Powerful Female Movie Characters Who Are Everything We Want to Be

After a very long wait, the first female-led MCU movie, Captain Marvel, premieres in theaters tomorrow.

We don't know exactly what to expect, but we do know that this powerful superhero is an essential addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We need her, especially ahead of the total drama that's going to be Avengers: Endgame. 

But, more importantly, we're just excited to see a powerful lady on the big screen. In fact, it got us thinking about other fictional women who have captured our hearts in the past.

So, in honor of Carol Danvers, keep scrolling for powerful female movie leads that are everything we want to be.

Hermione Granger

How could we not tip our hats to the heroic Hermione Granger? Hermione is a loyal friend and a brave companion, but we have to admire her most for her genius-level intelligence. Without Hermione, Harry wouldn't have been all that successful, and that's just the honest truth. Harry might have been the focus of the series, but Hermione was the one who did a lot of the leg work to ensure the Boy Who Lived didn't die in his very first year at Hogwarts. She's a smart girl with a strong character, making her one of our ultimate role models.

(Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone via Warner Bros.)

 

Black Widow

While we can't wait for a new female superhero, we also can't forget to show some love to the OG Marvel chick. Black Widow is everything. She's strong, she's smart, she's resourceful, she's loyal—and under all that, she still has quite the big heart. More than anything, however, Black Widow is a straight-up savage. She's more capable and talented than half the men in the MCU, even without any powers. She can take down anyone—a fact she has no problem proving time and time again. If we could capture even a tenth of Black Widow's ferocity… well, let's just say no one would ever mess with us.

(Iron Man 2 via Marvel Studios)

 

Elle Woods

Elle Woods is an easy person to admire. Although, she starts off whining over a boy, her tune quickly changes when she realizes just how powerful she can be. Her ambition is intoxicating, but she never loses who she is in the process of following her dreams. She stands up for herself, but she has a forgiving heart that doesn't wish any ill will on anyone, even those who are cruel to her. Last, but certainly not least, she demonstrates that you don't need people—especially subpar frat boys—dragging you down when you're more than capable of accomplishing everything you want all on your own.

(Legally Blonde via Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

 

Cher Horowitz

Cher Horowitz might not be who you immediately think of when considering a role model. After all, she's unquestionably vapid, spoiled and self-absorbed. However, we can't help but admire Cher for her endless confidence. She truly believes in herself and her abilities, and she doesn't allow anyone to bring her down. Instead of second-guessing her decisions, she leans into every idea, constantly reassuring herself that she's making the right choice. Truly, if we all had Cher Horowitz-levels of confidence, the world would be a better place.

(Clueless via Paramount Pictures)

 

Mulan

Do we even need to explain why Mulan is on this list? She literally saved all of China—it doesn't get more powerful than that. Not only does Mulan prove she's a force to be reckoned with, she also has a deep commitment to her family and their safety. She's equal parts soft and strong, making her a formidable fighter with a strong moral compass. We might not save all of China, but we'll spend the rest of our lives attempting to channel some of Mulan's strength.

(Mulan via Walt Disney Pictures)

 

Katniss Everdeen

If we were ever to be caught in a bad situation, we would definitely want Katniss on our team. We admire her skills with a bow, but it's her selfless commitment to the people she cares about that has us all heart eyes over this powerful lady. Katniss undoubtedly cares about her own survival, but she also has a big heart that cares more about the greater good. She genuinely feels for the people around her, and she's not afraid of standing up for what she thinks is right. If Katniss can coordinate an entire rebellion against President Snow, we can certainly find it within ourselves to stand up for what we believe in.

(The Hunger Games via Lionsgate)

 

Shuri

Another lady from the Marvel universe, Shuri is our most recent obsession. She may be fun and carefree, but the girl is a straight-up genius. We always find ourselves in awe of her achievements, much like pretty much everyone else around her. More than that, Shuri is brave. She doesn't back down from a fight and she certainly doesn't allow anyone to walk all over her. We love her entire personality. Is it going too far if we say we would die for Shuri? Because we totally would.

(Black Panther via Marvel Studios)

 

Leia Organa

Leia Organa is the original powerful woman. Well, probably not the first ever, but one of the first that we really looked up to. Leia is sass incarnate—a blunt woman who isn't afraid of speaking her mind. She's assertive, brave and daring, all the while considering what she needs to do for the good of her people, often at the expense of her own well-being. Plus, she has quite the skills with a blaster—we can't overlook that.

(Star Wars: A New Hope via Lucasfilm)

 

Rey

Our next praise-worthy woman also comes from the Star Wars universe, but this time we're transporting ourselves to the present day. Despite her rough-upbringing, Rey is a force to be reckoned with. She spend years providing for herself, smartly discovering ways to survive in a world that doesn't care about her. Still, instead of running away from a battle that could cost her life, she joins the right side and fights for the good of the universe, without truly understanding her place in this fight. Beyond that, she also shows empathy to everyone, including her enemies. Rey is the exact definition of a powerful woman, in every way, shape and form.

(Star Wars: The Force Awakens via Lucasfilm)

 

Wonder Woman

There's really no measuring up to Wonder Woman. But we're okay with that—she is half god, after all. Diana is incredibly powerful, mentally, physically and emotionally. When it comes to heart, there's no one who compares to this strong woman. She does everything according to love, but it's her gentle heart that makes her powerful, instead of making her weak. We get chills every time we see Wonder Woman onscreen, making Diana one of our ultimate role models.

(Wonder Woman via Warner Bros.)

 

Can't wait to see Captain Marvel? Click HERE for 12 memes that perfectly sum up why were so excited for the movie.