11 films with strong female leads — to inspire kids and adults, alike

Netflix and learn

Unlike the mythical unicorn and the Abominable Snowman, sensitive and shy boys aren’t figments of folklore and imagination. They exist just like the legion of feisty, rebellious young girls who can’t and must not be slotted into society’s outdated boxes. Unfortunately, a certain faction of “inspiring movies” glorify behind-the-times gender tropes: “Ladkiyaan basketball nahin khel sakti” and a more direct “Boys don’t cry”.

Yet, no parenting guides suggest that your young boy can’t look up to Sania Mirza for inspiration and that your little girl shouldn’t idolise Freddie Mercury in her musical pursuits.

We believe Robin Williams’s John Keating is as inspiring a mentor in Dead Poets Society as Julia Roberts’s Katherine Ann Watson in Mona Lisa Smile. And we want them both in our lives in equal measure.

Moral of the story: gender isn’t a part of the inspiration paradigm.

So, take a moment from guilt-tripping yourself for giving your kids too much screen time this lockdown, and thank the streaming platforms for giving us plenty of movies with strong female leads, for young girls and boys to watch and learn from. No gender tags or Bechdel failures here.

After stumbling upon Michelle Obama’s hopeful documentary, Becoming, we combed through our streaming platforms to put together this watchlist of movies with strong female leads.

From stepping out of comfort zones and dealing with grief, to facing heartbreaking gender barriers and rising above limitations, we suggest you and the kids grab some popcorn and get psyched.

* Parental discretion, kid’s age and temperament must be taken in to consideration before viewing

Hidden Figures, 2016

Acing the ‘Guess The Gibberish’ filter on Instagram may be as arduous for you as finding ‘x’ and ‘y’ is for your teenager with arithmophobia. The fear of maths is legit.

Thank cinema Gods, we have a movie that shows how the sums we solve at school can be  applied in the real world and outer space.

Theodore Melfi’s Hidden Figures highlights the resilience and determination of three black women who worked at NASA in the early ’60s, blending science and history seamlessly.

Their struggles transcend workplace sexism and throw light on the toxic racism they overcame to become NASA’s first black engineer (Janelle Monáe) and NASA’s first African American manager (Octavia Spencer).

The movie is also an introduction to racial discrimination. Imagine if every time you had to use the loo, you had to take a 40-minute detour on the campus to find a coloured women’s toilet.

Watch on Disney Hotstar

Queen, 2013

Rani (Kangana Ranaut) is the daughter of a local halwai in Rajouri, Delhi. After her fiancé Vijay (Rajkummar Rao) calls off their wedding just two days before the ceremony, a crestfallen Rani paves her path to self-discovery via Paris and Amsterdam — on what was meant to be their honeymoon.

She takes the ‘solo’ trip with trepidation. Yet, as she conquers her fears, Rani motivates a generation of children to take that first brave step towards unlocking achievements and happiness. Because outside your comfort zone lies a world of new adventures, friends and surprises.

In the aftermath of the movie, be prepared to see your shy one walk up to the other kids in the park and engage in some animated small talk.

Watch on Google Play

Brave, 2012

So your daughter would rather play cricket on weekends than be your little kitchen helper. Congratulations, she isn’t your traditional Disney princess. She is following in the footsteps of brave Merida.

In the world of princesses in puffy dresses and perfect hair, Merida stands out. And she doesn’t need a prince to validate her or save her.

Merida’s mother, Queen Elinor, wants her to be more princess-like (that’s Mummyji’s guide to making round rotis and sitting cross-legged). While Merida tolerates the lessons, she only wants to prance around the forest shooting arrows with her father.

Soon, we find out that the mother wants Merida to marry a man she has never met (sound familiar?). This news turns Merida’s world upside down, and she seeks a witch’s help to ‘change her fate’. And she does.

Merida is fiercely independent and a great role model for kids hiding their own quirky traits in a bid to fit in.

Watch on Disney Hotstar

Wild, 2014

We join the recently divorced Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) as she hikes the 1,100-mile long Pacific Crest Trail, with no prior backpacking experience or preparation, after she loses her mother.

Yes, it’s back-breaking and you can steal this moment to teach your child the importance of planning their tasks and projects.

The movie leaves us tired as she reaches the summit, but fills us with a passive sense of accomplishment. It also lays the foundation of grief management, albeit on a grand scale.

Wild reminds us that when grief leaves us lost, a monumental journey can revive us in ways we couldn’t have imagined.

Sow the seeds of hiking and adventure in your little one’s mind and plan your next big excursion for when this lockdown finally ends.

Watch on Google Play

Little Women, 2019

With seven cinematic adaptations, it’s unlikely that you have missed this classic.

In Greta Gerwig’s adaptation, this old trove of inspiration stands the test of time: girls just want to do their own thing.

Based on Louisa May Alcott’s way-ahead-of-its-time novel, Little Women is the ultimate guide to raising ambitious girls when society devalues the Venus brigade.

The girls may be polar opposites – (Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Eliza Scanlen, Florence Pugh), but Marmee (Laura Dern) champions four young rebels into sensitive, independent adults who value forgiveness and have aced anger management.

However, your kids will expect you to accept your flaws too just as Marmee confides in Jo about her flaring temper.

