While movies that have a precise notion of gender roles are fun to watch, we all need some change once in a while. The following movies have gender swap that will surely provide that change. By gender swap, we mean characters that assumes the identity of opposite sex that provides hilarious situations. The comic relief that comes is an added bonus. These movies features cross dressers with a comic timing. Still, they serve more purpose than merely being rom-coms. Many of these movies essentially throw light on gender divide and segregation. Amidst the plots, the discrimination based on gender is not hard to find through these movies. Stereotyping gender with certain characteristic elements is targeted in these movies. Luckily, they put forth a question that is asked with a funny tone: what doesn’t it mean to be a girl or a boy? A man or a woman?
We have movies with body swapping themes, movies where guys pretend to be girls and vice versa. We also have movies where women assumes the identity of a men to survive some crisis. In all of these movies, we have various underlining themes and messages. We hope you will gives these movies a chance.
#1 Mulan
Mulan tells the story of a young girl named Fa Mulan, who is a misfit tomboy. Amidst the society’s insistence that girls should be coy and shy, Mulan stands out as a girl who is courageous. After her country China is invaded, the emperor ask each family to send one male member from each family to serve in the imperial army. Seeing that his father is old and weak, Mulan decides to take his place. Cross dressing as a young male warrior, Mulan fights along with other warriors.
The movie is light hearted and fun to watch. It also has some serious moments that will keep you hooked. We have a dragon and cricket as the sidekick for Mulan. If that doesn’t guarantee a fun time in the movie, what will? Furthermore, there may be some romance budding in the movie. But you have to watch the movie to know. Remember, good girls are bad girls that don’t get caught. Mulan is definitely one of them. Wink!
#2 It’s A Boy Girl Thing
Well if the title doesn’t give away the plot, here it is. The movie feature a pair of arch rivals who fervently hate each other’s gut. This boy-girl pair are of opposite temperament and behaviors. You know, the girl is classy and sophisticated. The boy, not so much. So imagine what would happen if their bodies gets swapped? The girl starts dressing trashy and the boy starts cowering in shower with other school mates. This movie takes gender swap to another level.
You will love the movie because it is sweet and cute. This pair find romantic inclination with each other which is not evident when we first start the movie. You need to watch it to find out why that happens. You won’t be disappointed. Overall, the movie is perfect for a Sunday lie-in with a bowl of popcorn. If you are looking for a fluffy movie with some comedy to it, watch It’s A Boy Girl Thing. Also, try to find what’s a “boy’s” thing and a “girl’s”. Pun intended.
#3 Mrs Doubtfire
Mrs Doubtfire has Robin Williams as the lead. Robin Williams equals to funny time. Need we say more? Mrs Doubtfire should be in you gender swap movie series because of the genius plot line. When a divorced actor assume the identity of a female maid to work at her ex-wife’s home, all chaos ensues. He does so in order to meet his children and have some quality alone time with them.
But the movie serves more laughter than you are expecting. Robin Williams is hilarious and the story line is engaging. Also, along the lines of the story, you realize that he is not that bad-looking as a female. We hope we gave you enough reasons to give this movie a try!
Also Read: 11 Best Robin Williams Movies to Watch
#4 She’s The Man
Inspired by Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night, She’s The Man is a funny roller coaster. Viola, who is a football player vows to prove that girls are good in sports, just like boys. When her high school team stops receiving funding, she devise a plot. Entering her brother’s school in his place earns her a place in the football team. Along with playing soccer, comes the attraction to a fellow roommate and trying hard to hide her real identity.
Viola does a lot of hiding and planning. She hides her breasts. She hides her hair. She also hides her infatuation for her roommate. The movie is definitely funny. Viola is crazy and along with her friends, provides good entertainment in this film. The gender swap serves hilarity and funny moments. You will definitely watch it a second time, just to see the way Duke swats that towel in the bathroom. You’ll know what we mean when you watch the movie.
#5 Just One Of The Guys
Just One Of The Guys is a genre defining teen comedy. Considered one of the earliest movies on gender swap, it dealt with many issue. Terri Griffith is smart high school girl. She is beautiful and rich, but these qualities are limiting. She is never taken seriously as an aspiring reporter and often deals with backhand sexism. From the boys in high school to the male teachers, through Terri, we get to see the way women are generally viewed from male perspective.
