Women in Saudi Arabia Can Now Drive for the 1st Time in Over 60 Years — But It’s a Mixed Blessing

For over half a century, women in Saudi Arabia have been banned from driving and getting a drivers license — that is, until now. As of June 24, the government has lifted the ban on women’s driver’s licenses in what has been heralded as a groundbreaking victory for Saudi women. For a brave cohort of Saudi women’s rights activists, however, the newfound ability to drive is a mixed blessing.

The government of Saudi Arabia has said it expects an influx of women on the roads in the coming weeks. Yet, even though women are legally being allowed to obtain a driver’s license, the country’s “guardianship system” over women remains in place. This means that women will need to get permission from a male relative — typically a husband or father — in order to get a driver’s license in the first place. For activists, that technicality is the biggest problem of all.

Samah, a Saudi women’s rights activist who has asylum in the US, tells Brit + Co, “The main thing that we wanted to end is the male guardianship system. We were clear and loud about it.”

Saudi women have been using social media to help spread their message about seeking an end to the guardianship system. According to a report published this year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, the latest boom in social media-based activism by Saudi women is the third “wave” of anti-guardianship advocacy in recent decades. The report states that the women using social media for activism are mostly young, and using anonymous names.

Speaking out anonymously is an unfortunately necessary layer of protection for these women. Alarmingly, the Saudi government has been jailing women’s rights activists, even as it touts the lifted ban on women’s driver’s licenses as a win for Saudi women. The BBC notes that while a handful of women received licenses in early June ahead of the official ban lift, police have been steadily arresting women’s rights activists. At least some of the arrested activists had advocated for women’s right to drive.

In May, Saudi authorities arrested and detained at least 11 women’s rights activists and accused them of major crimes, including “suspicious contact with foreign parties,” according to Human Rights Watch. Other reports say 17 activists were arrested in total and that some, but not all, have been temporarily released. It’s still not clear who, if anyone, has been formally charged with the crimes the government is accusing them of.

“It was very horrifying when we heard the news. It was unexpected,” Samah tells us of the arrests. “The new prince was promising that he would be supportive of women and make women more independent. And then all the sudden these activists are in prison.”

Samah adds that the jailed activists have been accused of working with foreign organizations, acts the government claims are a threat to the nation. If working with foreign organizations is a crime, Samah says, “I should be in prison right now just for talking about my struggle and just for talking about what I want for Saudi Arabia.”

Human Rights Watch reports that state media labeled the women “traitors” for their activism. This rhetoric runs counter to the positions the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman, publically touts to leaders of other countries.

The Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, Sarah Leah Whitson, pointed out the hypocrisy of jailing the activists: “The crown prince, who has styled himself as a reformer with Western allies and investors, should be thanking the activists for their contributions to the Saudi women’s rights movement,” Whiston said.

“Instead,” Whiston added, “the Saudi authorities appear to be punishing these women’s rights champions for promoting a goal bin Salman alleges to support – ending discrimination against women.”

While the prince is selling the lifted ban as a wholesale win for women’s rights, it’s clear that the government is still continuing to severely limit women’s autonomy. Some women may be allowed to drive, but this simply isn’t enough for activists who want more for themselves and other Saudi women. Though the ban has been lifted, the fight for women’s rights is far from over — and activists are ready to bring it on.

What do you think? Tell us on Twitter @BritandCo.

(Images via Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images + Jasmin Merdan/Getty Images)

After compiling my vacation reads, I'm *finally* ready to start combing through Reese Witherspoon's Book Club list. Her revelation about reading one book every two days in her cover feature interview with Harper's Bazaar made me realize I need to step my game up ASAP. Her admirable hobby - that's since led her to create a bourgeoning book club— continues to highlight books with women at the center and girl does she have a great eye for stories that fit every mood.

To celebrate her 101th pick, Reese Witherspoon has chosen one of best debut dark academia books we've read this year. She said, "If you’re looking for a page-turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat this spooky season, this one is a must-read! 👀 Visit our link in bio to get your copy now." (via Reese's Book Club).Alongside the other 35 titles I think are worth diving into, Secret Society of Lies is sucre to take our emotions on a ride!

After you finish your TBR (To Be Read list), check out 29 Standout Reads From Jenna Bush Hager's Book Club, 20 Captivating Shondaland Book Club Picks, and 21 Must-Reads From The Oprah Winfrey Book Club!

October: Society of Lies

Amazon

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown

Maya's back in town for her reunion at Princetown and she's excited to celebrate with familiar faces. It also coincides with her sister Naomi's graduation. As she gets ready for the best weekend ever, she receives the tragic news of Naomi's death and it leaves her shaken to her core. Though everyone says it was an accident, Maya's gut is telling her otherwise.

The more Maya digs into the past, the more she realizes her sister wasn't telling her. Sadly, Naomi was a part of the Sterling Club and it crushes her because she never wanted her sister to join it. Maya's no stranger to the inner workings of the Serling Club because she used to be a member so she knows everything that went on behind the scenes.

As she works to understand what happened to her sister, Maya will come face to face with the memories and secrets that haunt her.

September: The Comfort of Crows

Amazon

The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl

Over the course of 52 chapters, Margaret Renkl invites readers into the wonders of her backyard. For a year, she watched various animals and plants bloom during varying seasons that speak to the cycles of life. From the way our emotions ebb and flow to the periods where we're active or need rest, The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year is a beautiful read that will help us fall in love with every moment of life.

