The 90+ Best Female Action Movies, Ranked
- 1Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright Harry Dean Stanton
Sigourney Weaver is arguably the biggest and best female action star of all time thanks to one role, her game-changing and revolutionary portrayal of Ellen Ripley in the Alien franchise. Metamorphasizing from a simple scientist to an otherworldly superhero, Weaver lent a grounded and realistic portrayal of a woman scared for her life who rose from the ashes to save humanity. Face-to-face with some of the most terrifying creatures ever put to screen, her character never backed down and faced terrors the likes of which would make grown men break down and cry. Ripley is the female action hero to end all female action heroes.
- 2Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong
Few characters saw as radical a change as Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor did between the first and second Terminator films. Hamilton's Connor transformed from a weak and timid every-woman into one of the most fearsome and incredible female action movie stars the world had ever seen, and it all felt completely natural and in tune with the story being told. The character had just gone through the wringer, and in Terminator 2: Judgement Day, she wasn't going to let anything stop her from protecting her son. Much like Sigourney Weaver's Ripley did in the 80s, Hamilton's Sarah Connor changed female action roles for all time.
- 3Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan
A science fiction action adventure comedy-drama, Everything Everywhere All at Once has plainly put, everything in terms of the genre and tones that it is trying to achieve, and it manages to beautifully blend them all into one masterful story, but above nearly everything else in the film, the one element that stands out is the phenomenal action. Michelle Yeoh at 60 years of age makes fighting look easier than the biggest and best action stars in their 20s thanks to her complete dedication to the craft of creating a realistic and passionate persona. While many of the fight scenes are far too wacky and weird to actually describe, one thing is for sure, they will stick with fans for the rest of their lives, as Everything Everywhere All at Once is undoubtedly one of the best female action movies of all time.
- 4Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi
A timeless tale of love, anger, violence, and betrayal, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon showcases some of the most original, stellar, and remarkable action ever seen in film. Michelle Yeho and Ziyi Zhang steal the show in every single scene they are in, showcasing some mind-bending stunts and remarkable action sequences all the while keeping an aura of grace and femininity about them. A textbook example of how to showcase female action stars to the absolute best of their ability, the film doesn't shine because it is a female-centric action film, the film shines because the female action stars shine.
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- 5Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, David Carradine
There are few films that portray their main protagonist with such controlled chaos, such elegant poise, and such overwhelming power as Kill Bill. Uma Thurman brought Beatrix Kiddo to life in one of the most jaw-dropping and stellar actions sagas the world has ever seen. Totaling over four hours of bloody, chaotic carnage, Kill Bill pulls no punches and often goes so far over the line it nearly becomes comical, but the grounded and heartbreaking portrayal from Thurman helps make the film feel real even in the absurd moments. The fight against the Crazy 88's still goes down in history as not only one of the best action scenes in a female action movie but one of the best actions scenes of all time.
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- 6Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Sienna Guillory
Through six movies and nearly two decades of film, Mila Jovovich shined as Alice in the Resident Evil franchise, an adaptation of the popular action horror video game series. Johovich was coming off of The Fifth Element and solidified herself as a bonafide action movie star, and with Resident Evil, she became a sensation in the genre. Widely regarded as one of the finest female action stars of all time, Jovovich showcased her remarkable hand-to-hand combat, stellar athleticism, and masterful gunplay in each of the six films in the series.
- 7Amber Midthunder, Dane DiLiegro, Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat
One of the most surprising movies of the past few decades, Prey is a prequel series to the beloved Predator series that follows a hunter in 1719 as she faces off against the apex predator of the galaxy. Using simple bows, arrows, and knives to take down the hulking beast seemed nearly impossible, but thanks to the remarkable and outstandingly realistic performance from breakout star Amber Midthunder as Naru, every scene in the film feels real and is executed to perfection. The film manages to keep the violence and stellar action of its predecessors, only simply tweaking them for a more ancient time with more impactful and bone-crunching realism.
