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30 People Share Movies Where The “Strong Female Lead” Was Actually Done Right

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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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#1

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Alien

Wandering_butnotlost , Alien Report

Final score:

261points

Xitxarel•lo Panda 11 months ago

Goddess Sigourney

78points

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#2

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Terminator 2

devil652_ , Terminator 2: Judgment Day Report

Final score:

227points

Jeff White 11 months ago

How could I have forgotten about this? Absolute perfection. If it wasn't for Aliens, this would be the best ever.

38points

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#3

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right "The Addams Family"

AdOk1965 , The Addams Family Report

Final score:

203points

Heather Evans 11 months ago

Gomez .. last night you frightened me ... ... do it again

81points

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#4

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right 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.

mmart482 , Jurassic Park Report

Final score:

186points

Fynne 11 months ago

It’s great that they included female role models in these movies

32points

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#5

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right 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.

Nightsong1005 , Hidden Figures Report

Final score:

186points

V33333P 11 months ago

Yes yes yes to all these yes

32points

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#6

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right 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.

andrewnormous , The X-Files Report

Final score:

185points

Jeff White 11 months ago

Good choice. Thanks.

19points

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#7

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right The Silence of the Lambs

artpayne , The Silence of the Lambs Report

Final score:

179points

Jeff White 11 months ago

Her character was written to be too untested, too tentative. But Ms Foster's portrayal of that character was brilliant

46points

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#8

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right "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.

AdOk1965 , Fargo Report

Final score:

166points

Xitxarel•lo Panda 11 months ago

And she was pregnant. I love that movie

61points

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#9

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Rachel Weisz playing Evie in The Mummy.

"Take that, Bembridge Scholars!"

AmoebaGal , The Mummy Report

Final score:

152points

Zaphod 11 months ago

Weisz and Fraser reminded me of Nick and Nora Charles from the Thin Man movies. I love thosa movies.

31points

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#10

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right 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.

hypnos_surf , Buffy the Vampire Slayer Report

Final score:

150points

Helena 11 months ago

A thousand times yes

26points

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#11

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Emily Blunt in Edge of Tomorrow

Le_Baked_Beans , Edge of Tomorrow Report

Final score:

145points

Xitxarel•lo Panda 11 months ago

Better than Tom cruise

59points

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#12

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Mulan, the Disney animated one.

AndTheyCallMeAnIdiot , Mulan Report

Final score:

141points

Sonja 11 months ago

Oh they thoroughly destroyed her in the remakes. She was perfect in the animated movie. Smart, strong, great character arc and development, she was brilliant.

50points

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#13

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Fried Green Tomatoes gives you a selection of them.

cmerry , Fried Green Tomatoes Report

Final score:

141points

Heather Evans 11 months ago

Ahhh the best rainy Sunday afternoon movie

31points

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#14

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right 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.

Street_Seaweed3388 , Brave Report

Final score:

141points

Sonja 11 months ago

I like it because they didn't try to make her perfect. She had her flaws. And she had room to grow

41points

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#15

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Legally Blonde.

pearlbibo , Legally Blonde Report

Final score:

139points

11 months ago

I will forever love the scene where she questioned the murderer and got them to confess using her knowledge of perms.

61points

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#16

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Harry Potter

Hermione, Ginny and Luna are all completely different, but I would describe them all as strong female characters.

RedWestern , Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Report

Final score:

133points

Sonja 11 months ago

In the books, yes, in the movies, not do much. Also McGonagall is dear to my heart

95points

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#17

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Kill Bill

Imagnome- , Kill Bill: Vol. 1 Report

Final score:

121points

Zaphod 11 months ago

This is one of my favorite movies. The scene in the Japanese garden is epic!

22points

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#18

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet but Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Ripe-Melon , Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Report

Final score:

119points

Nea 11 months ago

My favorite movie :) love her!!

16points

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#19

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right My Cousin Vinny.

reddit.com , My Cousin Vinny Report

Final score:

111points

Heather Evans 11 months ago

Come on, Marissa is so fabulous in this movie!!!

30points

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#20

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Steel Magnolias.

TheycallitLeBigMac , Steel Magnolias Report

Final score:

108points

Chewie Baron 11 months ago

A billion times yes.

29points

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#21

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right "Arrival"

AdOk1965 , Arrival Report

Final score:

107points

Helena 11 months ago

I love this movie.

23points

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#22

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right "Lilo&Stich", Nani

AdOk1965 , Lilo & Stitch Report

Final score:

106points

Sonja 11 months ago

Ho boy yes!

19points

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#23

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right The hunger games had an interesting perspective on it I thought.

soulbldr7 , The Hunger Games Report

Final score:

100points

Sonja 11 months ago

Again, books, yes, movies not so much

45points

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#24

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Rogue One

mb2m , Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Report

Final score:

92points

Fynne 11 months ago

Best Star Wars movie imo

42points

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#25

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Shoshana in Inglorious Basterds.

Guerrillablackdog , Inglourious Basterds Report

Final score:

88points

Mistiekim 11 months ago

My favorite Tarantino movie. Christolph Waltz steals the show, but Shoshana is definitely a badass.

15points

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#26

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right 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.

BravoEchoEchoRomeo , Winter's Bone Report

Final score:

84points

pug nose curly tail Premium 11 months ago

YES!

15points

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#27

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right I thought Mad Max: Fury Road did a good job.

AmpedEnding , Mad Max: Fury Road Report

Final score:

82points

Juririn 11 months ago (edited)

A thousand times, yesssssssss 💪💪💪

13points

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#28

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Not a movie but Avatar the last airbender

Shadow948 , Avatar: The Last Airbender Report

Final score:

74points

BTDubs 11 months ago

This show is the best thing to happen to childhood. It will forever be my favorite and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

31points

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#29

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Thelma and Louise

deadgardenia , Thelma & Louise Report

Final score:

66points

H Wiley 11 months 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.