August 2024: Slow Dance

Amazon

Slow Danceby Rainbow Rowell

Best friends Shiloh and Cary thought they had everything figured out when they were in high school. They decided they'd both leave Omaha behind, start their careers, and maintain the tight-knit friendship they'd always had. But, life is known to thrown curveballs when we least expect it.
When Shiloh looks up one day, she realizes it's been over 10 years since she talked to her former best friend. She's also increasingly aware that she's now a single mom to two kids.

While she tries to put the pieces of her new life together, Shiloh receives an invitation that makes her heart thunder. The invitation itself is harmless, but she can't stop thinking about what will happen if she sees Cary.

Despite how many years have passed, Shiloh and Cary are pulled to each other's energy as if no time has passed. They've both missed each other, but now adulthood has given way to deeper feelings that may have been there all along.

July 2024: The Cliffs

Amazon

The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan

Would you be willing to journey back to a place you once sought refuge as a teen? What if it looked and felt different than you remembered? What if you discovered secrets and buried ghosts that no longer want to remain hidden?

These are questions that Jane Flanagan finds herself answering as she journeys back to Maine after being away for some time. The house she used to seek refuge in has been renovated by a woman named Genevieve, but she feels that all of her hard work has gone to waste because things don't feel right.

She enlists the help of Jane to see if there are ghosts that wander the halls of the house and that's when the discoveries begin to happen. Jane realizes that some parts of history is impossible to erase no matter how much you try to paint over them.

June 2024: The Unwedding

Amazon

The Unwedding by Ally Condie

Ellery Wainwright is left reeling after it's clear she and her husband won't be celebrating their twentieth wedding anniversary together in Big Sur, California. Never mind the fact she's dreaming about how it would be the perfect way to applaud themselves for building such a wonderful life together.

But, life comes at you fast and she's left ambling around the resort while people are prepping for a wedding. Talk about a slap in the face. Still, she begins observing all the newness that comes with people planning to spend the rest of their lives together. As beautiful as it is, she can't help but to feel unsettled the longer she's at the resort.

Sadly, her suspicions are confirmed when she finds the groom's dead body. This all but chokes the beauty of the resort from her heart and when someone else dies, it's clear that the unfortunate party is just getting started.

May 2024: How to End a Love Story

Amazon

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

Trigger warning: This book mentions suicide and grief.
Helen Zhang and Grant Shepard are bound by an event that changed their lives forever. Before you ask, it's not a steamy one night stand where one of them ghosted the other.
Their paths actually crossed because of a pivotal accident that neither of them saw coming and it caused Helen to view Grant as her worst enemy for years. However, time passed and they moved on to separately create lucrative careers. What they couldn't have expected was for their paths to cross, especially not at work.
Given the amazing opportunity to be a writer for the TV adaption of her own successful YA books, Helen anxiously travels to LA to accept the position and hit the reset button on her life. She has a brief moment of euphoria until she realizes that Grant will also be in the writer's room.
Now they'll have to confront their complicated feelings for each other in order not to derail their jobs and lives. They know it's impossible for them to have a true love story, but sometimes the messiness of life is all it takes for two people to find common ground and decide how they want their stories to end.

April 2024: The Most Fun We Ever Had

Amazon

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

When Marilyn Connolly and David Sorenson fell in love, all they knew is that nothing could shake their foundation. Despite their unwavering hope in the past, their current reality looks differently than they imagined. Their four daughters — Wendy, Violet, Liza, and Grace — each have a unique set of problems that creates of chaos for the family. From the loss of one's husband to the secrets the youngest daughter keeps, the Sorensons are never quite sure what to expect.

In a shocking turn of events, a young man — Jonah Bendt — shows up and reveals that one of the daughters is his mom. He was placed up for adoption some time ago, but he's ready to come home to learn more about his biological family. There may be drama in The Most Fun We Ever Had, but there's still a family who finds a way back to the love that Marilyn and David have always believed in.

March 2024: Anita De Monte Laughs Last 

Amazon

Art student Raquel only comes Anita de Monte's story after she starts feeling like she's starting to make a name for herself among College Hill's socialites. The more she learns about how Anita's life was horrifically cut short, she starts drawing parallels between their lives. It's almost like history is repeating itself and it's hitting too close to home.

As Gonzalez alternates between both of their perspectives, Raquel and Anita's lives begin to intersect in a way that makes Anita de Monte Laughs Last the kind of novel that'll have you thinking about it longer after you finish the last page.

February 2024: "Redwood Court" by DéLana R.A. Dameron

Amazon

Redwood Court reads like a historical love letter to Black families and contains relationships that remind me of my own family. When Mika Tabor starts asking questions about her family's history, she receives much more than her class assignment asked for. The more she listens to her grandparents and observes her parents, she realizes they've been telling her meaningful stories all along. From tales of racism to the sweet grasp of a world that began moving past obvious racial tension, this novel offers a glimpse into the homes of many Black families.

While I often say I'd like to pass down books to my kids, Redwood Court has become something that I feel is mandatory to read.

