The best strong female lead movies to watch with your girl!
Posted by:
Natalie
If you are looking for the perfect movie to watch with your girl? Then you can't go wrong with watching one on this list!
Choosing to watch films with a strong female lead is a great way to deliver a big dose of girl power to your girl.
I've watched these movies with my daughter and niece; I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
There is nothing better than that precious time when you snuggle up together and watch some remarkable, inspirational women 'do their thing'!
Natalie
x
Hidden Figures
A brilliant film to inspire girls in Science and Maths, a true story about 3 remarkable women
2016— Katherine Goble Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), and Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer)
This movie is the incredible & inspiring previously untold true story about three black women, Katherine, Mary, and Dorothy, who began working at NASA in the early 1960's.
These intelligent, hard-working, and capable women all overcome and cope with the battles they face working in a unit that is segregated by race and sex.
The film follows them as they became instrumental in one of history's greatest operations – the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit.
It is a story of strength: Women performing at the highest levels in Maths and Science, who achieve their dreams through hard work, diligence and grace.
If I could only pick one movie, then this is the one I think every girl should watch!
Suitable for ages 9+
Rent or Buy on Amazon: here
Akeelah and the Bee
(2006) — Starring KeKe Palmer, Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburn.
A young girl with a talent for spelling has to overcome self-confidence issues to follow her dreams.
Akeelah, an 11-year-old girl living in South Los Angeles, discovers she has a talent for spelling, which she hopes will take her to the National Spelling Bee.
Despite her mother's objections, Akeelah doesn't give up on her goal. She finds help in the form of a mysterious teacher, and along with overwhelming support from her community, Akeelah might just have what it takes to make her dream come true.
Suitable for ages 8+
Rent or Buy on Amazon: here
Mulan
(2020) —Directed by Nick Caro, starring Yifei Liu
This film is all about the epic tale of China’s legendary warrior MULAN.
A fearless young woman risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known.
The film follows her as she harnesses her inner strength and embraces her true potential. Her epic journey transforms her into an honoured warrior and earns her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father!
Rating - 12+
Watch on Disney+: here
* If you have younger girls then there is an animated version on Disney too!
Legally Blonde
(2001) — Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair
A light hearted film following a girl transform from being obsessed with superficial issues into a woman to be reckoned with!
When beauty, fashion obsessed L.A. girl Elle Woods gets dumped by her high school boyfriend, she decides to win him back by following him to Harvard Law School.
She ends up surprising everyone (including herself!) with her talent and ability.
Rating - 12+
Rent or Buy on Amazon: here
Wadjda
(2012) — Directed by: Haifaa Al-Mansour Starring: Reem Abdullah, Waad Mohammed, Abdullrahman Al Gohani, Sultan Al Assaf
A young Saudi girl attempts to raise funds to purchase a forbidden bicycle.
A rebellious teenage girl called Wadjda (Waad Mohammed) wants a bike ( so she can race and beat a boy!) She will do everything in her power to make it happen, in a society that deems women should not be seen or heard.
When the rules don't fit, find the courage to follow your own!
This multi award winning film is subtitled but don't let that put you off watching it with your girl. It's so worth it.
Rating - PG For Ages 8+
Rent or Buy on Amazon: here
Black Panther
(2018) — Directed by: Ryan Coogler Starring: Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), Shuri (Letitia Wright), Okoye (Danai Gurira), Ramonda (Angela Bassett)
The lead character might be a man but it's the strong women in this film that steel the show!
Even though they aren’t the main characters, all of the women in this movie are badasses. My daughter absolutely loves the tech-savvy Shuri, she's full of one liners and is basically the smartest person in the world.
But all of the women in the movie are powerful women who use their power for the greater good.
Rating - Ages 13+
Watch on Disney+: here
Little Women
(2019) — Written and directed by Greta Gerwig Starring: Saoirse Ronan,Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scalen
The plot follows four sisters and their emergence into womanhood.
This interpretation of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, puts an emphasis on women empowerment.
Determined to make her own way in the 1860s, a writer looks back at the tough yet tender times spent with her three spirited sisters and a close friend.
Rating - PG Suitable for Age 10+
Watch on Netflix: here
Dumplin'
(2018) — Directed by Anne Fletcher Starring: Danielle Macdonald and Jennifer Aniston
This is a movie to remind girls they are perfect just the way they are!
Willowdean ('Dumplin'), the plus-size teenage daughter of a former beauty queen, signs up for her mom's Miss Teen Bluebonnet pageant as a protest that escalates when other contestants follow her footsteps, revolutionising the pageant and their small Texas town.
This film is full of warm feel good vibes that's also a brilliant way of showing your daughter the power of body positivity!
You'll both be singing along to the Dolly Parton soundtrack by the end of the movie, and cheering on the character's bravery and spirit.
Rating - 12+
Watch on Netflix: here
* For total transparence some of these links are affiliate links, but we only include products we believe in and hand-pick, other links will just take you to another brilliant small business! Natalie x
Looking for a way to inspire your girl every month ?
Our GirlBE boxes deliver a dose of empowerment through the letterbox every month.
Focusing on girl power, positivity, mindfulness and self-belief.
We've had fantastic feedback from subscribers on how they are actually building confidence and inspiring girls!
Learn more about our GirlBE
Catch up on our latest posts
Hi I'm Natalie - founder of GirlBE and Raising Strong Daughters
Statistics show between the ages of 8-14, girls’ confidence levels fall between 30 percent.
Only 27.1% of leaders or managers worldwide are women.
In an era of #Metoo, #EqualPay, #Girlscount, (and now the effects of the global pandemic, and the rise in girls mental health issues!).
If we are going to see our girls flourish, I believe we should do all we can to show girls their worth and empower them towards greatness.
Hi,
Before you move on, Are you looking for more ways to support your girl?
I'm on a mission to help those of us raising girls have all the information and resources we need to raise the next generation of strong women.
We need to work together if we are going to ensure our girls reach their potential, so let's stay in touch!
Natalie
x
SIGN UP TO OUR EMAILS FOR NEWS ON HOW YOU CAN EMPOWER YOUR GIRL, INSPIRATIONAL UPDATES AND FANTASTIC PRODUCTS FOR GIRLS.
