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30 People Share Movies Where The “Strong Female Lead” Was Actually Done Right
Contrary to what some screenwriters might believe, the strong female leads in their films don’t have to be the sexiest women on Earth, and they certainly don’t need to fall in love with the male lead. They can have their own agendas, their own minds and be capable of solving problems on their own, just like women in real life!
Reddit users have recently been sharing examples of the “strong female lead” trope in films that have actually been done well, so we’ve gathered some of their top replies below. From Clarice Starling to Elle Woods, enjoy scrolling through, and be sure to upvote all of your favorite strong, independent women!
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#2
Terminator 2
Jeff White 1 year ago
How could I have forgotten about this? Absolute perfection. If it wasn't for Aliens, this would be the best ever.
#4
Laura Dern, Jurassic Park. Seeing a strong woman in science at such a young age had a profound impact on me, and I truly think it’s one of the reasons I am a scientist today.
#5
Hidden Figures. Wonderful movie about the women working for Nasa in the 60's who were human computers; they calculated the numbers by hand for the first flight to the moon.
Furiousa in Mad Max: Fury Road.
Danielle in Ever After.
#6
X files. I can't believe I haven't seen that yet.
She was highly intelligent with a strong confidence that couldn't be beaten down by the sexists in the early seasons nor the crushing but invisible power of the Syndicate.
#7
The Silence of the Lambs
Jeff White 1 year ago
Her character was written to be too untested, too tentative. But Ms Foster's portrayal of that character was brilliant
#8
"Fargo"
u/Mr_Saturn1 added:
Awhile back on twitter someone asked to name movies that features a female protagonist who is competent at her job, in an established relationship with a man (the relationship does not start during the events of the film) and her partner does not criticize her work or encourage her to give up. The only movie people could name that fully satisfied these requirements was Fargo.
#9
Rachel Weisz playing Evie in The Mummy.
"Take that, Bembridge Scholars!"
#10
Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
It set the foundation for the TV series which did a strong female lead that didn’t have to take being a strong woman so seriously to make the point.
Not a movie, but Xena and Gabrielle deserve an honorable mention.
#14
Brave. As a young girl it was very validating to seeing a princess who was competing as well as winning against men. I also really like the movie because Merida isn’t perfect, and you can definitely tell that she’s a 16 year old girl, especially watching it while I’m older. She’s a teen girl who’s doing her best to prove to her parents that she is strong and can take care of herself. I also really like this movie because Merida isn’t afraid to yell and strongly state her opinion. The women in my life are often very strong people as well as outspoken, and I really love seeing that represented in media, and Brave is really the “strong female” trope done right.
#15
Legally Blonde.
1 year ago
I will forever love the scene where she questioned the murderer and got them to confess using her knowledge of perms.
#16
Harry Potter
Hermione, Ginny and Luna are all completely different, but I would describe them all as strong female characters.
#18
Surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet but Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
#20
Steel Magnolias.
#21
"Arrival"
#23
The hunger games had an interesting perspective on it I thought.
#26
Winter's Bone, if we're counting female characters who are strong in the sense that they take responsibility under adversity and not just a woman who acts like a macho dude and can beat up men.
#29
Thelma and Louise
H Wiley 1 year ago (edited)
I have to dis agree slightly. This is not the feminist movie you think it is. It shows: women cannot count on authorities to treat them fairly, and they will choose to die rather than live in such a world. Being forced by societal pressures to end your life, even if its on your terms, is horrifying. It doesnt make the heros, it makes them martyrs.
#30
The long kiss goodnight
What do you think ?
Miki 1 year ago (edited)
Samantha Carter! SG-1. Strong and smart af! Oh! and half of female characters in battlestar galactica (newer one), especially Laura Roslin.
Rocket Surgeon 1 year ago
Yes to both of these. Sam is da woman, and I loved how BSG had boxing matches where it didn't matter what gender was fighting what gender, they just went all out at each other.
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The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)
No Princess Leia? (OK, forget about Return of the Jedi; I'm only talking Star Wars.) ... she was the original Hollywood warrior princess, absolutely overturning the princess trope. She took command of her own rescue, and then of the remnants of the Republic. Consider every good Harrison Ford role consisted of him humorously responding to tropes, from "why did it have to be snakes" to taking a gun to a sword fight. But despite his comments, it's not *funny* when the damsel-in-distress becomes kick-a*s; she just assumes command so effectively, even Han falls in line (until he completely bails and returns). The movie itself fails the Bechtel rule (is that the right name?), but that has little to do with Leia being anything less than boss.
The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)
Come to think of it, how about Marion from Raiders of the Lost Ark? Jones never quite yields to her like Solo did, but she was doing a damned good job of getting out of trouble on her own, especially considering Jones himself needed the most literal case of God-from-a-box ever. Compare to how cringy the "dumb blonde" schtick from Temple of Doom was.
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Miki 1 year ago (edited)
Samantha Carter! SG-1. Strong and smart af! Oh! and half of female characters in battlestar galactica (newer one), especially Laura Roslin.
Rocket Surgeon 1 year ago
Yes to both of these. Sam is da woman, and I loved how BSG had boxing matches where it didn't matter what gender was fighting what gender, they just went all out at each other.
Load More Replies... The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)
No Princess Leia? (OK, forget about Return of the Jedi; I'm only talking Star Wars.) ... she was the original Hollywood warrior princess, absolutely overturning the princess trope. She took command of her own rescue, and then of the remnants of the Republic. Consider every good Harrison Ford role consisted of him humorously responding to tropes, from "why did it have to be snakes" to taking a gun to a sword fight. But despite his comments, it's not *funny* when the damsel-in-distress becomes kick-a*s; she just assumes command so effectively, even Han falls in line (until he completely bails and returns). The movie itself fails the Bechtel rule (is that the right name?), but that has little to do with Leia being anything less than boss.
The Original Bruno 1 year ago (edited)
Come to think of it, how about Marion from Raiders of the Lost Ark? Jones never quite yields to her like Solo did, but she was doing a damned good job of getting out of trouble on her own, especially considering Jones himself needed the most literal case of God-from-a-box ever. Compare to how cringy the "dumb blonde" schtick from Temple of Doom was.
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