Check out our list of 30 adventure films curated just for adventurous girls.
These movies feature young women as the main characters as they embark on a wide range of adventures. There is a mix ranging from action-packed blockbusters to whimsical coming-of-age journeys and even a couple of the best outdoor documentaries with strong female leads.
If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, a little wilderness survival, or perhaps a few goblins and trolls but all from a comfy sofa then we have you covered. Take a pick of a few of our favorite movies that feature some of our favorite female leads and settle in.
First up: a few fantasy adventure flicks that transport us to magical realms where anything is possible. These stories are filled with daring quests, enchanted lands, and young heroines who rise to meet extraordinary challenges.
Whether they’re battling dragons, unlocking ancient secrets, or discovering their own hidden powers, these girls remind us that courage and imagination are the greatest magic of all.
1. THE HUNGER GAMES (2012)
Katniss Everdeen must fight for her survival as she competes in a televised game after she takes her sisters place. This one stars Jennifer Lawrence.
2. DIVERGENT (2014)
Another dystopian future plot. Tris Prior lives in a society that divides teenagers into five groups based on certain characteristics. Tris discovers that she doesn't fit into the set categories and in fact is Divergent.
3. ENOLA HOLMES (2020)
Starring Millie Bobby Brown in one of her best roles yet, Enola is the teenage sister of Sherlock Holmes. She shares his super-sleuth abilities and use them to outwit her brothers while searching for her missing mother. A whopping 91% Rotten Tomato score and currently streaming on Netflix, this is a must see...or watch again.
4. THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES (2013)
Ok, the Rotten Tomatoes score for this one is a super sad 13% but don't let that keep you from tuning in. Give it a try and see what you think for yourself. This is a favorite in our house. Staring Lily Collins as Clary Fray. Clary quickly learns after the abduction of her mother that she is a Shadowhunter, a half -angel who fights to protect the human world from demons.
5. NIM'S ISLAND (2008)
Nim Rusoe is played by Abigail Breslin. Nim lives on a remote island with her father. Without other kids to keep her company she finds friendship with animals and fictional characters in her favorite adventure books. When her father goes missing she leans into her favorite character, Alex, who leads her to team up with the author of her favorite books to help search for her dad. And, yes, I do see a little bit of a theme we have going with missing parents and leading ladies.
6. ALICE IN WONDERLAND (2010)
In this live action, Alice returns to Wonderland to help her friends and save them from the Red Queen.
7. DAMSEL (2024)
Specifically not in distress. Well, actually yes, in distress. Millie Bobby Brown plays Elodie, a young woman set to marry a prince. But fate has her fighting a dragon for her life and to save others that may come after her.
8. RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON (2021)
Staying on the dragon trend, this animated movie has Raya on a trek to find the last remaining dragon to save humanity once again.
9. MULAN (1998)
More sword wielding, animated, heroine adventures. And I guess Mushu is technically a dragon. Mulan secretly takes her fathers place in the army and disguises herself as a man in order to save him from certain death. She just might save all of China in the process.
10. WOLFWALKERS (2020)
A young hunter travels with her father to Ireland to take out the last wolf pack, who are thought to be demonic. She discovers a whole world in this anime adventure. A 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, you can stream this one Apple TV+.
11. BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA (2007)
A girl and a new best friend come together and create a imaginary land where they encounter all sorts of creatures. Through this magical world they learn how to stand up for themselves against bullies.
12. STAR WARS: EPISODE VII - THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015)
Rey is a nobody desert scavenger who comes across a droid that may lead to the missing, last Jedi. She teams up with Han Solo, Chewbacca and a few others to find him before the First Order. Along the way she discovers she may have a deeper connection to the Force.
Now let’s shift gears from fantasy to reality with a list of real-world adventure and survival stories. These films may not have magic spells or mythical creatures, but they’re packed with just as much heart, grit, and excitement.
From wild landscapes to extraordinary true events, these tales follow brave young women as they face the elements, test their limits, and discover what they're truly capable of when adventure gets real.
13. TRUE GRIT (2010)
one of my all time favorite movies is True Grit. Starring Hailee Steinfeld in her breakout role as Mattie Ross a fourteen-year-old. She treks across the western United States to track down her father's murderer and bring him to justice. Written and directed by the Coen brothers and starring other big names like Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin this is one of the best outdoor movies there is.
