The Best Movies About Women Who Keep to Themselves

Ranker Film
Updated September 15, 2023 2.4K votes 271 voters
Over 200 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies About Women Who Keep to Themselves
Voting Rules
Vote up the best movies about women an girls who go through life as loners.

This list contains information on the best movies about single women who keep to themselves, ranked from best to worst by user votes. The best loner women films come in many forms. Some good single women films are about socially awkward loners while other good films about loner women feature criminal plots. Many of the best movies about single women starred Oscar-winning actresses.

What films will you find on this top loner women movies list? Misery has to be near the top. Kathy Bates became a breakout star after appearing in this 1980 movie – based on Stephen King's book of the same name. As the psychopathic Annie Wilkes, Bates tormented and tortured James Caan who played the author, Paul Sheldon. Muriel's Wedding is another great movie about a loner woman. Reese Witherspoon ventured out into the great outdoors for a solo 1,100 mile trek as the lead actress in the 2014 film, Wild. Other good movies featured on this best single women films list include Carrie, Welcome to the Dollhouse, and Year of the Dog.

How will we ever determine which movie about a loner woman is the best? Help us decide by giving your favorites a thumbs up.

Most divisive: Mansfield Park
Ranked by
  • 10 Things I Hate About You
    1

    10 Things I Hate About You

    Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
    134 votes
    • Released: 1999
    • Directed by: Gil Junger
    Welcome to 10 Things I Hate About You, a modern-day Shakespearean twist that dances on the line of teen romance and biting comedy. Set in an American high school, this late-90s gem revolves around two Stratford sisters: the rebellious Kat (Julia Stiles) and her popular younger sister, Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). When Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a new student smitten by Bianca, learns of their father's strict dating rule, he hatches a plan involving bad boy Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) to woo Kat. Amidst clever banter and unexpected romances, the characters navigate the labyrinth of teenage angst, love, and self-discovery. Noted for its memorable performances and sharp wit, this film is a charming exploration of young love and personal transformation.

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  • Miss Congeniality
    2

    Miss Congeniality

    Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt
    115 votes
    • Released: 2000
    • Directed by: Donald Petrie
    In Miss Congeniality, Sandra Bullock (Gracie Hart) is an FBI agent - rough around the edges, more at home in sweatpants than stilettos. When a beauty pageant becomes the target of a terrorist threat, Hart is the unlikely undercover operative chosen to prevent disaster. Undergoing a dramatic transformation with the help of Victor Melling (Michael Caine), a disgraced beauty consultant, she infiltrates the glitzy world of tiaras and sashes. As she navigates high heels and swimsuit rounds, Gracie must maintain her cover while preventing catastrophe. A comedic crime-drama, Miss Congeniality takes us on an unorthodox law enforcement ride and won Bullock a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.

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  • Beauty and the Beast
    3

    Beauty and the Beast

    Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White
    109 votes
    • Released: 1991
    • Directed by: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
    Belle (Paige O'Hara) is a bright young woman held captive in an enchanted castle by a prince transformed into a monstrous Beast (Robby Benson). With the help of the castle's magical staff, she begins to see the kind heart within the Beast. To break the curse and turn him back into a man, the Beast must learn to love and be loved before a magical rose's last petal falls.

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  • The Princess Diaries
    4

    The Princess Diaries

    Julie Andrews, Anne Hathaway, Héctor Elizondo
    107 votes
    • Released: 2001
    • Directed by: Garry Marshall
    Stepping into the realm of teenage comedy, The Princess Diaries is a delightful tale that revolves around Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway), a seemingly ordinary high school girl. Unbeknownst to her, she's actually royalty, a fact revealed by her regal grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews). The transformation from clumsy teen to elegant princess isn't smooth sailing, with numerous comedic mishaps along the way. Trapped between two worlds, Mia must choose her path. Directed by Garry Marshall, this light-hearted film is an entertaining mix of comedy and romance, suitable for all ages.

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  • Carrie
    5

    Carrie

    Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, William Katt
    109 votes
    • Released: 1976
    • Directed by: Brian De Palma
    In the chilling horror flick Carrie, a high school girl named Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) grapples with her emerging telekinetic powers, under the oppressive reign of her fanatically religious mother, Margaret (Piper Laurie). A pariah at school, she's tormented by her peers and misunderstood at home. When a cruel prank at the prom triggers her abilities, the night descends into terror. Directed by Brian De Palma, this film is based on Stephen King's novel of the same name. Nominated for two Academy Awards, it remains a classic in the horror genre.

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  • A Walk to Remember
    6

    A Walk to Remember

    Shane West, Mandy Moore, Peter Coyote
    81 votes
    • Released: 2002
    • Directed by: Adam Shankman
    In A Walk to Remember, a poignant tale of love and redemption unfolds. Landon Carter (Shane West), a rebellious teenager, finds himself unexpectedly smitten by Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore), the town's preacher's daughter. Set in North Carolina, this coming-of-age drama, directed by Adam Shankman, sees their worlds intertwining in ways they couldn't have imagined. Their relationship evolves against all odds, facing societal pressures and life-altering revelations. This adaptation of Nicholas Sparks's novel won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Drama Movie. The film is notable for its exploration of faith, transformation, and resilience in the face of adversity.

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