Have you noticed something about every “100 Greatest Movies Ever Made,” or “100 Films to See Before You Die” list? The people in those movies … they’re almost all men. With so much incredible cinema to choose from, there’s only so many movies you can watch about bunch of white guys struggling with their daddy issues, right?

It’s time to push past the male gatekeepers of what makes a movie “great” or “culturally significant” and get a broader view of what’s out there. This curated selection of great films spans eras and genres, from the overlooked female trail-blazers of the silent era and the iconic triple-threat performers of classic Hollywood, to the gun-toting rebels of the ’80s and ’90s and the funny women absolutely dominating comedy in the new millennium. The Feminist Film Guide offers a fresh take on what defines great cinema and lends a voice to the female creators and characters who’ve defined the artform.

Illustrated by: Bea Crespo