January 2024: "First Lie Wins" by Ashley Elston

Amazon

Reese's Book Club is coming in hot with their first pick of the year! This thriller of a reader is all about "Evie Porter" and her separate identities. One paints the picture of who she truly is, but her job places her in the position of assuming a new name in order to complete the mission given to her by Mr. Smith. She's never met Mr. Smith, her boss, but she has the inkling that her latest mission hits a little too close to home.

Does he know more about her than she realizes and can she successfully fulfill the goal he has for? Buy your copy of First Lie Wins today to find out!

December 2023: "Before We Were Innocent" by Ella Berman

Amazon

What would you do if you knew a terrible secret that involved the death of one of your best friends? In Before We Were Innocent, Bess and Joni find themselves trying to escape answering this. However, some things are hard to bury — especially when the past comes knocking in the form of Joni. Will the two former best friends be able to maintain their innocence or will they have to accept the truth about themselves?

November Pick: "Maybe Next Time" by Cesca Major

Amazon

If the past few years have felt like you've been stuck in a weird time loop, you'll love this page turner by Cesca Major. Maybe Next Time follows Emma as she navigates being a busy literary agent, wife and mother - except she only seems to have time for her career. When her husband is involved in a tragic car accident, Emma finds herself distraught only to wake up and see him alive again.

As the scenario continues to repeat, Emma will have to dig deep inside herself to correct patterns she's been a part of her to save not only her husband but life as she knows it.

October Pick: "Starling House" by Alix E. Harrow

Amazon

Starling House is a daring tale of what happens when dreams meet determination, grit and evil. All Opal wants to do is create a haven for herself and her brother Jasper but she'll have to fight for it once she finds herself in the mysterious mansion of author E. Starling. In the depths of the shadows, she'll come face to face with things that'll test her resilience.

September Pick: "Mother-Daughter Murder Night" by Nina Simon 

Target

The women of the Rubicon family have a lot to tangle with in Mother-Daughter Murder Night. When powerful matriarch Lana's granddaughter Jack becomes the prime suspect in an unsolved murder, Lana becomes determined to find a killer instead of waiting for her disease to have it's last say. Find out what Nina Simon has in store for the town the Rubicons find themselves living in.

August Pick: "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett

Target

Tom Lake weaves a beautiful tale of remembered love and viewing the humanity of one's parent. When Lara begins to regale her three daughters of a former romance she shared with actor Peter Duke at Tome Lake, they begin to take stock of what they know about their mom as well as their own love lives.

"Romantic Comedy" by Curtis Sittenfeld 

Amazon

Heartbreak has the potential to make you swear off love, which is something that late night writer Sally Milz knows all too well. She's also a firm believer in the "Danny Horst Rule," the phenomenon where average looking men exclusively date women more attractive than them — until pop star Noah Brewster shows up to host the late night show. Join her for an intoxicating love ride that makes her change her perspective.

"Where The Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens 

Amazon

If you love a good romance-murder mystery, you'll fall in love with Kya's story. After the town's golden boy winds up dead, everyone in town begins blaming Kya for his murder. With heartbreak and triumph woven throughout, Where The Crawdads Sing will become the summer read you can't put down.

"The House of Eve" by Sadeqa Johnson

Amazon

Even when forbidden, love seems to find a way in The House of Eve. 15-year-old Ruby is set to be her family's first college attendee, until it appears a scandalous affair will bring her back into poverty. Meanwhile, Eleanor's in love with William, a member of an elite Black family in D.C. that doesn't let just anyone in. The lives of both women will collide in an unexpected way as they forge their own paths.

"The House in the Pines" by Ana Reyes 

Maya witnessed her friend's sudden death in the woods seven years ago. Now, with nothing except a few hazy memories, she's determined to figure out what she saw, and who's behind it. The House In The Pines is proof that sometimes our past — and their secrets — don't stay dead.

"Tiny Beautiful Things" by Cheryl Strayed 

Life can feel like a dumpster fire sometimes which is why Tiny Beautiful Things feels like a soothing hug. If you love advice columns, you'll love the beautiful compilation of questions "Dear Sugar" answers within the pages as Clare sets out to offer advice while her own life falls apart. After you read the book, check out our interview with Sarah Pidgeon, who stars in the Hulu series!

"Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng 

New friends Mia and Elena are pitted against each other when everyone in town splits over a custody battle. Adapted into a mini-series on Hulu at the beginning of the pandemic, Little Fires Everywhere is a tale that shows everything isn't always what it seems, and there are always secrets to be discovered.

"Wrong Place, Wrong Time" by Gillian McAllister 

Wrong Place, Wrong Time is a novel that explores the lengths a mother is willing to take to prevent her son from doing something unspeakable. Will she be able to piece together clues in time or will all hope remain lost?

"Daisy Jones and The Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid 

This titular novel turned Emmy award-nominated Amazon Prime series Daisy Jones & The Six explores the rise — and fall — of a legendary (and fictional) band.

"True Biz" by Sara Nović 

This heartwarming book about life at the River Valley School for the Deaf, and all of its students with completely different backgrounds, will make you laugh and cry with its beautiful depiction of human connection.

"The Club" by Ellery Lloyd 

If you've never liked hearing "How can you hate from outside the club? You can't even get in," you'll be glad you're not a part of this members-only society. The club has been pushed to its limit and everyone has something to hide.

