French auteur Jean Luc Godard once remarked that filmmaking is basically 'boys filming girls.' While that has changed a lot over the years, there is no shortage of fascination with today's top leading ladies. From Meryl Streep to Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz to Cate Blanchett, modern cinema has plenty of excellent actresses. With today's movie packages, you can go back in time and see an entire body of work before checking in on the latest releases. Here are the top 5 leading ladies being showcased on satellite TV.

1. Meryl Streep. Meryl Streep is one actress that simply refuses to age. Her latest star turn in It's Complicated featured a radiant Meryl as the object of both Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin's desire. Of course, if you are looking for another type of role - the heavy duty acting, for example - you can tune in Deer Hunter and see the young Streep in top form in the 1970's. The recent Julia and Julie is another way to get a look at this living legend of the cinema in high definition.

2. Kate Winslet. Winslet seems to be starring in the most important dramas produced every year, a sign she may be taking over the job once held by Streep. After terrific performances in The Reader and Revolutionary Road, there seems to be no turning back for Winslet. However, for fans who want a look at her entire body of work, tune in Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind on the Independent Film Channel to see another excellent part for this top starlet.

3. Penelope Cruz. While everyone has their annual rituals they complete, it seems that Pedro Almodovar and Penelope Cruz pencil in a movie to make together. With the latest Broken Embraces to show for their collaboration, it's hard to argue with the formula. If you want to look beyond Almodovar, check her out in the Oscar-winning performance in Vicky Christina Barcelona by Woody Allen, or in Nine, the Rob Marshall hit now playing on satellite TV On Demand stations.

4. Cate Blanchett. Blanchett, like Winslet and Streep, is always involved in the top English-language productions of the year. Flipping through the channels, the incendiary Notes on a Scandal is a great way to see Blanchett at her best. Like most top actresses, she feeds off the energy of co-star Judi Dench (brilliant in her own right) and soars in a demanding role as the British teacher who gets involved with a young student. See this film on IFC in HD.

5. Scarlett Johansson. Johansson has never quite gotten the respect she deserves for her acting ability, but she continues to hone her craft and is always turning up in big films from top directors. Johansson co-stars with Cruz in Vicky Christina Barcelona opposite Javier Bardem, making this Woody Allen film a truly star-studded event. Check it out on HBO with satellite TV movie packages, or go back a few years and see Johansson opposite Bill Murray in Lost in Translation.