20+ Films With Heroic Female Characters to Watch With Kids
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“KPop Demon Hunters: Fireplace.” Photo: courtesy Netflix
Movies for older elementary-age kids
“KPop Demon Hunters” (2025), characters: Rumi, Mira and Zoey
By day, Rumi, Mira and Zoey are a chart-topping K-pop girl group. By night, they are demon hunters protecting their fans from supernatural forces. But beneath all the action, music and bold visuals, this movie is a story about teamwork, trust and girls owning their power. This is a can't-miss pick for kids who like their heroines with a little sparkle and a lot of attitude.
Rated TV-Y, stream on Netflix
“In Your Dreams” (2025), character: Stevie
This imaginative animated adventure follows Stevie and her brother Elliot as they travel through a wildly strange dream world in hopes of finding the Sandman. While the movie is packed with surreal visuals and plenty of chaos, Stevie gives the story its heart. She is determined, vulnerable and easy to root for, especially as the journey pushes her to face big feelings about family, change and what home really means. It is a sweet, adventurous pick for kids who like stories with a little weirdness and a lot of heart.
Rated PG, stream on Netflix
“Wicked” (2024) and “Wicked: For Good” (2025), characters: Galinda Upland and Elphaba Thropp
The Tony Award-winning musical took theaters by storm two years ago, and the final chapter of Galinda and Elphaba landed (like a house on top of a witch) in theaters last summer. Learn the history of the two witches of Oz (Glinda the Good Witch, and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West) who met as young women at school. Though the two young witches are different, they form a tight bond. But their friendship soon faces a crossroads, ultimately leading them down two very different paths.
Rated PG, stream on Amazon Prime Video
“The Young Woman and the Sea” (2024), character: Gertrude Ederle
This movie tells the real-life story of Gertrude Ederle, an American competitive swimmer and the first woman to swim across the 21-mile English Channel in 1926. In the face of nearly all the social norms of the time, Gertrude persevered to achieve her goal. Despite knowing that she is ultimately successful before you even hit “play” (this is a historical story), this film still manages to capture the drama and excitement of the event, and you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat rooting for Gertrude to succeed. Rated PG, stream on Disney+
“Out of My Mind” (2024), character: Melody Brooks
Melody is a a witty and intelligent sixth grader who is nonverbal, uses a wheelchair and has cerebral palsy. Despite her sharp mind, Melody faces significant challenges due to others’ misconceptions about her abilities. Her life takes a transformative turn when a young teacher recognizes her potential and integrates her into mainstream classes. With the support of assistive technology, Melody strives to demonstrate that her thoughts and insights are as valuable as those of her peers. The film stars Phoebe-Rae Taylor (a young actress who has cerebral palsy) as Melody, with Jennifer Aniston providing the voice for Melody’s inner thoughts.
Rated TV-PG, stream on Disney+
“Nimona” (2023), character: Nimona
When a knight (Ballister) in a futuristic medieval world is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, only the mischievous teenager Nimona can help him clear his name. Only one problem — she just happens to be a shape-shifting creature that Ballister has sworn to destroy. But with everyone against him, Ballister accepts Nimona as his sidekick, and the adventures begin. This animated movie moves fast and will keep your adventure fans entertained.
Rated PG, stream on Netflix
“The Marvels” (2023), characters: Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel), Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel)
This movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe focuses on three women heroes: Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel), Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel). Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the evil villain, Kree. But her powers become entangled with Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) and her estranged niece, who is now astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. They must all work together to save the world and universe. Like all Marvel movies there is plenty of action, fighting and violence, which may be too intense for younger viewers.
Rated PG-13, stream on Disney+
“Turning Red” (2022), character: Mei
Mei is a typical 13-year-old trying to navigate the pressures of middle school and family life. She does have one unique challenge — when she becomes too emotional, she turns into a giant red panda. This unique coming-of-age story tackles friendship, crushes and family.
Rated PG, stream on Disney+
“A Wrinkle in Time” (2018), character: Meg
Meg and her brother travel through the universe to rescue their father from a great evil. Based on the young adult science fantasy novel by Madeleine L’Engle, this movie is filled with magical creatures and mind-bending adventures across time and space. This movie has many strong female characters, including Mrs. Which, played by the one-and-only Oprah!
Rated PG, stream on Disney+
“Akeelah and the Bee” (2006), character: Akeelah
Akeelah, an 11-year-old champion speller from South Los Angeles, has a knack for words. She overcomes great obstacles — objections from her mother, mockery from her peers — to excel at the national spelling bee, uniting her community in the process. Thanks to Akeelah, not only do viewers learn that they can achieve anything they set their mind to, but they also see how doing the right thing can be more important than winning.
Rated PG, stream on Amazon Prime Video
“Wadjda” (2012), character: Wadjda
Wadjda dreams of buying a green bicycle to race against a boy in her neighborhood. But beyond the bike’s price tag, the independent-minded 11-year-old girl in Saudi Arabia has a lot of cultural expectations she has to navigate, including taboos over women and men mingling, and girls riding bicycles. Her drive to live life her way is an incredible statement for girls everywhere.
Rated PG, stream on Amazon Prime Video
“Matilda” (1996), character: Matilda Wormwood
Matilda may have telekinesis, but her real power is in being well read, kind and brave. The 6-year-old educates herself and stands up to her neglectful parents and awful school principal, learning to be independent and courageous from a young age. If you want to watch a version with songs, check out the 2022 musical adaptation on Netflix.
Rated PG, stream on Amazon Prime Video
“Little Women” (2019), characters: the March sisters
The story of the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, has inspired readers for 150 years, way longer than there have been superhero movies. The 2019 big-screen adaptation shares the love story of the sisters and their mother with a whole new generation, showing that there’s power in supporting each other and in living life on one’s own terms. Girls and women can write their stories, own their choices, and go beyond the expectations and limits of society in ways that don’t require superspeed or battle gear.
Rated PG, stream on Amazon Prime Video
“Captain Marvel” (2019), character: Carol Danvers
Captain Marvel is the most powerful superhero in the Marvel cinematic universe. (Fun fact: This movie was Marvel’s first film starring a woman, its first with a female director and its first to feature a female composer.) It’s amazing to watch the strong and intelligent former Air Force pilot Carol Danvers become an incredibly mighty and level-headed superhero when Earth is caught in a galactic war between two alien races. No big deal. And the fact that Captain Marvel doesn’t have a love interest, but fights to protect her friendship with Maria Rambeau and her daughter, is a heartwarming testament to the power of sisterhood.
Rated PG-13, stream on Disney+
“Hidden Figures” (2016), characters: Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson
While many know the names of famous astronauts, rarely do we hear stories of the “human computers” who worked behind the scenes at NASA. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson are inspiring Black women scientists, three unsung heroes of the 1950s and 1960s who were vital to the success of the U.S. space flight program. On top of their achievements, they did it all while fighting prejudice against African Americans and women in segregationist Virginia.
Rated PG, stream on Amazon Prime Video
Up next: Movies for older tweens and teens