"The Christie Affair" by Nina de Gramont 

Nan infiltrates Agatha Christie's home in 1925, intent on luring her husband away. There's something about love, affairs, and dark secrets that make for a good read, and you won't be able to get enough of this tale where things aren't always what they seem.

"Lucky" by Marissa Stapley 

"She's so lucky" ...or is she? Lucky redefines what it means to be honest when the titular character completes a million-dollar heist, and is left stranded by the very people who taught her how to scam.

"Sankofa" by Chibundu Onuzo 

When Anna learns the father she never knew is still alive, she travels to West Africa in search of answers. The tale of self-discovery through one's history, as well as the themes of home and belonging, is something we all long to understand at some point.

"L.A. Weather" by María Amparo Escandón 

Families can be complicated, and the Alvarados are no different. If you're looking for a little break from your own family dynamics, you'll get a kick out of reading along as they navigate evacuations, relationship problems, and their father's obsession with the Weather Channel.

"The Paper Palace" by Miranda Cowley Heller 

What happens when desire spills over and threatens to unravel everything two friends have built? The Paper Palace answers that as Elle must choose between continuing the life she has dedicated herself to and the life she never got to live.

"Seven Days in June" by Tia Williams 

When former lovers Eva and Shane reunite in the midst of their successful literary careers, they find that their chemistry is still as strong as it used to be. But, will the flame fizzle before their lingering questions are answered or will Eva choose vulnerability before Shane disappears again?

"The Last Thing He Told Me" by Laura Dave 

What would you do if your significant other disappeared without a trace, only leaving a cryptic note behind? In Hannah's case, she sets out on an unpredictable mission for answers — regardless of what lies ahead. After you read the book, check out our interview with Angourie Rice, who stars in the Apple TV+ series!

"The Sanatorium" by Sarah Pearse 

Le Sommet is a sanatorium-turned-luxury hotel in the Swiss Alps. Detective Elin arrives to celebrate her estranged brother Isaac's engagement to Laure, and her discomfort turns to all-out horror when Laure goes missing.

"You Have a Match" by Emma Lord 

Amazon

DNA tests can reveal new information about our ancestry, but when Abby learns that she has an older sister — and that her older sister is an Instagram star — the women decide to meet up and get to the bottom of why their parents split them up in the first place.

"The Chicken Sisters" by KJ Dell'Antonia 

Nothing brings families together like food and age-old rivalries, something that sisters Amanda and Mae learn firsthand when they end up on opposite sides of a cooking competition. If you love hit TV series The Bear, you'll love The Chicken Sisters.

Other Stories On Reese Witherspoon's Book Club List

  • "Yellowface" by R.F. Kuang
  • "Cassandra in Reverse" by Holly Smale
  • "Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?" by Crystal Smith Paul
  • "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah
  • "The Marriage Portrait" by Maggie O'Farrell
  • "Our Missing Hearts" by Celeste Ng
  • "On The Rooftop" by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton
  • "Honey & Spice" by Bolu Babalola
  • "Counterfeit" by Kirstin Chen
  • "The Dictionary of Lost Words" by Pip Williams
  • "Anatomy" by Dana Schwartz
  • "Honor" by Thrity Umrigar
  • "The Island of Missing Trees" by Elif Shafak
  • "Within These Wicked Walls" by Lauren Blackwood
  • "We Were Never Here" by Andrea Bartz
  • "The Downstairs Girl" by Stacey Lee
  • "Tokyo Ever After" by Emiko Jean
  • "Northern Spy" by Flynn Berry
  • "Firekeeper's Daughter" by Angeline Boulley
  • "Infinite Country" by Patricia Engel
  • "Outlawed" by Anna North
  • "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
  • "A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow" by Laura Taylor Namey
  • "Group" by Christie Tate
  • "Fable" by Adrienne Young
  • "His Only Wife" by Peace Medie Adzo
  • "Furia" by Yamile Saied Mendez
  • "The Last Story of Mina Lee" by Nancy Jooyoun Kim
  • "You Should See Me in a Crown" by Leah Johnson
  • "Everything Inside" by Edwidge Danticat
  • "I'm Still Here" by Austin Channing Brown
  • "The Guest List" by Lisa Foley
  • "The Henna Artist" by Alka Joshi
  • "UNTAMED" by Glennon Doyle
  • "The Jetsetters" by Amanda Eyre Ward
  • "The Scent Keeper" by Erica Bauermeister
  • "Such a Fun Age" by Kiley Reid
  • "Conviction" by Denise Mina
  • "The Giver of Stars" by Jojo Moye
  • "Fair Play" by Eve Rodsky
  • "The Secrets We Kept" by Lara Prescott
  • "The Last House Guest" by Megan Miranda
  • "Whisper Network" by Chandler Baker
  • "The Cactus" by Sarah Haywood
  • "From Scratch" by Tembi Locke
  • "The Night Tiger" by Yangsze Choo
  • "The Proposal" by Jasmine Guillory
  • "The Library Book" by Susan Orlean
  • "One Day in December" by Josie Silver
  • "The Other Woman" by Sandie Jones
  • "This Is How It Always Is" by Laurie Frankel
  • "Still Lives" by Maria Hummel
  • "Next Year in Havana" by Chanel Cleeton
  • "Something in the Water" by Catherine Steadman
  • "You Think It, I'll Say It" by Curtis Sittenfeld
  • "Happiness" by Heather Harpham
  • "Erotic Stories For Punjabi Widows" by Balli Kaur Jaswal
  • "The Light We Lost" by Jill Santopolo
  • "Braving the Wilderness" by Brené Brown
  • "The Last Mrs. Parrish" by Liv Constantine
  • "The Is the Story of a Happy Marriage" by Ann Patchett
  • “The Rules of Magic” by Alice Hoffman
  • "The Lying Game" by Ruth Ware
  • "The Alice Network" by Kate Quinn
  • "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" by Gail Honeyman

Whether you want to challenge yourself to read a book every couple of days like Reese or choose a few books to get you through the summer, I'm sure you'll find titles to add to your growing library. I already have my eyes on Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and The Club by Ellery Lloyd!

