Top 10 Most Powerful Female Movie Characters

[@sebastienlacroix4951]

McGonagall should have been on this list. Come on WatchMojo !

[@goodjobeli]

Sébastien Lacroix AND HERMIONE

[@eneshocaoglu9798]

Sébastien Lacroix Yea Minerva is the best

[@udon-no-onna]

Agreed!!!

[@The1scarymovie]

Sébastien Lacroix !b$

[@mollie.28.15]

Sébastien Lacroix mcgonagall didn’t have any power tho, she was just a good wizard. They mean people with high high authority not just a teacher.

[@joeyshuny5]

Where the fuck is Ripley and and Sarah Connor??

[@train_go_boom2065]

"get away from her you bitch!"

[@Nirrini]

The hell? Did WatchMojo seriously forgot about Ripley and her bone-chilling killing spree in the Alien franchise?

[@eliotj]

Ripley was a badass, but for most of Alien and Aliens she was constantly at odds with her commanders. Decisions were being made that she disagreed with, and she had no way to stop it from happening. So while she was a "powerful character" and a cultural icon, from a narrative standpoint she wasn't a character with a lot of power.

[@somabiswas6034]

I am yet to see the full video but they did say they won't include physically strong female characters.

[@You_Name_It]

Not a single Angelina Jolie movie.... I mean really

[@quietraindrop6870]

Scarlett O'Hara, Hermione Granger, Ellen Ripley all deserved to be included in that list, more so than some of the choices made. Jessica Chastain's Captain Lewis, seriously? She was your generic gender-swapped heroic commander, only memorable for her love of the disco music.

[@personalglow]

For all the people who are saying "Hermione" or Migonical (migonnical? Idk how to spell it. Sorry!) This list is on "women of power" in the sense that they hold a high position of influence within thier respective profession and the mojo list makers only take from movie franchises. So Hermione and... (don't wanna butcher her name again)... are both powerful women in every other sense of the word, however Dumbledore still outranks them both by being the Head of the the school during rhe duration of the movie franchises.

[@ughasif7908]

McGonagall

[@SandcastlesInthesand-ih8my]

I miss Erin Brockovich in this list... :(

[@nedeljkababic5826]

YES

[@juliarivard2172]

Thanks for including M, and for putting her at the number 1 spot

[@kayddemacaay9668]

Anna Wintour was the inspiration for the devil wears prada

[@GabrielaCenturionNeumann]

...but the story was not about her, so it counts

[@editsbyelise85342]

Princess Leia is such a powerful female 😍 Padmé Amidala should have been on here too though

[@CodexArgenteus]

True, Padme was queen and senator in the prequels, but if I recall correctly she didn't have a strong leading role beyond the first movie she was in, whereas Leia keeps a strong leader-like presence in all the films she's in in the franchise. So, I'm not sure I'd put Padme in the list for that reason. IDK - just my thoughts.

[@harrypottergleestarwarsdis4817]

I agree

[@rosavinther882]

Where the hell is Tris from Divergent on this list!?

[@kyhayhay]

Rosa Vinther IK

[@cloudyswildride]

Yes! Judi Dench's M was perfect. Made the character actually relevant in the movies.

[@gracedobb9301]

Should do a TV version Number 1 : Cat Grant.

[@lifewithntokozo]

I'm not sure how I feel about this list .

[@christc1981]

where is Ellen Ripley?

[@muffassa6739]

Wonder woman is incredible! What a super hero ❣️

[@MauriceDeShawn]

What about Catherine Trammell, Alex Forrest and Tris Prior?

[@madeleine5561]

omg!! why is Hermione not on the list. If katniss is up there so should hemione she is a huge role model and she is a strong character

[@juancarlosojano]

Nurse Ratched (One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest) - played by Louise Fletcher Marquise de Merteuil (Dangerous Liaisons) - played by Glenn Close Shoshanna Dreyfus (Inglourious Basterds) - played by Melanie Laurent Sister Aloysius (Doubt) - played by Meryl Streep Anna Morales (A Most Violent year) - played by Jessica Chastain Katherine Parker (Working Girl) - played by Sigourney Weaver

[@gregsalcedo4857]

As usual Mojo disappoints. Number one should be the wife of The Manchurian Candidate, the Angela Lansbury character.

