Action movies have long been a male-centric genre, yet in recent years women have steadily shown that they can kick butt with the best of them. A myriad of memorable and thrilling female-driven films have made their way to the silver screen for years now, inspiring and entertaining fans while reminding viewers that strength and femininity are one and the same. Ladies have bid adieu to being the helpless damsels in distress and instead crashed through the cinematic glass ceiling, rescuing themselves and looking mighty good doing it.

Whether you’re searching for a film about an amnesiac security operative battling against a horde of the undead like in Resident Evil, or prefer to watch Uma Thurman strategically take out deadly assassins in Quentin Tarantino’s smash hit Kill Bill: Volume 1, there are perfect action films just waiting for you to binge. Some of Hollywood’s most dynamic and impressive performers have emerged as powerful heroines, with Sigourney Weaver from the Alien movie franchise leading the pack and setting the precedent for future portrayals, and actresses like Margot Robbie picking up the proverbial baton as the wild and fierce Harley Quinn in Birds of Prey. Without further delay, these are some of the best action movies with female leads.

Updated October 26, 2024: This collection of the best action movies with female leads has been updated with additional information, including where to stream each of the movies featured.

14 Haywire (2011)

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Haywire is all about Mallory Kane, a highly proficient government agent who finds herself caught in the middle of a dangerous international plot. When she’s betrayed by her own government and subsequently targeted for assassination, she’ll have to put her physical prowess and lethal cunning to the test in a desperate fight for survival. Gina Carano establishes herself as Mallory Kane, utilizing her mixed martial arts history to its fullest and raising the bar for female-centric action films. Carano also imbues her character with an unusual sense of vulnerability, presenting her as more than just a single-faceted action hero.

Gina Carano Takes on Realistic Fights

Setting Haywire apart from its peers are the realistic fight sequences that the film offers, These aren’t Hollywood-styled fights — each blow, kick and throw exudes authentic intensity, largely attributed to Carano’s professional fighting background. Beyond that, Mallory is a well-rounded character, displaying a level of emotional complexity and depth often missing in action films. Even though she’s a skilled killer, she grapples with trust issues and treads through life with a discerning wariness, thereby creating a complex and relatable protagonist. Stream Haywire on Freevee.

13 Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

Packed with stunning visuals, Alita: Battle Angel emerges as an exceptional entry into the female-led action films category. The narrative focuses on Alita, a forsaken cyborg with a hidden history, given life through Rosa Salazar’s compelling acting. Brought to the silver screen through an amalgamation of motion capture and live-action, Alita attempts to find her own destiny as the dystopian world around her threatens to undo everything she’s ever known.

Rosa Salazar Is an Ambitious Cyborg

Nestled within a lavishly portrayed cyberpunk reality, Alita’s fight sequences display both elegance and ferocity, her mechanical physique adapting fluidly to various situations. Of equal importance is Alita’s character development. Contrary to common action heroes, Alita doesn’t possess invincibility or an absence of sentiment; she expresses fear, rage, and happiness. Progressing from a naive girl to a seasoned warrior, guided by her inherent sense of fairness, adds substance to her character, strengthening this movie’s standing among female-centric action films. Stream Alita: Battle Angel on Hulu.

12 Salt (2010)

Thrillingly captivating, Salt stars Angelina Jolie in the titular role of Evelyn Salt, a CIA agent charged with being a Russian sleeper agent. Naturally, being an incredible agent grants her the tools necessary to escape. Now the target of an international manhunt, Salt attempts to clear her name while staying as covert as possible. The film’s storyline unravels like a complex riddle, keeping viewers guessing about Salt’s innocence until the conclusion.

Angelina Jolie Stuns as Salt

Salt shines in its ability to marry a gripping narrative with adrenaline-fueled action. The action scenes are absolutely breathtaking. From the heart-stopping rooftop pursuit to the lethal hand-to-hand combat, Jolie’s athletic abilities and unwavering resolve are prominently displayed. Jolie’s outstanding portrayal allows the audience to witness Salt’s transformation from a once devoted spy to a fugitive on the run from her own agency, desperately seeking to vindicate herself. This flawless fusion of narrative and action is what sets the movie apart as an unforgettable contender in the realm of female-driven action films. Stream Salt on Netflix.

