In Hollywood, it’s safe to say most storylines center around the younger generations, but what about movies about older women? In the movies below, women over 60 take center stage and shine bright in their roles. They’re more than stereotypical, one-dimensional characters and instead, complex people with enough stories and life experience to make for popcorn-worthy movies.
Our personal favorite is Woman in Gold, a movie starring Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds that tells the story of Maria Altmann, a Jewish refugee who goes to court against the Austrian government to recover the Gustav Klimt artwork she believes is rightfully hers. The movie – which is based on a true story – is captivating, to say the least.
Another personal favorite is Book Club (and its recent sequel!). The first movie follows four best friends (Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen, Jane Fonda and Mary Steenburgen) as they have their lives changed after reading the infamous book 50 Shades of Grey.
Check out the other must-watch movies featuring women over 60 below!
‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’
In this 2012 dramedy, British retirees travel to India for an exotic escape to a seemingly newly restored hotel. When they arrive, the hotel, run by a young Dev Patel, is less luxurious than advertised. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel stars Maggie Smith, Ronald Pickup, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie and Judi Dench.
‘Elle’
In 2016’s Elle, French actress Isabelle Huppert stars as a successful businesswoman who tries to track down the unknown man who sexually assaulted her. Huppert was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.
‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’
In the first Mamma Mia! movie, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters and Meryl Streep form an unbreakable trio. In the 2018 sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Baranski and Walters make their return as the caring aunts to Sophie (played by Amanda Seyfried). Also starring in the second movie: Cher!
‘The Queen’
In The Queen, Helen Mirren plays the late Queen Elizabeth II as she deals with the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death in 1997. “Something’s happened, there’s been a change, some shift in value,” she says in the trailer.
For her role, Mirren won an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.
‘Book Club’
With four powerhouse women at the helm (Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen, Jane Fonda and Mary Steenburgen), Book Club tells the story of best friends who have their lives changed forever after reading the infamous book 50 Shades of Grey. From going on dates for the first time in years to rekindling old flames, this movie is a true celebration of older women.
Bonus: If you like this movie, Book Club 2 – The Next Chapter would be the perfect double-feature!
‘Philomena’
In Philomena, Judi Dench and Steve Coogan make up an unlikely pair as Coogan, a journalist, attempts to help Dench’s character find her long-lost son. Philomena Lee (played by Dench) had her son taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent.
The 2013 movie – which was nominated for four Academy Awards – is based on true events.
‘Something’s Gotta Give’
Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton play an unlikely duo in the romatic comedy Something’s Gotta Give. Nicholson portrays a notorious bachelor who only dates younger women, while Keaton plays an accomplished businesswoman who just happens to be his own age.
Keaton and Nicholson star alongside other Hollywood A-listers including Amanda Peet, Keanu Reeves and Frances McDormand. Keaton was nominated for an Academy Award for this movie.
‘Calendar Girls’
If you’re a fan of true story movies that you just can’t believe were real, this one is the one for you. Based on real events, Calendar Girls introduces viewers to a group of older women who decide to pose nude for their fundraising calendar.
Helen Mirren stars alongside Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton, and many others.
‘Woman in Gold’
If you’re an art history buff, this movie’s for you. In Woman in Gold, Helen Mirren plays Maria Altmann, a Jewish refugee who goes to court against the Austrian government to recover the Gustav Klimt artwork she believes belongs to her family.”They destroyed my family, they killed my friends and they forced me to abandon the people and the places that I loved,” Mirren’s character says in the trailer. “I won’t let them humiliate me again.”
Mirren stars in the historical drama alongside Ryan Reynolds, Daniel Brühl, Katie Holmes and Tatiana Malany.
‘Florence Foster Jenkins’
In Florence Foster Jenkins, Meryl Streep plays a heiress who dreams of becoming an opera singer. But, what Jenkins makes up for in passion, she lacks in talent. When she becomes ill, her manager (Hugh Grant) hires a pianist (Simon Helberg) as they prepare for an important recital.
‘Hello, My Name Is Doris’
Starring Sally Field, Hello, My Name Is Doris tells the story of an older woman named Doris who develops quite a crush on her coworker (Max Greenfield). Not knowing how to catch his attention, Doris then partners with her best friend’s (Tyne Daly) granddaughter (Isabella Acres) to come up with a master plan.
‘Queen Bees’
With her home undergoing renovations, the headstrong Helen (Ellen Burstyn) moves into a retirement home somewhat against her will. There, she meets “lusty widows, cutthroat bridge tournaments and a hotbed of bullying ‘mean girls.'”
‘I’ll See You in My Dreams’
Starring Blythe Danner, I’ll See You in My Dreams tells the story of a retiree named Carol who begins to contemplate what to do with her life now that she’s retired. Soon enough, however, she begins relationships with two very different men.
‘Thelma’
In one of the most recent additions to this list, June Squibb stars as a 93-year-old grandmother in Thelma. The movie follows the grandma after she loses $10,000 over a scam artist on the phone. Determined to seek her revenge, she embarks on a treacherous journey across Los Angeles to reclaim what’s rightfully hers.
‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’
As the head chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant, Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren) is taken aback when a loud, self-taught Indian family moves across the street to start a restaurant of their own in The Hundred-Foot Journey. What ensues is then a battle of egos and a whole lot of incredible cooking.
‘Mrs Harris Goes to Paris’
Starring Lesley Manville, Mrs Harris Goes to Paris tells the story of a cleaning lady in 1950s London who falls in love with a couture Dior dress. With a newfound interest for the brand, she saves up her money and travels to Paris, only to have a history-making moment with the brand itself.
’80 for Brady’
Got a crush on Tom Brady? In 80 for Brady, so do Rita Moreno, Jane Fonda, Sally Field and Lily Tomlin. The movie follows four best friends as they go on a wild trip to watch Brady play at the 2017 Super Bowl LI.
‘The Fabulous Four’
While The Fabulous Four isn’t on streaming just yet, we’re sure it’ll be worth every penny in the theaters.
The movie follows four best friends (played by Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Megan Mullally) as they travel to Key West, Fla., for a surprise wedding. Over the course of one outrageous trip, sisterhoods are rekindled, the past resurfaces, and there are enough sparks, sex and romance to change all of their lives in unexpected ways.
‘Summer Camp’
After making once-in-a-lifetime memories in summer camp when they were younger, now-drifted friends Nora (Diane Keaton), Mary (Alfre Woodard) and Ginny (Kathy Bates) hope to reconnect at their summer camp reunion. But in addition to bringing them closer together, the reunion also is filled with food fights, river rafting, and blossoming romances.
‘Poms’
Poms is a tear-jerker who might not see coming. The movie follows retired loner Martha (Diane Keaton) as she moves into an ultra-social retirement home. After learning that she’s required to attend at least one group activity, she decides to relearn her teenage passion: cheerleading
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