If you take stories like The Hunger Games, The Host and Warm Bodies to heart, you might think we don’t have much to look forward to in the distant post-apocalyptic future. But in the more immediate days ahead, like say, the rest of 2013, there’s a whole lot to be excited for — especially if you like ladies who kick ass, stand up for what they believe in and protect their loved ones at all costs. It’s going to be a great year for heroines in movies, on TV and in books — but not necessarily the easy-to-love/worship kind. Jennifer Lawrence‘s Katniss Everdeen (this year in Catching Fire), The Americans‘ Elizabeth (Keri Russell), Beautiful Creatures‘ Lena (Alice Englert) and The Great Gatsby’s Daisy (Carey Mulligan) are complex women and girls who don’t automatically know what’s right, and sometimes they have to choose saving themselves over saving the world. The Mortal Instruments‘ Clary Fray (Lily Collins), Shadow and Bones‘ Aline, Delirium’s Lena and Warm Bodies‘ Julie (Teresa Palmer) have a little self-discovery to do before they become full-fledged heroines. The Legend Trilogy’s June and The Host’s Wanderer/Melanie (Saoirse Ronan) have to navigate between worlds to figure out whom to fight for. And Oz‘s Glinda (Michelle Williams) and Ender’s Game’s Petra (Hailee Steinfeld) are ladies whose strength is obvious, but whose roles in the bigger picture remains to be seen. As for Chloe Moretz’s Hit Girl, who returns in this summer’s Kick-Ass 2 — she’s always going to be in a category all her own.

Whatever your favorite brand of strong female is, we hope you’re looking forward to seeing them in action as much as we are! Check them out in the gallery below, and plan your year accordingly!

[Photos: Open Road Films, Lionsgate, Penguin, Constantin Films]