The world of female superheroes is slowly expanding in the modern era. With this comes new and imaginative ways to showcase women and their allies on the silver screen. Movies like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Captain Marvel, and The Old Guard are bringing women to the front of heroism.
While their male counterparts continue to see movie after movie, female-led movies are still hard to come by. But with each new success comes more interest from fans and movie-makers, calling for women’s stories in all forms to be shared with millions. With Helen Slater leading the way in 1984’s Supergirl, female superheroes in movies are impacting young girls around the world. With engaging stories and writing, each movie since then has brought new ways to re-imagine how women can be the heroes of the story.
8 Supergirl (1984)
The first female-led superhero film brought the eldest of Earth’s Kryptonian duo to a wider audience. Linda Lee, aka Kara Zor-El, was brought to life by Helen Slater, who later went back to her roots in The CW’s Supergirl as Kara’s adoptive mom. While much has changed about Supergirl over the years, including her alter ego’s name and much of her backstory, Supergirl (1984) still has a place in the hearts of fans.
Tasked with finding her home’s only power source, Kara Zor-El embarks on a journey to Earth. The teenage superhero finds herself in an unknown world, filled with things she doesn’t understand. With a certain whimsical way about her that only teenage naivety can bring, Kara finds time in her quest to experience what every well-rounded superhero must: high school. Bringing in recognizable "Superfriends” Lucy Lane and Jimmy Olsen, Supergirl is campy, fun, and all around a good time — if a little cheesy at times.
7 X-Men: The Last Stand
The last of the early 2000s' go at an X-Men franchise, X-Men: The Last Stand is a memorable film. The first live-action movie to introduce Dark Phoenix, The Last Stand sees the tragic fall of Jean Grey — and the rise and fall of the controversial cure for mutants. With impactful, devastating deaths of fan-favorites at the hands of Dark Phoenix, The Last Stand had audiences on the edge of their seats.
Arguably, none of the deaths were more surprising than that of the iconic leader of the X-men, Professor X. Throughout the movie, Professor X and Magneto battle over who can control Dark Phoenix — a battle that in the end, everyone loses. In a final fight filled with nail-biting odds, Wolverine approaches Dark Phoenix as she begins to disintegrate everything around her. In those last moments, Jean Grey breaks through for a heartbreaking final wish: for Wolverine to kill her.
6 Birds of Prey
The much-anticipated emancipation of Harley Quinn in the DCU, Birds of Prey was a breath of fresh air for fans after a series of movies in the DCU that fell short of expectations. Unlike its predecessor Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey put a new feminist-leaning spin on a beloved character. And it worked
Many fans rejoiced as Harley distanced herself from the Joker, a theme that other stories centered around Harley have also taken up since. With a ragtag group of heroes, Birds of Prey brings a refreshing round of new characters to the DCU, while also putting a new spin on some that fans have seen before. Fun, bright, and full of life, Birds of Prey expresses the colorful and often absurd aspects of Harley Quinn’s character and immerses the viewer right into her world, with an A+ cast of supporting characters.
5 Wonder Woman
One of the DCU’s biggest success stories, Wonder Woman set the stage for a new group of female-led superhero movies. The hero has seen many iterations since her introduction in the 1940s, and has inspired young girls for just as long. Wonder Woman brings DC fans’ favorite Amazonian to the big screen. With a few changes to the way the iconic hero looks, the movie brought to life the impressive and beautiful culture and background of Princess Diana of Themyscira.
The movie gives viewers a firsthand look at Diana’s growth and journey as she learns about the evils of the world. While experiencing the front lines of the First World War is enough to make anyone question the good in humanity, Diana remains steadfast in her belief that humans are worth saving.
4 Captain Marvel
The first female-led solo superhero film in the MCU, Captain Marvel had critics and fans alike waiting to see if it could lead to a new era of female superheroes. Played by the talented Brie Larson, Carol Danvers took to the screen with an air of confidence not seen in many modern female superheroes. With a storyline focused on learning to let herself feel her own emotions after being convinced they were a weakness, Larson brought a dry-humored, stubborn, and lovable Captain Marvel to life.
In her debut film, Captain Marvel set off to fight the Skrull — only to find out that the people she had trusted for years were not who they said they were. With satisfying fighting scenes, impressive special effects, and a solid cast, Captain Marvel solidified her role in the MCU.
3 The Old Guard
Straying away from the superheroes seen throughout both the MCU and DCU, The Old Guard depicts a family of seemingly immortal warriors who find themselves facing a modern enemy: a pharmaceutical company that aims to use their genetics to create new medicines — at a steep cost.
Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne bring a complicated look at how immortality can impact those who have lived through centuries, and those who now find themselves bracing for a future filled with periods of loneliness. The heroes in The Old Guard are not the typical ones fans see in other movies. Each character fights for what they believe is right, with no fanfare or expectations on how it could impact the world.
2 Black Widow
For over a decade, fans had been waiting to learn more about the first woman to join the MCU’s Avengers. With Black Widow, not only do fans get a closer look at the events that led to Natasha Romanoff’s heroism and selflessness, the movie centers around a very real issue: the trafficking of young women and girls.
As many expected, the story of Black Widow is a complicated one, filled with the grief that only comes with losing loved ones and the joy of finding them once again. Between the impressive action and fighting scenes that the MCU is known for, audiences are given the chance to see Natasha at her softest: in the company of her sister, Yelena.
With intense battles between her family and the Red Room, Black Widow paints a clear picture of who Natasha had become between the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. This makes her sacrifice to attain the Soul Stone and eventually defeat Thanos even more devastating for audiences.
1 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
The long-awaited sequel to Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had big shoes to fill after the passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020. Thanks to a talented cast and the return of director Ryan Coogler, Wakanda Forever is a beautiful interpretation of grief and the consequences of revenge. Led by the talented Letitia Wright and Angela Bassett, the mostly female cast is a powerful force onscreen. Wright, who plays T’Challa’s sister Shuri, and Angela Bassett’s Queen Ramonda both deliver a devastatingly heartbreaking performance.
Wrought with the grief of the unexpected loss of her brother Shuri turns to science, and in the process loses her connection to her ancestors — a loss that impacts not only herself, but everyone around her. Throughout Wakanda Forever, the women of Wakanda face unimaginable odds, complicated circumstances, and a formidable new enemy. Wright and Bassett, along with Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and Marvel newcomer Dominique Thorne, have brought audiences around the world to tears with performances fit for a King.