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 likeBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever,Captain Marvel, andThe Old Guardare bringing women to the front of heroism.
While their male counterparts continue to see movie after movie,female-led moviesare 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’sSupergirl, 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.
8Supergirl (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’sSupergirlas 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.
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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,Supergirlis campy, fun, and all around a good time — if a little cheesy at times.
7X-Men: The Last Stand
The last of the early 2000s' go at an X-Men franchise,X-Men: The Last Standis a memorable film. The first live-action movie to introduce Dark Phoenix,The Last Standsees 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 Standhad 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 andMagneto battle overwho 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.
6Birds of Prey
The much-anticipated emancipation of Harley Quinn in the DCU,Birds of Preywas a breath of fresh air for fans after a series of movies in the DCU that fell short of expectations. Unlike its predecessorSuicide Squad,Birds of Preyput a new feminist-leaning spin on a beloved character. And it worked
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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 Preybrings 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 Preyexpresses 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.
5Wonder Woman
One of the DCU’s biggest success stories,Wonder Womanset 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 Womanbrings 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.
4Captain Marvel
The first female-led solo superhero film in the MCU,Captain Marvelhad 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 lovableCaptain Marvel to life.
In her debut film,Captain Marvelset 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 Marvelsolidified her role in the MCU.
3The Old Guard
Strayingaway from the superheroesseen throughout both the MCU and DCU,The Old Guarddepicts 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 inThe Old Guardare 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.
2Black Widow
For over a decade, fans had been waiting to learn more about the first woman to join the MCU’s Avengers. WithBlack 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.
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As many expected, the story ofBlack Widowis a complicated one, filled with the grief that only comes with losing loved ones and the joy of finding them once again. Between theimpressive action and fightingscenes 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 Widowpaints a clear picture of who Natasha had become between the events ofAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgame.This makes her sacrifice to attain the Soul Stone and eventually defeat Thanos even more devastating for audiences.
1Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
The long-awaited sequel toBlack Panther,Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverhad 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 Foreveris a beautifulinterpretation of griefand the consequences of revenge. Led by the talented Letitia Wright and Angela Bassett, the mostly female cast is a powerful force onscreen. Wright, who playsT’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. ThroughoutWakanda 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 withperformances fit for a King.
