With Supergirl opening this weekend, the latest DC Universe release hopes to get fans excited for the newest female-led comic book film, even though it’s a pocket of the genre that has found itself on rocky ground. It really has nothing to do with them being headlined by female leads (we need more of that), but some have just been critical misfires, such as Catwoman and Elektra.
That being said, some don’t miss the mark, and the sad reality is that many haven’t hit the big screen until recent years to be given the opportunity. So, as Supergirl looks to have a mixed critical reaction so far, it’s time to check out the five best female-led comic book movies that prove this isn’t just a boys’ club.
Honorable Mention: The Marvels (2023)
Despite a troubled box-office run that made it the lowest-grossing film in the MCU to date and mixed critical reviews, The Marvels has benefited from even the briefest passage of time. If anything, it’s a fun comic book film elevated by the dynamic between its leads and some fun action sequences.
Directed by Nia DaCosta and from a screenplay she co-wrote with Megan McDonnell & Elissa Karasik, The Marvels follows Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), and Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) as they team up and swap places with each other every time they use their powers. Although seemingly mismatched, they have to ultimately band together to save the universe.
The tone is much lighter than most MCU titles, and even though this could be seen as a detriment, The Marvels works as well as it does because it’s fast-paced (coming in at a brisk 105 minutes), doesn’t take itself too seriously, and is wonderfully self-contained. It isn’t bogged down by bloated exposition or a need to connect unnecessarily to a larger narrative. At the heart of the film is the chemistry between the characters, with Larson, Parris, and most notably Khan offering charming portrayals that work in line with the film’s fun, good nature.
The action is creative (the body-swapping as the heroines use their powers leads to some memorable sequences), and it’s all handled with ease by DaCosta, who unfairly seemed to be saddled with the film’s ho-hum reception when it was released in 2023. Even though the film lacks a compelling villain in Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton), The Marvels proves to be a fun sci-fi romp that deserved better.
5. Captain Marvel (2019)
Taking things a bit more seriously was Carol Danvers’ (Brie Larson) introduction into the MCU, Captain Marvel. It’s an empowering endeavor that is given a bit of a twist with a 90s aesthetic and a heroine who starts the story with her powers but has to go through a journey of self-discovery to break free from those who wish to manipulate her and regain her memories to truly become the heroine she was meant to be.
Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck and from a screenplay they co-wrote with Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Captain Marvel is set in 1995 & follows the titular character as she becomes one of the most powerful people in the universe after Earth is caught in a galactic battle between two alien races. Origin stories can become old hat, but Captain Marvel avoids that by subverting expectations and begins its story with Carol already enhanced by her powers but needing to reclaim her agency by remembering who she really is. Most of the empowering themes come from this very concept, with Carol becoming stronger the more she learns about herself.
Some might find the notions it calls out, most notably that women are too emotional to handle high-stress situations, to be heavy-handed, but they ring true nonetheless. It’s a toxic trope, and Captain Marvel isn’t afraid to hit it head-on with gratifying results. Larson is the main reason Carol’s journey works because she exudes tenacity and strength in the role, but she also showcases shades of vulnerability, which make the character a bit more human, and even some moments of humor, especially with a de-aged Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson).
With its 90s nostalgia and retro backdrop, Captain Marvel mixes cosmic sci-fi action with some solid world-building that helps bring Carol’s story into the present-day Avengers saga that leads to her being a powerful presence in Endgame when the time comes for it. Even though some push back on Captain Marvel at times, it’s still a strong entry in the MCU that proves to be a solid standalone tale.
4. Black Widow (2021)
Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) deserved her standalone film long before she got one, and while it was a shame she got it after her heroic sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, Black Widow proves to be a nicely grounded endeavor that gives the character more of an opportunity to be fleshed out by taking things back to her past.
Directed by Cate Shortland and from a screenplay by Eric Pearson, Black Widow takes place mostly during the events of Captain America: Civil War and follows Romanoff (Johansson) on the run while she’s forced to confront her beginnings as a Russian spy before she became a member of The Avengers. Black Widow is different from most of the MCU efforts because it’s a more grounded and character-driven story that has more in common with a spy thriller rather than a traditional comic book movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
There is much more emotional depth at play as Natasha’s backstory is unveiled to give the character far more agency than she ever received as a supporting player in prior MCU films. In many ways, it adds context to the character’s decision to sacrifice herself in Endgame, making that moment all the more emotional when her journey here is taken into account. Her background is also enhanced by the introduction of her “chosen family”, Red Guardian (David Harbour) and Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz), who provide the film with heart and humor, while Florence Pugh’s arrival as Yelena Belova leads to some fun banter that brings some of the film’s best moments.
The action sequences are fun to watch & it’s great that they rely less on CGI and more on heart-pounding chase sequences and grounded fight choreography that go along with its espionage DNA. Above all else, Black Widow is a shining moment for Johansson and her portrayal of the titular character, who was finally allowed to lead the action.
3. Atomic Blonde (2017)
Atomic Blonde is an effective blend of kinetic style, visceral fight choreography, and action, and a committed lead performance from its star that makes it different from every film on this list. Directed by David Leitch, in his first credit as a feature film director, and from a screenplay by Kurt Johnstad, Atomic Blonde is based on the 2012 graphic novel The Coldest City by Antony Johnson and Sam Hart.
The film follows a spy named Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron), a top-level MI6 field agent who has to find a list of agents that is being smuggled into the West as the Berlin Wall is on the verge of collapse in 1989. Atomic Blonde has many assets, but none might be better than Leitch, whose background as a former stuntman gives the film a highly realistic flair that keeps it in line with the likes of John Wick (Leitch served as a co-director on that film).
