment . Named to the Time 100 most influential people in the public list in 2017 , DuVernay has also made strides to support calamitous film producer by founding her own production and distribution company called AFFRM ( African - American Film Festival Releasing Movement ) .

4. Jane Campion

Jane Campion reset the 2nd of back - to - back Best Director win for a female when she take home the award in 2022 forThe Power of the Dogthe year after Zhao won forNomadland . Her most high - profile film up to that spot wasThe Pianofrom 1993 , which she both wrote and directed . That movie clear an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and a Best Director nomination for Campion , and it also made Campion the first distaff director to advance the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival .

She remain the only female theater director to ever be nominated for Best Director twice and is also the Old female film director ever to win . She has also attain success on the minuscule screenland , earning three Primetime Emmy Award nominations forTop of the Lake , a TV series she co - created . Campion ’s work is often praised for a raw and unfiltered examination of themes like sexism and misogyny , and it has likely inspired many other female film director to follow in her footstep .

3. Nora Ephron

If you watched a rom - com in the eighties and ’ 90s , chances are that the late Nora Ephron had something to do with the film . The diarist , author , and filmmaker is know for her work on some of the most classic rom - coms through these X , likeWhen Harry Met Sally … (as writer),Sleepless in Seattle(writer and conductor ) , andYou’ve Got Mail(writer and director ) . She cover with hits through the 2000s , including 2009’sJulie & Julia , which she both directed and wrote the screenplay .

Ephron received three Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay during her famous career , but she was never recognized for her directing . The fact thatSleepless in Seattlewas only her 2d major feature - length directing undertaking and became one of the highest - grossing movies that class ( and is still one of the most successful rom - coms ever ) is a will to Ephron ’s tremendous talent .

2. Kathryn Bigelow

Kathryn Bigelow become the first female music director to ever get ahead an Oscar for manoeuvre , even thoughThe Hurt Lockeralso fall out to be the lowest - gross Academy Awards Best Picture winner in history . Nonetheless , she made story in this import and paved the way for distaff director who come after her . Bigelow earned the award in 2010 and it would be 11 years until another distaff director won for Best Director .

Despite its soft box office numbers , The Hurt Lockeris often call one of the honest warfare flick of the 21st century . It earn nine Academy Awards in aggregate and won six . Bigelow , who was name one of Time Magazine ’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2010 , is not afraid to shy away from tough topics in her employment , from force to political sympathies and warfare .

1. Greta Gerwig

Greta Gerwig might not make movies that are as hard - hitting as some of the other females on the tilt , but her phantasy comedyBarbie , which she also co - wrote , was a feminist masterpiece that claim the box seat office by storm . The motion-picture show was the highest - gross film of 2023 , surpassing the $ 1 billion mark at the box office , get Gerwig the first female director to achieve this effort . The movie bring in several Academy Award nominations as well , though interestingly , not for Gerwig ’s direction .

She does , however , have an Academy Award nomination for Best Director under her belt forLady Bird . Unafraid to deliver movies with muscular , feminist radical and unique manner often pep up by her own experience , Gerwig was constitute to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the humanity in 2018 . Dividing her prison term between directing , writing , and produce , Gerwig is a treble threat in the film business , who , at 40 , is just getting started .