20+ Films With Heroic Female Characters to Watch With Kids

Movie: “Nyad” (2023), characters: Diana Nyad and Bonnie Stoll

Rated PG-13, recommended for ages 12 and older
Stream on Netflix

This true story of long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad and her 2013 record-setting swim is awe-inspiring. The unstoppable, focused and driven Diana wanted to complete her lifelong dream of swimming 110-miles from Florida to Cuba (it takes 60 hours of constant swimming!). After numerous attempts, and with the help and support of her best friend, Bonnie, Diana reached her goal at the age of 64. This truly remarkable movie staring Annette Bening and Jodi Foster has been nominated for two Oscars. Real footage of Diana Nyad is seamlessly woven throughout the movie. This is one not to miss. 

Movie: “Barbie” (2023), characters: Barbie (all of them), Gloria and her daughter Sasha

Rated PG-13, recommended for ages 11 and older
Stream on Max

Unless you spent the last year living under a rock, you probably heard about this movie. In this live-action movie (directed and written by Greta Gerwig) about the iconic doll by Mattel, the Barbies live in a female utopia where women run the world and every night is a dance party. Following an existential crisis, Barbie finds herself on a journey of self-discovery that takes her to the real world, where she encounters a troubled mother and daughter (Gloria and Sasha), trying to navigate life in our somewhat less empowering world. This movie has received multiple awards, 8 Oscar nominations and the incredible cast will make you laugh and cry. Pop some popcorn tonight and watch.  

Movie: “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” (2023), characters: Margaret Simon

Rated PG-13, recommended for ages 12 and older 
Stream on Amazon Prime Video

This classic coming of age story is based on the book by the same name, by Judy Blume. Young tweens will love and relate to Margaret as she navigates life, love and puberty. Margaret’s mom and grandmother also navigate their own journey toward self-discovery and happiness, making this a movie the generations can watch together.   

Movie: “Enola Holmes” and “Enola Holmes 2” (2020 and 2022), character: Enola Holmes

Rated PG-13, recommended for ages 12 and older
Stream on Netflix

These fun, fast-paced movies follow the story of Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister, Enola. Just as clever as her older brothers, Enola finds herself solving mysteries and using her martial arts skills to get out of sticky situations. Enola is independent and clever and flies against the social norms of the time. These movies will be popular with the tween and older crowd, and it doesn’t hurt that Enola is played by Millie Bobby Brown, the star of the wildly popular Netflix show “Stranger Things.” 

Movie: “Moxie” (2021), characters: Vivian and her mom Lisa, Lucy, Claudia, Kaitlynn and Kiera

Rated PG-13, recommended for ages 12 and older  
Stream on Netflix

“Moxie” follows the story of Vivian and her friends at her high school. For years the girls at their school have been ignored and treated unfairly. With the help of her inspirational Gen-X mom (played by Amy Poehler) Vivian decides enough is enough and it’s time the girls of the school stand up for themselves. If you are looking for a movie to inspire you to tear down the patriarchy and make some noise, you’ve found it. 

Movie: “The Woman King” (2022), character: General Nanisca

Rated PG-13, recommended for ages 15 and older

“The Woman King” tells the powerful story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s. The movie follows the epic journey of General Nanisca as she recruits and trains female warriors to fight to protect their way of life. There are several intense battle scenes with quite a bit of violence. There are also discussions about rape and scenes of implied sexual violence.    

Movie: “The School for Good and Evil” (2022), characters: Sophie and Agatha

Rated PG-13, recommended for ages 13 and older
Stream on Netflix

Best friends Sophie and Agatha find themselves on opposing sides of an epic battle when they’re swept away into an enchanted school where aspiring heroes and villains are trained to protect the balance between the forces of good and evil. 

Movie: “Dolores” (2017), character: Dolores Huerta

Not rated, recommended for ages 11 and older
Stream on Amazon Prime Video

This documentary film delves into the untold story of Dolores Huerta, a civil rights activist and labor leader who laid the groundwork with César Chávez in founding the first labor union for farm workers. The mother of 11 has continued her tireless activism into her nineties.

Movie: “Black Panther” (2018) and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2022), characters: Nakia, Okoye, Shuri and Ramonda

Rated PG-13, recommended for ages 12 and older
Stream on Disney+

The women of Wakanda are amazing reminders that anyone can be anything. Nakia is a spy, Okoye is the head of an all-female special forces unit, Shuri is a brilliant scientist and Ramonda is the Queen Mother of T’Challa, the Black Panther. These women give their all to protect Wakanda and are integral to the nation’s success.

Movie: “Wonder Woman” (2017), character: Diana

Rated PG-13, recommended for ages 12 and older
Stream on Max

Wonder Woman is girl power at its finest — Diana of Themyscira is part-Amazon, part-god, has super strength and speed, can heal rapidly, and, did we mention, she’s part-Amazon, part-god? Wonder Woman has great moral and physical strength, and her narrative challenges viewers to aim high and to fight for what’s right. 

Movie: “The Hate U Give” (2018), character: Starr Carter

Rated PG-13, recommended for ages 13 and older
Stream on Amazon Prime Video

As in the award-winning book, the film was based on the character Starr Carter, who doesn’t have to exist in a fantasy realm to find her superpower. While the 16-year-old lives in the fictional Garden Heights, a predominantly Black neighborhood, she confronts racial divides and systemic racism that exist in present-day America. Having to code-switch and live as two versions of herself, Starr grows to understand the power of her voice. Hers is a political awakening that youths today can relate to — a coming-of-age story about developing a social conscience, creating change and, in Starr’s case, picking up a literal megaphone to make herself heard. 

Movie: The Hunger Games movies (2012–2015), character: Katniss Everdeen

Rated PG-13, recommended for ages 13 and older
Stream them all on Amazon Prime Video

There’s no wonder Katniss is known as “the girl on fire.” As in the bestselling series on which the film is based, Katniss is a courageous hero, a highly skilled archer and a survivor. Loyal and intelligent, she risks her life to save her family and her district. And, if that’s not superhero-esque enough for you, Katniss becomes a symbol of hope and endurance for the oppressed people of Panem. Iconic.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in February 2020, and has been updated for 2024 to include new movie recommendation for families.