Films About Strong Women
Films featuring strong women often highlight resilience, empowerment, and the multifaceted nature of femininity. These narratives showcase women who defy societal norms, overcome personal and external challenges, and assert their identities in powerful ways. The representation of strong female characters can take many forms, from warriors and leaders to everyday heroines, reflecting the diverse experiences and strengths of women across cultures and eras.
Here are some notable films that celebrate strong women:
“Wonder Woman”, 2017
Director: Patty Jenkins
This superhero film follows Diana Prince, an Amazonian warrior who leaves her sheltered island to confront the horrors of World War I, discovering her true powers and purpose in the process.
Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Saïd Taghmaoui, Ewen Bremner, Eugene Brave Rock, Lucy Davis, Elena Anaya, Lilly Aspell, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Ann Wolfe, Ann Ogbomo, Emily Carey, James Cosmo, Wolf Kähler, Martin Bishop, Flora Nicholson, Pat Abernethy, Freddy Elletson, Sammy Hayman, Michael Tantrum, Philippe Spall, Edward Wolstenholme, Ian Hughes, Marko Leht, Steffan Rhodri, Andrew Byron, Dominic Kinnaird, Rachel Pickup, Ulli Ackermann, Frank Allen Forbes, Peter Stark, Rainer Bock, Josh Bromley, Jennie Eggleton, Eva Dabrowski, Harvey James, George Johnston, Danielle Lewis, Florence Kasumba, Eleanor Matsuura, Josette Simon, Doutzen Kroes, Hayley Warnes, Caitlin Burles, Jemma Moore;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: science fiction, action, war, fantasy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 141 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Wonder Woman” on the website imdb.com
“Erin Brockovich”, 2000
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Based on a true story, this drama depicts Erin Brockovich, a single mother who becomes a legal assistant and takes on a powerful corporation accused of polluting a city’s water supply, showcasing her tenacity and determination.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Peter Coyote, Cherry Jones, Tracey Walter, Conchata Ferrell, Marg Helgenberger, David Brisbin, Dawn Didawick, Valente Rodriguez, George Rocky Sullivan, Pat Skipper, Jack Gill, Irene Olga López, Emily Marks, Julie Marks, Scotty Leavenworth, Gemmenne de la Peña, Erin Brockovich-Ellis, Adilah Barnes, Irina V. Passmoore, Ron Altomare, Charles John Bukey, Randy Lowell, Jamie Harrold, Sarah Ashley, Scarlett Pomers, T.J. Thyne, Joe Chrest, Meredith Zinner, Michael Harney, William Lucking, Mimi Kennedy, Scott Sowers, Kristina Malota, Wade Williams, Cordelia Richards, Ashley Pimental, Brittany Pimental, Larry Martinez, LeRoy A. Simmons, Don Snell, Gina Gallego, Ronald E. Hairston, Veanne Cox, Scott Allen, Sheila Shaw, Matthew Kimbrough;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Erin Brockovich” on the website imdb.com
“Frida”, 2002
Director: Julie Taymor
A biopic about the life of artist Frida Kahlo, the film explores her tumultuous relationship with fellow artist Diego Rivera and her journey through pain and passion, highlighting her strength as a creative force and a woman.
Starring: Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Valeria Golino, Ashley Judd, Geoffrey Rush, Edward Norton, Saffron Burrows, Antonio Banderas, Diego Luna, Patricia Reyes Spíndola, Roger Rees, Mía Maestro, Amelia Zapata, Alejandro Usigli, Lucia Bravo, Loló Navarro, Fermín Martínez, Roberto Medina, Lila Downs, Martha Claudia Moreno, Maria Ines Pintado, Aida López, Ivana Sejenovich, Diego Espinosa, Ehécatl Chávez, Didi Conn, Julian Sedgwick, William Raymond, Jorge Guerrero, Mary Luz Palacio, Margarita Sanz, Omar Rodríguez, Anthony Alvarez, Enoc Leaño, Karine Plantadit, Chavela Vargas, Jorge Zepeda, Benjamín Benítez, Thomas Ebert, Claudia Frías, Felipe Fulop, Andrés Montiel, Mauricio Osorio, Jorge Valdés García, Eszter Zakariás, Antonio Zavala;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: drama, melodrama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 118 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Frida” on the website imdb.com
“The Hunger Games”, 2012
Director: Gary Ross
In a dystopian future, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place in a deadly competition. Her survival skills and leadership qualities rally her peers and inspire a revolution against oppressive forces.
