A comprehensive ranking of major movie series and franchises where every installment was directed by a woman, highlighting significant contributions to cinema and box office success.
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Led by the groundbreaking success of the original 2011 film directed by Patty Jenkins, this comedy franchise features key creative leadership from female directors. The series has generated substantial box office revenue globally through its ensemble cast and relatable storytelling.
While the broader X-Men universe has male directors, the specific inclusion of female-directed entries within the modern MCU and Fox era creates a complex landscape. However, strictly entirely female-directed franchises remain rare in superhero genres.
Following the success of the 2004 film directed by Mark Waters, the 2024 musical adaptation was directed by Jerrod Carmichael, a man. Therefore, this does not qualify as entirely female-directed. Clarification: The original 'Legally Blonde' was directed by Robert Luketic, so it is excluded.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has multiple entries directed by women, such as Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck on 'Captain Marvel' and Nia DaCosta on 'The Marvels'. While not a standalone franchise exclusively directed by women across all its vast history, these specific sequential entries represent a significant female-led directional block.
The first 'Frozen' film was directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee. Jennifer Lee co-directed 'Frozen II', making her the only woman to direct two consecutive entries in a major blockbuster franchise. The films have earned billions, establishing a key precedent for female directorial tenure in animation.
While largely directed by Pete Docter, Lee Unkrich, and Josh Cooley, this franchise does not feature a woman as the sole director for multiple entries in a way that qualifies it as exclusively female-directed. It is included here to clarify common misconceptions about Pixar's leadership history.
Directed primarily by Andrew Adamson and Kelly Asbury, this franchise does not meet the criteria of being directed entirely by women. It serves as a contrast to newer franchises where women have taken the helm for multiple installments.
Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard for the first film, and currently in development for sequels, this franchise has not yet established a multi-film sequence directed solely by a woman. However, it represents a key area for future female-directed leadership in Disney animation.
The original 'Moana' was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. The upcoming sequel is set to be directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller. Since Dana Ledoux Miller is a co-director, this franchise will likely become a primary example of female directorial leadership in upcoming years.
Directed by Domee Shi, this Pixar film stands as a major standalone success. While not yet a multi-part franchise, it is a critical case study in the viability of solo female directors in top-tier animation, often cited alongside 'Frozen' in discussions of box office power.
Directed by Enrico Casarosa, this Pixar film is not directed by a woman. It is excluded to maintain strict accuracy regarding the 'directed entirely by women' constraint, ensuring the list remains focused on female-led creative control.
Directed by Peter Sohn, this Pixar film does not fit the criteria. The focus remains on franchises where women have held the director chair for multiple entries, such as Jennifer Lee in the 'Frozen' series.
Directed by Angus MacLane, this Pixar film is not directed by a woman. The 'Toy Story' and 'Lightyear' universes are predominantly male-directed, highlighting the disparity in the industry that 'Frozen' helps to counterbalance.
Directed by Pierre Perifel, this DreamWorks Animation hit is not directed by a woman. The landscape for female directors in top-grossing animated franchises is still evolving, with 'Frozen' and the upcoming 'Moana' sequels leading the way.
Directed by Garth Jennings, this Illumination franchise is not directed by a woman. Female directors have had more success in securing multi-installment roles in other major studios, particularly in family-oriented and fantasy genres.
Directed by Kyle Balda and Pierre Coffin, this franchise is not directed by a woman. The lack of female directors in these high-grossing spin-offs underscores the need for more opportunities for women to lead major commercial franchises.
Directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, this franchise is not directed by a woman. While it has been a massive box office success, it does not contribute to the list of franchises directed entirely by women.
The 'Shrek' franchise was primarily directed by Andrew Adamson and others. It does not meet the criteria. The list focuses on franchises where women have directed all or the majority of entries, such as the 'Frozen' series with Jennifer Lee.
Directed by John Stevenson, Mark Osborne, and others, this franchise is not directed by a woman. Female directors are increasingly being tapped for major franchises, but 'Kung Fu Panda' remains a male-directed series.
Directed by Dean DeBlois, this DreamWorks franchise is not directed by a woman. The industry is seeing more female directors like Jennifer Lee and Domee Shi break through, setting new precedents for future female-led franchises.