The greatest children’s films no longer just have to be about princes and princesses – though we still love those ones, too. They’re also about overcoming obstacles, showing courage and wisdom and, above all, a lot of bravery. Whether they’re fighting fictional baddies or real life ones, standing up for what’s right or protecting their families, these children’s film characters are as brave as brave comes, inspiring kids everywhere and the adults who love them.
Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games series)
Even though Katniss Everdeen is just a teenage girl herself, she takes her sister Prim’s place in the gruesome Hunger Games spectacle in order to protect her. Because that’s what Katniss does. She’s the first one to stand up to the cruel leaders of her nation Panem and always does her best to protect an underdog, showing incredible bravery even when the most courageous of us would be terrified.
Harry Potter (the Harry Potter series)
When the witches and wizards of his world won’t even speak the ultimate baddie’s name, it’s Harry Potter that goes head to head with him, battling Voldemort to protect the people he loves. If you’ve ever been on a Warner Bros Studio Tour to see the Wizarding Wardrobes of Voldemort and the Death Eaters for yourself, you’ll know Harry’s bravery had to show no bounds.
Moana (Moana)
Moana is one of the bravest film characters of all time simply because she does what everyone on her island is afraid to do – set out into uncharted waters to bring life and prosperity back to her family when resources on the island start to fade. She encounters giant crabs, snarky gods and undeniably frightening lava demons, but she never wavers. Not when she knows her family member’s lives depend on it.
Liesel Meminger (The Book Thief)
Caught in the midst of Nazi Germany, Liesel Meminger loses everything, but instead of laying down quietly, she fights back against some of the scariest villains of all time. She learns how to read and write in secret, and as the Nazis begin to destroy books around her, Liesel chooses to save these important stories and share them with others, even though getting caught could mean she might lose her life.
Matilda Wormwood (Matilda)
You need a lot of bravery to stand up to your family, especially when you’ve got one as rotten as that belonging to Matilda Wormwood. The only place she can get any peace is at school or in the library, but that’s all changed when she comes toe to toe with the dreaded Miss Trunchbull. Matilda uses her smarts, bravery and a little bit of magic to make sure her and her classmates are treated fairly, in an unforgettable tale that’s recently been made into a hit West End show.
Marlin (Finding Nemo)
It’s no secret that Marlin the clownfish is afraid of everything. Who can blame him after his entire family, except for his little son Nemo, is so cruelly taken from him? But when Nemo disappears, Marlin doesn’t hide in the coral, but sets out in search of his son and falls into some pretty sticky situations – including a certain pack of ‘vegetarian’ sharks. To find Nemo, Marlin must use a whole lot of bravery, some he finds along his journey and the rest he finds within himself.
What children’s film characters do you and your family admire for their bravery? Let me know in the comments below.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
We love Woody from the Toy Story series – he often finds himself in danger, and being separated from Andy, home and the other toys. He is continuously brave & helps other toys to safety!