20+ Films With Heroic Female Characters to Watch With Kids
Photo:
“Freakier Friday.” Photo: courtesy Disney+
Movies for older tweens and teens
“Freakier Friday” (2025), character: Anna Coleman, Tess Coleman and Harper
The body-swap chaos is back in this sequel to “Freaky Friday.” Anna and Tess Coleman come with even more family drama, confusion and comedic disaster this time around. Beneath the fun, the movie is really about empathy and what it means to step into someone else’s shoes, see their struggles and come out understanding each other a little better. With its mix of heart, humor and mother-daughter messiness, this one is an easy add for tweens and teens.
Rated PG, stream on Disney+
“Turtles all the Way Down” (2024), character: Aza Holmes
Based on the book by John Green, this movie follows the life of Aza Holmes, a 16-year-old high school student who grapples with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. Aza becomes entangled in the mystery of a missing billionaire while navigating the complexities of adolescence, mental health challenges and a rekindled connection with her childhood friend, Davis. Aza’s character offers an authentic portrayal of living with OCD. Her journey is inspiring and sheds light on the internal struggles associated with mental illness, emphasizing resilience amidst personal challenges. This movie has been praised for its sensitive and accurate depiction of mental health issues.
Rated PG-13, stream on HBO Max
“Damsel” (2024), character: Elodie
Everything seems great at the beginning of this dark fantasy film featuring Millie Bobby Brown as Elodie, a young woman who agrees to marry Prince Henry to support her impoverished family. However, upon arrival in the kingdom of Aurea, she discovers that the royal family intends to sacrifice her to a dragon to settle an ancient debt. But Eleven, I mean Elodie, is not going down that easy. Get ready for some exciting, sword-wielding action as Elodie relies on her wits and resilience to survive the dragon’s lair and challenge the treacherous royal family. This movie also stars powerhouses Robin Wright as Queen Isabelle and Angela Bassett as Lady Bayford.
Rated PG-13, stream on Netflix
“Nyad” (2023), characters: Diana Nyad and Bonnie Stoll
This true story of long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad and her 2013 record-setting swim is truly inspiring. The unstoppable 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 starring Annette Bening and Jodi Foster was nominated for two Oscars. Real footage of Diana Nyad is seamlessly woven throughout the movie. This is one not to miss.
Rated PG-13, stream on Netflix
“Barbie” (2023), characters: Barbie (all of them), Gloria and her daughter Sasha
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, eight Oscar nominations, and the incredible cast will make you laugh and cry. Pop some popcorn tonight and watch.
Rated PG-13, stream on HBO Max
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” (2023), character: Margaret Simon
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 generations can watch together.
Rated PG-13, stream on Amazon Prime Video
“Enola Holmes” and “Enola Holmes 2” (2020 and 2022), character: Enola Holmes
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.”
Rated PG-13, stream on Netflix
“Moxie” (2021), characters: Vivian and her mom Lisa, Lucy, Claudia, Kaitlynn and Kiera
“Moxie” follows the story of Vivian and her friends at 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.
Rated PG-13, stream on Netflix
“The Woman King” (2022), character: General Nanisca
“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.
Rated PG-13, stream on Amazon Prime Video
“The School for Good and Evil” (2022), characters: Sophie and Agatha
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.
Rated PG-13, stream on Netflix
“Dolores” (2017), character: Dolores Huerta
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 continued her tireless activism into her nineties.
Rated for 13+, stream on Amazon Prime Video
“Black Panther” (2018) and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2022), characters: Nakia, Okoye, Shuri and Ramonda
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.
Rated PG-13, stream on Disney+
“Wonder Woman” (2017), character: Diana
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 story challenges viewers to aim high and to fight for what’s right.
Rated PG-13, stream on HBO Max
“The Hate U Give” (2018), character: Starr Carter
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 youth 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.
Rated PG-13, stream on Amazon Prime Video
The Hunger Games movies (2012–2015), character: Katniss Everdeen
There’s no wonder Katniss is known as “the girl on fire.” As in the bestselling book 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.
Rated PG-13, stream them all on Amazon Prime Video
