Movies Gallery 14 surprising movies that pass the Bechdel Test To pass, we need to see two named female characters who talk to each other about something besides a man; would you have guessed these made the cut? Plus, five films directed by women that fail. By Isabella Biedenharn Updated on May 16, 2022 01:11PM EDT Trending Videos Close this video player 01 of 19 Weird Science (1985) Deb (Suzanne Snyder) and Hilly (Judie Aronson) talk about Lisa's (Kelly LeBrock) perfection at the party—so despite the movie's somewhat questionable, somewhat sexist plot, this one passes! 02 of 19 Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) Sure, Matthew Broderick's character is the titular star of this movie, but Ferris isn't central to all of Jeanie (Jennifer Grey) and Mrs. Bueller's (Cindy Pinkett) chats. Sloan (Mia Sara), on the other hand, might need a gal pal. 03 of 19 American Pie 2 (2001) Everett Collection Cute outfits or not, it isn't great for the feminist cause if Amber (Lisa Arturo) and Natalie (Joelle Carter) only briefly talk about clothes. 04 of 19 The Stepford Wives (2004) Everett Collection This remake (starring Nicole Kidman and Bette Midler) and the 1975 original both pass with flying colors—a surprise for a bunch of robo-housewives. 05 of 19 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) Everett Collection Though work-related office chatter among female employees isn't breaking any glass ceilings, at least anchorwoman Veronica Corningstone's (Christina Applegate) quick conversation with Donna (Laura Kightlinger) about a cat fashion show isn't male-centric. 06 of 19 Remember the Titans (2000) Everett Collection We may have been too distracted by a young Ryan Gosling and a dreamy Denzel Washington to realize it at first, but the two coaches' tiny daughters (played by Krysten Leigh Jones and Hayden Panettiere) have some funny chats about dolls and football. 07 of 19 Goodfellas (1990) Ray Liotta and Lorraine Bracco in 'Goodfellas'. Everett Collection In a film about violence and mafiosos, Karen (Lorraine Bracco) and Rosie (Illeana Douglas) manage to squeeze in a Bechdel Test pass with a conversation about Florida. 08 of 19 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) Everett Collection Say what you will about implicit sexism in this Kate Hudson rom-com, but these lady colleagues dish about jobs—and even sports! (Not to mention that Andie's dream is to be a political reporter, and that takes some gumption.) 09 of 19 How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) Everett Collection Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, and Betty Grable discuss their shared interests: money and lunch. 10 of 19 Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) Everett Collection Nebula (Karen Gillan) telling Gamora (Zoe Saldaña) she hated her the least of all their siblings isn't quite sisterly bonding, but it works. 11 of 19 No Country for Old Men (2007) Everett Collection One scene allows this movie to pass: Carla Jean (Kelly Macdonald) and her mother (Beth Grant) talk about medicine in the car. Riveting! 12 of 19 Scary Movie (2000) Everett Collection The scariest thing about this movie is its Bechdel-passing grade. 13 of 19 Jurassic Park (1993) Everett Collection Here are two of the interactions that let this movie pass: Lex (Ariana Richards): "It's in there!" Ellie (Laura Dern): "Control room!" and Lex: "We can call for help!" Ellie: "We have to reboot the system first." 14 of 19 The Karate Kid (1984) Everett Collection As noted on BechdelTest.com, Daniel's mom (Randee Heller) and girlfriend (Elisabeth Shue) talk about "how to pop the clutch to start a car." Not the fullest of interactions, but actually a cool thing for women to talk about. (For what it's worth—the Karate Kid franchise's spin-off streaming series, Cobra Kai, routinely passes the Bechdel Test.) 15 of 19 And now for kick-ass, female-directed movies that don't pass: The Hurt Locker (2008) Everett Collection The Hurt Locker won Kathryn Bigelow the very first Best Director Oscar ever awarded to a woman—HUGE DEAL!—and yet, it doesn't pass the Bechdel Test. 16 of 19 Lords of Dogtown (2005) Everett Collection Catherine Hardwicke directed this riveting chronicle of the Zephyr Skate Team (and a personal favorite of mine), and yet every female character's express purpose is to support her man. Bechdel Fail. 17 of 19 Europa Europa (1990) Everett Collection A must-see among certain film scholars, Agnieszka Holland's brilliant film about a Jewish boy in Nazi Germany who joins the Hitler youth to conceal his identity, doesn't pass for a sort of funny reason: Bertha (Marta Sandrowicz) teases her mother, but her mother doesn't answer. If only she'd responded... 18 of 19 Shrek (2001) Everett Collection One of the most beloved animated films of all time, the tale of our favorite layered ogre (co-directed by Vicky Jenson) doesn't pass the test. But don't worry: The sequels do! 19 of 19 Wayne's World (1992) Everett Collection While it's excellent that one of our favorite cult comedies was directed by Penelope Spheeris, its failing grade says one thing: Cassandra (Tia Carrere) needs a girls' night!