Stories are powerful. Not only does fiction provide an escape from reality, but it can hold up a mirror to society and affect major change. Historically, media representations of women were little more than props or plot devices in a man’s story. But as more women have pushed for inclusion, women’s stories are now being told and have enhanced our media in the process.
In a world where it’s said that men and boys won’t be interested in a woman’s story, it can be difficult to showcase the value female characters give. But fantasy and science fiction worlds are deeper and richer with fully dimensional women, and that richness reflects in reality. Fictional women have inspired young girls and boys to dream big and fight hard for what they love. These characters are icons in both their worlds and ours, making them the best female characters in science fiction and fantasy.
1. Sophie Hatter, Howl’s Moving Castle
Sophie Hatter from the Howl’s Moving Castle film and book series has some incredible character development. When we first meet her, she is young and insecure, believing herself to be a failure. After being cursed and turning into an old woman, Sophie’s personality begins to shine. She no longer worries about what others think of her, and that allows her to act according to her heart.
If only all of us could be old for a short while and we could learn the same lesson: life’s too short to make yourself small. Sophie’s growth shows how we all can take up space and do what makes us happy. That’s where the real magic lies.
2. River Song, Doctor Who
Many of the Doctor‘s female companions are meant to soften his rougher edges, but in the case of River Song, we see him softening her. She was trained as an assassin from birth, and she has no qualms about killing her enemies. She is a pure force, a storm that rushes in and leaves chaos, but when it comes down to it, her heart and passion are just as strong.
River hides behind a lot of emotional walls and her femme fatale persona, but she loves the Doctor fiercely. She would do whatever it takes to protect him, even from himself. Her adventures through time are engaging even without the Doctor, and can be found in the River Song series of audiobooks. She is the perfect mix of intelligence, strength, sass, emotion, and vulnerability.
3. Arya Stark, Game of Thrones
Arya Stark is a fantastic character because her story is one of violence that is usually reserved for men or purely evil villainesses. Arya is ruthless, taking pleasure in her kills, but she also has an intense sense of justice. She is a morally gray character who stands for what she believes in and is loyal to her family, to the extent that she will focus completely on revenge against anyone who harms them.
There are other female characters in media who reject traditional gender roles, but Arya is unique because she is never ashamed of being a girl. She only disguises herself as a boy when she has to for her survival, but otherwise, she refuses to hide her femininity. Arya is proud of who she is, for good or ill, because being a girl is a big part of what shaped her trauma and her life’s trajectory.
4. Nyota Uhura, Star Trek
Lt. Uhura is an all-out queen, handling anything the Final Frontier throws at her with grace. She is competent and excellent at her job. And don’t let anyone say she was just a communications officer. Uhura was a translator with fluency in 37 languages and the first black woman to become a bridge officer.
Uhura is an equal to the men she works with, proving to be an essential part of the Enterprise crew. She has a fully-developed life apart from Starfleet, including her childhood and dreams, which is a feat for women in 1960s TV. Uhura was not just a love interest, but a main character with the intelligence and leadership to boldly go where few women had gone before.
5. Moiraine Damodred, The Wheel of Time
Moiraine Damodred is one of the most powerful characters in The Wheel of Time books and TV series. She’s manipulative and rigid in her single-minded dedication to her goal. She’s hard, cold, and not super likable. But that is what makes her so compelling.
Moiraine is undoubtedly on the side of good, but she is complicated in her views of the ends justifying the means. Moiraine isn’t worried about hurting feelings, she’s trying to save the world! In the steps of a hero’s journey, she plays the role of mentor, but as a woman, gets treated harshly by the fans for not being motherly and warm. If she were a man, she would be seen in a better light, along with the likes of Dumbledore, Gandalf, and Obi-Wan. Just because she isn’t nurturing, doesn’t mean she doesn’t care.
6. Ellen Ripley, Alien
Ellen Ripley is one of the best characters in film, period. She’s much more than just a survivor, but she does show off her rational thinking, intelligence, and strength as keys to survival. She’s competent and a good leader, while also knowing how to be part of a team. If only the rest of the team would listen to her, then maybe they could have lived.
Ripley is feminine without being sexy or objectified. She feels like a real person. She’s not perfect but she’s capable an quick on her feet. One of Ripley’s defining strengths is her empathy, which she uses to lead and protect those in her care.
7. Éowyn of Rohan, The Lord of the Rings
“I am no man,” are some of the most famous words from The Lord of the Rings series. Or, if you prefer the quote from the book, it’s “But no living man am I! You look upon a woman.” These are the words of Éowyn, shieldmaiden of Rohan, just before she thrusts her blade into the Witch King of Angmar.
Éowyn uses her strength of will to stand with her people. She has the spirit of a warrior and is willing to lay down her life in battle. But, when she survives, Éowyn then turns to the healing arts to rebuild and mend the wartorn people. She refuses to be a damsel in distress, and finds several different ways to put her passionate spirit to use for the good of all.
8. Leia Organa, Star Wars
A princess, spy, and military general are just a few of the hats Leia Organa/Skywalker wears. She’s never one to back down from a fight and, even if she’s scared, she never lets it show. Especially when facing her enemies. Leia is literally tortured for information, but she never gives it up, staring down Grand Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader while mouthing off.
Leia also saves Luke and Han when they get in over their heads during her “rescue.” She’s an equal part of the trio, using her intelligence and military strategy to plan the downfall of the Empire. And, when things don’t go according to plan? Well, Leia rolls with the punches and uses whatever she has on hand (chains, thermal detonators, etc.) to come out on top. She shows time and time again that a woman’s place is in the resistance.
9. Buffy Summers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy Summers subverted the trope of the helpless, blonde cheerleader being a victim in horror stories. Does she have trauma after everything she goes through? Yes. But she turns that trauma into action, fighting demons and monsters to keep her family and the world safe.
Not even death could stop Buffy! She always found a way to come back as the slayer of prophecy. Buffy is smart, strong, and skilled after training for years to defeat anything the Hellmouth spits out. And a new generation of girls deserved to see Buffy’s example in a reboot, no matter what some male executive thinks!
10. Dana Scully, The X-Files
Dana Scully is often thought of as simply half of the X-Files team, but she plays such a critical role! Her brilliance as a scientist and logical thinker have made such an impact on reality, that they have a name for it: the Scully Effect. Women and girls who have seen Scully were more confident and more willing to enter a STEM field.
Scully is tough and skeptical, not always keen to listen to Mulder’s conspiracy theories. But she is also deeply feeling. She truly cares about people and wants to help them. She admits when she’s wrong, even if the truth is still incomprehensible and strange. Scully is both intelligent and beautiful, a well-rounded character with real heart.