Most Successful Female Directors, Ranked

Female directors have been making significant strides in the film industry in recent years by breaking barriers and achieving massive success.

With their unique perspectives, storytelling prowess and commitment to their craft, these talented filmmakers have crafted impactful narratives that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. 

From pioneers like Kathryn Bigelow to newcomers like Greta Gerwig, the following women have left an indelible mark on cinema.

16. Chloe Zhao

Born: March 31, 1982

From: Beijing, China

Movies: "Nomadland," "Eternals"

Net worth: Not available

Bottom Line: Chloe Zhao

While relatively new to Hollywood, films like "Nomadland" have allowed Chloe Zhao to establish herself as a storyteller and visionary. Her movies explore the resilience of individuals navigating challenging circumstances. She is the first woman of Asian descent to win an Oscar for Best Director (for "Nomadland") in 2021.

Zhao has since made the jump to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with mixed results, however. After directing "Eternals," she told Empire that she is struggling to please both fans of her older work and MCU fans. "I completely understand the divisiveness coming from critics and the fans. Because when you take this to extremes that are seen as opposition — the world I come from and the world of Marvel that has been divided in a way that’s so unfair and unfortunate — to merge the way we did, I actually see the reaction as a testament to how much we had merged with each other [and] how uncomfortable that might make people feel.”

13. Mary Harron (Tie)

Born: Jan. 12, 1953

From: Ontario, Canada

Movies: "American Psycho," "Daliland," "I Shot Andy Warhol"

Net worth: $5 million

Bottom Line: Mary Harron

Mary Harron made a splash with her directorial debut in 1996 with "I Shot Andy Warhol," which explored the life of radical feminist and attempted murderer Valerie Solanas. However, it was her chillingly and satirical adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' novel, "American Psycho," starring Christian Bale in 2000 that solidified her distinctive directing style. 

Her latest film, "Daliland," stars Ben Kingsley as the surrealist painter Salvador Dalí at the end of his career and his tempestuous marriage to Gala, his wife and muse, in the 1970s.

13. Penelope Spheeris (Tie)

Born: Dec. 2, 1946

From: New Orleans, Louisiana

Movies: "Decline of Western Civilization," "Wayne's World," "Suburbia"

Net worth: $5 million

Bottom Line: Penelope Spheeris

Penelope Spheeris was introduced to the filmmaking world through her groundbreaking documentary trilogy, "The Decline of Western Civilization," which explored the punk, metal and gutter punk subcultures of Los Angeles in the 1980s and '90s. Her comedy films, "Wayne's World" and "Black Sheep," demonstrated her versatility as a director.

She recently revealed she's working on a documentary about her dad, who was a sideshow strong man who owned a traveling circus and carnival. She said of her upbringing with him, "I was in a different school every week and lived in a trailer until I was about 15 years old. I have boxes and boxes of photographs from the time and a little bit of moving footage."

13. Sarah Polley (Tie)

Born: Jan. 8, 1979

From: Toronto, Canada

Movies: "Women Talking," "Take This Waltz," "Away from Her"

Net worth: $5 million

Bottom Line: Sarah Polley

Known for her introspective storytelling and character development, Sarah Polley makes thought-provoking films that delve into complex emotions and relationships.

Her movies evoke empathy and introspection from audiences, so much so that Polley won a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar in 2023 for her most recent project, "Women Talking," which follows a group of Mennonite women who suffer sexual assault from the men in their community.

12. Greta Gerwig

Born: Aug. 4, 1983

From: Sacramento, California

Movies: "Barbie," "Little Women," "Lady Bird"

Net worth: $8 million

Bottom Line: Greta Gerwig

It's soon to be a Barbie world! In summer 2023, Greta Gerwig is the name on everyone's lips — as her blockbuster, "Barbie," is set to smash summer box office records and even outpace Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer," which will be released on the same day.

Gerwig initially gained recognition as an actress in films like "Greenberg" and "Frances Ha." However, it was her directorial debut with the critically acclaimed "Lady Bird" in 2017 that solidified her status as a talented filmmaker. "Lady Bird" and 2019's "Little Women" both earned Oscar nods for Best Picture. 