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Wes Bentley, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz, Amandla Stenberg, Alexander Ludwig, Willow Shields, Leven Rambin, Toby Jones, Sandra Ellis Lafferty, Paula Malcomson, Rhoda Griffis, Sandino Moya-Smith, Raiko Bowman, Dwayne Boyd, Anthony Reynolds, Judd Lormand, Kimiko Gelman, Nelson Ascencio, Bruce Bundy, Dayo Okeniyi, Jack Quaid, Latarsha Rose, Isabelle Fuhrman, Ian Nelson, Kalia Prescott, Ethan Jamieson, Jacqueline Emerson, Mackenzie Lintz, Imanol Yepez-Frias, Annie Thurman, Dakota Hood, Amber Chaney, Karan Kendrick, Shane Biseell, Kate Kneeland, Steve Coulter, Sharon Morris, Tim Taylor, John Ross, Phillip Troy Linger, David Abernathy, Scott Alms, Chase Anderson, Nicholas Azarian;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: science fiction, action, thriller, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 142 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Hunger Games” on the website imdb.com
“Hidden Figures”, 2016
Director: Theodore Melfi
This historical drama shines a light on the contributions of three African American women mathematicians at NASA who played crucial roles in the early years of the U.S. space program, overcoming racial and gender barriers along the way.
Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell, Kimberly Quinn, Olek Krupa, Kurt Krause, Ken Strunk, Lidya Jewett, Donna Biscoe, Ariana Neal, Saniyya Sidney, Zani Jones Mbayise, Tre Stokes, Selah Kimbro Jones, Corey Mendell Parker, Ashton Tyler, Alkoya Brunson, Karan Kendrick, Jaiden Kaine, Gregory Alan Williams, Maria Howell, Arnell Powell, Ron Clinton Smith, Crystal Lee Brown, Tequilla Whitfield, Dane Davenport, Evan Holtzman, Travis Smith, Scott Michael Morgan, Chris Cavalier, Robert G. McKay, Rhoda Griffis, Karen Wheeling Reynolds, Kate Kneeland, Joe Knezevich, Paul Ryden, Frank Hoyt Taylor, John Atwood, Jon Edwin Wright, Wilbur Fitzgerald, Michael Hartson, Bob Jennings, Gary Weeks, Afemo Omilami;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Hidden Figures” on the website imdb.com
“Mulan”, 1998
Director: Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook
A live-action adaptation of the animated classic, this film follows Hua Mulan, who disguises herself as a man to take her aging father’s place in the army, demonstrating bravery and commitment to her family and country.
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Lea Salonga, Miguel Ferrer, Harvey Fierstein, Freda Foh Shen, June Foray, James Hong, Miriam Margolyes, Pat Morita, Marni Nixon, Ming-Na Wen, Oh Soon-tek, Donny Osmond, James Shigeta, George Takei, Jerry Tondo, Gedde Watanabe, Frank Welker, Matthew Wilder, B.D. Wong, Tom Amundsen, Arminae Austen, Mary Kay Bergman, Susan Boyd, Julianne Buescher, Steve Bulen, Corey Burton, Mitch Carter, Robert Clotworthy, David Cowgill, Sally Dworsky, Beth Fowler, Donald Fullilove, Elisa Gabrielli, Jack Gilpin, Sandie Hall, Richard Steven Horvitz, Linda Kerns, Matthew Laborteaux, Conan Lee, Dana Lee, Edie Lehmann Boddicker, Luisa Leschin, Christina Ma, Susan McBride, Haunani Minn, Edie Mirman, Mark Moseley, Patrick Pinney, Peter Renaday;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: animation, musical, fantasy, comedy, adventure, family, war;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 84 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Mulan” on the website imdb.com
“A League of Their Own”, 1992
Director: Penny Marshall
This film tells the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during World War II, focusing on the struggles and triumphs of women athletes who defied gender norms to pursue their passions.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty, Jon Lovitz, David Strathairn, Garry Marshall, Bill Pullman, Rosie O'Donnell, Megan Cavanagh, Tracy Reiner, Bitty Schram, Ann Cusack, Anne Ramsay, Freddie Simpson, Renée Coleman, Robin Knight, Patti Pelton, Kelli Simpkins, Neezer Tarleton, Connie Pounds-Taylor, Kathleen Marshall, Sharon Szmidt, Pauline Brailsford, Justin Scheller, Eddie Jones, Alan Wilder, Michael Haley, Don S. Davis, Janet Jones, Brenda Ferrari, Téa Leoni, Laurel Cronin, Robert Stanton, Wantland L. Sandel Jr., Joe Krowka, Harry Shearer, Blaire Baron, Ryan Howell, Brian Boru Gleeson, David Franks, Ryan Olsen, Ellie Weingardt, Larissa Collins, Douglas Blakeslee, Joey Slotnick, Brian Flannery, Stephen Feagley, Rae Allen, Gregory Sporleder;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: family, sport, drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “A League of Their Own” on the website imdb.com
“The Piano”, 1992
Director: Jane Campion
Set in the 19th century, the film follows Ada, a mute woman who is sent to New Zealand for an arranged marriage. Her fierce independence and love for music empower her to navigate her harsh circumstances.