More Prey - 8Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm
A remarkable science fiction action adventure, The Fifth Element may be Bruce Willis's movie, but Milla Jovovich steals the show as Leeloo, a remarkable action hero who has inspired many female action movie stars in the last nearly three decades. Jovovich showcases yet again why she is one of the best female action movie stars of all time, as she delivers a completely dedicated and pulse-pounding performance with physicality rough enough to make the toughest people wince in pain. The Fifth Element continues to be a massive cult classic, and a blueprint on how to portray female action stars the right way.
- 9Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch
Of all the films released over the past 20 years, none scratch the historical epic action itch quite like 2022's The Woman King. Following an all-female group of warriors set to protect the African kingdom of Dahomey, Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, and Sheila Atim all shine as some of the most ferocious, fearsome, and incredible warriors ever put to screen. Showcased in brilliant action setpieces with some of the most remarkable hand-to-hand combat in decades, The Woman King explores the power of the woman, and why woman's action movies are changing the genre.
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- 10Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright
Wonder Woman changed the landscape of cinema forever when it was released in 2017, bringing a powerful woman in action movies who was a beacon of light for women everywhere. Always earning, never given anything in the film, Gal Gadot helped solidify the titular Wonder Woman as a character more important now than she ever has been. Wonder Woman fights harder, stronger, and more determined than anyone else in the film, giving her a true sense of heroism and helping her stand apart as a true hero the world, both in cinema and reality, needs.
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- 11Kate Beckinsale, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen
Over the course of 13 years, Kate Beckinsale solidified herself as a female action hero the likes of which the world had never seen. Being dressed in skin-tight leather never managed to slow this vampire down as she hunted down Lycans and fought off those who wished to destroy the world. The Underworld franchise saw wonderful uses of both gunplay and stellar action setpieces blend within the realms of horror to create a frightfully fun experience. Beckinsale single-handedly made this franchise what it was, simply put, one of the most intriguing and remarkable action horror franchises of all time.
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- 12Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult
Mad Max: Fury Road is undoubtedly the film that showcased to the world that Charlize Theron is a bonafide stellar female action movie star. Theron brought to life the character of Imperator Furiosa in such realistic and incredibly ways that, unlike some modern action movies, her character feels completely realistic and earned as a badass, as opposed to the film simply telling audiences that she is. Showcasing pulse-pounding driving, stellar gunplay, and a true tenacity and grit rarely shown in any action film, Theron steal the show in Fury Road and helped create a female legend in the action world.
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- 13Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk
The first mainstream live-action spinoff of the Star Wars franchise, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is an incredible war film set in a galaxy far, far away. Felicity Jones leads a ragtag group of rebels on an apparent suicide mission all in the hopes of bringing down the evil empire. While the action sequences are less hand-to-hand and more grandiose, Jones's portrayal of Jyn Erso helped create one of the most beloved female action characters, not just in Star Wars, but in cinema as a whole. An epic journey with an incredibly bittersweet ending, Rogue One shines as what the Star Wars franchise could have been.
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- 14Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor
One of Angelina Jolie's final mainstream action movies, Salt saw the global superstar showing the world once again why women in action movies are not to be trifled with. Jolie has always had a knack for portraying incredible action scenes, and in Salt, her level of physicality and violence are off the chart. A CIA agent on the run after being accused of being a Russian spy, Salt provides viewers with a global epic adventure filled with twists and turns and some of the best action of the decade. From car chases, running on top of trains, hand-to-hand combat, and remarkable gun play, Salt came to play in the action world.
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- 15Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, Eddie Marsan
Jumping right on the John Wick bandwagon, Atomic Blonde showcased that it wasn't just the boys who could have the glorious over-the-top fun as Charlize Theron shines yet again as a once-in-a-generation female action star. Akin to the John Wick franchise, Atomic Blonde masterfully mixes gunplay with hand-to-hand combat for glorious gun-fu that will keep audiences' hearts racing from start to finish. Showcasing some of the most wonderful choreography and one of the best women fighting scenes in the history of film, Atomic Blonde is a nonstop thrill ride guaranteed to bring the hype.