Be sure to follow our weekly newsletter for more updates!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

There is no better feeling than finding a character that you relate to or feel seen by. And thanks to the past and present lineup of incredible leading ladies in television, women everywhere have had that experience, and have been reminded they’re not alone.

We’ve cried and laughed alongside these characters, and let them into our home week after week, episode after episode, and season after season because they mean something to us. Keep reading to see if your favorite made the list!

​Brit + Co’s Best Leading Ladies

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Kate Bridgerton from Bridgerton

There’s a reason fans of Bridgerton have continued to express their desire for more Kate Bridgerton, formerly known as Kate Sharma, on their screen as the story moves forward. Her devotion to family is admirable and her heart is always in the right place.

Saeed Adyani/Netflix

Lorelai and Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls

You know how much we love the Gilmore girls, and it's no surprise. They're loyal, passionate, and will literally do anything from each other. That's true love, baby!

Netflix

Sarah, Kiara, and Cleo from Outer Banks

The Pogues prove that you can find your people no matter what. Where you come from doesn’t have to define you, which is presented perfectly through Sarah, Kiara, and Cleo.

ABC/Liliane Lathan

Meredith Grey from Grey’s Anatomy

Meredith Grey is a fierce survivor, never stopping regardless of what life throws at her. She constantly gives her all when it comes to her job and her patients, striving to advance medicine however she can.

Warner Bros. TV

Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen from Gossip Girl

These frenemies showed us what it meant to totally have your friends' backs — even if their methods are necessarily admirable.

Marvel Studios/Disney

Wanda Maximoff from WandaVision

We’ve seen Wanda grow for better (and worse) since her first appearance in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but the deep emotion with which her grief is explored through WandaVision is all too relatable. We want to protect ourselves from the pain of loss, but we can’t stay in the safe space forever. We have to pull ourselves together and come out stronger on the other side.

FX/Hulu

Sydney Adamu from The Bear

In many ways, Sydney holds The Bear together. She is driven to succeed, never holding back her intelligence, and knows her craft inside and out. And she definitely makes everyone around her a better person.

Warner Bros. Television

Brooke, Peyton, + Haley from One Tree Hill

We see Brooke, Peyton, and Haley go from teenagers trying to find themselves to adults with families, making it feel as though we were going through life with them. Their loyalty to each other makes One Tree Hill feel like the home we could always go back to.

More TV Leading Ladies We Love

Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, + Sophia from The Golden Girls

The Golden Girls brings the true joy of friendship to the screen in a totally timeless way. Audiences might come to laugh, but they leave with much more.

Virginia Sherwood/NBC

Olivia Benson from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Olivia Benson has become a comforting force for all survivors, especially those dealing with some from of sexual assault or abuse. She shines like a beacon of hope, promising that you are so much more than what’s happened to you.

The CW

Veronica Lodge from Riverdale

Veronica’s character development is a true highlight of Riverdale. Seeing her evolve beyond the spoiled, rich girl label to someone who would do anything for those she loves — with the strength to do what was right, even at a personal cost — was powerful.

Archive Photos/Getty Images

Lucy Ricardo from I Love Lucy

Is there anyone more hilarious than Lucy? She wasn’t what audiences expected from a leading lady, especially in a comedy. She provided an unexpected edge to TV, and that’s exactly why we loved her.

Eric McCandless/Freeform

Aria, Hannah, Spencer, Emily, + Alison from Pretty Little Liars

Seeing a show with five different female leads is rare in and of itself, but Pretty Little Liars allows each character to be their own force of nature. As a friend group, they stuck together and fought for each other, showing the beauty and complexity of female friendships.

Disney+/Walt Disney Studios

Alex Russo from Wizards of Waverly Place

Alex gave young girls permission to mess up, which is so crucial to understand when growing up. Despite her mistakes, she never failed to show total confidence in herself and know exactly what she wanted out of life.

Warner Bros. Pictures

Read up on The Best Movie Leading Ladies to check out your favorite gals of the silver screen!

Listen, we're always down to watch scary movies. We love how fun, colorful, and sometimes confusing they can be... and the fact that watching a flick is the perfect amount of time to make a dent in all our Halloween candy. We totally understand that not everyone enjoys only watching horror movies (we're talking about ourselves here) so we've got a good mix of streaming options that range from spooky fun to downright scary.

Gather all your ghouls together, prep some Halloween cocktails and no-bake treats, and curl up in front of these picks for a binge session that'll last you all night long.