[@tailynhudu1601]

Is Sara from that Huntsman movie included in the list?

[@KattyOrtizB]

Where is Detective Clarice Starling? Furiosa? Shoshanna? Evey (V for Vendetta)? Seriously?!

[@sheboyganshovel5920]

Great list! Needs follow-ups, however, as I'd heard of all of these and that almost never happens.

[@facuarroyo3249]

It's so stupid this "MsMojo" thing. Just because i'm a guy I am not "supposed" to watch this and admire the powerful female characters? Don't you think this could really work at the regular watchmojo? You are sending mixed messages

[@Palmieres]

Agree. It's like selling pink products such as pens, Lego sets or power tools and labeling them for women.

[@ryleighc7793]

Nobody said you weren't allowed to watch this channel? You're creating your own stereo types simply because it's labeled as a feminine channel. The reason this channel was created is simply to empower women and focus directly on female subjects. Just because it's a channel focused on women doesn't mean you aren't allowed to watch it? If you think women are bad ass power to you, that's why this channel was made to empower that.

[@Palmieres]

Alternative.Violet Uh, no. This channel was not made to empower women. It was created to make money. And the OP is correct, because if we're looking for equality we don't need to separate the genders, especially in matters of pop culture and all content aimed at the general public. I don't see a Mr Mojo channel, so we shouldn't be entitled to special treatment. Or want it in the first place.

[@ryleighc7793]

Yes actually, this channel was made to empower women. You don't see a Mr.Mojo because men are not the oppressed ones.

[@Palmieres]

Alternative.Violet You feel empowered because of a youtube channel that lists movie characters? That's... not how it works, you know? Empowerment comes from self-assertion, from earning respect and recognition from your actions, your behaviour and decisions. In the real world, not the internet and certainly not from social media. An adult woman who is empowered is never told she's awesome because she's a woman, but rather because she's an exceptional human being. Her gender is not supposed to come up or have anything to do with it. It's sad that a woman still needs to be told she's as good as any man by the media, instead of realizing it for herself. But you're young, you'll get it in time.

[@Asara_10]

M!! Perfect for no.1 . I love her. Great choice

[@ForWhatItsWorth_]

Katara should be up here

[@robynac2440]

Lara croft?

[@mohammedalrhmanya7775]

I can't believe that oran was listed rather than kido herself.

[@junie0]

Queen Ravenna and Queen Freya(ice queen) from 'The Huntsman' movies??

[@ellensweigert754]

Most powerful female movie characters- My List Hermione- Harry Potter Movies Susanne- Chronicles of Narnia Cherry- The Outsiders Leigh Anne Tuohy- The Blind Side Rey- Rise of the Skywalker Lettie Lutz- Greatest Showman Elle Woods- Legally Blonde Arwen- Lord of the Rings

[@franciscojavierolivasurqui9145]

and Sarah Connor ?

[@MauriceDeShawn]

Yaasss

[@jessribong6047]

Cate blanchett was both in, HANNA & LORD OF THE RINGS!

[@cairngorm1000]

Sigourney Weaver, Aliens

[@BB-zy2te]

They really scraped the bottom of the barrel with these

[@newxromantic]

How?

[@joeyshuny5]

By talking about powerful women. Don't you know that's just making the "feminazi's" happy and keeping things politically correct?? And yes I'm being sarcastic AF. He's obviously some butthurt little boy that feels threatened by powerful women.

[@BB-zy2te]

Jackie Vester 😏you make me crack up with all your smart ass bullshit

[@BB-zy2te]

Jackie Vester 😏you make me crack up with all your smart ass bullshit

[@personalglow]

Not really, each woman is powerful (as in "they're the boss" especially of a school or company) in each of thier fields. Most characters we love are powerful in a more badass sort of way.

[@dani3po]

"Flowers for Spring. Groundbreaking"

[@Blankija]

Ellen Ripley

[@eliotj]

I feel like the only one in the comments section who gets this List... They are ranking women who *command* power within the movie narrative.

[@lizkingswood8792]

I know. Scary, eh? It is as though people don't listen.

[@fattygay9135]

Clarice Starling? Ripley ? Thelma and Louise ?