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- 16Charlize Theron, Chiwetel Ejiofor, KiKi Layne
Charlize Theron shines in The Old Guard as a warrior and leader of a tight-knit group of mercenaries with a strange ability to thwart death even if mortally wounded. An action extravaganza, Theron proves once again why she is one of the most fearsome and excellent female action stars in movies, and that she continues to get better with age. The pinnacle of her ferocious stunts is highlighted in a stellar airplane action scene and a church fight scene that shows the Academy Award-winning actress showing off her remarkable hand-to-hand skills.
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- 17Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Malahide
While on paper The Long Kiss Goodnight appears to be the stereotypical “soldier's mind is erased but they slowly fall back into their old life” story, the film manages to not only shines as a remarkable female action movie but as one of the best thrillers of the 90s because of an outstanding performance from Geena Davis as an absolute hero. Davis wonderfully sells both the suburban lifestyle and the come to power in action scenes thanks to portraying the character so realistically. While the action scenes are mainly stereotypical for the genre, what truly sells them is Davis transforming into a female action movie star.
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- 18Jean Reno, Jeanne Moreau, Anne ParillaudNikita, also called La Femme Nikita, is a 1990 Franco-Italian action thriller film written and directed by Luc Besson. Nikita is a teen who robs a pharmacy and takes out a policeman. She is sentenced to life in prison, where her captors fakes the end of her life, and she is given the choice.More Nikita
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- 19Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea
A paranoid thriller that instills a heavy-handed “eat the rich” and “burn it down” message, V for Vendetta shines as bright as lead Natalie Portman does in this remarkable female led action movie. While many adore the film for its more quiet and contemplative moments of questioning authority and the purpose of humankind, there is no doubt that when it is time to kick into high gear, the film shines as an action masterpiece. Portman portrays one of many titular V's shines by using both her brains and brawn to get out of any sticky situation she finds herself in.
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- 20Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett
A relatively underrated and forgotten gem of the early 2000s, an incredibly young Saoirse Ronan stars as a female action movie hero in the hit thriller Hanna. Trained to be an assassin, Ronan's portrayal of the titular Hanna is represented immaculately, not by force, but by cunning. A fighter who is always three steps ahead of her enemy, the use of stealth and paranoia helps solidify the film as a stellar sneaky action film. Even in its more explosive moments, however, Hanna shinies by showcasing drastic and explosive fits of violence that will leave audiences' jaws on the floor.
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- 21Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma ThompsonIn the animated film Brave, a young Scottish princess named Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald) defies an age-old custom, causing chaos in her kingdom. Determined to carve her own path in life, she unknowingly unleashes a curse and must rely on her bravery and archery skills to undo it. Supported by Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), King Fergus (Billy Connolly), and her triplet brothers, Merida embarks on an epic journey. Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, this movie won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. A tale of courage, adventure, and self-discovery, it's a cinematic masterpiece that captivates audiences with its stunning visuals and compelling narrative.More Brave
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- 22Angelina Jolie, Jon Voight, Iain GlenThis live action feature is inspired by the most successful interactive video-game character in history -- Lara Croft. Beautiful and brainy, Lara (Angelina Jolie) is the heroine of Eidos Interactive's phenomenally successful "Tomb Raider" game series. It is one woman's fearless quest criss-crossing the globe, in an amazing attempt to save the world.
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- 23Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk
While Nathan Fillion's Mal may be the star of the hit 2000s sci-fi hit Serenity, it is Gina Torres and Summer Glau who steal the show and firmly stamp their ticket into the female action star hall of fame. The continuation of the hit television show Firefly, Serenity continues the series's knack for wonderous spectacle on a grand stage, this time letting the ladies get the center of the action. Glau in particular shines as a remarkable warrior who can seemingly go toe to toe with any foe, and make it look easy. Gunfights, fistfights, and swordplay all shine in a stellar science fiction action film.