Classic Halloween Movies

www.youtube.com

Official Trailer: Scream (1996)

Scream

Sidney and her friends must outsmart a killer when they become his next target, and as more bodies show up, the friends go through the rules of horror films to help them survive.

www.youtube.com

The Shining | 4K Trailer | Warner Bros. Entertainment

The Shining

Based on the novel by Stephen King, The Shining follows Jack Torrance, a winter caretaker who lives with his family at the Overlook Hotel. Things take a turn for the spooky when supernatural forces begin to drive Jack mad.

www.youtube.com

Labyrinth (1986) Official Trailer - David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly Movie HD

Labyrinth

Sarah must go on a quest to save her brother from a goblin kingdom in this musical starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly.

www.youtube.com

Carrie (1976) - Official Trailer (HD)

Carrie

Carrie is a shy girl with no friends, and after she's humiliated at her senior prom, she unleashes her telekinetic powers on everyone and everything around her.

www.youtube.com

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Official Trailer - Wes Craven, Johnny Depp Horror Movie HD

Nightmare on Elm Street

Teenagers on Elm Street start having nightmares with real world consequences after a spirit named Freddy Krueger starts invading their dreams.

www.youtube.com

Ghostbusters (1984) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Ghostbusters

A trio of spirit exterminators must save New York City when it's invaded by ghosts in this iconic Halloween movie.

www.youtube.com

Hocus Pocus (1993) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Hocus Pocus

The only thing that makes Max's new life in Salem a little bit easier is sharing a class with Allison. On Halloween, Max, Allison, and Max's sister Dani accidentally awaken three witches intent on stealing the souls of all the town's children.

www.youtube.com

Halloween (1978) Trailer

Halloween

This is one of those classic Halloween movies we can't get enough of. 15 years after he killed his older sister, Michael Meyers returns to his hometown and stalks babysitter Laurie on Halloween night.

Kid Halloween Movies — Or Halloween Movies For Kids Of All Ages ;)

www.youtube.com

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Official Trailer #1 - (2004) HD

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

During their third year at Hogwarts, Harry, Ron, and Hermione must tackle werewolves, haunted houses, and a new mystery surrounding an escaped prisoner. Oh, and time travel.

www.youtube.com

Scooby-Doo (2002) Official Trailer #1 - Sarah Michelle Gellar Movie

Scooby Doo

Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby investigate the Spooky Island resort...and end up uncovering a plot to unleash demons on the rest of the world.

www.youtube.com

THE ADDAMS FAMILY | Official Trailer | Paramount Movies

The Addams Family

Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, and the rest of the Addams family must figure out what's going on with Uncle Fester when he returns from the Bermuda Triangle acting very differently than before.

www.youtube.com

Muppets Haunted Mansion | Official Trailer | Disney+

Muppets Haunted Mansion

The Great Gonzo decides to spend the night inside the Haunted Mansion, and along with Pepé the King Prawn, the ghosts inside the mansion are swapped for the entire Muppets gang!

www.youtube.com

Coraline (2009) Official Trailer - Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher Movie HD

Coraline

Coraline finds herself in an alternate reality when she goes through a hidden door in her home. As she makes her way back to our world, she has to use everything up her sleeve to protect her real parents from their alter egos.

www.youtube.com

Coco - Official US Trailer

Coco

When Miguel defies his family's ban on music, he finds himself in the Land of the Dead and must team up with his great-great-grandfather to uncover the mysteries before them. Fair warning: this one's a tearjerker!

www.youtube.com

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown - Trailer (The Toonz Channel, United States/🇺🇸)

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

It's time for pumpkins, fall leaves, and Halloween parties! All Linus wants is to see the Great Pumpkin, but Charlie Brown is intent on trick or treating with their friends instead. Some fun times, hilarious misunderstandings, and even a lesson or two follow.

www.youtube.com

Spooky Buddies Trailer

Spooky Buddies

Get your little ones in on the Halloween fun with this film that follows a group of talking puppies who must band together to stop Warwick the Warlock.

www.youtube.com

The Haunted Mansion (2003)

The Haunted Mansion

Realtors Jim and Sara travel to a mansion with their kids, eager to make a deal. During their time there, they realize that the people they've met are actually ghosts haunting the place.

www.youtube.com

Hocus Pocus 2 | Official Trailer | Disney+

Hocus Pocus 2

As soon as the credits roll on the original, press play on this sequel, which finds the Sanderson sisters back in Salem looking for revenge. Now it's up to three new teens to stop them before it's too late.

www.youtube.com

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Official Trailer #1 - Animated Movie

Nightmare Before Christmas

Jack Skellington is king of Halloween Town, but when he discovers Christmas Town, he attempts to bring Christmas home. We're honestly not sure what time of year is best for watching this movie, but that just gives us an excuse to watch it twice.

- YouTube

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Halloweentown

When Marnie and her siblings arrive in Halloweentown, where spooky creatures are able to live normal lives, Marnie discovers something about herself: not only is she a witch like her grandma, but she has to learn to use her broomstick before evil takes over the town.

