Common Sense: Great movies for kids that defy gender stereotypes

It’s Women’s History Month and many parents may be looking for ways to inspire the girls in their family. Our friends at Common Sense Media have created a fantastic resource: a guide to movies that defy gender stereotypes and show boys and girls doing all kinds of awesome things.

There are titles you’ll recognize, including favorites like “Mulan,” “Zootopia” and “Brave.” But there are many more that you might not know about, including the documentaries “Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable” and “I Am Greta,” as well as sports dramas like “Ride Like a Girl.”

“Child development experts agree that kids need to see a wide range of characters, displaying a range of traits, behaviors, and beliefs, in the media they consume,” writes Common Sense’s Betsy Bozdech in the introduction to this family-friendly guide.

“When kids see stereotyped gender roles portrayed over and over in movies and on television, it can affect the way they think about themselves and what they can grow up to be,” Bozdech writes. “Our own research review shows that these messages are aligned to periods in kids’ development when kids are most receptive to their influence — which makes it even clearer that it’s important to look for positive gender portrayals in our kids’ media.”

Explore the entire guide right here.

And also check out Common Sense’s additional guides to TV Shows That Defy Gender Stereotypes, Best Smart Movie Girls and Movies with Incredible Role Models for Boys.