If you loved the gritty, exploitative charm of 'The Big Bird Cage' (1972), this list is for you. Dive into 10 similar films and shows that capture the same blend of action, drama, and grindhouse flair. Whether you're a fan of women-in-prison flicks or just crave bold, rebellious storytelling, these picks will keep you hooked.

The Big Doll House (1971)
Description: A women-in-prison exploitation film that blends action, drama, and sleaze, featuring strong female leads navigating brutal conditions and forming alliances.
Fact: The film was shot in the Philippines and is known for its gritty, low-budget aesthetic that became a hallmark of the genre.


Bury Me an Angel (1971)
Description: A biker exploitation film with a strong female lead seeking revenge, blending action, drama, and counterculture themes.
Fact: The film is notable for its rare female protagonist in the male-dominated biker movie genre of the era.


Women in Cages (1971)
Description: Another women-in-prison exploitation flick with a focus on survival, betrayal, and revenge, set in a harsh, tropical prison environment.
Fact: The movie was part of a wave of similar films produced in the early 1970s, capitalizing on the popularity of the genre.


The Arena (1974)
Description: A blend of action and exploitation, featuring women forced into gladiatorial combat, emphasizing themes of empowerment and resistance.
Fact: The film was marketed as a 'sexploitation' piece but is notable for its feminist undertones and strong female characters.


The Doll Squad (1973)
Description: A female-led action film about a team of elite operatives, combining espionage, violence, and a touch of campy exploitation flair.
Fact: The movie is often cited as an inspiration for later female-led action franchises like 'Charlie's Angels.'


Candy Stripe Nurses (1974)
Description: A sexploitation comedy-drama set in a hospital, focusing on the misadventures of young nurses, blending humor, romance, and risqué elements.
Fact: The film was part of a series of nurse-themed exploitation movies that were popular in the 1970s.


Foxy Brown (1974)
Description: A blaxploitation classic featuring a fierce female protagonist taking on criminals and corrupt officials, blending action, revenge, and empowerment themes.
Fact: The character Foxy Brown became an iconic figure in the blaxploitation genre, symbolizing female strength and resilience.


The Swinging Cheerleaders (1974)
Description: A satirical take on the cheerleading subculture, mixing comedy, drama, and exploitation tropes, with a focus on female camaraderie and rebellion.
Fact: The film was part of a wave of cheerleader-themed exploitation movies popular in the 1970s.


Switchblade Sisters (1975)
Description: A gritty, female-led gang film that combines crime drama with exploitation elements, focusing on loyalty, power struggles, and violence.
Fact: The movie gained a cult following years after its release, praised for its raw energy and unconventional storytelling.


Jackson County Jail (1976)
Description: A crime thriller with exploitation roots, following a woman's harrowing ordeal in a corrupt Southern jail, blending action and social commentary.
Fact: The film was inspired by real-life incidents of police brutality and became a drive-in favorite.