14. SOUL SURFER (2011)
A surfing movie based on the true events of Bethany Hamilton, a competitive surfer. Bethany, played by AnnaSohia Robb, looses her arm in a shark attack. Against all odds she overcomes challenges, adapts to her new life and returns to the open ocean again to compete. What we love about this movie is it gives credit to her faith in God as her driving force to recovery.
15. THE JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN (1985)
This is a great one to watch if you are looking to tap in to some 80s kid nostalgia and share it with your kiddos. Natty is a preteen girl who runs away to follow her father who left her behind while he went out west to look for work. This movie is set during the Great Depression. On her way from Chicago to Washington she crosses paths with a wolf who becomes her travel partner. John Cusack co-stars with Meredith Salenger in this one.
16. WILD HEARTS CAN'T BE BROKEN (1991)
Another nostalgic flick if you grew up in the 80s. Coincidentally, this one also tells the story of a runaway orphan during the depression. This time the main character is Senora Webster who joins a traveling circus of sorts as a horse diving girl. She finds family and love along the way.
17. TRUE SPIRIT (2023)
Follow the based on a true story of Jessica Watson. She is an Australian teenager who works to set a world record and be the youngest person to sail alone around the world.
18. TROOP ZERO (2019)
This movie has some big named stars like Viola Davis as the scout leader, Allison Janney and Jim Gaffigan. But stars Mckenna Grace as an odd girl who rallies a group of scouts to help her reach her dream and enter a NASA competition.
19. A FAR OFF PLACE (1993)
Starring Reese Witherspoon as Nonnie Parker. A story of survival as young Nonnie has to trek across Kalahari desert to escape after poachers raid her family farm.
Now, let’s dive into a few magical and sci-fi adventures that are perfect for curious, courageous girls.
From enchanted realms to distant galaxies, these stories feature bold young heroines who dare to dream bigger, explore farther, and stand tall in the face of the unknown. Whether they're casting spells, decoding alien tech, or saving entire worlds, these girls prove that adventure knows no limits.
20. MATILDA (1996)
Matilda is a genius girl who discovers she has magical powers. She uses them to get back at cruel adults in her lift.
21. A WRINKLE IN TIME (2018)
So the IMBD ratings for this one are not great. But it stars Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling, who a couple of my favs. The storyline is this, a girl in her early teens goes on a rescue mission through time and space to save her father.
22. THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES (2008)
A story about a young girl and her brothers who discover an alternate world with creatures like fairies and goblins.
23. LABYRINTH (1986)
Dance, magic, dance. Sarah has to navigate a magical maze filled with all sorts of creatures. Some are her friends and others are out to trick her and keep her from completing her mission. To save her baby brother who has been taken by the Goblin King before midnight.
24. WIZARD OF OZ (1939)
Before Elphaba and Glinda got to tell their side of the story in Wicked, there was Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. Two time Academy Awards winner and one of the great movie classics. This one has the oldest release date on our list. Dorothy finds herself in a land of munchkins, witches and talking creatures. She journeys across the Land of Oz to meet the wizard in hopes he can send her back home.
Animation makes for a good adventure movie too. So now how about a few specifically animated quests.
25. Moana (2016)
A Polynesian girl sets sail across the open ocean in search of way to break a curse and save her people. A good movie with great music. If you are a fan of the musical Hamilton, you might notice a familiar sound.
26. TURNING RED (2022)
Mei Lee is a thirteen-year-old girl who is looking to gain more independence, survive adolescence like any other teenager. Only she discovers that when her emotions kick into high gear she changes into, well, a giant red panda.
27. BRAVE (2012)
Merida is a Scottish Princess who defies traditions in just about every way. But one terrible choice will lead her to summon her bravery and try to undo a curse. Also, she is a badie with bow and arrow.
28. ENCANTO (2021)
Mirabel is the only member of her large family who doesn't seem to have any magical powers. But when the magic is in trouble she just may be the only one who can save them.
Lets wrap up this list with a couple of documentary film selections for the girls who are looking for some real life inspiration.
29. THE EAGLE HUNTRESS (2016)
Narrated by Daisy Ridley, follow Aisholpan Nurgaiv. Aisholpan is a thirteen year old girl who is training to become the first female competing in Mongolia's Golden Eagle Festival. This documentary uses beautiful cinematography to tell this story of true girl power!
30. MAIDENTRIP (2013)
This documentary follows the legal hurdles and epic journey of Laura Dekker. Laura is a young teen who sets out on a solo sailing trip around the world with a lifelong dream to be the youngest to do so. Much of the footage is her own. You can also check out her YouTube channel @lauradekkerworldsailing.