12 Hot Summer Movies for the Girls - Watch

Big Hollywood summer popcorn flicks and lesbian-themed cinema don't typically collide, although there's an argument to be made that Angela Robinson's sexy spy story D.E.B.S and Jamie Babbit's teen angst / mini camp masterpiece But I'm a Cheerleader came pretty darned close.

Big Hollywood summer popcorn flicks and lesbian-themed cinema don't typically collide, although there's an argument to be made that Angela Robinson's sexy spy story D.E.B.S and Jamie Babbit's teen angst / mini camp masterpiece But I'm a Cheerleader came pretty darned close.

Still, when it comes to lesbians -- or women in general for that matter -- seeking representation on the big screen, the summer blockbuster season is fairly slim pickings for the ladies next to the testosterone laden superhero scenario on endless redux and the paean to the poor marginalized shlubby guy who gets the hot girl comedies that continue to proliferate.

So what's a girl to do on an impossibly humid 90-degree summer day when she's craving popcorn and arctic temps in a darkened theater?  With the help of the New York Times Summer Movies' section we've compiled a list of summer movies that feature strong female characters, respected actresses, and documentaries and features about or directed by women. Look for separate coverage of LGBT film festivals. 

Get your Swedish Fish and tub o' corn and settle in! 

Opening June 1:

Chely Wright: Wish Me Away 

The poignant story of country music star Chely Wright's coming out publicly, a virtual first for a country star. Bobbie Birleffi and Beveryl Kopf direct. 

Pink Ribbons Inc. 

Out Lost and Delirious director Lea Pool investigates the business of breast cancer and the pink ribbon phenomenon in this documentary. 

Snow White and the Huntsman

Charlize Theron stars as the evil queen while Kristen Stewart plays an armor-clad Snow White. Enough said! 

Opening June 8: 

Peace, Love and Misunderstanding

Catherine Keener stars as an uptight lawyer-type mom who takes her teenaged kids to visit their hippie grandmother in Woodstock. Jane Fonda plays the grandmother while Elizabeth Olsen, Kyle McLachlan, Rosanna Arquette and Chace Crawford costar in the comedy directed by Driving Miss Daisy helmer Bruce Beresford. 

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