11 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Unexpectedly captivating in Mad Max: Fury Road is Charlize Theron’s character, Imperator Furiosa. Despite the film belonging to the iconic Mad Max franchise, it is Furiosa who arises as the authentic protagonist. Set in a post-apocalyptic desert, Max Rockatansky — a newly-minted prisoner of Immortan Joe, a terrifying warlord — finds himself teaming up with Furiosa to ensure their mutual survival. After a brief scuffle and their initial mistrust of each other, they may be the only hope of stopping Immortan Joe for good.

Charlize Theron Embodies Imperator Furiosa

Far from just an action spectacle, Mad Max: Fury Road offers audiences a grand cinematic journey that they embark on. The film’s action sequences are as visually arresting as they are adrenaline-packed, and feminist motifs are seamlessly integrated into the high-speed vehicular pursuits and savage conflicts among characters. The movie delivers a resounding endorsement of female empowerment and resistance to tyranny, with Furiosa spearheading the cause. These elements, together with its broad critical praise – including six Academy Awards – elevate it to one of the pinnacle action movies starring a female lead. Stream Mad Max: Fury Road on Max.

10 Captain Marvel (2019)

Captain Marvel ascended to the big screen in 2019, marking the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s initial venture into female-led films. Standing at the heart of the cosmic chaos is Carol Danvers, exquisitely embodied with grace and resolution by Brie Larson. Set in the mid 1990s, Danvers is an ordinary air force pilot who is caught up in an intergalactic conflict far beyond her control, leading her to take charge when the warring forces ultimately come to Earth.

Brie Larson Is an Incredible Hero

As a former U.S. Air Force aviator who is thrust into becoming one of the universe’s most formidable superheroes, Danvers represents a character that is as emotionally intricate as she is physically potent, providing an unwavering exploration of her quest to reconcile her past and seize her future. Larson’s portrayal is intricately layered, presenting Danvers’ fortitude and resilience, along with her struggle with memory and identity. As the first solo female Marvel movie, Captain Marvel significantly impacted the depiction of women in superhero films, demolishing norms and establishing new benchmarks for subsequent productions. Stream Captain Marvel on Disney+.

9 Birds of Prey (2020)

The DC Extended Universe gave the candy-colored and chaotic Harley Quinn her very own picture with the 2020 girl power superhero flick Birds of Prey, which follows the cheerfully unhinged character after she breaks up with the Joker and finds herself targeted by Gotham City crime lord Roman Sionis. Quinn reluctantly teams up with superheroine Black Canary, vigilante Huntress, and detective Renee Montoya to save a young girl from the disturbed crime boss.

Margot Robbie Became Harley Quinn

Margot Robbie produced and stars in the action flick, having originally pitched the idea to Warner Bros. Per SlashFilm:

“I pitched the idea of an R-rated girl gang film including Harley because I was like, ‘Harley needs friends.’ Harley loves interacting with people, so don’t ever make her do a standalone film.”

The actress was adamant that Birds of Prey have a female director, ultimately choosing Cathy Yan to helm the project; the filmmaker pitched for the job as “wanting to smash the patriarchy,” per The New Yorker. The exciting girl power movie was praised for its fast-paced action sequences and Robbie’s brilliant performance. Stream Birds of Prey on Max.

8 Atomic Blonde (2017)

The always extraordinary Charlize Theron headlines the 2017 action thriller Atomic Blonde, which is based on the graphic novel The Coldest City. It revolves around top-level MI6 field agent Lorraine Broughton, who has to find a list of double agents that are being smuggled into the West on the eve of the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The film was directed by David Leitch, who, after previously going uncredited for his work on John Wick, was given his first directorial credit for his work here.

Charlize Theron Did Her Own Stunts

The high-adrenaline picture was a passion project for Theron, as she even opted to do most of her own stunts. She fought hard as both the star and producer to get the thriller made and defy industry expectations for female-driven films, having told Variety:

“I think we would be remiss not to acknowledge Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hamilton. We’ve had moments like this, where women really showcase themselves and kind of break glass ceilings. And then we don’t sustain it.”

