Caged Heat (also known as Renegade Girls) is a 1974 American women-in-prison film written and directed by Jonathan Demme, in his directorial debut. It stars Juanita Brown, Roberta Collins, Erica Gavin, Ella Reid, Rainbeaux Smith, and Barbara Steele. The film was produced independently and distributed by New World Pictures, headed by Roger Corman. John Cale wrote and performed its soundtrack music, which features the guitar playing of Mike Bloomfield.

The film was released on October 30, 1974. Retrospective reviews have been generally positive, noting Demme's strong direction and the film's social commentary and feminist themes.

In Los Angeles, undercover police officers arrive at a motel where those inside, including Jacqueline Wilson, are trafficking illegal drugs. During the escape, an officer and one of Jacqueline's accomplices are shot, while two of them escape. Jacqueline is arrested and sentenced to 40 years inside a women's correctional prison for possession of illegal drugs and attempted murder.

Upon her arrival, Jacqueline is strip searched and dines with her fellow inmates inside the cafeteria. The next morning, the inmates are transferred to Connorville Correctional Institute for Women, under the control of Superintendent McQueen. There, they are treated to a drag show but McQueen leaves in disgust. The next morning, McQueen reprimands Belle and Pandora, two of the inmates who organized the drag show. McQueen punishes Pandora with solitary confinement after discovering a photograph of her boyfriend inside her cell.

While showering, Jacqueline gets into an altercation with Maggie, after which McQueen threatens her with behavioral therapy. Back in her cell, Belle tells her criminal history to Jacqueline. The next morning, Belle crawls through an air vent and steals food from the staff lounge. She gives the food to Pandora, who is still under confinement. Meanwhile, inside the kitchen, Maggie assaults one of the officers and steals her handgun. She then sets a fire and attempts to free herself, but she is prevented. Although Jacqueline tried to save the officer, McQueen sends her to the behavioral clinic, where she is given shock therapy.

The next morning, Belle attempts to steal food again, but is caught by a kitchen matron. Belle shoves her against the refrigerator, and the matron is killed. Belle is then apprehended and taken to the clinic. Outside, the inmates are picking apples when Maggie fakes a medical accident. She assaults an officer and steals a prison transport truck, with Jacqueline hitching a ride. They take the truck to an auto repair shop, where the mechanic helps the women escape after an officer spots the truck.

Along the road, Maggie and Jacqueline steal a couple's car and arrive at a brothel. There, Maggie reunites with her friend Crazy Alice. Jacqueline calls her friend Sparky, asking him to create fake IDs. One of Alice's sex clients turns out to be an undercover officer, who attempts to arrest her along with Maggie under suspicions of soliciting a prostitute. The pair incapacitate the officer and escape.

Back at the prison, Lavelle, one of the inmates who attempted to escape, is relieved from further therapy based on good behavior, and is given a job at the clinic. There, Doctor Randolph makes Belle, who is under sedation, sign a medical form allowing him to perform psychological surgery if she wants parole. Randolph then sexually assaults Belle, which is witnessed by Lavelle. On the lam, Jacqueline and Maggie attempt a bank robbery, but a gang of male robbers have beaten them to it. Officers arrive outside the bank, and the women escape. Jacqueline decides to return to the prison to free the other inmates. Maggie initially resists, but changes her mind. They hijack a transport truck and are driven inside the compound.