Your Guide To Women’s History Month Programming
March is Women’s History Month and to celebrate Disney and its affiliate networks have a whole host of incredible programming coming your way in the month ahead. Noteworthy, programs include Turning Red on Disney+ to streamer collections Hulu and ESPN+ highlight gender includsion and trailblazing women.
Here’s your ultimate viewing guide:
Disney+
There are numerous ways to celebrate Women’s History Month on Disney+ in March. This includes “The Female Leads” collection with timeless titles Cruella, Marvel Studios’ Black Widow, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Hidden Figures and Queen of Katwe. And let’s not forget favorite animated heroines including Elena, Penny Proud, Princess Tiana, Mira, and Moana take center stage.
The collection also includes hit Disney Channel Original Movies and shorts with all your favorite leading ladies.
Turning Red
On Friday, March 11th, Disney’s animated feature film, directed by Academy Award winner Domee Shi makes its debut. The film introduces Mei Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang) a 13 year old torn between staying her mothers dutiful daughter or embracing her adolescence. As if all this weren’t enough, anytime Mei Lee gets excited she “poofs” into a giant red panda.
Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red
Exclusively on Disney+, the feature documentary highlights the all-women team at the helm of Turning Red as they share how this story came to life.
Cheaper by the Dozen
You won’t want to miss the Disney+ Original movie, starring Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff, will premiere March 18th and provides a fresh take on the 2003 hit family comedy. You’re sure to love this heartwarming story of the raucous exploits of a blended family of 12, the Bakers, as they navigate a hectic home life while trying run to their family business.
Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u (a Sour film)
This upcoming original film will debut exclusively on Disney+ on March 25th. For the first time Olivia Rodrigo takes audiences on a familiar road trip from Salt Lake City -the shotting location for the first two seasons of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. It was at this time that she began writing her triple-platinum Geffen Records debut album SOUR to Los Angeles.
Along the way, Olivia recounts the memories of bringing her record-breaking album to life as well as her feelings as a young women navigating through a specific time in her life. The documentary will feature songs, intimate interviews and never-before-seen footage of the making of the album.
Freeform
Good Trouble
The fan-favorite Freeform series returns for its first half of Season 4, this coming Wednesday, March 9 at 10 PM (and available the next day on Hulu.) Further episodes will air on March 16, 23 and 30. This show follows the residents of The Coterie in Downtown Los Angeles. They juggle career, love and 20-something growing pains at a time in your life where your friends are your family. The series stars Maia Mitchell, Cierra Ramirez, Tommy Martinez, Emma Huntion, Sherry Cola, Zuri Adele, Beau Mirchoff, Josh Pence, Priscilla Quintana and Bryan Craig.
grown-ish
The 4th season of the Emmy-nominated series is nearly over (only four episodes remaining.) It’s senior year at Cal U and the countdown is on for graduation for Zoey (Yara Shahidi) and her friends. Tune into see what hijinks are in store during their final days as college students. Their series stars. Shahidi, Trevor Jackson, Francia Raisa, Emily Arlook, Jordan Buhat, Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Luka Sabbat, and Diggy Simmons.
New episodes of grown-ish will air Thursdays (March 3, 10, and 17) at 10 p.m. ET/PT and the following day on Hulu, leading up to the March 24 season finale.
Single Drunk Female
The series from 20th Century Television stars Sofia Black D’Elia and Ally Sheedy. A new episode will be out Thursday, March 10 at 10:30 pm with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu followed by the season finale on March 17. Twenty-something alcoholic Samantha Fink (Black D’ Elia) is forced to seize the only chance she has to sober up and avoid jail time: moving back home with her overbearing mother Carol (Sheedy.) Once back in Boston Samantha restarts her life, working at a local grocery store while surrounded by all the triggers that made her drink initially.
FX
On International Women’s Day (March 8) FX will air a movie marathon featuring women directors and/or women in leading role. The festivities kick off with Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri at 4 a.m. ET; On the Basis of Sex at 9:30 a.m. ET; Hidden Figures at 12 p.m. ET; Little Women (Broadcast Premiere) at 3 p.m. ET; and Bad Moms at 6 p.m. ET (TVMA)… and concludes with back-to-back airings of Charlie’s Angels(2019) at 8 p.m. ET and 10:30 p.m. ET (TVMA).
Better Things
The 5th and final chapter of Better Things has officially commenced and is focusing on “the road ahead” for heroine Sam Fox (Pamela Adlon) . She is a working actor and a single mother of three with almost no time for herself. As she navigates three daughters; the challenges of her chosen career; and her mother’s increasing signs of aging. Amidst all of this, Sam embraces each moment and each family member with fierce love.
Better Things airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX, and streaming on Hulu.
The Simpsons
Next Saturday, March 12th The Simpsons will feature episodes highlighting women making a mark on history.
Hulu
All month long, Hulu is celebrating women both in front and behind the camera with the Made By Her Collection with a focus on female directors, writers and creators. You’ll also be able to catch incredible Hulu Originals like The Handmaid’s Tale, The Great, How I Met Your Father,Pen15, The D’Amelio Show, Little Fires Everywhere, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, and even more coming soon!
Dollface
The second season of this Hulu series debuted last month and follows Jules (Kat Dennings) and her best friend post pandemic, post heartbreak, and heading toward turning thirty. Having reunited with Madison (Brenda Song), Stella (Shay Mitchell) and Izzy (Esther Povitsky), Jules must baalance keeping the group together.
All 10 episodes are available to stream now.
The Dropout
Hulu’s limited series sees Amanda Seyfried tell the story of Elizabeth Homes and Theranos. This is the unbelievable (but true) tale of ambition and fame gone terribly wrong. The first three episodes debuted last Thursday and are now available to stream with additional episodes coming out weekly.