Halloween Horror Movies

www.youtube.com

Heathers - Official Trailer HQ (1988)

Heathers

Veronica is tired of her clique (girls who are all named Heather) abusing their popularity. She decides to team up with bad boy J.D. to teach them a lesson, unintentionally leading to their deaths instead.

www.youtube.com

FEAR STREET | A Film Trilogy Event | Official Trailer | Netflix

Fear Street

This slasher trilogy starts off in the year 1994, where a teen and her friends must conquer a force that's been plaguing their town for 300 years.

www.youtube.com

Fresh | Official Trailer | Hulu

Fresh

Noa is ready to give up on online dating, and decides to give her number to the handsome man she meets in the grocery store. After a promising first date and romantic weekend getaway, Noa learns that her new boyfriend has some...unusual appetites.

www.youtube.com

A Quiet Place (2018) - Official Trailer - Paramount Pictures

A Quiet Place

Living in a world overrun by monsters with super hearing, Lee and Evelyn have focused on survival, making a home for their family in the process. Things get complicated the closer they get to Evelyn's due date.

www.youtube.com

A Quiet Place Part II (2021) - Final Trailer - Paramount Pictures

A Quiet Place II

The film picks right up where the first A Quiet Place leaves off, and the Abbott family has to leave their home — and enter new territory — as they run from the Death Angels.

www.youtube.com

Us - Official Trailer [HD]

Us

An American family's beach vacation takes a turn for the terrifying when unsuspecting guests arrive: their own doppelgängers.

www.youtube.com

Crimson Peak Official Trailer #1 (2015) - Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain Movie HD

Crimson Peak

This period piece follows a young heiress, who moves into the ancestral home of her new husband. Not only is the creepy home crumbling, but it's also hiding plenty of secrets.

www.youtube.com

IT - Official Teaser Trailer

It

A group of outcasts living in Maine come together to form the "Losers Club" and fight against a shape-shifting monster preying on the greatest fears of people in town.

www.youtube.com

MIDSOMMAR | Official Trailer HD | A24

Midsommar

After her family's death, Dani travels with a group of friends to Sweden for a festival that only happens once every 90 years. Once they arrive, they realize that it's actually a pagan cult.

www.youtube.com

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) - Original Trailer (4K)

Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Five teens' Texan weekend getaway takes a turn for the horrifying when they run into the chainsaw-weilding Leatherface and his family of cannibals. Now, the friends must fight for their lives if they have a chance at escape.

Funny Halloween Movies

www.youtube.com

Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016 Movie – Tyler Perry) Official Trailer – ‘Trick Or Treat’

Boo! A Madea Halloween

Madea and her friends decide to stay home on Halloween to keep an eye on Brian's teen daughter. But it doesn't take long for things to turn spooky.

www.youtube.com

The Munsters Trailer #1 (2022)

The Munsters

Lily is a Transylvania vampire who falls in love with Herman, a loveable monster that her father does not approve of.

www.youtube.com

GOOSEBUMPS - Official Trailer (HD)

Goosebumps

Zach moves to Delaware and lives next door to author R.L. Stine and his teenage daughter Hannah. Zach, Hannah, and their new friend Champ must team up when Stine's fictional characters are relased.

More Great Halloween Movies To Watch

www.youtube.com

Rebecca | Official Trailer | Netflix

Rebecca

A new bride moves into her husband's estate, where she has to live with his intimidating housekeeper and figure out what happened to his late wife.

www.youtube.com

Secret Obsession | Official Trailer | Netflix

Secret Obsession

After Jennifer wakes up in the hospital with amnesia, her husband helps take care of her and get back to a normal life. It doesn't take long to realize that things aren't right, and she isn't as safe as she thought.

www.youtube.com

READY OR NOT | Red Band Trailer [HD] | FOX Searchlight

Ready Or Not

A new bride's wedding night does not go as planned when she has to join her husband in a family tradition. What starts out as a game turns into a fight for survival.

www.youtube.com

Practical Magic - Original Theatrical Trailer

Practical Magic

Sisters Sally and Gillian are witches who were raised by their aunt, learning practical magic as they got older. Now they're fighting to save their family and end the curse that brings the men they fall in love with to an untimely death.

www.youtube.com

The School for Good and Evil | Official Trailer | Netflix

The School For Good And Evil

Best friends Sophie and Agatha are pretty sure their futures are set. Sophie spends her time dreaming about becoming a princess, while Agatha is much more moody and mysterious. But their arrival at the School for Good and Evil — especially once their roles are reversed — changes everything.

www.youtube.com

Warm Bodies Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Zombie Movie HD

Warm Bodies

In this apocalyptic retelling of Romeo and Juliet, zombie R falls in love with Julie, a human. An unexpected side effect of falling in love? R begins to regain the humanity he lost.

www.youtube.com

Sleepy Hollow (1999) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Sleepy Hollow

When an investigator in colonial New York works to figure out who's behind a series of murders, he learns that the culprit may be a vengeful — and headless — ghost.

www.youtube.com

The Woman in the Window | Official Trailer | Netflix

The Woman In The Window

Amy Adams plays a psychologist who can't leave her home because of her agoraphobia. She becomes obsessed with her new neighbors when she watches one of them murder the other.

www.youtube.com

Edward Scissorhands (1990) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Edward Scissorhands

Edward, a humanoid, is incompletely constructed and also has scissors for hands. He lives a solitary life until a woman knocks on his door and decides to introduce him to the rest of the world.

What are your favorite Halloween movies? Subscribe to our email newsletter for more Halloween content!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

Our favorite dancing queens (Meryl Streep included) might be returning to the big screen for a third encore of Mamma Mia! and we’re already rewatching the first two movie musicals in preparation.

