15 Best Girl Power Shows To Stream Now

 

Are you a fan of ’90s and early-2000s girl power movies? Well, you’re in luck. I’ve been watching quite a few TV series lately that make me feel the same giddy, uplifted way those nostalgic girl-power movies did. So, I’ve complied a list of all the best girl power shows to stream now.

Consider your weekends booked with streaming marathons for the foreseeable future…

1  Younger This is the single most joy-inducing, compulsively watchable show I’ve seen in decades. Sutton Foster plays a recently divorced 40-something who pretends to be 20 years younger so she can reinvent her dating life and career. Set in hipster-chic Brooklyn and centered on the heroine’s quest to overcome ageism as she climbs the ladder of the cut-throat publishing industry, this show packs a ton of story and laughs into every half-hour episode. Highlights include: strong female friendships with Hilary Duff and Debbie Mazer, roller-coaster romances with hunky younger and older men alike, and a well-kept secret that creates delicious suspense. Stream it now on Netflix, or watch the trailer here.

2 Girls5Eva Relatable yet absurd hilarity ensues when a one-hit-wonder girl group from the ’90s reunites 20 years later to launch a comeback. One of the most delightful elements of the series is that all four stars (including singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles and powerhouse vocalist Renee Elise Goldsberry of Hamilton fame) actually sing live while filming. Created by Meredith Scardino (who wrote for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), the comedic style of this series is reminiscent of Tina Fey but with a little extra heart. Stream all 22 episodes on Peacock or Netflix now, or watch the trailer here.

3 Survival of The Thickest Michelle Buteau is an absolute revelation in this series about a plus-sized stylist doing her darndest to stay positive about her body, career, and dating life despite being newly single and jobless at age 38. You’ll likely recognize Buteau form a lot of best-friend roles in movies, and she’s so root-for-able that you’ll probably find yourself wishing she could be your real-life bestie. So, come on, you know you wanna cheer along as she dates dreamy Italian dudes, throws a gender-neutral celebrity dog wedding, and goes toe-to-toe with famous fashion designers demanding they create styles for women of all curves and colors. Stream the first two seasons on Netflix now, or watch the trailer here.

4 Running Point The queen of 2000s rom-coms (a.k.a., Kate Hudson) gives us the girl-power performance we never knew we were craving from her in this series about a former party girl striving to prove herself as an elite businesswoman when she takes over as president of her family’s pro basketball team. Co-created by Mindy Kaling and starring a hilarious cast of supporting characters, this series feels part Ted Lasso, part Devil Wears Prada, and 100% just plain TV comedy gold. I devoured the entire first season on a single Saturday and already can’t wait for more. Stream it now on Netflix, or watch the trailer here.

5 Hacks Is it just me, or does this multi-generational series about a 60-something stand-up comedy diva and the gen-z joke writer she hires to reinvigorate her routine feel like it has reached icon status of late? I almost didn’t include it on this list because the humor is very dark and I find both main characters intensely unlikable more than half the time, BUT there are certain feminist monologues and moments of true friendship, kindness, and human redemption that nevertheless make this the first show I watch whenever a new episode is available. Stream it now on Max, or watch the trailer here.

6The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Speaking of stellar standup comedy routines, Midge Maisel’s whip-smart rants and gorgeous 1950s outfits brighten my day without fail. This series about a seemingly prim and proper NYC housewife setting out to become a comedian is even more delightful the second time around (I’ve been re-watching random episodes from seasons 1 and 5 lately), so consider this your personal invitation to re-watch along with me–or indulge in the Maisel magic for the first time. Stream all 5 seasons on Amazon, or watch the trailer here.

7 Never Have I Ever A dorky 15-year old setting out to lose her virginity to the swoon-worthy swim team captain? Yes, please. Throw in the unexpectedly poignant narration of tennis star John McEnroe, multi-generational family shenanigans, and uplifting female friendships, and this four-season show is about to be your new stay-up-all-night obsession. Stream it now on Netflix, or watch the trailer here.

