Pan’s Labyrinth. In case the intended audience is a child, be warned that it’s pretty gruesome.
And does the girl need to be the main character? Because if not, the Harry Potter movies would also work.
A Little Princess - the 1995 version, not the Shirley Temple one.
The Professional
Well, not sure if you’ll be able to find it, but Island of the Blue Dolphins.
Island of the Blue Dolphins (1964) - IMDb
Most of these are a little milder than those listed above, but here you go.
Pollyanna
Heidi
To Kill a Mockingbird
Secret of Roan Inish
The Secret Garden
Anne of Green Gables
Paperhouse (warning - horror film)
The Very Long Engagement
Missing
The House of the Spirits
Scout Finch.
Good one. And also The Secret World of Arrietty, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Howl’s Moving Castle.
The Diary of Anne Frank
Harriet the Spy
Nancy Drew
Joan of Arc - there are several film versions
Newt in Aliens is a girl, nonsexualized and given the situation was exceptionally brave for a little girl.
I could see not wanting her if you only want main characters but she fits the bill for what you asked.
Mirrormask - another Neil Gaiman (Coraline) story.
Flushed Away - Rita isn’t the lead, but she’s the strong, intelligent, practical one. Aardman (Wallace and Gromit) animation. Fun for the backgrounds and slugs as much as the story itself. Chicken Run, another Aardman, if you have no political objection to Mel Gibson voicing the male lead.
The Cat Returns & Ponyo from Studio Ghibli.
The Golden Compass.
The Kid also suggests Monsters Vs Aliens, Monster House and The Incredibles as movies that contain strong female characters.
I was just about to say Lara Croft, when I read that. Oh well.
Pretty much all of the Hayou Miyazaki movies from Studio Ghibli, girl protagonists is sort of his thing. And flying.
Someone already mentioned a few of them, like Spirited Away.
The OP is asking for examples of movies that depict brave or heroic girls, right? So I guess I’m recommending that movie as an example of a story about a brave girl who IRL overcame the incredibly traumatic experience of having her arm ripped off by a shark and went on to achieve professional status in the world of competitive surfing.
Yeah I was coming in to mention Miyazaki. I love Spirited Away!
There are a LOT of great suggestions in this thread, thanks so much!
You know, I thought about that. Sure Jolie runs around looking all big-boobed, but I couldn’t recall whether her sexuality plays into the plot or not. I guess it probably does.
The Incredibles.
Monsters Inc. (little Boo is pretty brave with all those monsters!)
Oh, also Jurassic Park (“This is a UNIX system! I know this!”)