In an interview with Deadline in May of 2023, Mamma Mia! franchise creator and producer Judy Craymer said a third movie musical is in "earliest stages." She also shared that she has come up with a way to bring Meryl Streep back again.

"I don't want to over-egg it," she said of the unofficial news, "but I know there's a trilogy there…and I do think Meryl should come back, and if the script is right, she would, I think, because she really loved playing Donna."

"Of course I want to do it," Streep said during the 2024 Cannes Film Festival (via Deadline). Sounds promising to us!

Is Mamma Mia 3 happening?

Universal Pictures

Yes, Mamma Mia 3 is in its early planning stages! Christine Baranski just told The Hollywood Reporter that she's met with producer Judy Kramer, and that Kramer has plans for the third movie. "She gave me the narrative plotline of how it’s going to happen," Baranski says. "That’s all I can say! But, it’s not like, 'Oh, I wish it could happen!' Judy Kramer makes things happen. She made number two happen, and it was a phenomenal hit. I wouldn’t put it past Judy Kramer to get everybody back together."

Universal Pictures

A third installation was first mentioned way back in 2020, during a Collider interview with Mamma Mia! star Amanda Seyfried. Seyfried said she was on board — and at the time, she thought the rest of the star-studded cast would be too.

"Listen, every single person in that movie would say yes in a heartbeat because we want to hang out with each other," Seyfried told Collider at the time. "That's what we talked about last time, like did we ever think that we'd end up here again on an Island in Croatia?"

When will Mamma Mia 3 come out?

Universal Pictures

We don't have an official answer about when to expect this highly anticipated sequel. The project is in the "earliest stages," according to creator and producer, Judy Craymer, so hopefully we'll have more answers sooner rather than later!

Has casting information been shared about Mamma Mia 3?

Jonathan Prime/Universal Studios

While nothing's been made official, Amanda Seyfried just said something that made my heart skip a beat. She told ABC News she loves Sabrina Carpenter's music and dropped this admission: "If Sabrina Carpenter wants to play my daughter, I’ll make it happen."

But before she admitted that, the actress said something else that made me raise my eyebrows. "Everybody says it’s gonna happen, but I mean, I haven’t seen a script."

I don't know what it'll take, but hope someone gets a script in Amanda Seyfried's hands ASAP because we need to see this mother-daughter duo onscreen.

What is the first Mamma Mia about?

Universal Pictures

The first film follows Donna (Streep) and Sophie (Seyfried) as mother and daughter living on a remote Greek island. When Sophie is about to marry Sky (Dominic Cooper), she sets out to learn who her real father is after discovering it could be one of three men (played by Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, and Colin Firth).

Who does the second Mamma Mia follow?

Universal Pictures / NBCUniversal

Mamma Mia 2takes viewers back to 1979, where young Donna (Lily James) embarks on a series of adventures throughout Europe following her Oxford University graduation. On her journeys, she makes the acquaintances of Harry, Bill and Sam – the latter whom she falls in love with. In the present day, pregnant Sophie dreams of renovating a taverna while reuniting with her mother's old friends and boyfriends on a Greek island island.

TBH, we’re pretty happy that Mamma Mia! is far from over, and we can’t wait to see what the franchise has in store for us next. Stay updated on all the latest entertainment news with Brit + Co.

This post has been updated.

Taylor Swift and her amazing “date” to the VMAs (aka her Bad Blood co-stars) were a sight to remember. In fact, we remember them so well that we are bringing them back for Halloween. Whether you want to rock this as a group costume or dress as Tay and simply carry around your #squad as a party-hopping prop, this costume is sure to turn heads much like these ladies did on the red (or rather color blocked) carpet.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images

This girl group look will always be one of our favorite moments from VMAs history.

How To Be Taylor Swift's Squad For Halloween:

Brit + Co

Materials + Tools:

  • photos of the #squad
  • 11 x 17-inch paper (needs to be this big to fit over your cute little face)
  • scissors
  • popsicle sticks
  • tape

Instructions:

  1. Print out your #squad faces.
  2. Cut them out.
  3. Tape a popsicle stick to the back and you’re done!

Brit + Co

Print out one or all of these famous faces. We recommend making lots of them so that you can hand them out all evening. Carefully cut out each face. These ladies don’t need plastic surgery, so stay in the lines!

Brit + Co

Finally, tape a popsicle stick to the back to turn them into masks. What, did that take you five minutes? Less? We thought so.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images/Brit + Co

And now on to the fashion show!

First up we’ve got T. Swift herself. Looking foxy in her crop top pant combo. Make sure to slick your hair and add those notable cat eyes.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images/Brit + Co

Next we’ve got Cara Delevingne played by our very own Kelly. For this look, find a short flowy black dress with silver details.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images/Brit + Co

Maddie is doing model Gigi Hadid right with her long-sleeve yellow dress.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images/Brit + Co

For Selena Gomez, Ashley wore an adorable wide-leg jumpsuit.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images/Brit + Co

DIY actress Serayah’s sexy white dress by cutting slits in a similar gown.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images/Brit + Co

A flowy coral dress and sandals work perfectly to play the part of Karlie Kloss.

Brit + Co

Much like the girls at the VMAs, our in-house crew was having a fabulous time behind the camera.

Brit + Co

Make Taylor Swift’s "Bad Blood" Group Costume for another Halloween party!

This post has been updated.