9. Jane Campion (Tie)

Born: April 30, 1954

From: Wellington, New Zealand

Movies: "Power of the Dog," "The Piano"

Net worth: $10 million

Bottom Line: Jane Campion

Jane Campion is known for big-budget indie films with strong, rebellious female leads. She achieved the distinction of being the only woman to receive two Oscar nods for Best Director (for "The Piano" and The Power of the Dog." She won for the latter.)

Known for her visually stunning and emotional films, she continues to capture the intricacies of love, desire and power dynamics to critical acclaim. She says, "I would love to see more women directors because they represent half of the population and gave birth to the whole world. Without them writing and being directors, the rest of us are not going to know the whole story."

9. Nancy Meyers (Tie)

Born: Dec. 8, 1949

From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Movies: "The Parent Trap," "Private Benjamin," "Something's Gotta Give"

Net worth: $10 million

Bottom Line: Nancy Meyers

Heartwarming stories, sophisticated humor and personal growth are hallmarks of a Nancy Meyers direction and why audiences continually flock to her films. 

Whether they're rom-coms (one in particular, "The Holiday," is already a Christmas classic) or dramas, her movies are distinguished by their lush settings and relatable characters as they navigate the highs and lows of every kind of relationship. 

9. Olivia Wilde (Tie)

Born: March 10, 1984

From: New York, New York

Movies: "Booksmart," "Don't Worry Darling"

Net worth: $10 million

Bottom Line: Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde started out as an actress, initially launching her career as a recurring character on the popular "O.C." teen drama in the mid-2000s. She appeared in several other films and on Broadway, but her more famous projects have been with her behind the camera.

She first dabbled in directing in 2016 when she directed a music video for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. But it was her teen comedy, "Booksmart," that earned her accolades, including an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. Her second feature, "Don't Worry Darling," starred Florence Pugh and Harry Styles and was not without controversy, premiering at the 79th Venice Film Festival to mixed reviews. Only time will tell if she has directorial staying power.

8. Amy Heckerling

Born: May 7, 1954

From: New York, New York

Movies: "Clueless," "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"

Net worth: $15 million

Bottom Line: Amy Heckerling

Thanks to Amy Heckerling, when you think of the quintessential teen movies of the 1980s and '90s, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "Clueless" will no doubt be some of the first films on your list.

Both films showcase her ability to capture the essence of the teen subcultures of the day and navigate the intricacies of adolescent relationships with laughs, wit and a whole lot of memorable catchphrases. (And due to the strength of these two films, we can almost forgive her for the "Look Who's Talking" franchise.)

7. Regina King

Born: Jan. 15, 1971

From: Los Angeles, California

Movies: "One Night in Miami"

Net worth: $24 million

Bottom Line: Regina King

Regina King is mostly known as an actress, but her 2020 directorial debut, "One Night in Miami," made her one of the new female directors to keep an eye on. The film is a fictionalized account of a real-life meeting that took place in 1964 between Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay), Malcolm X, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown during a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. 

It earned three Oscar nods — for Best Supporting Actor (Leslie Odom Jr.), Best Original Song ("Speak Now") and Best Adapted Screenplay.

6. Patty Jenkins

Born: July 24, 1971

From: Victorville, California 

Movies: "Monster," "Wonder Woman," Wonder Woman: 1984"

Net worth: $25 million

Bottom Line: Patty Jenkins

Patti Jenkins rose to prominence with the critically acclaimed indie film "Monster," featuring Charlize Theron in an Oscar-winning performance as serial killer Aileen Wuornos. 

Jenkins then did a 180 and became the first woman to direct a major superhero movie. In 2017, "Wonder Woman" shattered box office records and put Jenkins firmly on the map. While the sequel didn't do as well and "Wonder Woman 3" has been shelved, Jenkins is set to join the "Star Wars" universe — as she'll be directing "Star Wars: Rogue Squadron."

