Contrary to what some screenwriters might believe, the strong female leads in their films don’t have to be the sexiest women on Earth, and they certainly don’t need to fall in love with the male lead. They can have their own agendas, their own minds and be capable of solving problems on their own, just like women in real life!

Reddit users have recently been sharing examples of the “strong female lead” trope in films that have actually been done well, so we’ve gathered some of their top replies below. From Clarice Starling to Elle Woods, enjoy scrolling through, and be sure to upvote all of your favorite strong, independent women!

#1

Alien

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#2

The Silence of the Lambs

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#3

Legally Blonde.

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#4

Terminator 2

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#5

"Arrival"

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#6

"Fargo"

u/Mr_Saturn1 added:

Awhile back on twitter someone asked to name movies that features a female protagonist who is competent at her job, in an established relationship with a man (the relationship does not start during the events of the film) and her partner does not criticize her work or encourage her to give up. The only movie people could name that fully satisfied these requirements was Fargo.

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#7

Mulan, the Disney animated one.

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#8

Surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet but Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

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#9

"Lilo&Stich", Nani

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#10

I thought Mad Max: Fury Road did a good job.

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#11

Rachel Weisz playing Evie in The Mummy.

"Take that, Bembridge Scholars!"

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#12

Laura Dern, Jurassic Park. Seeing a strong woman in science at such a young age had a profound impact on me, and I truly think it’s one of the reasons I am a scientist today.

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#13

Fried Green Tomatoes gives you a selection of them.

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#14

"The Addams Family"

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#15

Brave. As a young girl it was very validating to seeing a princess who was competing as well as winning against men. I also really like the movie because Merida isn’t perfect, and you can definitely tell that she’s a 16 year old girl, especially watching it while I’m older. She’s a teen girl who’s doing her best to prove to her parents that she is strong and can take care of herself. I also really like this movie because Merida isn’t afraid to yell and strongly state her opinion. The women in my life are often very strong people as well as outspoken, and I really love seeing that represented in media, and Brave is really the “strong female” trope done right.

#16

X files. I can't believe I haven't seen that yet.
She was highly intelligent with a strong confidence that couldn't be beaten down by the sexists in the early seasons nor the crushing but invisible power of the Syndicate.

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#17

Kill Bill

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#18

Shoshana in Inglorious Basterds.

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#19

Howls Moving Castle

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#20

Winter's Bone, if we're counting female characters who are strong in the sense that they take responsibility under adversity and not just a woman who acts like a macho dude and can beat up men.

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#21

Harry Potter

Hermione, Ginny and Luna are all completely different, but I would describe them all as strong female characters.

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#22

Hidden Figures. Wonderful movie about the women working for Nasa in the 60's who were human computers; they calculated the numbers by hand for the first flight to the moon.

Furiousa in Mad Max: Fury Road.

Danielle in Ever After.

Image credits: Nightsong1005

#23

Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

It set the foundation for the TV series which did a strong female lead that didn’t have to take being a strong woman so seriously to make the point.

Not a movie, but Xena and Gabrielle deserve an honorable mention.

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#24

The hunger games had an interesting perspective on it I thought.

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#25

Not a movie but Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul. 

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#26

Thelma and Louise

#27

My Cousin Vinny.

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#28

The long kiss goodnight

#29

Emily Blunt in Edge of Tomorrow

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#30

Not a movie but Avatar the last airbender

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#31

Steel Magnolias.

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#32

Annihilation! I love that movie but one of my favorite things about it is that the main characters are all competent at their jobs and well respected, and they just happen to be women.

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#33

Rogue One

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