How many women have won the Best Director Oscar?
Only three women have won the Best Director Oscar: Kathryn Bigelow, Chloé Zhao, and Jane Campion.
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Movies / Awards
Female Directors Could Make for Historic Best Director Oscar Race
The 2026 Oscars season is shaping up to be a landmark year for female directors. With previous winners like Kathryn Bigelow and Chloé Zhao in the mix, and more than a dozen other women behind major films, the Best Director category promises...
Key Insights
- Kathryn Bigelow, the first woman to win Best Director for *The Hurt Locker*, is back with *House of Dynamite*, a political thriller exploring the White House’s response to a nuclear missile threat. Why this matters: Bigelow's return could see her become the first woman to win the Best Director Oscar twice.
- Chloé Zhao, who won Best Director and Best Picture for *Nomadland*, is in contention with *Hamnet*, a Shakespeare-inspired drama. Why this matters: Zhao is currently leading Gold Derby’s Best Director prediction rankings.
- Lynne Ramsay, Mona Fastvold, Mary Bronstein, Kelly Reichardt, and Celine Song are among other female directors with critically acclaimed films that could contend for Oscar nominations. Why this matters: The overall strength of the field of female directors means this year's Oscars could make history.
In-Depth Analysis
### Background Kathryn Bigelow's *House of Dynamite*, premiering at the Venice Film Festival, has garnered praise for its intense and smart storytelling. The film explores the potential vulnerability of the US to nuclear threats, a theme Bigelow approaches with her signature rigor.
Chloé Zhao's *Hamnet* premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film has an 89 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 90 on Metacritic, making it a strong contender across multiple categories.
### Other Potential Nominees Lynne Ramsay's *Die, My Love*, Mona Fastvold’s *The Testament of Ann Lee*, Mary Bronstein’s *If I Had Legs I’d Kick You*, Kelly Reichardt’s *The Mastermind*, and Celine Song's *Materialists* are all in the mix for potential nominations.
Scarlett Johansson with *Eleanor* and Kristen Stewart with *The Chronology of Water* are also making their directorial debuts, adding further depth to the field.
### Historical Context To date, only nine women have ever been nominated for Best Director, with Kathryn Bigelow, Chloé Zhao, and Jane Campion being the only winners. The potential for multiple female directors to be nominated this year underscores a significant shift in the industry.
FAQ
Which female directors are contenders for the 2026 Oscars?
Kathryn Bigelow, Chloé Zhao, Lynne Ramsay, Mona Fastvold, Mary Bronstein, Kelly Reichardt, and Celine Song are among the contenders.
Takeaways
- The 2026 Oscars could be a historic year for female directors.
- Kathryn Bigelow and Chloé Zhao are strong contenders for Best Director.
- The increasing number of talented female directors in contention reflects a positive trend in the film industry.
Discussion
Do you think this trend will last? Let us know! Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!
Sources
Disclaimer
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