Be prepared to get roasted if you don’t follow through.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video

Moana, 2016

In ancient Polynesia, young Moana Waialiki learns that the demigod Maui has stolen the heart of the goddess, Te Fiti (aka Te Ka), and caused a blight on her island.

The young sea navigator embarks on a solo journey to convince Maui to return Te Fiti’s heart and end the miseries of the common man.

She doesn’t wait for reinforcements. She knows she is stronger than she seems. And she doesn’t go around asking for help. If your kids suddenly start lifting weights (backpacks filled with toys and plants on terrace), you’d better believe in them too.

Kindness (towards nature and people) is the running theme of Moana, and we could use gallons of it IRL.

Next time the little monster throws a tantrum over sharing colour pencils with the neighbour’s child, ask her, “What would Moana do?”

She may strike a barter deal by demanding a Moana costume though.

Watch on Disney Hotstar

The Help, 2011

This Oscar-winning adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s historical novel (by the same name) tells the tale of coloured maids and their snooty white female employers during the civil rights era.

Set in Jackson, Mississippi, the period drama is yet another beginner’s guide to racism and class discrimination, with shiploads of laughter and tears.

Viola Davis’s Aibileen Clark is the housekeeper who’s helped raise 17 white children for various families, but is still recovering from the untimely death of her only son. Her BFF, Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer), is the rebel with multiple causes. She is unstoppable and goes on to poison her racist boss’ pie.

The movie’s catalyst is Emma Stone’s naïve Eugenia AKA Skeeter. The budding journalist sets out to interview Aibileen and Minny about their experiences with their hostile employers.

Her undeterred belief in the cause despite all odds is admirable. She comes to reaffirm that it only always takes one person to be the agent of change.

Wait and watch: your children will learn to move mountains and convince you to buy yet another video game with unflinching resolve.

You may refuse her wish, but you know you’ll secretly admire her debating skills. Thank The Help.

Watch on Google Play

Gippi, 2013

Here’s a Karan Johar production without overgrown teenagers gallivanting across campus in swanky convertibles.

The eponymous Gippi is a 14-year-old girl who lives with her mother, Pappi, and younger brother Booboo. Being overweight is the bane of her existence, and she has no idea how to handle this physical-emotional explosion called puberty.

Queen bee of the class, Shamira can’t stop, won’t stop bullying Gippi, and of course, Cupid’s misguided arrow, too, injures her frail heart.

But when her feelings aren’t requited, in an impulsive move, she decides to compete against Shamira in the school elections.

Since the recurring theme is fighting bullies, all the impressionable teens and pre-teens will consider Gippi’s story as the survival guide to school cafeteria drama and a lesson in loving yourself.

Watch on Netflix

Frozen, 2013

Frozen rekindles our favourite Disney tropes: deceased parents leave behind orphaned princesses to survive against OTT odds.

Princess Elsa has the power to create snow. Following a series of unfortunate events, she decides to spend her life in self-proclaimed exile and also sends the kingdom into an eternal winter.

The clumsy younger sister, brave Anna, takes it upon herself to rescue her sister and the kingdom.

The movie reminds us that sometimes you’ve just got to ‘Let it go’ of a bad day, tiff with the BFF, an old grudge, parents refusing your wishes because there’s always something else in the offing.

As Anna charms us all with her eccentric yet awkward ways, we learn to embrace our true self even if it doesn’t live up to Neelam aunty’s expectations.

This one’s as important for you as for your child. Don’t be harsh on yourself and above all, never apologise for authenticity.

Watch on Disney Hotstar

The Devil Wears Prada, 2006

The movie follows Andy (Hathaway), a journalism graduate who lands a job as fashion editor Miranda Priestly’s (Streep) junior assistant. This particular job is the one “a million girls would die for.” Will she survive or will Priestly drive her nuts?

What Working Girl was to ’90s kids, The Devil Wears Prada is for Gen Z. It gives us a boss lady to emulate. Sure, Streep’s Priestly is a rock-solid ice queen, but she knows her sh*t and there’s no second thought about that.

Your child may no longer mince her thoughts either. Be tolerant when she suddenly criticises your “hideous skirts”. And please indulge her when all the conversations end with “That’s all”. That one’s too easy to pick up.

You could pay it forward to your husband.

Watch on Disney Hotstar

English Vinglish, 2012

In her comeback movie, English Vinglish, Sridevi’s Shashi pays homage to our everyday unsung heroes – moms, aunts, dadis and nanis.

Shashi Godbole’s identity is confined to being the wife of businessman Satish and the mother of her two children.

She is popular for making better-than-Ghasitaram laddoos, but her lack of English-speaking skills reduces her to the butt of jokes in her household.

But when a family function lands her in the US, she secretly enrols herself for a month-long crash course in English and stumps her family in the last scene that rips apart all the tear ducts.

That’s the kind of determination we adults only dream of.

From Shashi, we can all learn a lesson or two on respect and taking pride in whatever you do, especially the young ones.

English Vinglish is an exercise in building self-esteem, and trust us, years from now, these invaluable lessons will keep the therapist at bay.

Sincere Shashi is, hands down, our favourite teacher on this watchlist. Watch her on repeat mode.

Watch on Google Play

Photos: All images are stills from the movies