The Girl: Dory, Finding Nemo (2003)

Why They're Great: Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) is the sort friend you want by your side at all times – funny, loyal and, when the chips are down, this fish is brave.

Sure, she has memory issues, but she gets a healthy chunk of the plot and is a big part of helping reunite Marlin (Albert Brooks) with his pesky, wayward sprat sprog.

Oh, and she speaks whale. Sort of.

How It Would've Been Different If They Were A Bloke: Nemo the movie would have been a much more traditional buddy comedy, and therefore fairly unspectacular.

Dory likely wouldn’t have bothered to help and Nemo would be in Darla’s clutches, doomed to a short, painful life in a tiny tank with only a plastic diver for company.

Next: Helen Parr