There's no shortage of feel-good movies for kids [1] that share inspiring messages, teach important lessons, and empower kids to be who and what they want to be; and this Women's History Month (and beyond!), we're focusing on strong woman characters in such kid-friendly films. We've rounded up some of our favourite movies to watch with our kids that all feature empowering women, from Mulan and Merida to Elle Woods and Lara Jean Covey (as well as supporting characters like Lara Jean's sisters and BFF).
Keep scrolling to see all of the movies, which ages they're best-suited for, and where you can stream each one!
Moana
What It's About: "Moana sets sail on a daring mission to save her people. Along the way, she meets the mighty demigod Maui–together they cross the ocean on a fun-filled, action-packed voyage."
Strong Woman Character(s): Moana
Ages It's Best Suited For: 4 and up
Watch Moana on Disney+ here! [3]
Mulan (2020)
What It's About: "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."
Strong Woman Character(s): Mulan
Ages It's Best Suited For: 10 and up
Watch Mulan on Disney+ here! [4]
Raya and the Last Dragon
What It's About: "Raya and the Last Dragon travels to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together in harmony long ago. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it's up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she'll learn that it'll take more than a dragon to save the world—it's going to take trust and teamwork as well."
Strong Woman Character(s): Raya, Sisu
Ages It's Best Suited For: 6 and up
Watch Raya and the Last Dragon on Disney+ here! [6]
Inside Out
What It's About: "When 11-year-old Riley moves to a new city, her Emotions team up to help her through the transition. Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness work together, but when Joy and Sadness get lost, they must journey through unfamiliar places to get back home."
Strong Woman Character(s): Riley, Joy
Ages It's Best Suited For: 6 and up
Watch Inside Out on Disney+ here! [8]
Kiki's Delivery Service
What It's About: "It is a tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and fly off into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her new journey with her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a seaside village, where her unique skills make her an instant sensation."
Strong Woman Character(s): Kiki
Ages It's Best Suited For: 5 and up
Watch Kiki's Delivery Service on HBO Max here! [9]
Akeelah and the Bee
What It's About: "A bright, but unmotivated, 11-year-old girl from South Los Angeles is encouraged to compete in the National Spelling Bee competition."
Strong Woman Character(s): Akeelah
Ages It's Best Suited For: 8 and up
Buy or rent Akeelah and the Bee on Amazon here! [10]
Matilda
What It's About: "Danny De Vito, Rhea Perlman and Mara Wilson star in this modern fairytale that mixes hilarious humour with a magical message of love."
Strong Woman Character(s): Matilda
Ages It's Best Suited For: 8 and up
Buy or rent Matilda on Amazon here! [11]
Over the Moon
What It's About: "A bright young girl. A dazzling adventure. And a mythical goddess whose story takes her to the moon — and back."
Strong Woman Character(s): Fei Fei
Ages It's Best Suited For: 6 and up
Watch Over the Moon on Netflix here! [12]
Little Women
What It's About: "Four sisters come of age in America during the aftermath of the Civil War."
Strong Woman Character(s): Jo, Amy, Meg, and Beth March
Ages It's Best Suited For: 10 and up
Watch Little Women on Starz here! [14]
The Princess and the Frog
What It's About: "[Tiana dreams] of owning her own restaurant. When she meets a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, a fateful kiss leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana."
Strong Woman Character(s): Tiana
Ages It's Best Suited For: 5 and up
Watch The Princess and the Frog on Disney+ here! [15]
Incredibles 2
What It's About: "While Helen is called on to lead a campaign to bring back the Supers, Bob navigates the day-to-day heroics of "normal" life at home with Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack, whose superpowers are about to be discovered. Their mission is derailed, however, when a new villain emerges with a brilliant and dangerous plot that threatens everything. But with Frozone by their side, the Parrs can take on anything."
Strong Woman Character(s): Helen Parr/Elastigirl
Ages It's Best Suited For: 8 and up
Watch Incredibles 2 on Disney+ here! [16]
Captain Marvel
What It's About: "Marvel Studios' Captain Marvel takes you on a spectacular adventure from the 1990s, tracing the path of Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) as she becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes. When a galactic war reaches Earth, she meets young agent Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson [17]) at the centre of a maelstrom, leading to her ultimate destiny as an Avenger!"
Strong Woman Character(s): Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers
Ages It's Best Suited For: 10 and up
Watch Captain Marvel on Disney+ here! [18]
The Hate U Give
What It's About: "Based on the best-selling novel, The Hate U Give tells the story of Starr Carter, who lives in two worlds: the poor, black neighbourhood where she resides and the mostly white prep school she attends. This uneasy balance is shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend by a policeman. Facing pressures from all sides, Starr must find her voice and stand up for what's right."
Strong Woman Character(s): Starr Carter
Ages It's Best Suited For: 12 and up
Buy or rent The Hate U Give on YouTube here! [19]
A Wrinkle in Time
What It's About: "Three mystical guides lead young Meg on an epic journey, "tessering" through time and space to find her father following his mysterious disappearance."
Strong Woman Character(s): Meg Murray, Mrs. Which, Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit
Ages It's Best Suited For: 9 and up
Watch A Wrinkle in Time on Disney+ here! [20]
Wonder Woman
What It's About: "After leaving her all-female island for the first time, Wonder Woman discovers her full powers and true destiny while fighting alongside men in a war to end all wars."