Life & Beth
Starring, written, directed and executive produced by Amy Schumer, this Hulu Original series launches with all 10 episodes on Friday, March 18th. Schumer plays Beth as she works to living a bigger, bolder and more authentic life.
The Girl From Plainville
This Hulu limited series stars Elle Fanning and was inspired by the true story of Michelle Carter’s unprecedented texting-suicide case. The series explores the relationship of Carter and Conrad Roy III (Colton Ryan) and the events leading up to his death.
Disney Channel
Raven’s Home, the long-running hit comedy series starring and executive produced by Raven-Symoné, returns for a fifth season on Friday, March 11, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW. A spinoff of the iconic Disney Channel comedy That’s So Raven, the series follows the hilarious adventures of somewhat psychic Raven Baxter (Raven-Symoné) and her son Booker (Issac Ryan Brown), who has inherited his mom’s gift to catch glimpses of the future.
ABC
ABC celebrates Women’s History Month with a slate of stellar programming. Don’t miss new episodes of American Idol—with superstar judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan—airing Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Meanwhile, Station 19 and Grey’s Anatomy debut new episodes on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and 9 p.m. ET/PT, respectively.
Image Credit: ABC
Binge episodes of the new hit comedy Abbott Elementary starring Quinta Brunson on Hulu. In ABC’s workplace comedy written and executive produced by Brunson, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers—and a zany principal—are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible educators may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do—even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children. The show returns with new episodes on Tuesday, March 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Season two of ABC’s Big Sky follows private detectives Cassie Dewell and Jenny Hoyt as they investigate a car wreck outside of Helena, Montana. As they unravel the mystery of the accident, their worlds collide with a vicious outsider, played by Janina Gavankar, who is hellbent on finding answers. New episodes air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, or stream on Hulu.
ABC’s limited series Women of the Movement chronicles the story of Mamie Till-Mobley as she seeks justice for her son Emmett Till. Mamie, portrayed by Tony®-award winning actress Adrienne Warren, risked her life to find justice after her son Emmett was brutally murdered in the Jim Crow South of 1955. Unwilling to let Emmett’s murder disappear from the headlines, Mamie chose to bear her pain on the world’s stage, emerging as an activist for justice and igniting the civil rights movement as we know it today. All episodes are now available on Hulu.
The 94th Oscars® will be hosted by three hilarious and dynamic actresses: Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes. The ceremony will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, March 27, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. And in anticipation of the celebration of the year’s best films, Emmy® Award-winning choreographers and professional dancers Derek and Julianne Hough are recreating legendary cinematic performances in the brand-new special Step Into… The Movies with Derek and Julianne Hough, premieringSunday, March 20, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.
National Geographic
In honor of Women’s History Month, National Geographic explores the contributions women have made, both to historical events and to the society that shapes our modern world. Check out the online hub Women of Impact to learn more about the women breaking barriers, changing their communities, and inspiring global action.
Dr. Joya Griffin and her veterinary team take on unique dermatological issues in animals in the National Geographic series Pop Goes the Vet with Dr. Joya. Watch the veterinary dermatologist work her magic as she takes care of patients at her clinic in Kentucky. Episodes are available on Disney+.
The National Geographic special Jane Goodall: The Hope follows Goodall throughout her never-ending travels, capturing her relentless commitment and determination to spread a message of hope. See an intimate perspective of Goodall’s pivotal transformation from scientist to activist and leader and how she is galvanizing a future generation to create lasting change. The two-hour documentary is available on Disney+.
ESPN+
The Women’s History Month celebration coincides with the excitement of playoff basketball as women’s college programs vie for a tournament berth. ESPN+ will exclusively stream more than 200 games during women’s college basketball Champ Week Presented by Principal, tipping off Friday, March 4.
Also, for the first time ever, fans who can’t wait for Selection Sunday to begin picking women’s tournament winners can play ESPN’s Women’s Champ Week Challenge. Fans have a chance to win $10,000 by predicting conference tournament winners beginning Friday, March 4, through Selection Sunday (March 13).
ESPN+ also has a collection of series, documentaries, and specials highlighting women in sports on the streamer to continue the Women’s History Month festivities. This includes the award-winning 30 for 30 documentaries, E: 60 features, and much more!
The streamer is also the go-to for the acclaimed documentaries Breakaway and 144, which chronicle WNBA superstars and their plight on and off the court. Breakaway, directed by Rudy Valdez, explores the story of Maya Moore, who was one of the best basketball players in the world when she stepped away from the sport for a remarkable reason: to fight for a man she believed was wrongly imprisoned. In 2019, after four WNBA championships, two Olympic gold medals, a WNBA MVP award, three All-Star MVPs, and a scoring title, Moore decided to take a sabbatical from basketball at the age of 29 to devote herself full-time to working for the release of Jonathan Irons, who was wrongly convicted of burglary and assault and sentenced to 50 years in prison. The film chronicles a search for justice, and a relationship that changed the lives of two people forever. Valdez’s previous film, The Sentence—winner of the US Documentary Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, and the Primetime Emmy® for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking—explored similar themes about the criminal justice system.
After the COVID-19 pandemic shut down sports, many leagues were forced to figure out how to save their seasons. The WNBA created a single site at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where 144 players across 12 teams played 147 games from July to October 2020. Directed by Lauren Stowell and Jenna Contreras, the latter who spent 62 days in the bubble, the documentary 144 explores the season dedicated to social justice and all that the players overcame to get through it: the pandemic, the demands of activism, and the rigors of an unrelenting schedule.
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