Imagine stepping into the shoes of women who rewrote history and showed courage in the face of powerful adversaries. This Women’s Month, give your fictional heroes a rest and dive into stories highlighting the impact of real women who defied the odds and left enduring legacies. From courtroom battles to royal palaces, newsrooms to war rooms, these five biopics on Lionsgate Play offer a powerful glimpse into the strength that defines womanhood.
Woman in Gold (2015)
Helen Mirren delivers a compelling performance as Maria Altmann in Woman in Gold, a Jewish refugee who, sixty years after escaping Nazi Vienna, sets out to recover her family’s stolen inheritance. Her primary objective is Gustav Klimt’s famous “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I,” a painting of her cherished aunt. With the assistance of the ambitious, young attorney Randy Schoenberg (Ryan Reynolds), Maria initiates a challenging legal battle against the Austrian government, which claims the artworks as national heritage.
Bombshell (2019)
Bombshell shines a light on the bravery of women who dare to challenge a powerful, predatory system. It follows the stories of Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman), Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron), and Kayla Pospisil (Margot Robbie), three women who bravely confronted sexual harassment and a toxic work environment at Fox News. When Carlson made the bold decision to file a lawsuit against Fox News founder Roger Ailes (John Lithgow) for harassment, it set off a chain reaction that empowered women to come forward with their own stories. Bombshell shows the importance of solidarity and the power of women supporting each other in the face of adversity.
On the Basis of Sex (2018)
On the Basis of Sex chronicles the inspiring journey of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of the most influential figures in American legal history. The biographical drama starring Felicity Jones brilliantly portrays Ginsburg’s struggle against gender discrimination within the legal system, highlighted by a landmark case that shaped her path to becoming the U.S. Supreme Court Justice. On the Basis of Sex is a must-watch for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the fight for gender equality, the power of legal advocacy, and the remarkable life of a woman who defied societal expectations.
Spencer (2021)
Pablo Larrain gives the audience a glimpse of the tumultuous mind of Diana, Princess of Wales (Kristen Stewart) in Spencer. Set over three days during the 1991 Christmas holidays at the Sandringham estate, Diana struggles with mental health problems as she questions everything about her once-beautiful marriage to Prince Charles in the wake of his extramarital affair. Larrain’s biopic might blend truth with fiction but it doesn’t gloss over the pain of a woman trapped within rigid royal traditions, fighting to reclaim her identity.
Golda (2023)
Set against the backdrop of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Golda chronicles the life of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir (Helen Mirren) and the high-stakes political decisions she made that changed the course of history. Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Guy Nattiv, the film dives deep into the mental and physical toll Israel’s first and only female prime minister had to face as a leader who would do anything to save her beloved country from the worst war it’s ever been in.
Keep the movie marathon going with Lionsgate Play’s diverse catalog of powerful and inspirational stories for everyone via PLDT Home and Smart.