Writer/director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson is continuing her successful relationship with Netflix with the release of the black comedy Do Revenge.. The movie follows two high school girls who have been the victim of bullying and now are setting out to get revenge on each others’ bullies. And who better to write a movie about wronged teen girls than a talented woman who was once a teen girl herself?
While the comedy genre has long since been dominated by men, specifically white men, that has started to change. As more and more woman writers pen comedy screenplays, more and more comedy movies centered around brilliant and hilarious women get created. The best part is that comedy movies written by women don’t reduce women to stereotypes or make women the butt of the joke to bring about the humor.
Legally Blonde (2001) – 6.4
The original Legally Blonde was co-written by Karen McCullah Lutz and her writing partner Kirsten Smith. The two have a long working relationship and have written several iconic female-led comedies together, including 10 Things I Hate About You, Ella Enchanted, and She’s the Man. They are also working on the third sequel to Legally Blonde.
The beloved comedy movie follows Elle Woods, a fashionista sorority girl who decides to follow her ex-boyfriend to law school. While initially, she enrolls to win him back, she falls in love with law and is determined to prove she has what it takes to be a great lawyer.
The Heat (2013) – 6.6
Writer Katie Dippold got her start writing for the television show Starveilance and later worked on one of the greatest workplace sitcoms of all time, Parks and Recreation. The Heat marked her first feature length debut, and she’s since gone on to write the 2016 Ghostbusters, Snatched, and is one of the credited writers for the upcoming Haunted Mansion movie.
The Heat centers on a play-by-the-rules FBI special agent and an impulsive and brash Boston cop who are paired together and tasked with taking down a sinister drug lord.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) – 6.6
Nia Vardalos started out in Hollywood as an actress, but in 2002 she ventured behind the camera, penning the script for one of the most successful romantic comedies of all time, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Since then, she’s written several movies, including the highly anticipated second and third sequels to the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise.
The original movie centers on Toula, a young Greek woman who is feeling the pressure to find the perfect Greek boy and marry him to appease her eccentric family. However, Toula ends up falling for a non-Greek man, which causes chaos within her family as they grapple with the end of their Greek heritage dominance.
Bridesmaids (2011) – 6.8
The writing duo Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo both got their start performing in the improv troupe The Groundlings. Wiig went on to appear on Saturday Night Live for eight years while Annie acted in several TV shows. The two teamed up for the first time in 2011, penning the hilarious script for Bridesmaids. They’ve since written Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, which they also starred in.
Bridesmaids is a raunchy, female-led comedy that centers on Annie, a maid of honor who finds her status as the bride’s best friend in jeopardy when a wealthy bridesmaid swoops in to try to outdo every event Annie plans for the bride.
Turning Red (2022) – 7.0
Despite Disney animated movies often centering around young women, there are only a handful of Disney animated movies that are written exclusively by women. Julia Cho and Domee Shi are attempting to change that, having written the script for Disney’s newest movie Turning Red. This is a continuation of Shi’s relationship with Disney, as she previously penned and directed the Pixar short Bao.
Turning Red follows Meilin, a 13-year-old girl who learns that the women in her family have been cursed to turn into a giant red panda whenever their emotions run too high. From the very first scene, it is clear that Turning Red was written by a pair of women who understand what it’s like being a young teen girl in the world.
Booksmart (2019) – 7.1
Booksmart might be best known for marking Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut, but she’s not the only woman behind the camera who deserves the praise. In fact, it was the combined efforts of Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, and Susanna Fogel that brought the story and characters to life. The trio had gotten their start writing for television before transitioning over to the movie industry.
The raunchy teen comedy sees two overachieving high school seniors as they attempt to cram four nights of high school partying into the night before their graduation after realizing they’ve wasted the “good years” studying.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) – 7.1
While most people think of Robin Williams when Mrs. Doubtfire is brought up, Williams wouldn’t have had the iconic role had Anne Fine, Randi Mayem Singer, and Leslie Dixon not gotten together to write the beloved comedy. The three women continued writing for both television and movies and have credits that include the 2003 Freak Friday movie and the 2010 Toothfairy movie.
Arguably one of director Chris Colombus’s best movies, Mrs. Doubtfire follows a recently divorced man as he dresses up as a female housekeeper in order to spend time with his children after full custody is granted to his ex-wife.
Pitch Perfect (2012) – 7.1
Inspired by the non-fiction book, Kay Cannon adapted and penned the screenplay for Pitch Perfect. Cannon got her start writing on 30 Rock before going on to write for New Girl and Girlboss. She most recently wrote the 2021 adaptation of Cinderella.
Pitch Perfect is the definition of a female-led and created movie and really focuses on the power of female friendship. The comedy follows college freshman Becca as she reluctantly joined the university’s all-female acapella singing group who hope to take home the collegiate championship title this year.
Juno (2007) – 7.5
Diablo Cody was a successful parody blogger who took her comedy writing skills and decided to write the Oscar-winning script for Juno. She has continued writing for the screen, including writing several episodes of United States of Tara and two other indie female-led indie movies, Young Adult and Tully. She most recently wrote the script for the yet-to-be-released comedy horror movie Lisa Frankenstein.
Juno is one of the best coming-of-age everyone should see. It tells the story of a teenager who unexpectedly gets pregnant by her best friend and has decided to give her baby up for adoption. Unlike most adoptions, Juno forges a close relationship with the parents, which greatly complicates things.
When Harry Met Sally (1989) – 7.7
Nora Ephron is hailed as one of the best romance writers of her generation, so it’s no surprise she penned one of the best romantic comedies of all time. She was already an Academy Award-winning screenwriter before she wrote When Harry Met Sally, and her success only rose from there. She went on to write and direct several of her projects, including the beloved You’ve Got Mail.
When Harry Met Sally takes place over several years and follows Harry and Sally, who are two friends who have different opinions on whether two friends can stay friends while also having sex with each other. As they get closer, their individual beliefs are put to the test.
