It is no secret that male superheroes dominate the box office. However, there are some pretty awesome female characters that are well worth some solo screen time. Although there may not be too many of them at the moment, female superhero flicks have had major success with audiences and, luckily, there are still more to come.
Despite male superheroes like Superman and Spider-Man having been in the spotlight for some time now, it’s time to shed some of that much-needed light on the ten best female superhero movies out there, from movies led by a female character to films where a female character has an especially prominent role.
Updated August 25th, 2021: Fans of superhero movies haven’t been able to see as many female superhero movies over the years, though things have changed over the last few years thanks to a few breakthrough films and characters that have broken new ground for other female heroes. The future has never been brighter to see female heroes on the big screen, as the trend continues starting with these other female superhero films.
15 The Powerpuff Girls Movie (2002) Is The Origin Story Of The Popular Animated Trio
The Powerpuff Girls Movie first came out in 2002 and was based on the hit animated television series that followed the lives of superhero sisters Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup.
In the film, it is fully revealed just how the three girls obtained their superhero powers and join forces in order to stop the evil mutant monkey Mojo Jojo from taking over the world. With a combined force of flight, super strength, laser powers, and sonic abilities, the Powerpuff Girls are without a doubt one of the strongest trios there are, which is exactly what viewers witnessed on the big screen.
14 Supergirl (1984) Is Dated & Campy But Still A Pioneering Cult Classic
The 1984 film Supergirl tells the tale of Kara of Argo City, who poses as Clark Kent’s cousin, Linda Lee. The film itself revolves around Supergirl and her quest to recover the Omegahedron from an evil Terran sorceress.
Despite the film being dated and very campy, it was the first-ever mainstream superhero film to feature a woman in the lead role, which was definitely an important moment in film history. Thanks to Helen Slater’s superb portrayal as Supergirl, the movie was able to shine in all the best ways.
13 Tank Girl (1995) Brings Jamie Hewlett & Alan Martin’s Counterculture Heroine To Life
Featured in the year 2033, an evil and powerful man takes over a desolate Earth. However, it isn’t long before a pair of outlaws known as Tank Girl and Jet Girl, played by Lori Petty and Naomi Watts, respectively, rise to the occasion and destroy the corrupt system.
The film puts the female hero’s abilities at the forefront and represents the true essence of a female lead. Although neither character possesses superhuman abilities, it is their vast knowledge of technology, and combat that allow them to rise up.
12 Elektra (2005) Is One Of The Few Action Films Of Its Era To Be Led By A Female
Elektra Natchios, played by Jennifer Garner in the film, made her first-ever appearance in the Daredevil comics, and later, in the 2003 film starring Ben Affleck. Although she became a love interest of the superhero Daredevil, it was her violent and acquisitive traits that divided the two.
Despite her less than heroic features, it wasn’t until the assassin-for-hire was given a task that finally shook her conscience into protecting a target rather than taking them out. While the film didn’t win any Oscars, it depicted a strong female character with kick-ass moves, something that wasn’t seen much yet on the big screen at the time.
11 New Mutants (2020) Attempts To Introduce A New Female-Centric Phase For The Fox X-Men Universe
After the film spent a couple of years on the shelf, Disney finally released The New Mutants into theaters in 2020 and introduced the supposed next generation of Fox’s X-Men to the big screen along with a few more powerful female mutants.
The powerful mutant Illyana Rasputin/Magik (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) joined Rahne Sinclair/Wolfsbane (played by Maisie Williams) and Dani Moonstar/Mirage (played by Blu Hunt) alongside Cannonball and Sunspot as they learned how to use their powers as a team, though fans likely won’t see these characters return anytime soon.
10 X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) Finally Sees Jean Grey Come To The Forefront On The Big Screen
Despite X-Men: The Last Stand not revolving around a female-led superhero, it goes without saying that Jean Grey’s portrayal of the Phoenix is undoubtedly worth a mention. Jean Grey is hands down one of the most powerful mutants to ever exist. However, when her uncontrollable powers as the Phoenix come through, she is essentially unstoppable. Jean Grey— or, in this case, the Phoenix— is responsible for nearly destroying all of San Francisco and killing Wolverine, making her a force that should never be reckoned with at all costs.
The film itself is also has a compelling storyline revolving around a mutant cure and the war between the followers of Professor Xavier and those of Magneto. However, it is the Dark Phoenix’s appearance in the film that really gives the movie its cinematic brilliance.
9 Suicide Squad (2016) Introduces Harley Quinn To Mainstream Moviegoers In A Big Way
Again, Suicide Squad may not have been a female-led superhero film, but it was undoubtedly stolen by Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Harley Quinn. The imprisoned DC Comics supervillain gang executed missions in order to save the world in exchange for reduced sentences, and there was one character that had all eyes on her.