4. Sofia Coppola (Tie)

Born: May 14, 1971

From: New York, New York

Movies: "The Virgin Suicides," "Lost in Translation," "Marie Antoinette"

Net worth: $40 million

Bottom Line: Sofia Coppola

At the end of the documentary, "Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse," Francis Ford Coppola said, "One day some little fat girl in Ohio is going to be the new Mozart … and make a beautiful film with her father’s little camcorder, and for once, this whole professionalism about movies will be destroyed forever, and it will become an art form."

He didn't have to look far to realize that girl was his own daughter. Sophia Coppola is one of the most original indie filmmakers out there.  Her 1999 debut, "The Virgin Suicides," established her as a distinctive voice in independent filmmaking. She gained further recognition with the critically acclaimed "Lost in Translation" in 2003, which earned her an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and made her the third woman in history to be nominated for Best Director.

Her next film, "Priscilla," based on the life of Priscilla Presley during her time with Elvis, is scheduled for release in fall 2023. 

4. Nora Ephron (Tie)

Born: May 19, 1941 (deceased)

From: New York, New York

Movies: "When Harry Met Sally," "Sleepless in Seattle," "Silkwood"

Net worth: $40 million 

Bottom Line: Nora Ephron

When you think of traditional rom-coms, Nora Ephron is the name that should come to mind. Her witty, humorous and insightful takes on modern relationships are known and loved by millions to this day. Ephron crafted memorable characters and even more memorable dialogue that resonated with audiences around the world. (Who can forget Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal's legendary restaurant scene in "When Harry Met Sally?")

Her direction and writing were characterized by humor, honesty and vulnerability and is greatly missed in filmmaking today. 

3. Penny Marshall

Born: Oct. 15, 1943 (deceased) 

From: New York, New York

Movies: "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Big," "A League of Their Own," "Awakenings"

Net worth: $45 million 

Bottom Line: Penny Marshall

While she initially gained recognition for her role as Laverne DeFazio in "Laverne & Shirley," Penny Marshall became quite a talented director.

In 1986, she became the first female director to have a film gross over $100 million with "Jumpin' Jack Flash." Two years later, she further solidified her directorial success with the critically acclaimed film "Big," which earned her Directors Guild of America Award nomination.

She continued to make notable films, including "A League of Their Own" and "Awakenings," which was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar in 1991. 

2. Kathryn Bigelow

Born: Nov. 27, 1951

From: San Carlos, California

Movies: "The Hurt Locker," "Point Break," "Zero Dark Thirty"

Net worth: $50 million 

Bottom Line: Kathryn Bigelow

Kathryn Bigelow tends toward gritty war dramas and action films, both of which are characterized by their unflinching realism, meticulous attention to detail and immersive cinematography.

She has consistently challenged societal norms and shattered gender barriers, becoming the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director for "The Hurt Locker" (which also won Best Picture) in 2010. That year, she was up against ex-husband James Cameron, who was nominated for "Avatar."

He said of the night, "I would submit after the fact that she probably enjoyed the evening about 10 percent more than I did. But for me to begrudge not only someone that I’ve loved and believed in winning the best director but also the first woman ... Stand back. Let her have her night.

"If I was sitting here now, however many years later, looking at an Oscar that could have been hers, I would be feeling like s**t. I was very happy at how it worked out."

1. Ava DuVernay

Born: Aug. 24, 1972

From: Long Beach, California

Movies: "Selma," "13th," "A Wrinkle in Time"

Net worth: $60 million

Bottom Line: Ava DuVernay

With films such as "Selma," "13th" and "A Wrinkle in Time," Ava DuVernay has fearlessly tackled issues of race, inequality and the criminal justice system. Her films shed light on the issues those living in marginalized communities face. DuVernay's directorial style is marked by a profound sense of empathy, authenticity and a commitment to highlighting the humanity in all her characters.

Beyond her filmmaking prowess, DuVernay is the creator of her own PR company, the DuVernay Agency. Through it, she launched the Urban Beauty Collective (providing thousands of black neighborhoods with barbershops and salons) and Hello Beautiful, a site geared toward millennial black women.