The world of fiction is replete with strong female characters, and they are fighting their own battles.

Scarlet Overkill, Minions (movie)

“Doesn’t it feel so good to be bad?”

It is the ‘60s and Scarlet Overkill is the first female villain in the male-dominated crime industry. Scarlet appears in Minions, the prequel of Despicable Me. Voiced by Academy Award-winner Sandra Bullock, she is a glamorous, empowering woman who will do everything in her power to become the biggest and baddest super-villain. She has had a clear aim since she was a little girl. When girls her age wished to be the princess, she realised that the Queen holds the power.
What makes Scarlet better than her Disney peers, characters such as Maleficent and the Evil Queen, is her irresistible charm. It makes you want to root for her even when she turns against the beloved yellow minions. Scarlet is stylish, has the latest tech and has a man in her life, who stands by her mission.

Daenerys Targaryen, A Song of Ice and Fire (book)

“Yes. All men must die, but we are not men.”

Introduced in Game of Thrones, the first book in the series, as a pawn used by her brother for his political gains, Daenerys Targaryen soon becomes a major player in the game. Her forced marriage to Dothraki Khal Drogo, the leader of the barbarian Dothraki tribe, and the eventual death of her husband turns Daenerys character from being a damsel in distress to a fierce leader of her own tribe. While A Song of Ice and Fire has numerous strong female characters—Cersei Lannister, Arys Stark, Ygritte—Daenerys is one of the most evolved characters in George R R Martin’s epic fantasy series. With her eyes set on the Iron Throne, Daenerys’ character gets more confident and powerful as the story progresses. And therefore, it is no surprise that the Lannisters and Baratheons fear the return of the Mother of Dragons.

Imperator Furiosa, Mad Max (movie)

“Out here, everything hurts”

The lead female protagonist of Mad Max: Fury Road, Imperator Furiosa is one of the finest warriors of Immortan Joe. The movie is a complete thrill ride, but the story does not belong to Max. It belongs to Furiosa, who is not only the reason behind the basis of the story but also the one to take the story forward. Her dramatic character arc, from being assigned as the protector of the five wives to finally escaping with the wives in a routine supply run to Gas Town and the Bullet Farm in a war rig, is what makes her more important to the story of Mad Max than Max himself. Played by Charlize Theron, Furiosa gives hope to the wives as she helps them escape from the patriarchal clutches that dominate the post-apocalyptic world. In a testosterone-filled story, this female protagonist is the one character who stays with the audience long after the final credits roll out.

Jessica Pearson, Suits (television series)

“Please don’t make me set fire to your desk”

The strong-headed Managing Partner at Pearson Hardman, Jessica Pearson is smarter and more powerful than her white male counterparts. Portrayed by the beautiful Gina Torres, Jessica’s character is an archetype. She epitomises the 21st century working woman. She is career-driven, drives the story forward, and will knock down anyone who stands in her way to success. Her unbridled confidence can be seen in the way she handles her clients and more importantly, her colleagues. She leads her group, with her star attorney Harvey Specter by her side, is bold, intimidating, and rocks the legal world with her intelligence.