You and your daughter might be stuck in the house and have nothing more to do then watch Netflix. However, with your daughter stuck in the house, you might want to get her off her cell phone. You might also want to watch a movie that has something more uplifting then simply female wish fulfillment to show your daughter. Nothing is wrong with a princess meeting her prince, but that’s not the only type of story your daughter should see. Where are the movies that not only are fun for daughters to watch but give them something more to think about than simply looking at a boy? Maybe a girl who also kicks some butt?
Let's talk about the best movies to watch with your daughter.
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Japanese studio Studio Ghibli’s films have become not only great animation, but a great place for strong female characters. The best place to start with Studio Ghibli is their 1989 film, “Kiki’s Delivery Service”, based on a beloved Japanese children’s novel.
“Kiki’s Delivery Service” is both a total delight of a film, as well as a coming of age adventure story whose lead is a pre-teen girl who happens to be a witch. In this world, when a witch reaches thirteen, she leaves home and goes off to find a new town. With her talking cat, Jiji, she finds a new town, works at a bakery, and delivers baked goods for them on her flying broomstick.
There’s even a plot about a first crush. She meets Tombo, a geeky town boy who right away falls for her. However, one of the great things about the crush story here is he isn’t just into her as a girl, but he is fascinated by the fact she can fly.
Kiki’s world is populated with other strong female characters. Kiki starts to work at a local bakery, which is owned by a woman named Osono, while her husband, Fukuo, is the baker. His wife is obviously the brains behind the bakery. She is the head of the store, and her husband, a big bulking guy, has no problem with her being in charge. There’s also Ursual, a young woman she befriends, who lives in a cabin outside the town, where she does beautiful artwork.
Kiki herself finds her powers aren’t only magical, but also her ability to be a independent girl, and that’s an important message.
In the United States, Kiki’s Delivery Service is currently streaming on HBO Max and in Europe, Netflix. Also available on DVD and Blu Ray.
Lilo and Stitch
“Lilo and Stitch” on paper sounds like a goofy knock off of “E.T.”, as it’s a girl meets a dog-like alien story, but the two sisters at the center of the story are so strong, it becomes more of a story about the power of sisterhood.
Lilo is a young girl on the island of Hawaii, who had lost her parents. However, when a little blue alien named Stitch crash lands near her home on the island of Hawaii, she quickly makes friends with the newcomer.
Lilo’s older sister, Nani, is trying to fill the dual role of an older sister and parent figure. She is a strong role model in this film, as she always seems to try her best, balancing her life as a caretaker to her younger sister while living her own life.
Stitch learns to be a part of Lilo’s family, while his struggle helps Lilo learn that anyone can be family.
“Lilo and Stitch” is available for streaming on Disney Plus, and on DVD and Blu Ray.
The Powerpuff Girls Movie
Let's talk about female superheroes, which has made a comeback in movies in recent years. You might remember the TV series “The Powerpuff Girls” from the 2000s on Cartoon Network. There was a movie based on the popular series in 2002.
It starts with a professor seeing his city, the city of Townsville, overrun with crime and chaos. He decides as a scientist, the town could use something nice, so he goes to his lab to create the perfect little girl. However, while adding to his formula, sugar, spice, and everything nice, he also by mistake adds chemical X. So, he ends up creating three perfect little girls, but there’s a twist. They also have superpowers.
The origin story presented in the movie is taken seriously as Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup try to fit in. As they screw up and get scammed by future arch-nemesis, Mojo Jojo, they also have to prove to the city they are heroes.
The Powerpuff Girls Movie and the original TV series are streaming on Hulu in the United States, as well as DVDs. In the UK, the movie is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
In more recent years, the classic “Star Wars” saga has become more female-centric starting with 2015’s “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens”, directed by J.J. Abrams. The center of the new “Star Wars” trilogy is a young woman named Rey, played by Daisy Ridley.
While your younger one might be confused by some of the lore of the continuing story of “Star Wars” the central story of Rey is new to the “Star Wars” universe. The young woman at the center of the story is finding her roots, and her story is a female empowerment story. She has to find where she fits into the universe of “Star Wars”.
However, even if you're not a “Star Wars” devotee, it’s a really good watch with you and your daughters.
The film is available to stream on Disney Plus and is on DVD and Blu Ray.
Mulan
Disney’s 1998 animated film “Mulan” is the story of a girl who pretends to be a boy to join a group of warriors for the Chinese empire. Girls aren’t allowed to join, but pretending to be a boy, she shocks everyone with having greater skill than even the guys in the army. Along the way she is joined by a wisecracking dragon, Mushu, voiced by Eddie Murphy.
This film is considered one of Disney’s most female-empowering films. The film touches on both girl power, and Chinese culture. A live action remake is scheduled to be released this year, and this film is a good one to watch before you take your kid to see it.
The film is available to stream on Disney Plus and is available on DVD and Blu Ray.
Whale Rider
The 2003 New Zealand film, “Whale Rider” is one of the most critically acclaimed films of the 2000s. It’s about a 12-year-old girl named Niki Caro who is convinced she is a great tribal leader. However, her grandfather, while still having great affection for his granddaughter, is stuck in his old ways and doesn’t believe a girl can be one. Niki sets out to prove him wrong, and she does.
Quiche Castle Hughes, the young actress, was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance, making her the youngest actress at the time to ever be nominated for one, until she was surpassed by Quvenzhane Wallis at age 9 in 2012.
Whale Rider can be streamed on Amazon Prime, and is available on DVD and Blu Ray.
There are various other movies you can watch with your daughters, but these action/adventure ones are a fun and good place to start. Like any other way to educate kids, the first way to educate is to entertain, and these movies being action/adventure will convey positive messages to girls about being strong without boring them or seeming forced. Make her a warrior, not a princess.
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