Just like Beyonce says, “Who run the world? GIRLS!” Damn straight, Bey. And I am all about raising my daughter to be a confident, independent, world-changing female. In our house we’ve got lots of awesome and empowering books, from Rosy Riveter to Hunger Games (okay, so Hunger Games is my copy, but she’ll read it one day). We talk about great careers (“You don’t always have to play nurse, doctors can be women, too!”), and we love to sing Katy Perry’s “Roar” at the top of our lungs.
All that stuff is great. But, sometimes, don’t you just want to cozy-up and watch a movie? IMO, there’s nothing better than kicking back and introducing my daughter to classic girl-power flicks. Some of my favorites are from my childhood and I’ve seen them a hundred times; others are newer movies that we’re both seeing for the first time. Watching strong, determined girls on screen is a wonderful way of reminding my daughter that she shares a lot of these qualities, too, and that she can be as fierce as any character in any movie.
Check out this slideshow of the best girl power movies to watch with your daughter, and add them to your list!
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Girl Power Movies
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Anne of Green Gables
Elderly siblings are shocked when the boy they adopted to help out around the farm turns out to be red-haired Anne. She’s mischievous and outspoken, and often ruffles the feathers of her new fam (and the locals) as she gets used to life in Avonlea.
Girl power factor: Sure, she’s self-conscious about the red hair, but she learns to love her looks, and she is very brave and passionate.
Photo: Amazon
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Akeelah and the Bee
Eleven-year-old Akeelah discovers she’s a spelling savant and, despite her mother’s objections, makes it to nationals with the help of a mysterious teacher and her supportive community.
Girl power factor: Akeelah doesn't give up on her dream! Intelligent, charming, and courageous, she is a great protagonist your daughter learn a thing or two from.
Photo: Amazon
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Mulan
When the Huns invade China and the army calls up its best soldiers, Mulan dresses like a man and heads off to war in place of her father.
Girl power factor: Did I mention the part where she does a man's job -- better than any other soldier?! With lines like, "How 'bout a girl who's got a brain, who always speaks her mind," Mulan is girl worth following.
Photo: Amazon
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A League of Their Own
During World War II, when men were off at war, an All-American Girls Baseball League was born. This film follows the female players and their has-been coach as they face mockery, physical pain, and triumph in pre-feminist America.
Girl power factor: These tough female ball players were antagonized for their skill and moxie when society still believed women should look pretty and stay in the kitchen. Even though the film ends on a sad note — yes, the war ended, but when the men returned, the women’s league was abruptly abandoned — there is plenty of follow-your-dreams mojo and a strong message that women can do anything a man can do. (I’m tearing up just thinking about it!)
Photo: Amazon
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Brave
Spirited Scottish princess, Merida, forgoes marrying the son of a neighboring tribesman in order to find her own path in life. Things get weird when she seeks help from a witch who transforms her mother into a bear.
Girl power factor: Merida is a great female protagonist, who marches to the beat of her own drum. Girls will learn to value their inherent skills, their inner beauty, and, above all, their family.
Photo: Amazon
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Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Four friends, who are about to spend their first summer apart, realize magically that all four (with different body types) fit into the same pair of secondhand jeans! Each girl wears the Traveling Pants, then sends them on to the next (but not without learning a little something about herself, first).
Girl power factor: These besties are fantastic example of bonds of friendship. Their differing interests will remind your daughter that one doesn't need to sacrifice individuality in order to make friends.
Photo: Amazon
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13 Going on 30
This movie inevitably puts a smile on my face every time. When wannabe-popular Jenna gets totally humiliated at her 13th birthday party, she makes a wish and actually wakes up as a cool, successful 30-year-old!
Girl power factor: Success isn't all it's cracked up to be, and we learn a lot about self-assertion, moral code, and not being a total sheep!
Photo: Amazon
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Enchanted
A fairytale princess gets a dose of reality when she climbs through a manhole cover and into New York City, where she finds true love with a divorced dad.
Girl power factor: Okay, so maybe Giselle is not a total feminist, but, for me, the takeaway is her unbending optimism and resilience.
Photo: Amazon
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer
OMG, when total valley girl, Buffy, finds out she's the chosen one, she has to ditch her airhead ways in order to save the world, one vampire at a time.
Girl power factor: Buffy kicks butt! It's great to watch her transform from a popular airhead to a tough, self-reliant, world-saving hero.
Photo: Amazon
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The Hunger Games
Scrappy, poor teenager, Katniss, reluctantly enters the Hunger Games -- a television battle where youth are forced to fight to the death -- in this gritty post-apocalyptic action flick.