Strong Woman Character(s): Wonder Woman/Diana Prince
Ages It's Best Suited For: 11 and up
Watch Wonder Woman on HBO Max here! [21]
Hidden Figures
What It's About: "An incredible & inspiring untold true story about three women at NASA who were instrumental in one of history's greatest operations – the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit."
Strong Woman Character(s): Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson
Ages It's Best Suited For: 9 and up
Watch Hidden Figures on Disney+ here! [22]
The Hunger Games
What It's About: "Based on the best-selling book, 16-year-old Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence [23]) volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games."
Strong Woman Character(s): Katniss Everdeen, Rue
Ages It's Best Suited For: 12 and up
Buy or rent The Hunger Games on Amazon here! [24]
Black Panther
What It's About: "When an old foe puts his homeland of Wakanda and the entire world at risk, young king T'Challa must release Black Panther [25]'s full power to save them."
Strong Woman Character(s): Nakia, Okoye, Shuri, Ramonda
Ages It's Best Suited For: 11 and up
Watch Black Panther on Disney+ here! [26]
Wadjda
What It's About: "A persistent 10-year-old wishes for a new bicycle so she can beat her friend (a boy) in a race. But it's going to take some ingenuity to get one."
Strong Woman Character(s): Wadjda
Ages It's Best Suited For: 8 and up
Watch Wadjda on Netflix here! [27]
Brave
What It's About: "Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land. When her actions inadvertently unleash chaos in the kingdom, Merida must harness all of her skills to undo a beastly curse before it's too late...and discover the meaning of true bravery."
Strong Woman Character(s): Merida
Ages It's Best Suited For: 6 and up
Watch Brave on Disney+ here! [28]
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
What It's About: "From Lucasfilm comes an epic adventure — Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction."
Strong Woman Character(s): Jyn Erso
Ages It's Best Suited For: 10 and up
Watch Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on Disney+ here! [29]
Frozen
What It's About: "Fearless optimist Anna teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff in a race to find Anna's sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter."
Strong Woman Character(s): Elsa, Anna
Ages It's Best Suited For: 4 and up
Watch Frozen on Disney+ here! [30]
To All the Boys I've Loved Before
What It's About: "When her secret love letters somehow get mailed to each of her five crushes, Lara Jean finds her quiet high school existence turned upside down."
Strong Woman Character(s): Lara Jean, Kitty, Chris, Margot
Ages It's Best Suited For: 12 and up
Watch To All the Boys I've Loved Before on Netflix here! [31]
Flora & Ulysses
What It's About: "Flora & Ulysses is a delightful comedy-adventure based on the Newbery Award-winning book about 10-year-old Flora, an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic, whose parents have recently separated. After rescuing a squirrel she names Ulysses, Flora is amazed to discover he possesses unique superhero powers which take them on an adventure of humourous complications that ultimately change Flora's life—and her outlook—forever."
Strong Woman Character(s): Flora
Ages It's Best Suited For: 6 and up
Watch Flora & Ulysses on Disney+ here! [32]
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase
What It's About: "For 16-year-old Nancy Drew, life in a small town is dull. She longs for excitement, adventure, and the chance to make a difference. Nancy gets that opportunity when she is asked to help solve the ghostly activity at the Twin Elms mansion."
Strong Woman Character(s): Nancy Drew
Ages It's Best Suited For: 10 and up
Watch Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase on Tubi here! [34]
Mulan
What It's About: "Disguised as a male soldier, a young girl bravely takes her father's place in the Imperial Army."
Strong Woman Character(s): Mulan
Ages It's Best Suited For: 5 and up
Watch Mulan on Disney+ here! [35]
Enola Holmes
What It's About: "While searching for her missing mother, intrepid teen Enola Holmes uses her sleuthing skills to outsmart big brother Sherlock and help a runaway lord."
Strong Woman Character(s): Enola
Ages It's Best Suited For: 10 and up
Watch Enola Holmes on Netflix here! [36]
Spirited Away
What It's About: "When Chihiro is whisked away into a breathtaking world full of spirits and demons, she must use all her wits in order to free herself and her parents from the sorceress Yubaba, in Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award-winning masterpiece."
Strong Woman Character(s): Chihiro Ogino
Ages It's Best Suited For: 8 and up
Watch Spirited Away on HBO Max here! [38]
Legally Blonde
What It's About: "Elle Woods has it all. She's the president of her sorority, a Hawaiian Tropic girl, Miss June in her campus calendar, and, above all, a natural blonde. She dates the cutest fraternity boy on campus and wants nothing more than to be Mrs. Warner Huntington III. But, there's just one thing stopping Warner from popping the question: Elle is too blonde. Growing up across the street from Aaron Spelling might mean something in LA, but nothing to Warner's East-Coast blue blood family. So, when Warner packs up for Harvard Law and reunites with an old sweetheart from prep school, Elle rallies all her resources and gets into Harvard, determined to win him back. But law school is a far cry from the comforts of her poolside and the mall. Elle must wage the battle of her life, for her guy, for herself and for all blondes."
Strong Woman Character(s): Elle Woods
Ages It's Best Suited For: 12 and up
Buy or rent Legally Blonde on Amazon here! [39]
The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants
What It's About: "Four teenage friends keep in touch during their summer apart by passing along a cherished pair of blue jeans."
Strong Woman Character(s): Bridget, Tibby, Lena, Carmen, Bailey
Ages It's Best Suited For: 10 and up
Watch The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants on HBO Max here! [40]