I’m not sure why it’s so difficult for writers to craft complex female protagonists with depth, but apparently it is, because well-written leading women aren’t always easy to find. But if you’re looking for something to watch that features a character you’ll actually love, we’ve got your back. Redditors have recently beendiscussingtheir favorite strong female leads from the screen, so we’ve got a list celebrating them all below. Enjoy scrolling through, and be sure to upvote thecharactersthat you’re a huge fan of too!

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Ellen Ripley in Alien. She’s the OG.jmorfeus:Recently when I rewatched the film I distinctly thought that the film made it on purpose that the crew repeatedly dismisses or ignores her idea because she’s a woman (like it happens to so many women in professional setting even now, moreso back when it was shot) and that the film made it one of the explicit points not to do that (she was right all along, every time).Strange how the mind works.But at the same time it didn’t feel forced or fake like so many modern “feminist” movies/recasts and I think Ripley really is the perfect example of a strong female lead.

A determined woman in a spaceship setting, embodying a strong female protagonist with confidence and resolve.

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Let’s add Uhura, then. She encouraged all girls and black people in general to aim their sights on space and science.

A woman in a sci-fi setting, portraying a strong female protagonist with confidence and focus.

Wednesday and Morticia Adams. They both are strong willed, confident females who don’t give an F about what other people think about them.

A strong female protagonist with a young girl at a dining table in a dimly lit room, conveying a gothic family dynamic.

[Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor]Icing on the cake is that John can immediately tell who the fake Sarah is in that scene. Cause his mother would never dare to risk his life to save her own.Jahaangle:[Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor]Stabbed through the shoulder, one hand reloading her shotgun, almost taking out the T-1000 herself only to run out of ammo.Her first instinct is to protect John before the T-800 shows up.That scene is brilliant.SayNoToStim:[Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor]Her escape from the mental institution is one of the best scenes in film, across any genres. Watching the cause of all of your problems walk around the corner just as she’s escaping from those said problems is going to break anyone, and two minutes later she’s leaning out a car window as it drives shooting at the T1000.XchrisZ:[Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor] yelling at John to get back under the bullet proof vests while shooting out of the back of a moving vehicle. Such a great example of a mother being a mother and a bad a*s.

A strong female protagonist aiming a handgun, set in a desert environment.

Dana Scully. Even caused an uptic of women in STEM studies.Caira_Ru:I’m very biased, because I was at a pretty critical age in my own development when Scully and Mulder were also developing, but there were so many things that they did so incredibly well that it’s been my favorite fiction show for decades. The X-Files shaped me to think the way I think, in a lot of ways.Scary, funny, touching, horrific, wholesome, sexy but not contrived (for many seasons at least) or over the top and most importantly, the female lead had more to offer to most situations than the male.Mulder was relatable sometimes and almost always adorable, but as a teen girl, Scully was EVERYTHING!She was smart, capable, compassionate, confident, and funny. Logical but always able to see past social and scientific constraints. Aware in her femininity but not dependent on it. Full of faith without ever pressuring others to believe the same.She also was fallible and vulnerable, questioned herself and others, and snapped sometimes when someone hurt her.If I had to sum her up in 6 words: She owned it. All of it.Edit: I also felt like I was maybe bi for a couple decades because of Gillian Andersen’s Dana Scully on the X-Files! Sure, I was attracted to the men - Mulder, that one guy who maybe was his brother, and Skinner especially - but I thought “wow… women can sure be attractive, too…”I finally realized I just had a hard-on for Dana Scully AND men!

Close-up of a serious woman with short, light brown hair, embodying a strong female protagonist.

Judy Dench as M.

An older woman with short hair, exemplifying a strong female protagonist in a serious setting.

Margie from Fargo. She’s the only moral, reasonable, responsible person in a town full of insanity. She deals with it all, while being pregnant and still finding the time to have emotions, but keeping them separate when there’s a job to do.

Strong female protagonist in uniform driving, using a radio in a snowy setting.

She may not have been the ‘main’ protagonist but Rachel Weisz as Evelyn in The Mummy (1999) was for me the perfect mix of feminine, brains and grit. Just loved her. And she wasn’t a mary sue either. She make mistakes.

A strong female protagonist smiling warmly, wearing a brown coat on a ship deck at night.

Animated strong female protagonist holding a fan confidently.

Did anyone say Princess Leia?

A strong female protagonist peering attentively, wearing a white outfit, in a science fiction setting.

Michelle Yeoh in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.She’s not a one dimensional, no emotions having badass trope of a character. Her femininity wasn’t cut in order for her to be “strong”. She’s a whole human being.

Strong female protagonist in a dramatic scene, showcasing determination and focus.

Strong female protagonist with determined expression, in a dimly lit urban setting.

Xena-warrior princess.

A strong female protagonist wielding a sword by the ocean, showcasing empowerment and strength.

Captain Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager.

Woman in uniform sitting pensively, exemplifying a strong female protagonist in a sci-fi setting.

Woman in a courtroom setting with confident expression, exemplifying strong female protagonist.

Eowyn.

A strong female protagonist in medieval armor, smiling, flanked by two helmeted warriors.

A woman in uniform saluting, embodying a strong female protagonist.

Animated character in a green dress striking a strong pose, embodying a strong female protagonist.

