Sure, everybody loves a good Cinderella story. And this month, Kenneth Branagh’s version of the classic tale hits theaters. While it’s sure to be big hits with little moviegoers, not all leading ladies in family movies are princesses in search of a prince. Here’s a look at 10 films that feature independent female characters with big, and sometimes unconventional, dreams of their own.
Brave: 2012 (Rated PG)
In this Disney tale, Merida is a princess who knows how to wield a bow and arrow and fights for her freedom from an arranged marriage. In doing so, she places her mother in danger and must come up with a way to stay true to herself and protect her family from harm.
Ella Enchanted: 2004 (Rated PG)
In this fairy tale, Anne Hathaway is Ella, a young woman who has a “curse of obedience” placed on her that forces her to do everyone else’s bidding. Although this is a romantic comedy and there is a prince in the picture, the movie centers on Ella’s quest to speak her own mind and become her own person.
Akeelah and the Bee: 2006 (Rated PG)
Keke Palmer plays 11-year-old Akeelah Palmer, a girl who unleashes her love of words and enters a spelling bee at the urging of her school principal. Once it becomes apparent that she has the potential to win big, she must convince her mother, her friends and even herself that it’s important to pursue her dream.
Little Women: 1994 (Rated PG)
Louisa May Alcott’s story of four sisters and their mother set during the Civil War era had a few film versions, including this 1994 remake with an all-star cast including Claire Danes, Kirstin Dunst and Winona Rider. Rider plays Jo, an outspoken tomboy who wants to be a writer and flouts convention by striking out on her own and refusing to marry Laurie, the man who everyone expects that she will.
Pippi Longstocking: 1988 (Rated G)
Who can resist the independent spirit of the red-haired adventuress Pippi, first brought to life in the books by Astrid Lindgren. This movie version casts Tami Erin as the spunky heroine who lives on her own and encounters a series of adventures with her friends Tommy and Annika.
Spirited Away: 2003 (Rated PG)
In this animated charmer from renowned Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, a 10-year-old girl enters the spirit world and must work hard and use her wits to rescue her parents and lead them all back to the human world.
Labrinyth: 1986 (Rated PG)
A young Jennifer Connelly plays Sarah, a teenager charged with rescuing her baby brother from the center of a gigantic maze. She must solve the problems the maze confronts her with and also to avoid the clutches of Jareth, a Goblin King played by David Bowie on a very bad hair day. Still, the movie, which features many puppets created and brought to life by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, has become a cult classic.
Matilda: 1996 (Rated PG)
Based on Roald Dahl’s novel of the same name, this fantasy comedy stars Mara Wilson as a bright little girl with telekinetic powers who encounters a series of misadventures on her quest to find a loving family.
Whale Rider: 2003 (Rated PG-13)
This New Zealand film tells the story of Pai, a young Maori woman who believes she is destined to become the village chief, a role normally reserved for men. To assume this position, she must rebel against her cultural traditions and her beloved grandfather, who doesn’t believe she’s worthy of the role because she’s a girl.
Chicken Run: 2000 (Rated G)
Escape is the name of the game for the fowl found in this delightful stop-motion animated comedy. In it, Julie Sawalha voices the role of Ginger, the leader of the coop of chickens who need to bust out of captivity before they end up on the cutting block.