[@goodjobeli]

My list 1. Hermione 2. Katniss 3. Hermione 4. Katniss 5. Hermione 6. Katniss 7. Hermione 8. Hermione 9. Katniss 10. Hermione

[@senamilentshangase9346]

Maggie Q Michelle Rodriguez Angelina Jolie Zoe Saldana Gabrielle Union Cynthia erivo This is my list

[@ad7265]

Marisa Coulter from the golden compass should be at least in honourable mentions!

[@shirleym.9741]

"Now, if any of you sons of bitches got anything else to say. Now it's the fucking time!" ..... O -Ren Ishii is such a delicate flower. =)

[@sentient_hat42]

Nice list, but what about Ripley from the Alien-franchise?

[@mairinchagnon3475]

By "endangering her planet" do you mean completely destroying it?

[@lauraalonso5859]

Queen Elisabeth character played by Kate Blanchet is missing!! And it's a real and historic important one!!!

[@sharptoothtrex4486]

Jennifer Connelly to Meryl Streep: I have had it with you making all your employees lives a living hell! If you want to be like that to someone, be like that to Tonya Harding's horrible notorious mom.

[@breecewilson]

Sigouney Weaver -Lieutenant Ellen Ripley - Aliens 1,2 & 3./ Linda Hamilton - Terminator / Angelina Jolie - Salt

[@cbgaming5731]

How is Anne Shirley not on here

[@GagaBoy1346]

1. Colonel Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) in Eye In The Sky!

[@elise216]

Margo Channing should have made this list fo sho.

[@rawrimacat]

omg veronica sawyer should be in here

[@sil6246]

so where is cersei lannister

[@PhantomifyEponine]

6:51 OMFG ZELENA

[@jacobofelix5664]

Jessica Chastain as Miss Sloane

[@JP3GP1NE]

I also wanted to see Amy Dunne at least in the honorable mentions

[@Inuyahsa94]

How about Buffy the vampire slayer and XENA WARRIOR PRINCESS? ??!!!

[@harrypottergleestarwarsdis4817]

This a moive list not tv

[@ccwnoob4393]

Worst list except for Carrie Fischer one of my favorites - and that was so progressive in the 70's. Most of my fave movies of all time actually have female leads: Ripley in Alien/Aliens, Thelma and Louise (co-leads), Dottie in A League of Their Own, the pregnant sheriff in Fargo, Sarah in Terminator, Jackie Brown, and I even think Tatum Oneal in Bad News Bears - all of these women were powerful from the inside first and foremost ... before being asskickers on the outside and they didn't need to kick ass against men per se to be powerful, they were powerful in an absolute sense without needing a comparison to men or anything else for that matter.

[@julkasteven8198]

Powerful female characters which I Love and are not mentioned (all come from Live Action films): Scarlett O'Hara Mary Poppins Rose (Dawson) Padme Amidala Trinity Hermione Granger Ginny Weasley Arwen [LOTR] Elle Woods Lucy and Susan Pevensie Neytiri Alice Kingsleigh [Alice in Wonderland films] Maleficent Aurora Jyn Erso Ella [Cinderella 2015] Ruby Roundhouse AKA [Jumanji films 2017-] Belle [Beauty and the Beast] Jasmine [Aladdin] Mulan Ariel [#HalleIsPerfectAriel] Potential future ones: Lucy Gray Baird Snow White

[@noemiarmas5773]

Sonic The Hedgehog X Akali Rouge Assassin Good Guy

[@MANMARTRE]

This was a list made by people who just do not know films...much stronger characters were found in Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) in the Alien's franchise and Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh)in Gone With the Wind, these characters were in realistic situations, and touched human emotions that every person in the cinema could relate to and then could watch their strength that was surreal or other dimensional.

[@melodyclark1944]

The list is not about relateable women. It is about powerful women.

[@legit934]

Sarah Connor from the Terminator should be number 1

[@SavDevereaux]

GOOD GRACIOUS! I CAME HERE FOR MERYL STREEP, AND I GOT A DOUBLE DOSAGE OF HER WITHIN JUST THE FIRST 39 SECONDS. YAY!!!!!!! BUT ALSO GOT EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED BY WHAT THEY SAID AT 0:34.

[@kaleywhalie]

This should be titled "Top 9 Most Powerful White Female Movie Characters Plus 1 Asian Woman" Sorry MsMojo, this list was a let down for WOC.

