What does it mean to be strong? For these women in film, strength means not just being able to kick the bad guys' butts, but also being able to show understanding, intelligence, and compassion even in the most dangerous of situations. They’re not just strong physically, but also mentally and emotionally. After all, who says the brave can’t be beautiful as well?

So we’ve gathered together a group of leading ladies from 25 films who shows us that being strong means using your best qualities to be the best person you can be. And you can bet your bottom dollar that none of these women are damsels in distress—and neither are you.

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