The films on this list of the best movies for girls have been ranked as the absolute best by the community, when it comes to movies that tweens will love to watch during sleepovers. These films feature strong female characters facing crisis, learning from their mistakes, and kicking butt.
This list ranks the best movies for girls, many of which have been top box office hits and have received awards. The best movies for girls often have a warm-hearted storyline, feature a romantic theme, or have an element of comedy. Great clean movies for girls span many genres, from comedy, to romance, to musicals, and dramas. If you're looking for a little more to watch, check out the best TV shows for young girls.
This list features the best girl movies of all time, which are good for teen and tween girls. Use this list if you are looking for popular girly movies for sleepovers or if you just want to keep your girl entertained throughout the day. Vote up the best movies for girls and vote down any you wouldn't show your own kids.
A teenage girl navigates the challenges and awkwardness of her final week in middle school, learning valuable life lessons along the way. This movie provides a realistic portrayal of adolescent struggles with social media, peer pressure, and self-esteem, making it an important watch for young girls to understand that they are not alone in their experiences.
A socially awkward high school girl navigates the challenges of adolescence, friendships, and family dynamics while discovering her own identity. This coming-of-age film is a great watch for young girls as it offers genuine portrayals of teenage struggles and promotes self-acceptance, resilience, and the importance of meaningful connections with others.
A pair of separated twin sisters, unbeknownst to their parents, switch places in an attempt to reunite their divorced mom and dad. This heartwarming film is a great watch for young girls as it showcases the importance of family, teamwork, and self-discovery while also portraying strong female characters who are clever and resourceful.
A young girl discovers her royal lineage and navigates the challenges of transforming from an ordinary teenager into a poised princess. This movie provides an empowering message for young girls, as it showcases the importance of embracing one's true self and inner strength while navigating societal expectations and newfound responsibilities.
A teenage girl, accompanied by her cousin, embarks on a journey to New York City to seek an abortion without parental consent. This powerful and realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by young women in accessing reproductive healthcare serves as an essential watch for young girls, fostering empathy and understanding about personal autonomy and decision-making.
A quirky, pregnant teenager navigates the challenges of adolescence while making a life-changing decision about her unborn child. This movie is an empowering coming-of-age story that showcases female strength and resilience, making it a great choice for young girls who are seeking relatable role models in film.
Young girls are creative, curious, and fearless when it comes to pursuing their dreams. The best movies with a little girl protagonist often feature fantastical adventures, along with more everyday struggles like family drama. This is a list of the greatest movies about little girls including everything from The Parent Trap to Bridge to Terabithia to Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.
Based on Roald Dahl's beloved children's book, this charming fantasy film stars Mara Wilson as Matilda, a gifted young girl who uses her intelligence and telekinetic powers to overcome adversity and stand up to her cruel parents and school principal Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris). A favorite among audiences, Matilda's heartwarming tale of resilience and the power of imagination continues to inspire and entertain young girls worldwide.
In this beloved family comedy, Lindsay Lohan stars as both Hallie and Annie, identical twin sisters separated at birth who meet at summer camp and conspire to reunite their divorced parents (Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson). With its heartwarming story and Lohan's captivating dual performance, The Parent Trap remains a popular film that showcases the resourcefulness and determination of its young female protagonists.
Based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel, this enchanting family drama follows young Mary Lennox (Kate Maberly), an orphan sent to live with her reclusive uncle (John Lynch) in a mysterious English manor, where she discovers a hidden magical garden. The Secret Garden captivates audiences with its lush visuals, engaging story, and celebration of the resilience and imagination of its young female protagonist.
This enchanting adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel follows young Sara Crewe (Liesel Matthews), a wealthy girl whose life is upended when her father is reported dead in World War I, leaving her penniless and at the mercy of a cruel boarding school headmistress (Eleanor Bron). Celebrated for its lush visuals and poignant storytelling, A Little Princess inspires young girls with its message of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of kindness and imagination.
