Simone de Beauvoir once said “one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman” and while this statement has pointed out the primitive and stereotypical moulds women are forced to fit into, it also allowed women to break free from the society’s imprisoned misconceptions. And what better way to defy the society than by redefining the meaning of women on the big screen.

Read on to discover ten movies starring powerful women and who are also redefining womanhood!

Mona Lisa Smile

At a time where women were allowed to study but barely acknowledged as students rather than future wives, Katherine Watson came to break the chains of an institution that refused to see women as nothing more than a wife. The movie is as empowering for women as it is for every other person alive; education will take you places, kids.

Gone Girl
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Gillian Flynn’s disturbing, powerful, fascinating and critically acclaimed novel has been adapted into the big screen under the same name. It definitely defies everything the world shapes women into: the perfect behaviour, the perfect planner, the perfect wife and so on of that same old mantra. However, Amy Dunne manages to portray the perfectly dangerous—if not psychopathic—human. Not to say that she is a great role model for any human out there, but she sure is one of the most brilliant characters to have ever been written!

Hidden Figures

In a gender and racial segregated America, Hidden Figures—an autobiographical movie—portrays the real stories of three of America’s black female mathematicians at NASA. Simply put, it’s one of the best and greatest movies of all time! Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe killed it on the big screen! #GirlPower

Zootopia
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You know how hard it is, but not impossible, for women to work in a male-dominated profession?! Despite being an animated film, Zootopia makes it clear that women can, as officer Bunny (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) enters the police force and has to prove to her male counterparts that not only that she’s capable of doing her job, but that she can do it well. Yup! Even animation has stepped up their game, wake up world!

Joy

“Life gets better after divorce” is definitely not the point of that movie, but always a brightside to remember. Joy is another autobiographical film just to prove that women kick ass in real life just as much as they do on-screen. Joy Monagano literally turned her life upside down and made herself filthy rich by believing in herself and her ambitions. This movie will get your adrenaline pumped and you won’t rest until you start building your own empire.

Brave
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I love when Disney highlights social problems through great animation! Even though not every girl in the world is in line to become the next heir to a throne, but some of them are forced to marry for one reason or another. As some societies or Jane Austen have that fixed image of a husband as a safe haven on earth, which is utter and complete bullshit. Thank you Merida for proving them wrong!

Precious

This is a survival story based on the novel Push by Sapphire, Precious is a 16-year-old girl living in an abusive household. The movie discusses the mental and physical results of abuse, while also showing the importance of being a good teacher.

Erin Brockovich
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Julia Roberts strikes again along with autobiographical movies about powerful and brilliant women just keep on coming. Erin Brockovich is the real story of a woman who brought down Pacific Gas and Electric Company who were responsible for the contamination of drinking water in Hinkley. It’s fierce, lively and most of all true!

Mulan

A brilliant strategist, beautiful, loyal, and a warrior; that is Mulan, and SHE SAVED CHINA!! Need I say more?!

Hermione Granger and How She Saves The World Every Damn Time!

Yes, she may not be “the chosen one”, but she is definitely the one that got all the answers. She is loyal, fierce, and the brightest witch of her age. A role model to look up to, even when she was a cat!

Any other strong female leads you would add? Tell us in the comments below!

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