Starring: Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin, Kerry Walker, Geneviève Lemon, Tungia Baker, Ian Mune, Peter Dennett, Te Whatanui Skipwith, Pete Smith, Bruce Allpress, Cliff Curtis, Carla Rupuha, Mahina Tunui, Hori Ahipene, Gordon Hatfield, Mere Boynton, Kirsten Batley, Tania Burney, Annie Edwards, Harina Haare, Christina Harimate, Steve Kanuta, P.J. Karauria, Sonny Kirikiri, Alain Makiha, Greg Mayor, Mika X., Guy Moana, Joseph Otimi, Glynis Paraha, Riki Pickering, Eru Potaka Dewes, Liane Rangi Henry, Huihana Rewa, Tamati Patuwai, Paora Sharples, George Smallman, Kereama Teua, Poamo Tuialii, Susan Tuialii, Kahumanu Waake, Lawrence Wharerau, Eddie Campbell, Roger Goodburn, Stephen Hall, Greg Johnson, Wayne McGoram, Jon Brazier;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: drama, melodrama, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “The Piano” on the website imdb.com
“Little Women”, 2019
Director: Greta Gerwig
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel, this adaptation explores the lives of the March sisters as they navigate love, loss, and societal expectations, emphasizing their individual strengths and ambitions.
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Louis Garrel, Jayne Houdyshell, Chris Cooper, Meryl Streep, Rafael Silva, Mason Alban, Emily Edström, Maryann Plunkett, Hadley Robinson, Lonnie Farmer, Charlotte Kinder, Ana Cruz Kayne, Edgar Damatian, Erin Rose, Lizzie Short, Dash Barber, Edward Fletcher, Sasha Frolova, David J. Curtis, Harper Pilat, Eowyn Young, Lucy Austin, Bill Mootos, Lewis D. Wheeler, Jen Nikolaisen, Jonathan Acorn, Abby Quinn, Lilly Englert, J.M. Davis, Tom Kemp, Daniel Shea, Anthony Estrella, Adrianne Krstansky, Sophia Gialloreto, Lily Gavin, Finola Weller Baldet, Flannery Gregg, Tony Tucker, Joanne Caidor, Rosario Guillen, Margaret Clinton Weeks;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Little Women” on the website imdb.com
“Wild”, 2014
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Based on Cheryl Strayed's memoir, this film depicts her journey of self-discovery as she hikes the Pacific Crest Trail alone after personal tragedies, symbolizing resilience and the power of healing through nature.
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Thomas Sadoski, Keene McRae, Michiel Huisman, W. Earl Brown, Gaby Hoffmann, Kevin Rankin, Brian Van Holt, Cliff De Young, Mo, Will Cuddy, Leigh Parker, Nick Eversman, Alles Mist, Randy Schulman, Cathryn de Prume, Kurt Conroyd, Ted deChatelet, Jeffree Newman, Lorraine Bahr, Jerry Carlton, Kevin Michael Moore, Debra Pralle, Gray Eubank, Anne Sorce, Charles Baker, JD Evermore, Beth Hall, Jan Hoag, Carlee McManus, Art Alexakis, Anne Gee Byrd, Evan O'Toole, Jeanine Jackson, Jason Newell, Barry O'Neil, Rich Morris, Bobbi Strayed Lindstrom, Robert Alan Barnett, William Nelson, Tony Doupe, Dan Considine, Andrew Saunderson, Greg James, Orianna Milne, Brian Borcherdt, Eric D. Johnson, Matt Pascua, Edric Carter;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, adventure, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Wild” on the website imdb.com
These films not only entertain but also inspire audiences by portraying women who challenge conventions and demonstrate the strength of the human spirit.
In a world where representation matters, films about strong women have become a powerful force in cinema. From fierce warriors to trailblazing leaders, these films have celebrated the resilience, courage, and tenacity of women from all walks of life. Through compelling storytelling and remarkable performances, these movies have shattered stereotypes and inspired audiences to embrace their own strength and potential. As we reflect on this selection of films, it is evident that the portrayal of strong women not only empowers individuals, but also ignites a collective desire for equality and change. With each new film, the voice of women grows louder, reminding us that the power to shape our own narratives lies within us all.