Set in the 1970s, My Girl tells the story of Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky), a young girl navigating the challenges of growing up, including friendship, loss, and first love, with the support of her widowed father Harry (Dan Aykroyd). Both a commercial and critical success, My Girl is remembered for its tender portrayal of its young female protagonist and standout performances by its lead actors.
This classic musical adaptation features Aileen Quinn as Annie, an optimistic orphan who wins the heart of billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Albert Finney) and finds a new family with the help of her fellow orphans and canine companion, Sandy. Beloved by audiences for its catchy tunes and heartwarming story, Annie showcases the plucky spirit and unwavering hope of its young female protagonist in the face of adversity.
The Midnight Sky was released on Netflix in December. It is directed by and stars George Clooney, who plays Augustine, the last man on Earth. Augustine is trying to make contact with a group of astronauts on their way home who have no idea of the catastrophe that has wiped out civilization. Augustine discovers a mute young girl (Caoilinn Springall) to be left on Earth with him, and she joins him on the journey to warn the astronauts.
Yet, while emotionally this is an engaging trope, it comes at a cost. It is great to see these movies and genres- science fiction, western, superhero, etc.- that have traditionally been unwelcoming to women, now include them and allow young girls to see themselves in the picture through this trope. But the silence of these young girls, and how they rarely have personalities beyond being objects of observation, means they are not really characters. They could be replaced with a dog the male characters loves, and nothing would change. I wonder what it would be like to replace many of these little girls with grown women who come alongside the protagonist and join them as equals (maybe even without an obligatory romance!). Or, at least, if these young girls are allowed to speak, and take action in these stories.
Well Done! I like the A list vs. B list. Good emery to look at them. I also like News of the World better. However, I did not see it coming that the little girl in Midnight Sky was imagined, makes sense. It seemed like every one in that movie were bored. As you said the characters needed to be fleshed out more. Give us more information as to what had happened to the world.
Thank you for your thoughts.
The study, published in Child Development, involved 198 preschoolers and assessed how much they interacted with Disney Princess culture (watching movies, playing with toys, etc.). The assessments of princess engagement and gender-stereotypical behavior were based on reports from parents and teachers and an interactive task where the children would sort and rank their favorite toys from a varied collection of "girl" toys (dolls, tea sets), "boy" toys (action figures, tool sets) and gender-neutral options (puzzles, paint).
The researchers found that 96 percent of girls and 87 percent of boys had viewed Disney Princess media. And while more than 61 percent of girls played with princess toys at least once a week, only four percent of boys did the same.
Coyne has authored more than 80 studies on media influences, gender, aggression and developmental psychology in top peer-reviewed publications. Her work on how profanity in the media increases teen aggression appeared in Pediatrics and another study on how video games can be good for girls was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Coyne's coauthors on this study included Jennifer Linder from Linfield College, David Nelson from the School of Family Life at BYU and Victoria Birkbeck, a BYU undergraduate student at the time of the research.
Coyne recently gave a devotional address at BYU where she used her Disney Princess research and related superhero studies to contrast cultural stereotypes with our divine potential as daughters and sons of God. Watch her whole speech here.
Kickstart an evening of witchcraft and wizardry with the inaugural story of the beloved Harry Potter series. When a young boy learns about his true identity and magicial powers, he soon finds himself on Platform 9 3/4 en route to Hogwarts, a boarding school unlike any other. Adventure awaits for our budding new wizard. Rated PG.
The '90s classic follows a group of young girls who want to turn their baby-sitting jobs into a legit summer camp, but there's a grumpy old neighbor who's determined not to let that happen. Along the way there are family issues, health scares and of course, crushes. Rated PG.
Louis Sacher's bestseller-turned movie follows a young boy who is wrongfully convicted of a crime and must either do jail time or work in a camp. He chooses the latter and is forced to dig holes in a desert under the guidance of a warden who's got his mind on one thing: buried treasure. Rated PG.
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