Terri then decides to cross dress as a guy and attend his brother’s school. She does that because she thinks no one takes her seriously since she is a girl. This results in many confusions, misplaced emotions and overall, a comedy. Just One Of The Guys should be watched because it is a classic. Even though it is lesser known, it is one a kind. The movie is serious in making a statement about how hard it is to survive as a women, even if you are merely a high-schooler.
#6 Tootsie
Tootsie was nominated for 10 academy awards. The movies features a story of a pedantic actor. He is a perfectionist but hard to work with. After long bouts of unemployment, he decides to take the matter in his own hand. And that becomes a laughing matter. Michael Dorsey then auditions for a role in a soap opera and successfully gets it. There is a small problem. He gets the role of a woman.
So what follows is Michael’s struggle to keep his job as well as hide his identity. Tootsie should be given a chance because of its impeccable story line and cast. You will enjoy Michael’s antics. And finally realize how hard it is to keep a job.
#7 Sorority Boys
Since we are talking about gender swap and cross dresser movies, Sorority Boys is a must watch? The movie is a comedy. When three college guys are kicked out from their fraternity, they find a way to survive. Pretending to be girls, they join the least famous sorority group on campus and starts living there.
The result is what you might expect. Showers are to be done in secret. Hair to be removed. Mustache to be shaved. Fake boobs? Check. You know, the general deal. They get right into the thick and thin of being a girl. Their wardrobe eventually becomes impeccable and their style is unique. But there is something that these boys needs to do in order to return to their fraternity. We are not telling you any further. Go watch the movie and laugh on your own. And thank us later.
#8 Some Like It Hot
Some Like It Hot is a cult classic. With a star cast, the movie caters to every genre within comedy. We have cross dressing male jazz players hiding away from mafia. We have beautiful opera singers who give these two men refuge. The movie was released in 1959 and opened to positive reviews.
It is considered one of the best films of all times and a masterpiece. Marilyn Monroe is simple splendid, while the male actors are genius in comic timing. This movie should be watched by you simply because it exists. That is good enough a reason to watch it. Let us know in the comment section if you agree with its brilliance like the rest of the world does.
#9 Shakespeare in Love
Well if you think Shakespeare cross dressed in this movie, then you are a bit wrong. The movie, nonetheless, remains fantastic. The story is this: Shakespeare is an upcoming writer, preparing the production of his play. Then comes Viola, who is the daughter of a rich merchant. She is betrothed to someone she doesn’t love. She is also a big fan of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. So much so that she can recite it line by line. In a bout of insanity or utter daring, Viola dresses up as a man and gives audition to be Romeo in Shakespeare’s production. So you see, the cross dressing is done by Viola, not Shakespeare.
The movie takes a fictional artistic liberty on how Shakespeare might have been inspired to write The Twelfth Night. The inspiration for that play is insinuated to be from his love for Viola. Shakespeare in Love is funny, witty and at times smartly written. The writers and director gives more than you expect. The movie was a huge commercial success and is a must watch for all the Shakespeare fans out there! After all, Shakespeare was one of the earliest writer who dealt with gender swap in his works.
#10 Nuns On The Run
Nuns On The Run is a British comedy film released in 1990. You can trust British humor to provide a thoroughly entertaining movie for you to watch. Two gangsters flee after their boss has been killed and their mafia in chaos. They take shelter in a nunnery and assumes the roles of nuns to survive. As you can imagine, what happens next is pure and unbridled chaos. This chaos deserves your attention, and so does this movie!
#11 Your Name
Your Name is a Japanese animated movie. The film has a fantasy story line where a high school boy and girl keeps swapping bodies with each other. The fun part is that the girl, Mitsuha live in countryside while the boy, Taki resides in Tokyo. They start helping each other out by leaving notes of what they have done while they swapped bodies. Over the course of time, their friendship grows. They try to find each other. And then comes the plot twist. Needless to say, the film is intricate with details and the plot is well written.
Even though the movie is animated, you will never be bored. Your Name is a absolute gem of storytelling. It will invokes emotions within you that you forgot you even had. Watch this movie because it is simply beautiful and warm at its core. You will thoroughly enjoy it.
Gender swap movies are fun to watch. They can be light and funny, promising a good time. They also have some serious message hidden in the stories. It is up to you on how to receive them. All in all, we want you to have a great time watching these movies. There is a definite comic tone to the movies where gender is an important concept. We hope you find some interesting elements that make these movies worth your time.