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- 24Kristy Swanson, Luke Perry, Donald SutherlandIn Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy Summers (Kristy Swanson) is your typical cheerleader-turned-vampire hunter. Guided by her mentor Merrick (Donald Sutherland), she fights against Lothos (Rutger Hauer), a powerful and ancient vampire. Alongside her, Pike (Luke Perry), a seemingly average guy, turns out to be an unexpected ally. This genre-bending film, directed by Fran Rubel Kuzui, combines horror, comedy, and action in unexpected ways. It's a tale of empowerment and survival in a world where high school and vampires coexist ominously. Despite its supernatural elements, it remains grounded with relatable characters and common dilemmas.
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- 25Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Mark StrongKick-Ass, a 2010 superhero black comedy film, is centered around Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan. Unhappy with his mundane life, he decides to become a superhero, despite having no powers or training. His audacious move becomes viral, inspiring a new wave of self-made masked crusaders. The plot thickens as Hit-Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz) and her father Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage), real-life vigilantes, join him in his quest against local gangster Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong). This film won the Empire Award for Best British Film.More Kick-Ass
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- 26Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton GogginsLara Croft is the fiercely independent daughter of an eccentric adventurer who vanished years earlier. Hoping to solve the mystery of her father's disappearance, Croft embarks on a perilous journey to his last-known destination -- a fabled tomb on a mythical island that might be somewhere off the coast of Japan. The stakes couldn't be higher as Lara must rely on her sharp mind, blind faith and stubborn spirit to venture into the unknown.More Tomb Raider
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- 27Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Choi Min-sikIn the high-concept sci-fi thriller Lucy, Scarlett Johansson's eponymous character, a reluctant drug mule, inadvertently ingests a powerful synthetic substance. This strange event unlocks her full cerebral capacity, leading to heightened physical and mental prowess. As Professor Norman, Morgan Freeman provides scientific insight into Lucy's extraordinary transformation. The film, directed by Luc Besson, explores the boundaries of human potential in an action-packed narrative. With its notable performances and engaging exploration of neuroscience themes, Lucy remains a standout within the genre. It is a thrilling cinematic journey that skillfully intertwines action with thought-provoking questions on human evolution.More Lucy
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- 28Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Lucy LiuCharlie's Angels is an action-packed comedy-thriller that revolves around the lives of three tough, attractive women. Natalie (Cameron Diaz), Dylan (Drew Barrymore), and Alex (Lucy Liu) work for the enigmatic Charles Townsend, whose investigative agency has expanded globally. The trio embarks on a mission to rescue a kidnapped tech genius; their journey brimming with danger, deception, and high-octane stunts. Bosley (Bill Murray), their loyal assistant, aids them in this daring adventure. As they unravel the mystery, the Angels use their intelligence, agility, and charm to save the day.More Charlie's Angels
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- 29Zoe Saldana, Jordi Mollà, Lennie JamesIn 1992 Bogota, a little girl (Amandla Stenberg) watches crime lord Don Luis (Beto Benites) and his henchman Marco (Jordi Mollà) murder her parents. Fifteen years later, the now-grown Cataleya (Zoe Saldana), who is named for a Colombian orchid, works as a contract killer for her Chicago-based uncle (Cliff Curtis). Leaving a lipstick drawing of her namesake on every victim, Cataleya carries out her assignments with cold, frightening efficiency and dreams of avenging her family.More Colombiana
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The Hunger Games Franchise
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam HemsworthThe Hunger Games film series consists of four science fiction dystopian adventure films based on The Hunger Games trilogy of novels, by the American author Suzanne Collins. Distributed by Lionsgate and produced by Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik, it stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, and Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne. Gary Ross directed the first film, while Francis Lawrence directed the next three films.