[@Jamakaya1]

This is your chance to suggest one or more rather than complain. I vote for Pam Grier as Jackie Brown

[@pennyc11]

Right and there is a picture next to here of Sarah Conner. Not enough numbers I guess?

[@blisszagar4680]

bad ass... thank you for posting.

[@sarahramsey9454]

how does cruella not take over for queen of hearts she's more damaging plus especially played by glenn close but queen clarisse more class more demure over judi dench my opinion julie andrews is more than judi dench leia for sure does bring some mix in

[@RealCoolWorld]

Where’s Sigorney Weaver as Ripley???

[@ambalikabasak7377]

Scarlett O Hara?? Come on!

[@uiraideszen3223]

What about Erin from "You are next" ?

[@cleoarbel]

Boudica (Warrior Queen)

[@renehaggren]

what an injustice !!! Lea is number one !!!

[@arhamsayeed319]

RIP QUEEN ELIZABETH [1926-2022]

[@TheTanyabrooks]

Hmmm was hoping we would have some more recent flicks...

[@kureaz]

Katness does not belong here in the books she is but a figure head a symbol. she herself did little in the end

[@afmv1858]

You picked the wrong Jessica Chastain's character to be on the list; it should've been Maya's from Zero Dark Thirty

[@judahherod9999]

I think Marge Gunderson from Fargo should have been on this list. But ya know that’s just my opinion.

[@crimson3sky]

Miss Sloane 🧡

[@senamilentshangase9346]

Where is Maggie Q Show NIKITA she should be no. One

[@arhamsayeed319]

SIDBEY PRESSCOUT SCREAM FRANCHISE 1996 TO 2023

[@ASamSan]

Where are Sarah Connor and Ellen Ripley?

[@yashpathak3534]

Landlady from kung fu hustle?

[@zugzuang]

Do powerful female characters in series and viola davis a

[@PiotrKe]

Where is Umbringe, McGonagall and Hermione????

[@conradschmidt251]

Beatrix Kiddo, Ellen Ripley, Clarice Starling, Sarah Connor, Kathryn Merteuil... there are so many names who have been missing. You definetly need a secound list!

[@buciallstar]

this list is about powerful in the sense of influential, not about how strong your punches are.

[@buciallstar]

Conrad Schmidt clarice is just an fbi agent, not even a high ranked one, while O-Ren is the head of the japanese crime syndicate. Why should Beatrix Kiddo be on that list again?

[@Hunterspuddy]

Powerful. As in they must be in control for most and powerful . Ellen Ripley is made into a hero, Beatrix made into a force of vengeance. They don't have power through the films, they take it from the powerful at the end.

[@JasynMorgan]

You're confusing power with strength

[@conradschmidt251]

JasynMorgan Yeah. I somehow didn't understand the list at first xD than I change my comment in: They should make a list about the most powerful women (strength) :D

[@andreadh7913]

Wonder Woman isn't just physically strong!!! She is an icon!!!

[@merzifonlusakurabac9875]

That film is stupid.

[@rachelraven4317]

​@@merzifonlusakurabac9875 some liked it

[@58mdog]

Hermione should be on this list as should just so many others

[@hey-ls8dc]

I know right?

[@buciallstar]

how? why?

[@Tanafrancesss]

and McGonagall

[@58mdog]

So true!

[@buciallstar]

I think the only female harry Potter character that should be on this list is Dolores Umbridge. McGonagall is just a teacher, Hermione is just a student, but Umbridge is a high ranked member of the ministry and was the head of Hogwarts.

[@FantasticBeasts2024]

WHERE IS HERMIONE GRANGER (& from the same series: McGonagall, Bellatrix, Molly Weasley, Dolores Umbridge, Ginny, Luna, Tonks).

[@FantasticBeasts2024]

hoimoitoi goi She's miles better in the books.

[@KatStawp]

I'm a the only one who read the books? Hermione isn't exactly powerful, dude.

[@FantasticBeasts2024]

***** 'Cursed Child' will be getting made into a film.

[@NYChica23]

+hoimoitoigoi Clearly you didn't read the HP books if you think Ginny isn't a powerful woman...over the series she transforms from Ron's starstruck kid sister to being one of the main leaders of the Hogwarts resistance in DH

[@harrypottergleestarwarsdis4817]

@@NYChica23 true

[@DarkRubberDucky]

Ah, M. She is seriously the most bad ass old lady outside of Helen Mirren in Red.