22points

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#30

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right The long kiss goodnight

DGAFn , The Long Kiss Goodnight Report

Final score:

65points

Camber Hollywood 11 months ago

Geena Davis!

18points

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#31

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Not a movie but Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul.

Smegma-Spread , Better Call Saul Report

Final score:

24points

Alicia M 11 months ago (edited)

So glad to see her on the list. I love Better Call Saul and absolutely love Rhea Seehorn.

2points

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#32

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Howls Moving Castle

GribbleBit , Howl's Moving Castle Report

Final score:

24points

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 11 months ago

I gotta object, Nausicaa and Mononoke did it better. I've never seen a bad Ghibli film but in the context of this list featuring strong female characters, Those are the strongest I can think of in the Ghibli catalogue.

7points

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#33

30 People Share Movies Where The "Strong Female Lead" Was Actually Done Right Annihilation! I love that movie but one of my favorite things about it is that the main characters are all competent at their jobs and well respected, and they just happen to be women.

rivetcityransom , Annihilation Report

Final score:

15points

Heather Evans 11 months ago

Be real, this movie is horrible. The weird interpretive dance scene at the end???

6points

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Adelaide Ross

Howdy, I'm Adelaide! I'm originally from Texas, but after graduating from university with an acting degree, I relocated to sunny Los Angeles for a while. I then got a serious bite from the travel bug and found myself moving to Sweden and England before settling in Lithuania about two years ago. I'm passionate about animal welfare, sustainability and eating delicious food. But as you can see, I cover a wide range of topics including drama, internet trends and hilarious memes. I can easily be won over with a Seinfeld reference, vegan pastry or glass of fresh cold brew. And during my free time, I can usually be seen strolling through a park, playing tennis or baking something tasty.

Howdy, I'm Adelaide! I'm originally from Texas, but after graduating from university with an acting degree, I relocated to sunny Los Angeles for a while. I then got a serious bite from the travel bug and found myself moving to Sweden and England before settling in Lithuania about two years ago. I'm passionate about animal welfare, sustainability and eating delicious food. But as you can see, I cover a wide range of topics including drama, internet trends and hilarious memes. I can easily be won over with a Seinfeld reference, vegan pastry or glass of fresh cold brew. And during my free time, I can usually be seen strolling through a park, playing tennis or baking something tasty.

Vėja Elkimavičiūtė

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. Looking at pets and memes is the best part of my work. I love to travel and want to see the world. Still looking and exploring stuff I like and want to do so thats exciting... and sometimes not

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. Looking at pets and memes is the best part of my work. I love to travel and want to see the world. Still looking and exploring stuff I like and want to do so thats exciting... and sometimes not

What do you think ?

Fynne 11 months ago

Thanks BP staff for supporting women, while not being offensive to men

45points

Auntriarch 11 months ago

Very well noted Fynne

7points

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Miki 11 months ago (edited)

Samantha Carter! SG-1. Strong and smart af! Oh! and half of female characters in battlestar galactica (newer one), especially Laura Roslin.

25points

Rocket Surgeon 11 months 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.

9points

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H Wiley 11 months ago

Oh, you beat me to it. Came here to say it. Dont forget Dr Elizabeth Weir and Teyla.

3points

the quickening 11 months ago

New Battlestar Galactica is so good. I was in love the moment this seriously ill, middleaged woman put a military man in his place and singlehandedly saved the human race by convincing them to stop fighting a hopeless battle and flee.

1point

Brocken Blue 11 months ago

Yes!!! SG1 cemented my love of scifi shows as a teen, and Sam Care was a big reason why. And I love how Starbuck was a spectacular pilot and a flawed human in ways that had nothing to do with her being female. Such good characters all around!

1point

D. Pitbull 11 months ago

Yes! And Amanda Tapping is absolutely lovely. I got her autograph at a convention... and when choosing a 'pro-photo' for signing, she graciously suggested some of the group shots ... and I was like "Nah... c'mon... I don't see RDA, nor any of the other dudes here. Why get a pic with them in it?"

0points

The Original Bruno 11 months 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.

17points

The Original Bruno 11 months 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.

11points

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Fynne 11 months ago

Thanks BP staff for supporting women, while not being offensive to men

45points

Auntriarch 11 months ago

Very well noted Fynne

7points

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Miki 11 months ago (edited)

Samantha Carter! SG-1. Strong and smart af! Oh! and half of female characters in battlestar galactica (newer one), especially Laura Roslin.

25points

Rocket Surgeon 11 months 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.

9points

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H Wiley 11 months ago

Oh, you beat me to it. Came here to say it. Dont forget Dr Elizabeth Weir and Teyla.

3points

the quickening 11 months ago

New Battlestar Galactica is so good. I was in love the moment this seriously ill, middleaged woman put a military man in his place and singlehandedly saved the human race by convincing them to stop fighting a hopeless battle and flee.

1point

Brocken Blue 11 months ago

Yes!!! SG1 cemented my love of scifi shows as a teen, and Sam Care was a big reason why. And I love how Starbuck was a spectacular pilot and a flawed human in ways that had nothing to do with her being female. Such good characters all around!

1point

D. Pitbull 11 months ago

Yes! And Amanda Tapping is absolutely lovely. I got her autograph at a convention... and when choosing a 'pro-photo' for signing, she graciously suggested some of the group shots ... and I was like "Nah... c'mon... I don't see RDA, nor any of the other dudes here. Why get a pic with them in it?"

0points

The Original Bruno 11 months 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.

17points

The Original Bruno 11 months 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.

11points

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