Top Ten Tuesday: The Greatest Films Led by Female Heroes

Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Each week, we’ll rank the top 10 films in a specific category. While we aim to tie these lists to big releases, that won’t always be the case. Our goal? For you to enjoy, share your own lists, and join in on a lively, friendly debate. This is an interactive space to build community here at The Contending.

No fancy intros, no long essays – just a category and a list. Sound good?

This weekend, Milly Alcock takes flight as Supergirl, the latest superhero to headline a summer blockbuster. While comic book movies continue to dominate the multiplex, great films led by female heroes have long been a part of cinema.

For this list, I’m casting a fairly wide net. The hero doesn’t need to wear a cape or possess superpowers. Heroism comes in many forms. Some battle aliens. Some hunt killers. Some lead rebellions. Others simply find themselves in impossible situations and refuse to give up. What these women all have in common is that they are the driving force behind their stories and the hero we are rooting for every step of the way.

With Supergirl arriving in theaters, it felt like the perfect excuse to look back at some of the greatest films ever centered on a female hero.

Here are my top ten.

10. Gravity – Dr. Ryan Stone (2013)

9. Arrival – Dr. Louise Banks (2016)

8. Mad Max: Fury Road – Imperator Furiosa (2015)

7. Fargo – Marge Gunderson (1996)

6. The Passion of Joan of Arc – Joan of Arc (1928)

5. Terminator 2: Judgment Day – Sarah Connor (1991)

4. Aliens – Ellen Ripley (1986)

3. Alien – Ellen Ripley (1979)

2. The Silence of the Lambs – Clarice Starling (1991)

1. The Wizard of Oz – Dorothy Gale (1939)

What do you agree/disagree with?
What is the best film led by a female hero?