8 Crazy Ex Girlfriend An overworked NYC lawyer uproots her life in an attempt to rekindle a relationship with her former theater camp boyfriend. The catch? This requires: a) creepy internet stalking, b) moving to strip-mall-laden West Covina, California, and c) figuring out how to steal her old flame away from his gorgeous long-term girlfriend. But never fear, star Rachel Bloom is prepared to sing and dance her way through her problems. I mean this literally–each episode features 3-5 original musical theater numbers that are hilarious, often raunchy, and sometimes even provide incredibly poignant insight into the main character’s mental health struggles. Stream all four seasons on Apple, or watch the trailer here.

9 Loot Maya Rudolph plays a bumbling and beguiling billionaire’s ex-wife setting out to use her riches for good in this series that positively overflows with talented supporting cast members. Set half in the humdrum offices of her nonprofit organization and half in luxurious jet-set locations around the world, I love the way this series has both an escapist aesthetic and feel-good workplace sitcom vibes akin to Parks and Rec. Stream it now on Apple or watch the trailer here.

10 Julia This 2-season series about Julia Child’s bold, risky journey toward getting her cooking show made by PBS is as comforting as a French baguette slathered in butter. Seriously, I devoured it and think you will, too. Stream it on Max or watch the trailer here.

11 The Bold Type Three best friends struggle to stay loyal to their true selves and each other as they climb the ladder of a Cosmo-esque women’s magazine in this series that keeps us both laughing and tearing up. The show tackles some big topics, so it occasionally borders on after-school-special territory, but I think it does a good job of balancing heft and humor. Also of note: the boss character is incredibly kind and good at her job, which makes this an escapist viewing experience for anyone out there dealing with nightmarish bosses. You can stream all five seasons on Hulu/Disney+, or watch the trailer here.

12Minx An idealist female journalist teams up with a sleazy publisher to make the first-ever porn magazine geared toward women in this 1970s-set dramedy about the intersection of feminism, art, and sex-toy commerce. Warning: there is tons of full-frontal male nudity in this show, so don’t watch while eating a hotdog and/or if there are kiddos in the room. Stream all 20 episodes on Netflix, or watch the trailer here.

13Emily In Paris Confession: I watch this show purely for the clothes and supporting characters. This is essentially a polite way of saying I don’t find the title character Emily relatable. But, don’t worry, Ashley Park makes up for this with her portrayal of a disgraced Chinese heiress and former-reality-TV star who’s reinventing herself as a Paris street performer. Ashley makes me LOL almost every episode with her joke delivery and antics as she chases her dreams of a music career, and I kinda hope she gets her own spinoff after the show’s 5th and final season wraps. Stream it now on Netflix, or watch the trailer here.

14New Girl If you haven’t seen this long-running Zoe Deschanel sitcom yet, it’s a feel-good streaming boon. Complete with a satisfying balance of romance and friendship storylines in each of its 146 episodes (plus geek-chic vintage outfit inspiration for days), this is a girl-power show that dudes tend to love, too, so don’t hesitate to include your fave guy in your marathon. Stream it now on Hulu/Disney+, or watch the trailer here.

15 Drop Dead Diva What do a sweet but superficial model and a brilliant but insecure plus-sized lawyer have in common? They die on the same day and it sparks one of the best body-swap romps in ages. Stream all 78 episodes on The CW now, or watch the trailer here.

16 Jane The Virgin Equal parts murder mystery, soapy romance, and multi-generational family drama, this series was an absolute must-watch for me when it first aired. Not only is Gina Rodriguez a pure joy to root for in both her professional and dating lives, but there’s delightful narration throughout and guaranteed feel-good moments every episode thanks to the home scenes with Jane’s mom and grandma. The only reason this dramedy isn’t higher on this list is that at the moment of publication it was only available to purchase per-episode/per-season on Apple and Amazon. Watch the trailer here or check the latest on where to watch via ReelGood.

PS: How many of these have you seen? Did your favorites make the list? I’d love to hear about which show you’re most excited to watch next or what you’re binge-watching now. Leave a comment below!

Photos by Yulia Khlebnikova via Unsplash.

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