Girl power factor: Katniss is one tough lady! Faced with horrible choices, she remains loyal to her friends, compassionate, and fiercely independent. Major points for girl power here.
Photo: Amazon
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Kiki's Delivery Service
Young witch Kiki starts up her own delivery service, making friends and facing personal struggles along the way.
Girl power factor: When Kiki starts to lose her powers, she struggles with self-confidence (been there!). Through it all, she remains enthusiastic and optimistic, and saves the day (and her friend) when no one else can.
Photo: Amazon
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Kit Kittredge
This story, based on one of the American Girl dolls, follows a spunky girl in Depression-era Cincinnati, Ohio, with dreams of being a big-shot journalist. Her big story comes in the form of a crime spree; when all evidence wrongly points to the local hobo community, Kit must sniff out the real thief.
Girl power factor: Kit is a tomboy who cares more about justice and following her dreams than pretty dresses. She's clever, stubborn, and independent, too!
Photo: Amazon
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Legally Blonde
Elle wants nothing more than to get married to her hot boyfriend, but when he admits she's "too blond", the sorority girl decides she'll show him how brainy blonds can be by getting into Harvard law.Girl power factor: Elle doesn't take no for an answer, and neither should our daughters! Turns out, eternal optimism and drive will help you overcome life's obstacles.Photo: Amazon -
Little Women
Based on Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, this is the story of four very different sisters and the hardships they endure during the Civil War years as they mature into accomplished young women. There are several versions, but this one, from 1949, has always been my favorite.
Girl power factor: All four girls have unique strengths and flaws that beautifully compliment one another. The best “girl power” character is Jo, who dreams of independence, literary success, and traveling the world. She’s a fighter, a tomboy, and a selfless sister.
Photo: Amazon
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A Little Princess
When bright, cultured Sarah is first placed in a boarding school, her lavish possessions make the other girls uncomfortable or jealous; but, when her father is presumed dead in the war, the mean headmistress sends her to live in the servant's quarters.
Girl power factor: Sarah’s spirit cannot be broken, despite years of abuse. Her creativity, kindness, and wild imagination keep her positive, and ultimately pay off.
Photo: Amazon
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The Parent Trap
When twin girls separated at birth meet up at summer camp, they decide to switch places -- and join forces to get their parents back together.
Girl power factor: Okay, so Lindsay Lohan x2 is a lot to handle, but it was back when she was cute, and although mischievous, the twins are spunky and independent. They learn that, together, girls can do anything they set their minds to.
Photo: Amazon
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The Princess Diaries
When shy teenager, Mia, learns that she's a real-life princess, her strict grandmother shows up to give her "princess lessons.”
Girl power factor: It’s fun to see nerdy Mia grow up, find herself, take chances, and become confident.
Photo: Amazon
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The Wizard of Oz
After a tornado strikes, Dorothy awakes and discovers that she's no longer in Kansas. Instead, she finds herself in a magical land with munchkins, witches, a heart-less tin man, a cowardly lion, a brain-less scarecrow, and a man pretending to be a wise wizard. Objective: must get back to Kansas!
Girl power factor: Dorothy is one courageous gal, and on her crazy journey, she learns that the power to achieve and succeed was always within her.
Photo: Amazon
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Mary Poppins
Everyone’s favorite nanny, Mary Poppins, goes to work for the Banks family in order to whip the mischievous children into shape with a few magic tricks and the help of a goofy chimney sweep.
Girl power factor: Mary Poppins is a force to b be reckoned with. She teaches the kids the importance of kindness, respect, and adventure, and reminds us all how wonderful life can be when we focus on the positive and forget the negative.
Photo: Amazon
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Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken
This is the true story of Sonora, an orphan who is determined to become the new diving girl in a local county fair. She trains a wild horse named Lighting to become her diving partner. The show makes it to Atlantic City, but when her horse gets sick, she dives with an inexperienced horse and becomes blind.
Girl power factor: Sonora doesn’t let blindness get in the way of her dreams! When your daughter is tackling feelings of inadequacy or fear, she’ll appreciate the story of this determined teenager who believed in herself and trusted her instincts, and ultimately found success.
Photo: Amazon
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Frozen
This is a movie about -- wait, who am I kidding? You know already.
Girl power factor: Princess Anna may be socially awkward and klutzy, but she is strong (both physically and emotionally) and always stands up for herself and her loved ones. Elsa's no slouch, either; incredibly stoic, Queen Elsa has to overcome some major personal obstacles in order to embrace her inner beauty.
Photo: Amazon