To prepare for the demanding role, the actress hired eight personal trainers and even sparred with Keanu Reeves, who was preparing for his role in John Wick: Chapter 2. The thriller was a slam dunk at the box office and with critics. Buy or Rent Atomic Blonde on Apple TV.

7 Underworld (2003)

Len Wiseman’s 2003 action horror film Underworld focuses on the secret history of vampires and lycans. Specifically, it focuses on Selene, a relentless hunter who finds herself entrenched in the ongoing battle between opposing forces and finds herself falling in love with a human that the lycans are desperate to capture. The brilliant Kate Beckinsale stars as Selene, who was excited to become an action star and embraced the change of pace for her career, having previously done romances and period dramas.

Kate Beckinsale Was Iconic as Selene

Despite mixed reviews from critics, Underworld resonated with audiences and was a surprise hit, receiving appreciation for the actress’ riveting portrayal, Gothic visuals and intriguing mythology and backstory. BBC wrote:

“Perhaps it’s the idea, the atmosphere, or the enthusiastic action, but it maintains a mysterious watchability which suggests it could become a cult classic.”

It would later go on to kickstart a full-blown franchise, spanning a total of five films from 2009 to 2016. Beckinsale would reprise her role several times throughout, captivating the series’ devoted fanbase with her incredible style and her tense performances. Buy or Rent Underworld on Prime Video.

6 Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)

The renowned master of stylized violence Quentin Tarantino directed the 2003 martial arts classic Kill Bill: Volume 1, enlisting the talented Uma Thurman to star as the Bride, who swears revenge on a dangerous team of assassins and their leader after they attempt to kill both her and her unborn child. Both Tarantino and Thurman conceived the character of the Bride during production of 1994’s Pulp Fiction and would later spend a year and a half penning the script in 2000 and 2001; the legendary filmmaker wrote the role specifically for her and cited her as his muse during the creative process.

Uma Thurman Plays The Bride

Thurman’s main inspiration behind her butt-kicking performance were the title characters in 1973’s blaxploitation film Coffy and the 1980 neo-noir crime thriller Gloria, declaring that both of them are “two of the only women I’ve ever seen be truly women while holding a weapon.” Kill Bill: Volume 1 was both a critical and commercial success, with Volume 2 being released six months later. Though the two films were originally intended to be a single picture, they would eventually combine into a single, uninterrupted story via Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair. It’s there that you can find the full complexity of Uma Thurman’s performance in a single, uninterrupted sequence. Buy or Rent Kill Bill Vol. 1 on Prime Video.

5 Aliens (1986)

The esteemed James Cameron directed the iconic 1986 sci-fi action classic Aliens. It centers on Ellen Ripley, who awakens from her hyper-sleep 57 years after surviving an apocalyptic attack aboard her space vessel. She sets out to warn a deep space salvage team that the merciless space creatures that once tormented her are still a terrifying threat. Sigourney Weaver reprised her role for the sensational picture, with Cameron taking over directing duties from Ridley Scott. The filmmaker believed in having a strong female heroine to distinguish his projects from typical Hollywood action fare and wrote the screenplay with a picture of Weaver on his desk.

Sigourney Weaver Is Incredible as Ripley

For her commanding performance, the star won the Saturn Award for Best Actress and also nabbed both Oscar and Golden Globe Award nominations. Weaver would effectively become the face of the Alien franchise, reprising her role for future films and other multimedia projects. Not only that, Weaver would become one of the most iconic female action leads in cinematic history, as her portrayal of Ripley would be referenced in dozens of movies and shows to come. Stream Aliens on Hulu.