Cover of “Wyrd Sisters” by Terry Pratchett featuring strong female protagonist silhouettes in a mystical green setting.

Disney’s Moana. Y’all don’t have kids?That girl speaks truth to power, finds evidence, heads off on a dangerous trek, saves the world (basically), returns home and makes her small town better. And the whole time there’s no distraction from any romantic interest.Badass.

Animated girl on a beach wearing a floral crown, exemplifying a strong female protagonist.

I’m not overly fond of the movie overall, but Emma Thompson’s character in Love Actually.

A woman in a red sweater, wiping tears, depicting a strong female protagonist in an emotional scene.

Evelyn Wong in Everything Everywhere All at Once.

A woman in an office wearing headphones and a red vest, embodying a strong female protagonist in a determined expression.

Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) in Fringe is my go to example of a strong female protagonist.

A determined woman with a scar on her forehead stands in a dimly lit setting, embodying a strong female protagonist.

All the Ghibli protagonists.

Animated girl lying in grass, strong female protagonist expression, red ribbon, radio nearby.

Amy Adams in Arrival.

A woman with an engaging expression, representing a strong female protagonist in a dimly lit setting.

Geena Davis as Samantha Caine in The Long Kiss Goodnight.

A strong female protagonist aiming a gun with determination, showing courage and strength in a winter setting.

Erin Brockovich.

Strong female protagonist in an office setting, focused and determined, surrounded by files.

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Lagertha in Vikings.

A focused female archer in medieval attire on a ship, embodying a strong female protagonist.

Offbeat choice, but Helen Hunt’s character Carol in As Good As It Gets. She deals with all the c**p life has handed her, constantly cares for her son, deals with a horribly difficult man, and manages to maintain her sunshine and cheer in the face of it all. She lays down strict boundaries and gets right in Melvin’s face when he crosses the line. She doesn’t allow herself to get pushed around, but she doesn’t retreat into being a bully either. She’s amazingly patient and loving, and I love her.

A determined woman with curly hair, exemplifying a strong female protagonist, gazes thoughtfully into the distance.

The Bride and O-Ren from K**l Bill.

Strong female protagonist in a yellow suit, holding a sword in a snowy setting.

A strong female protagonist gazing intently in a dramatic scene, wearing ornate clothing.

Furiosa from Mad Max: Fury Road—she doesn’t need a tragic backstory speech or a romantic subplot to prove her worth. She just drives into a post-apocalyptic wasteland, kicks a*s, and liberates people while rocking a metal arm like it’s no big deal. That’s the kind of energy I aspire to bring when I tackle my inbox on a Monday morning.

Heroic woman gazes intensely from vehicle, embodying strong female protagonist.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

A woman with short blonde hair wearing a green sweater, embodying a strong female protagonist in a dimly lit room.

President Laura Roslyn from Battlestar Galactica.

Woman with glasses in a dimly lit room, representing a strong female protagonist theme.

Two women stand together; one wears a bold purple outfit, embodying a strong female protagonist.

Animated girl with strong-female-protagonist qualities stands with mysterious spirit in a dark setting.

Charlize Theron in anything.Fury Road, Atomic Blonde, Old Guard, etc.

Strong female protagonist in a dimly lit scene, holding a cigarette, with a confident expression.

Veronica Mars.

A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a studded jacket, stands confidently on a porch, embodying strong female protagonist.

Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility (1995). So strong, charming and thoughtful. What a lovely person.

Woman in a historical dress stands in a doorway, exemplifying a strong female protagonist in a period setting.

Tiffany Aching.

Cover of “Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch” with a strong female protagonist standing confidently.

Lucy MacLean from Fallout.

A strong female protagonist in a thoughtful moment, showcasing determination and depth.

Avatar doesn’t have a female protagonist, but all of its female characters are great .

Animated scene with a strong female protagonist looking determined, accompanied by a young ally in the background.

Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn is pretty fantastic.

Strong female protagonist with braided red hair and tribal attire, wielding a bow against a mountainous backdrop.

[Kim Wexler] is one of the most complex characters I’ve seen. She’s definitely a great example of a strong female protagonists done right. I always think of that line she says early on“You don’t save me. I save me”hellomolly11:I finished Better Caul Saul about a year ago and I still think of how composed and disciplined Kim Wexler is, and how much compromising it must have taken for her to live a new, mundane life in Florida. She’s actually inspirational in her professionalism and dedication.

A woman in a business suit stands confidently outside in an urban setting, embodying a strong female protagonist.

Toph from Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Anime character with dark hair and green attire, representing a strong female protagonist in a determined pose.

Sidney Prescott.

Strong female protagonist looking determined, dimly lit room, intense expression, with artwork blurred in the background.

Both Jinx and Vi, whichever one you count as the main protagonist of Arcane.

Two strong female protagonists in a dynamic action scene, showcasing empowerment and resilience.

Samus Aran, in any game besides Other M, we don’t talk about Other M.

Strong female protagonist in futuristic armor suit standing in a sci-fi setting.

Emily Blunt in Sicario.

A determined woman in black, exemplifying a strong female protagonist in a dimly lit room.

Does Frieren count?

Anime character with long silver hair and elf-like ears in a mountainous landscape, representing a strong female protagonist.

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