Harley Quinn, who first appeared in Batman: The Animated Series in 1992, stole the show with her expert gymnast moves and psychological tactics that easily made her a fan favorite. Although she may not have been the sole character throughout the film, her popularity has led to her continued appearance in spin-offs and the recently released Suicide Squad sequel.
8 Kick-Ass (2010) Might Be The Name Of The Movie, But Its True Star Is Hit-Girl
2010’s Kick-Ass adapted the Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr.’s comic of the same name to bring the teenaged hero to the big screen. Though while Kick-Ass found his way as a new hero, the real star of the film was undoubtedly Chloë Grace Moretz’ Hit-Girl.
Mindy McReady was raised by her superhero father Big Daddy to become an elite costumed assassin. Hit-Girl eventually took the much older Kick-Ass under her wing and trained him as her partner in the 2013 sequel Kick-Ass 2.
7 Birds of Prey (2020) Breaks New Ground For All-Female Superhero Teams On Film
Margot Robbie reprised the role of Harley Quinn after 2016’s Suicide Squad in 2020‘s Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), which was later retitled as the less wordy (and more Harley-focused) Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey.
The film explored Harley’s independence after her separation from The Joker, while also allying herself with other DC heroes like Huntress (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Black Canary (played by Jurnee Smollet) and Renee Montoya (played by Rosie Perez) as they faced off against Ewan MacGregor’s Black Mask as DC’s first female-led cinematic team.
6 Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) Is The First Solo Sequel For A Female Superhero
Gal Gadot returned as Diana for Patty Jenkins 2020 sequel Wonder Woman 1984, which took place in the past of the DCEU as Wonder Woman encountered a dangerous new threat from Maxwell Lord and Cheetah.
Wonder Woman also received more time with Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor in the sequel, though the character really shined when she adorned her new golden Amazonian armor to try to save the world from Lord’s dangerous connection to the mystical Dreamstone.
5 The Suicide Squad (2021) Offers More Harley Quinn But Ultimately Ends Up Being The Big Breakthrough For Ratcatcher 2
The sequel (but also pseudo-reboot) to David Ayer’s Suicide Squad, James Gunn’s crack at the DCEU franchise goes above and beyond the original in both quality and scope as Harley Quinn, Rick Flag, and Captain Boomerang return with a new, more expendable Task Force X to do Amanda Waller’s bidding.
The team’s resident wild card Harley Quinn has some of the best scenes in the film but it’s ultimately Ratcatcher 2, played by Daniela Melchior, who shines as the heart of this over-the-top, bombastic, and hilarious film.
4 Ant-Man & The Wasp (2018) Is The First Time A Female Character Gets A Title Mention In An MCU Movie
While Ant-Man & The Wasp obviously doesn’t focus solely on The Wasp herself, the film company did promote it as a female-fronted Marvel movie, and it still remains one of the only MCU movies that has a female character’s name in its title.
Despite sharing the screen with Ant-Man, The Wasp definitely held her own throughout the film, and could easily take on a solo film in the future. With abilities of size manipulation, flight, bio-electric energy blasts, and telepathic insect control, The Wasp is definitely a force to be reckoned with, and a powerful force at that.
3 Black Widow (2021) Is The Long-Overdue Solo Film For The Female Avenger Plus The Stellar Introduction Of Yelena Belova
The first film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to be released during the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Widow was the long-awaited solo film for one of the original Avengers, Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff.
Taking place between the major events in Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, Natasha is on the run and finds herself caught up in her past, reuniting with her sister Yelena, and finally putting a stop to the man behind the dreaded Red Room, who Natasha thought she had killed.
2 Captain Marvel (2019) Is The MCU’s First Solo Movie For A Female Character
Captain Marvel is centered around the character Carol Danvers, who is a former U.S Air Force pilot, doubling as Captain Marvel. Played by Brie Larson, Captain Marvel is not only a talented pilot and experienced soldier, but she also possesses superhuman strength, invulnerability and the power of flight.
These abilities make her one of the strongest heroes in the Marvel Universe. Throughout the film, Captain Marvel joins the Starforce team all while finding herself caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Captain Marvel will always have the distinction of being the first completely female-fronted MCU film, which is a big deal indeed.
1 Wonder Woman (2017) Is One Of The Best-Reviewed Superhero Movies Of All-Time, Female-Led Or Otherwise
As it stands, the original Wonder Woman film continues to be the template for how to do a female-led superhero movie right. The 2017 film starring Gal Gadot reveals the earlier stages of Wonder Woman’s life when she was only Diana, Princess of the Amazons. Although she was in fact trained to be an unconquerable warrior, it wasn’t until she was fighting the war of all wars that she realized her full powers.
As a DC Comic legend, Wonder Woman possesses superhuman strength, flight, durability, agility, speed, and an array of enhanced senses, that undoubtedly make her one of the biggest superhero threats of all time. Not only was the film critically acclaimed, but the massive success behind Wonder Woman has led to the character being the first female superhero to have a solo franchise all her own following the release of WW84.