4 Wonder Woman (2017)

Gal Gadot powerfully wielded the Lasso of Truth and Bracelets of Submission when she took on the epic role of Wonder Woman in the 2017 Patty Jenkins superhero flick. Wonder Woman follows the eponymous character as she sets out to stop World War I with the help of American pilot Steve Trevor, believing the conflict was started by a longtime enemy of the Amazons, Ares. Speaking about taking on the prestigious role of the beloved comic book hero with Entertainment Weekly, Gadot stated:

“I feel very privileged that I got the opportunity to portray such an iconic, strong female character. I adore this character and everything that she stands for and everything that she symbolizes.”

Gal Godot Dons the Role of Diana Prince

Wonder Woman earned a whopping $824 million and was heralded by critics, earning praise for its action sequences, stunning visuals, memorable performances, and direction. More specifically, Gal Godot’s performance was a huge point of praise, as she not only embodied the appearance of the iconic DC hero, but the character’s stalwart bravery and emotional depth as well. She would go on to reprise the role in the not-as-beloved sequel, Wonder Woman 1984. Stream Wonder Woman on Max.

3 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

Based on the popular video game series of the same name, the 2001 action adventure Lara Croft: Tomb Raider stars the dynamite Angelina Jolie as the title character. It follows the beautiful and savvy heroine, who doubles as a highly-educated adventurer, as she jet sets across the globe in search of ancient artifacts in competition with the mysterious Illuminati. Should they fall into the wrong hands, their tremendous power could doom all life on Earth.

Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft Was Meant to Be

The actress beat out fellow stars like Denise Richards, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sandra Bullock for the role, with her casting initially causing a stir among fans of the video game series, who felt she didn’t physically fit the role. Director Simon West, however, famously went to bat for the actress. Defying naysayers, Jolie’s performance went on to earn significant returns at the box office. She returned for the 2003 sequel Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life, cementing Jolie’s action movie stardom. It continues its legacy as one of the highest-grossing video game adaptations to date. Buy or Rent Lara Croft: Tomb Raider on Apple TV.

2 Charlie’s Angels (2000)

Cinema superstars Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu headlined the 2000 action comedy Charlie’s Angels, an adaptation of the ‘70s cult classic show. It depicts three unique and special women who work at a private detective agency in Los Angeles, under the employ of the mysterious off-screen figure known as Charlie. In the tongue-in-cheek fun flick, the trio of elite private investigators set out, with the help of their lovable sidekick Bosley (Bill Murray), to stop a devious mastermind from destroying individual privacy.

Starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu

Barrymore herself bought the screen rights to the hit show prior to the movie being filmed and insisted that, unlike typical action films in which the “bad guys” use guns, the Angels would do their fight scenes without them. Diaz was personally called by Barrymore to join the picture, with the actress having told The Morning Call:

“She said, ‘It will be girls jumping out of helicopters, driving fast boats, doing Kung Fu and wearing tons of hot clothes.’ And I said, ‘Sign me up.’”

Charlie’s Angels was a blockbuster success and led to the 2003 sequel Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. While some critics noted the film’s unoriginal premise, you can’t deny that it’s execution was absolutely spot-on, carried by the mutual talents of its three leads. Buy or Rent Charlie’s Angels on Prime Video.

1 Resident Evil (2002)

The first installment of the film franchise loosely based on the video game series, this cult classic is still beloved to this day. 2002’s sci-fi action horror flick Resident Evil follows amnesiac heroine Alice and a group of Umbrella Corporation commandos as they fight to contain the outbreak of the T-virus at a top-secret underground facility. Milla Jovovich delivers an incredible performance as Alice: the butt-kicking, highly trained private security operative who fights the legion of zombies created by the nefarious Umbrella Corporation. Jovovich accepted the role due to her and her brother being such big fans of the video game franchise.

Mila Jovovich Committed to Alice

Jovovich performed nearly all her stunts herself for the film, having trained in karate, kickboxing, and combat-training to prepare for the physically-demanding part of Alice. Resident Evil spawned five big-budget sequels, with Jovovich returning for each. The Chicago Tribune wrote:

“On its own terms,
Resident Evil
updates the zombie genre with an anti-corporate message while still scaring its audience and providing heart-pounding action.”

Jovovich would later become synonymous with the ensuing franchise, reprising her lead role in every subsequent entry up until 2016’s Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. Stream Resident Evil on Paramount+.