The 10 Best Upbeat Movies for Women

Do you spend hours looking for a great movie to watch? Are you often disappointed in your selection? This has happened to me a number of times. It is rare that I find a great movie by simply looking on my own. Skimming through the online reviews have proven to be one of the worst ways of finding a great movie. I often drastically disagree with the online movie reviewers. Most movie critiques do seem to be men; maybe this is the reason. I have found that some movies with very high ratings, I would rate just the opposite and vice-versa. It seems that the best way to find great upbeat movies is by talking to the people around me. Friends, family members, and even aquaintances, are the best sources for finding great movies. This list of the 10 best movies for women is compiled in no particular order. The descriptions do not have spoilers and there are links to all of the movie trailers. Enjoy!

The following characteristics are qualities I look for when selecting the best movies for women:

1. They hold my attention from beginning to end. I don't want to miss any part of it. I am a multi-tasker and find it hard to only do one thing at a time. But great womens' movies will make me only want to watch them and do nothing else.
2. I will want to watch them over and over again. Great womens' movies are ones that I want to share with friends and family members. I will watch them over and over and enjoy them each time. I will even choose these movies to watch by myself.
3. They make me laugh or cry or both. These movies evoke emotion with little effort. I tend to like very unpredictable funny movies or action-packed movies with an interesting story to tell. If the movie cannot make me laugh or cry, then it is probably not great.

1. Bridesmaids, rated R, comedy - romance, 125 minutes, 2011
2. Cellular, rated PG-13, crime - thriller, 94 minutes, 2004
3. Walk of Shame, rated R, comedy, 95 minutes, 2014
4. Thelma and Louise, rated R, adventure - drama, 130 minutes, 1991
5. Skyfall, rated PG-13, action - thriller, 143 minutes, 2012
6. Dan in Real Life, rated PG-13, comedy - romance, 98 minutes, 2007
7. Knight and Day, rated PG-13, comedy - action, 109 minutes, 2010
8. The Impossible, rated PG-13, true story - drama, 114 minutes, 2013
9. The Missing, rated R, thriller - western, 137 minutes, 2003
10. Erin Brokovich, rated R, true story - drama, 131 minutes, 2000

Bridesmaids

This is one of those movies that most women have probably seen. But if you haven't, you need to. It is painfully funny and will definitely make you laugh and cry or at least laugh until you cry. The main character is someone we can all identify with at some time in our lives. Life seems to be passing her by and she is in an unhappy place for most of the movie.

Favorite scene: On the plane. It makes me laugh just thinking about it. Okay, the bridal shop scene is equally as funny.

Favorite quote: "Why can't you be happy for me and then go home and talk about me behind my back like a normal person?"

Cellular

I came across this movie one day when I was getting ready to leave the house just before clicking the power button on the remote. It kept me glued to the couch until I absolutely had to leave the house for a scheduled appointment. This was before I had recording options. Luckily I was able to find the movie again and watched it in full. It was very suspenseful, unpredictable, and had great acting too!

Favorite quote: "We had a report of a possible kidnapping. You haven't been kidnapped today, have you?"

Walk of Shame

This is a really funny movie. The line I hear the most about this movie is, "I'm so glad I didn't listen to the reviews. This movie is funny and very entertaining." Elizabeth Banks plays a good girl who gets into one bad situation after another and cannot get out of them.

Favorite quote: "He is lying to us, there is no subway in Los Angeles. Yes, there is! Where? How come I've never seen it? It's underground. "

Thelma & Louise

Ready for trouble? Check out Thelma & Louise. Two women who need to just get away from their dull lives for a while, head out for a weekend of relaxation. They get anything but that. This movie will surprise you from beginning to end.

Favorite quote: "Please! I have a wife and kids. Oh really, well, you're lucky. You be sweet to them, especially your wife. My husband wasn't sweet to me. Look how I turned out."

Skyfall

Do I need to say more? The blue eyes alone will keep you watching. Okay, but really the movie is excellent. The story is surprisingly unpredictable and captivating. Even more than the movie, I love the opening music with singer Adele and video. I could watch it on a loop all day. Check it out at Skyfall video.

Favorite quote: ""To hell with dignity. I'll leave when the job is done."

Dan in Real Life

I stumbled across this gem of a movie one day several years ago. It captured my attention with its music and touching performances. It is about a widowed father with 3 daughters. They take their yearly trip to visit his family. This visit is filled with unexpected events and will make you laugh and cry throughout. The ending is incredible. You will wonder how you could have missed this one and will be so glad you found it.

Favorite scene: When the family sings to Dan before he goes out on his date. I also love when Dan sings during the family talent show. Oh...and the very end...love it!

Favorite quote: "You're a good father, but sometimes a bad dad."

Knight and Day

You will find this movie to be a great one whether you are a Tom Cruise fan or not. Cameron Diaz is super in this movie as well. This movie is a fun thriller. It will keep you on the edge of your seat while making you laugh and smile throughout. I absolutely love the ending!

Favorite quote: "Someday. That's a dangerous word. It's really just a code for 'never'."

The Impossible

Watch the trailer! This is an amazing true story of survival. A family of 5 are separated after a tsunami. This movie is about the unbelievable chain of events that take place afterwards. The ending will leave you satisfied and in awe.

Favorite quote: "Some of those stars have been burnt out for a long, long time. They're dead, but once they were so bright that their light is still traveling through space. We can still see them."

The Missing

This is a serious movie about a mother whose daughter is kidnapped, with no funny parts, but one that will hold you captive throughout. The scenery and acting are amazing. The story is chilling and takes you back into the past when life was brutal in the west.

Favorite quote: "I don't know what they were thinking. What makes you think they were thinking?"

Erin Brokovich

This movie is very inspiring. It is one of those few real life stories where one man or WOMAN make a huge difference in hundreds of peoples' lives. In this movie, the woman who does this is one you would never expect and she is nothing short of amazing. I love her lines.

Favorite scene: When Erin lets the female lawyer have it.

Favorite quote: "By the way, we had that water brought in specially for you folks. Came from a well in Hinkley."