The 2000s gave us some of cinema’s most memorable films, from top feel-good movies to the beginnings of the superhero movie renaissace, but no category skyrocketed quite like the coming-of-age teenage girl power genre. These stories transport us into worlds just like our own, but with characters that get to live out our wildest dreams. Making friends with mermaids, becoming cheerleading legends, having big city adventures, and falling for cute love interests — there was no better way to tick all the boxes for a 2000s tween.

There are too many great flicks to choose from, but we can say with confidence that we’ve hand-picked some of the most iconic girl power films of the decade. They’re enthralling, memorable, and somehow blend realism with a sense of magic that has yet to be replicated. Even if you haven’t seen some of these films, you’ve probably heard of them! Grab some popcorn, pop in your favorite CD, and enjoy this list of the best teen/tween girl power movies of the 2000s.

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9 Sleepover

     Landscape Entertainment

2004’s Sleepover made us all want to have a life-changing slumber party with our best friends! The film follows Julie, who throws a sleepover on the last day of middle school. When Julie’s friend-turned-rival Staci shows up and challenges the girls to a scavenger hunt across town, Julie’s crew sneaks out and takes off on a night of shenanigans. From getting a date at a nightclub to stealing her crush’s boxers, there’s no shortage of laughs and hi-jinks. The ending is as sweet as they come, and the scene in the Old Navy display window is positively iconic.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

8 Save the Last Dance

     MTV Productions

Save the Last Dance is a gorgeous, raw love story that celebrates artistic expression and meaningful relationships. When up-and-coming ballerina Sara fails her Juilliard audition and subsequently finds out about her mother’s death, she all but gives up her dreams of being a professional dancer. In the aftermath, she moves to the South Side with her father and is invited by her new friend Chenille to attend a hip-hop dance club. There, she steps into new territory as she explores different dance forms and begins falling in love with Chenille’s brother, Derek. It’s a lovely tale that doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects like teen parenting and gang life, and Sara’s relationship with her friends and loved ones arms her with the bravery to process her mother’s passing.

7 Aquamarine

     Via: Storefront Pictures

Loosely based on the novel of the same name, the magical feel-good movie Aquamarine tells the tale of two best friends, Hailey and Claire, who are enjoying the last few days of summer before Hailey has to move. After wishing not to go, a massive storm causes a mermaid named Aquamarine to wash up in a nearby swimming pool. Determined to prove to her father that true love exists, Aquamarine teams up with the girls to win over the cutest lifeguard on the beach. If you want an amazing soundtrack, makeover montages, and a genuinely kindhearted love interest, you need to see this film.

6 13 Going On 30

     Via: Sony Pictures

This fantastic movie is a staple in the rom-com genre, and for good reason! In 13 Going on 30, we see protagonist Jenna celebrating her 13th birthday in 1987; when she’s humiliated by a clique of ruthless popular girls, she makes a wish to be “thirty, flirting and thriving.” To her surprise, she wakes up the next morning to find that her wish came true, and she’s become a beautiful, successful magazine editor. This story is unique in showing us why you should be careful of what you wish for, and Jenna gradually learns that she’s worthy of happiness exactly as she is.

5 Bring It On

     Via: Beacon Pictures

This entire Bring It On film series brought competitive cheerleading into the spotlight, but the first is arguably the best of them all. Recently promoted to captain of her squad, Torrance fears she’s cursed after dropping the Spirit Stick at Cheer Camp over the summer. As the film progresses, she boldly overcomes issues with plagiarism, intense rivalry and an unexpected love triangle, ultimately becoming the leader everyone needs her to be. The whole thing is over-the-top and a little campy, but we dare you to watch it and not want to try the routines afterward.

4 Mean Girls

     Via: Lorne Michaels Productions

Possibly the most recognizable 2000s teen flick, Mean Girls writer Tina Fey wanted to give audiences a deeper look at the complex social connections between cliques and students in high school, particularly involving teenage girls. Protagonist Cady has been homeschooled in Africa for most of her life, so her enrollment in public school is a bit of a shell shock. She soon finds herself entangled in a ploy to befriend and take down The Plastics, a trio of the wealthiest and most popular girls in school. For all the wicked, antagonistic humor the film offers, it gives us a believable story with breathable, well-rounded characters.

3 Whip It

     Via: Mandate Pictures

This movie isn’t talked about nearly as much as it should be. We follow Bliss, a teenager in Texas who is fed up with her smothered existence as a beauty pageant contestant. Inspired by an encounter with a group of roller derby players, she tries out for the ‘Hurl Scouts’ team and falls in love with the sport. While she makes some bad choices and acts rashly at times, her journey of self-discovery is moving. One of the major selling points of Whip It is her relationship with her mother, which evolves from a place of anger and misunderstanding to one of mutual respect.

2 The Cinderella Story Trilogy

     Via: Dylan Sellers Productions

Each A Cinderella Story is a modern take on the classic fairy tale, but the protagonists all have a trait that makes them unique: original heroine Sam is a bright dreamer and aspiring Yale student, followed by talented dancer Mary in the sequel. The third installment introduces Katie, whose gift is her singing and songwriting ability. All three films put a fun spin on the love story between the respective Cinderellas and their princes, and they’re all the epitome of the colorful 2000s aesthetic. Once you see one, you’ll want to binge the others!

1 The Princess Diaries

     Via: Walt Disney Pictures

This is the franchise that inspired every young viewer in the audience to dream of discovering they were secretly royalty in a distant country. In The Princess Diaries, Mia is an outcast at school, but her life is turned upside-down when her grandmother visits. After learning that she’s due to inherit the throne from her late father, Mia’s grandmother sets out to instruct her in the ways of royalty. The A-list cast gives some pretty incredible performances, and Mia’s experiences give her the confidence and maturity she needs to take on the role of Crown Princess.