[@nextanvil3346]

That's why she belongs in the kitchen

[@madeleine5561]

omg!! why is Hermione not on the list. If katniss is up there so should hemione she is a huge role model and she is a strong character

[@Confident69]

Hermione Granger, Cruella de vil, Lady Tremaine, Maleficent?

[@buciallstar]

Maleficent is the only one on your list that actually has a position of power.

[@winxclubfairiesrule1]

actually they would all be good choices especially hermione. because she grew from a confident Little girl into an intelligent young women who has the lady balls to do what's right, to stick to her friends even if it will cost her in her love life, and she doesn't give up. she keeps fighting no matter what. and even though she was a side character, she was just as important as Harry was and was one of the leading people during the final battle. and in the war effort period.

[@buciallstar]

Jailah Wilson she has no position of power, as in, she is not the leader of an influential group.

[@86upsmaya]

that doesnt make her NOT a powerful person. she founded S.P.E.W. and btw, she grew up to be THE most powerful person in the magical world, Minister for Magic

[@buciallstar]

86upsmaya she is the only member of SPEW, a non-influental club in a school about a topic no one else cares. And what she did outside the books and movies 20 years in the future and what only exists in short stories outside the main story doesn't really matter, as it isn't actually shown anywhere.

[@jairomy]

Miranda Priestly is based on Anna Wintour so she shouldn't be on this list.

[@GabrielaCenturionNeumann]

She was the muse for it, but it was not directly about her like in the case of The Iron Lady. I am sure a lot of the other ladies on this list were based on someone real as the muse.

[@cychan7113]

As a technicality, the book has Miranda Priestly have a "run in" with Anna Wintour at the end of the BOOK as a half cop-out , feigning the inspiration, even though its obvious and confirmed Miranda is Anna.

[@mb5358]

They missed so many great ones... Lisbeth Salander (The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo), Peggy Carter (Captain America: The First Avenger), Hermione Granger (Harry Potter Series), Furiosa (Mad Max: Fury Road), Sarah Connor (Terminator 2) and so many more that definitely deserves to be on this list more then some that are on this list.

[@ArukiTsukaru]

*long sigh* Women. In. A. POSITION. OF. POWER. Not physically powerful! Or magically, for Hermione.

[@andreamajoros7669]

@@ArukiTsukaru Hermione became the Minister of Magic.

[@somabiswas6034]

Yes, I missed Furiosa. She is a still a physically powerful character though. I guess that's why she isn't included.

[@You_Name_It]

Not a single Angelina Jolie movie....

[@ahhfrick5870]

Would definitely recommend watching the Agent Carter series.

[@Sweetthang9]

I don't think people understand the context in which "powerful" was meant here.....nor did they listen to the introduction.

[@sil6246]

yes but cersei needs to be on the list

[@justicefrederick5977]

Miranda Priestly should have at least been number 3

[@dipuomosea3183]

Demi Moore based on her work in G.I. Jane and A FEW GOOD MEN. takes her to top 3 I think.

[@onoalerr]

Love Faye Dunaway is on this list!!!

[@RhaegarTargaryen1st]

Diana is scary! The thing is in today's cultural landscape, which "Network" accurately predicted, you can totally see a network exec resorting to public murder to punish lousy ratings.

[@amyclarke41]

Why is strong womwn feared 😣?men is as scary

[@shivanipanda4698]

You forgot Minerva McGonagall in the honourable mentions.

[@melainatar]

Shivani Panda I hated Dolores Unbridge, but she did hold more power than McGonagall.

[@Tanafrancesss]

uhm hello professor McGonagall

[@ayar2]

she certainly had some degree of power inside hogwarts, but I dont remember her using it that much outside of bailing harry and co. out of trouble.

[@madeleine5561]

why is Hermione not up here she would be #1 on my list

[@laurensmith7128]

madeleine smallwood she is a strong female but she isn't really that powerful. She has little power or influence over anything she aids Harry with his power and influence. I do love her character tho.

[@DaddyOfTheSugarVariety]

Cruella Deville, Gunilla Garson Goldberg (The First Wives Club).

[@TheWillowSteele]

YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSS General Leia and M! Great Picks!!!!