10 Best Netflix Shows To Watch When You Need Some Major Girl Power Inspiration
Everything from women's wrestling to witchy vibes.
Matheus Ferrero on unsplash Netflix has really been on their AーGame the past couple of years. There have been more and more shows oozing with girl power being released all of the time.
It’s a great time to watch some binge—worthy shows for when you need some MAJOR girl power feminist inspiration! Here’s a list of those must-watch Netflix shows that feature strong women (in no particular order):
1. The Crown
The Crown is the story of the current Queen of England, the absolutely incredible Queen Elizabeth II. This show has it all: romance, political intrigue, famous moments, and behind the scenes scandals you may not have heard about if you don’t live in the UK.
Seasons One and Two has Claire Foy capturing every piece of the Queen almost perfectly, from her stature and movements all the way to her VOICE PATTERN! That’s right, she even talks like the Queen. Princess Margaret is portrayed by Vanessa Kirby, capturing every ounce of her sass.
With Season Three coming any minute, we’ll be seeing a new, older and even more entrancing Queen played by Olivia Colman, joined by the absolutely legendary Helena Boham Carter as Princess Margaret (still not over that!).
2. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
This show is incredibly funny, and totally deserves all of the praise it gets. Created by Tina Fey and lead by Ellie Kemper, it follows the life of a cult survivor trying to overcome the stigma of being a victim and a survivor. It’s dialogue in witty, engaging, and dynamic.
The show has been nominated for a ton of Primetime Emmy Awards, including four nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series. It’s got an amazing cast that plays off each other amazingly, and has had a great list of guest stars, including Tina Fey and Daveed Diggs (of Hamilton fame).
3. Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones really redefined what it meant to be a female superhero. She’s a badass ex superhero turned private detective, and what’s amazing about this show is the rawness of her.
Jessica openly deals with PTSD and alcoholism to deal with the traumas related to her time being a superhero. It’s a darker property for the MCU, but Krysten Ritters makes an excellent Jones. Her relationship with fellow exーsuperhero Luke Cage is real and raw. She is a strong (both literally and figuratively) and independent woman that knows what she wants, while also not being afraid to call someone out.
4. Orange is the New Black
Orange is the New Black set a precedent for strong female casts on television and streaming services. Piper and the gang of troubled women in jail talks about so many issues and follows and intense storyline of love, betrayal, and intrigue. The entire cast is super talented, and with the final season completed, it is definitely a good contender for binge-worthy girl power show.
5. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
This is not the Sabrina Spellman you know from the early 2000s. This Sabrina is darker, sexier, and unafraid to embrace her inner baddie. She battles between her human and magical sides. The aunts are sassy and aren’t afraid to connect to their malicious sides.
Kiernan Shipka is the Sabrina we didn’t know we needed, and don’t even get me STARTED on Madam Satan and the Weird Sisters, who are equally fascinating and engaging to watch. They make Sabrina’s life much more interesting than the simple high school like the original Sabrina Spellman of years past.
6. Cable Girls
This show was originally filmed in Spanish, but it is definitely worth the watch. Whether you want to use the English captions or English translations, the Cable Girls of 1920s Spain represent the move towards equality and respect for women in the workforce.
Besides the usual events of drama shows (family, love and identity), the show mostly centers around the struggles and hardships of women entering the workforce in the 1920s. Sexism and misogyny are rampant, but these women handle them with grace.
7. Alias Grace
If you’re more of a fan of psychological thrillers, or you’re a big fan of Margaret Atwood’s other popular property The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu, then this is the show for you.
The show centers around the psychological analysis of a Miss Grace Marks, a domestic servant in Canada who killed her employer and fellow servant. Based on true events, she was sentenced to life in prison while her confidant was hanged. Grace Marks became on of the most notorious women in Canada in the late 1800s.
8. GLOW
If you love true girl gang shows, GLOW is a great option for you. Set in the 1980s, the show follows the life of an out of work actress as she enters the world of women’s wrestling. The rag tag team of twelve misfit wrestlers become dysfunctional family, ready to defend each other to the death. There’s glitz, glamour, and all of the drama that would really come with women’s stage wrestling.
9. Trinkets
This show gives me major The Heathers vibes. Even though there are only 10 episodes in the first season, the trio of shoplifters have a dynamic, refreshing relationship that seems realistic, even if a little far fetched. These high school students meet in Shoplifters Anonymous, and their dysfunctional relationship is endearing to watch.
10. The End of the F***ing World
This is one of my favorite shows on Netflix, and I am so incredibly excited for the new season. Alyssa is every alternative bad girl’s dream goal. She’s sassy and unafraid of a little danger. She tries to be sexually awakened, but in reality she’s just as clueless and scared as the rest of us.
While not necessarily a show meant to showcase girl power, Alyssa is a strong female lead in this slightly messed up show, and her friendship/relationship with James is awkward, funny, and at times even wholesome.
Kayla Baptista is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.