10 Movies To Watch If You Like Bombshell

Bombshell is the defining movie of our moment. Starring three of the most gorgeous movie stars and most accomplished actresses in Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, and Margot Robbie, the movie attempts to reckon with the toxic culture of workplace sexual harassment as seen through the prism of the Fox News network.

Directed by Jay Roach, Bombshell opens everwhere Friday, December 20th. The movie has garnered favorable word of mouth among critics, which got us to thinking about similar movies to watch as a worthy companion piece. Or nine! Sound good? Here are 10 movies to watch if you like Bombshell!

10 Secretary (2002)

Few films show the workplace power dynamic like the S&M perversion of Secretary, which stars Maggie Gyllenhaal as a subservient underling who becomes aroused by her boss’ strange sexual proclivities.

The quirky off-beat comedy follows Lee Holloway (Gyllenhaal), a recently released mental patient who lands a job with a high-strung lawyer (James Spader). Slowly, their workplace relationship turns into a complex web of humiliation, BDSM, and odd sexual gratification. It’s basically the S&M version of Bombshell, but with the mutual consent!

9 Working Girl (1988)

Mike Nichols’s classic tale of female empowerment in the workplace still holds up as one best example of the subgenre. The reason why? Melanie Griffith!

Griffith plays Tess McGill, a dogged secretary ready to climb the professional ladder. When Tess’ boss breaks his leg in a skiing accident, she seizes the opportunity to gain power. Tess pretends to be her boss and makes big corporate decisions on his behalf, including a major investment deal. When Tess’ boss returns, all hell breaks loose!

8 Horrible Bosses (2011)

If Bombshell had more of an overtly comedic bent, it just might resemble something similar to Horrible Bosses.

Riffing on his role from another worthy movie to watch, Swimming With Sharks, Kevin Spacey plays a detestable boss who’s employees plot to kill him for making their lives a miserable hell. In addition to Spacey, Jennifer Aniston and Colin Ferrell play the other loathsome bosses who may lose their lives over their wicked ways.

7 The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

The world of intelligent grad student Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) is thrown into chaos when she goes to work for a ruthlessly demanding editor of a popular fashion magazine.

Much like Margot Robbie does with Kate McKinnon in Bombshell, Andy finds an immediate ally in coworker Emily (Emily Blunt), who teaches her the dos and don’ts of the office. Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) taunts, insults, and demeans Andy until she finally proves her worth to the magazine. In the end, Andy becomes her own woman through the choices she makes.

6 Disclosure (1994)

In a gender-reversal of the Bombshell dynamic, computer expert Tom Sanders (Michael Douglas) is sexually harassed by his attractive female boss, Meredith Johnson (Demi Moore).

When Tom files an official report, he finds that nobody believes that he, a man, could be victimized by a powerful female executive. Tom tries to prove the harassment but is further tormented by Meredith at every turn, threatening his job if he continues to expose the truth. Even more dastardly, the entire powerplay was made by Meredith to get back at her husband.

5 Broadcast News (1987)

Although largely devoid of the sexual harassment subplot, Broadcast News remains one of the preeminent movies about the newsroom politics and day-to-day operations.

The James L. Brooks classic follows two male news anchors, the dashing Tom Grunick (William Hurt) and expert Aaron Altman (Albert Brooks), as well as their female producer, Jane Craig (Holly Hunter). The clash of personalities and workplace romances provide more drama than the characters bargained for as the network braces for big changes.

4 Network (1976)

If Broadcast News is a preeminent news movie, then the number one movie ever made about television and the workplace dynamics therein has to be Sidney Lumet’s Network.

If you like Bombshell, you will love the performance by Faye Dunaway as a smart, witty, strong-willed, and tough-minded TV exec Diana Christensen. With high-ratings her number one objective, Diana directs the network to make money by exploiting the wild rantings of a conscious-stricken news anchor who exposes the news as nothing but a sham of advertising.

3 Erin Brockovich (2000)

For another true story of a woman taking action on her own accord, you won’t find a better movie than Erin Brockovich!

Based on a true story, Erin Brockovich is a jobless single mother who, after learning of contaminated water supply in her neighborhood, takes on a large California power corporation. With the help of a man named Ed Masry (Albert Finney), Erin is able to expose the truth and incite widespread change for the betterment of society. She nearly takes down the power company by herself!

2 North Country (2005)

For a perfect double-bill with Bombshell, watch Charlize Theron’s searing turn as a factory worker fighting for equal rights in the underrated North Country!

The film not only tackles equal rights and equal pay for women, but it also directly addresses workplace harassment and unwanted sexual advances. In fact, the movie chronicles the first nationally successful sexual harassment case in the U.S.. Theron plays Josey Aimes, a female mine shaft worker who is sexually accosted by coworker Bobby Sharp (Jeremy Renner). In the fight of her lifetime, Aimes won an unprecedented lawsuit in 1984.

1 9 to 5 (1980)

The one movie that most resembles Bombshell, albeit with a far more comedic tone, is the uproarious 1980 comedy 9 to 5.

Starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, the film follows the trio of female employees who are subjected to lecherous behavior by their sleazy boss, Franklin Hart Jr. (Dabney Coleman). Hart lies, cheats, insults, and paws his female employees as if he is entitled to do so. After having enough of his abuse, the three ladies get revenge by subjecting Hart to a series of humiliating pranks and paybacks.