His skill behind the camera in capturing eye-popping action is evident throughout, especially during a fight on a stairwell and hallway that runs for close to ten minutes and captures the visceral and brutal nature of his sequences, which isn’t afraid to feature characters succumbing to the intensity of their combat. Leitch also zeroes in on the action rather than using quick cuts to hide the limitations of it, instead using continuous tracking shots that show just how much the acting and stunt team put into the action sequences.
This is all aided by a highly engaging visual style that uses saturated colors to give the film a feel that recalls the source material. Proving to be more than game is Theron, who clearly trained extensively to be more than capable of performing several of her own stunts. Instead of just playing dress up, Theron steps into the cold and calculated skin of Lorraine Broughton with ease, making her a character that is equal parts badass but full of emotional depth. Atomic Blonde is a spy thriller with a comic book edge that goes all out with its neo-noir style to create an action piece of art that rarely lets up.
2. Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)
It still astonishes me that, despite solid reviews upon release (79 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, representing some of the highest marks for the former DCEU), Birds of Prey seems to have a reputation for not being one of the best releases to come out of that universe. It has a chaotic, yet kinetic, visual style that suits the character, and its action sequences are rendered with vibrancy and energy by director Cathy Yan.
In addition, it offers what could arguably be Margot Robbie’s best portrayal of Harley Quinn as she’s given full rein to go unhinged and lead the pack of a badass female ensemble. Directed by Yan and from a screenplay by Christina Hodson, Birds of Prey follows Harley Quinn (Robbie), who is coming off her breakup with the Joker (Jared Leto). As of that batshit crazy heartbreak wasn’t enough, she has to deal with being threatened by Gotham City crime lord Roman Sionis/Black Mask (Ewan McGregor) which leads to her teaming up with Helena Bertinelli/The Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Dinah Lance/Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) to rescue Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco) as they become the Birds of Prey. Despite having a bit of an over-the-top aesthetic, Birds of Prey is surprisingly grounded in its depiction of its action, with many of the sequences using practical stunts and long continuous takes to showcase the R-rated rawness of the violence.
The team responsible for the John Wick films worked on Birds of Prey, and this becomes evident as the film wants to ensure that there are few quick cuts and that the action can actually be seen in all of its glory. It’s also great to see Harley Quinn outside of her deeply unhealthy connection to the Joker and watch her become more independent within her own story, which allows Robbie to have more ownership of the role to match the character’s comic book anarchic roots. It’s also a credit to Robbie that, despite the typically unhinged nature of her personality, she manages to add depth to Harley Quinn that goes on to prove how much she connects with and cares about the character. Robbie’s independence in the role walks in lockstep with the film’s focus on female empowerment, which is driven home further by the addition of the female ensemble.
Their journey of marginalization and betrayal connects perfectly with Harley’s, and it makes for some fun moments as the characters come together to form their offbeat team. It’s a shame that Birds of Prey was kneecapped by the pandemic (although naysayers will say, since it opened in late January of 2020, it had time to pull in more money to be profitable) and by critics and some fans who were not into its colorful brand of female unity. It really felt like a breath of fresh air for the DCEU, which really needed one at the time, and for comic book films with female leads that showcased them being as tough as nails as they could be.
1. Wonder Woman (2017)
A film that proved to be a winner for the DCEU when they really needed one didn’t involve Batman or Superman; it involved one Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) in Wonder Woman, a film that isn’t just one of the best female-led comic book movies but one of the best comic book films, period. It’s the film’s combination of hope and heart via the titular character that makes it stand out from the pack, but that doesn’t mean it skips on thrilling action and all of the other elements that comic book fans have come to love.
Directed by Patty Jenkins and from a screenplay by Allan Heinberg, Wonder Woman follows Diana Prince (Gadot), an Amazon princess and beacon of strength, who leaves her home island of Themyscira when she is told about World War I by American spy Steve Trevor (Chris Pine). Believing this to be a conflict started by the god of war, Ares, Diana makes it her mission to stop it. Despite how some feel about Gadot now, it can’t be denied that many people felt she was the best thing about Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and she only expands on her natural charisma in Wonder Woman.
Much of the film works because Gadot taps into Diana’s fierce warrior nature with ease while also having fun with her fish-out-of-water personality once she leaves her home island and discovers that other parts of the world don’t currently respect a woman’s intelligence or their strength. Gadot goes from an idealistic princess to someone who has to embrace all of the atrocities and misogyny of the world to become the heroine she was meant to be to fight against it. It’s the main emotional pull of the film, and it doesn’t work without Gadot’s dedication to showcasing Diana’s compassion and strength.
Much of this couldn’t be conveyed without Jenkins at the helm, proving that having a woman in charge of female-led projects such as this is crucial because their gaze is much more respectful and taps into something more character-driven rather than just a body that serves the action. In addition to this, Jenkins proves to be a strong action director, with the “No Man’s Land” sequence serving as a masterpiece of comic book action, with other sequences such as “The Liberation of Veld” and “The London Alleyway Ambush” also standing out as highlights. Wonder Woman also has a lighter nature that works in large part thanks to the effortless chemistry between Gadot and Chris Pine. It’s a fun union that turns the typical comic book romance tropes on their head by making her the strong one who, at times, needs to rescue him.
However, even though they have fun with this trope, much of the heart of their relationship comes from the humanity they both begin to see in each other as they grow closer. Lastly, Wonder Woman is a proper standalone tale that isn’t bogged down by setting up more of the DCEU. This is Diana’s story. One of emotional depth and love, where empathy and understanding can conquer the greatest of evils.
Supergirl hits screens nationwide this Friday.
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