As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but notice how action flicks put their characters through intense physical and mental trials. Contrary to what some might think, there’s an equal number of fantastic action movies featuring strong female leads as there are with male ones. The idea that action cinema is predominantly a man’s domain, often associated with the macho ’80s era, is a misconception. While it’s true that testosterone was abundant back then, delving deeper into the history of action and martial arts films reveals that women have always been significant players in these genres, portraying both heroic and villainous roles. Some of the most memorable action movies ever made boast female leads who are legends in their own right within this genre.
Over the past few decades, there’s been a significant transformation in the way we view action films. One striking change is the increased appreciation for and visibility of women-fronted action movies within this genre. Here are ten fantastic action films that put women at the forefront.
1) The Villainess
2017’s South Korean action movie titled “The Villainess” narrates the story of Sook-hee (Kim Ok-bin), a former assassin, who is now trying to protect her fresh start in life and her daughter from those in her past who have relentlessly pursued her. This group includes the person responsible for killing her father.
The film “The Villainess” is packed with thrilling action, but what truly sets it apart and makes it shine as a female-led action flick are its breathtaking, single-take fight scenes and chases. These sequences, which kick off and conclude the movie, have earned it significant acclaim. Notably, the iconic motorcycle chase scene from “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” appears to have been inspired by the outstanding motorcycle sequence in “The Villainess”.
2) Skylin3s
The gradual ascendancy of the Skyline series, now recognized as a unique blend of alien invasion and martial arts, confidently strides forward in the 2020 release, Skylin3s. Fifteen years post the initial alien attack depicted in Skyline and Beyond Skyline, Skylin3s focuses on Rose Corley (played by Lindsay Morgan) who spearheads a mission to the alien planet Cobalt 1 to halt a recently activated virus that threatens to transform Earth-bound hybrid aliens (“pilots”) back into destructive extraterrestrials.
Liam O’Donnell’s direction of the Skyline series consistently delivers an enjoyable experience, with Skyline 3 effectively solidifying Rose as the franchise’s equivalent to Ripley following her introduction as such in the previous installments. The Skyline series offers a thrilling blend of action and sci-fi that appeals to fans of both genres, with Skyline 3 standing out as a notable gem among female-led action movies.
3) Prey
In 2022’s “Prey”, the Predator series brought its initial significant female lead character, focusing on Comanche warrior Naru (played by Amber Midthunder) fighting against a Yautja adversary in 1719. This film served as the revitalization that the Predator franchise had been lacking for some time, introducing one of the most ruthless alien hunters ever in the Feral Predator. Midthunder delivers an impressive performance as a resolute and skilled warrior throughout the movie.
The Predator franchise, helmed by director Dan Trachtenberg since Prey, has been thriving with hits like Predator: Killer of Killers and Predator: Badlands. The resurgence of the series began strongly with the critically acclaimed female-led action-horror-sci-fi film Prey.
4) Chocolate
2008 marked the rise of Jeeja Yanin to martial arts film fame, as she starred in her debut movie Chocolate. In this role, Yanin played Zen, a character with autism who learned fighting techniques by watching martial arts legends like Tony Jaa and Bruce Lee on television. As the story unfolds, Zen’s martial arts prowess takes center stage as she engages in intense battles against criminal underworld figures, all while desperately trying to save her ailing mother.
In the movie “Chocolate“, Jeeja Yanin showcased her extraordinary real-life Tae Kwon Do and Muay Thai abilities, captivating audiences in her debut action movie role. Despite it being her first time on screen, she displayed an impressive onscreen presence and acting skills. The climactic fight scene was reminiscent of Jackie Chan’s style, making “Chocolate” a highly successful Thai martial arts film that delivers a powerful punch.
5) Alita: Battle Angel
I’ve been eagerly waiting for a project like Alita: Battle Angel for quite some time, much like James Cameron’s other passion ventures. After years of dedicated work, the project’s realization became such an elusive goal that James Cameron decided to step down as the director, choosing instead to produce and co-write the movie, while entrusting Robert Rodriguez with the directorial duties.
As a movie enthusiast, let me express my thoughts on “Alita: Battle Angel.” This film, inspired by the renowned manga series, transports us to the dystopian future of 2563, where I, as a revived amnesiac cyborg named Alita, am brought back to life by Doc Ido (Christoph Waltz). My journey unfolds in the futuristic world of Iron City, where I rise from obscurity to become a Hunter-Warrior and Motorball champion.
Rosa Salazar’s performance as Alita is nothing short of mesmerizing, while the movie’s visual effects are reminiscent of “Avatar.” This combination creates a heroine and world that leave audiences yearning for more. The dynamic action sequences seamlessly blend real-world martial arts with performance capture, creating a cinematic hybrid unlike any other.
Beyond being an exceptional female-led sci-fi action movie, “Alita: Battle Angel” stands out as the most successful live-action adaptation of anime and manga to date. Directors James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez are reportedly eager to start production on “Alita 2,” which has fans excited for more adventures in this captivating universe.
6) Furie
In addition to being a well-known pop star in Vietnam, Veronica Ngo is also recognized as one of her country’s top martial arts film actors. She showcased her acting and action skills in abundance in the 2019 movie Furie.
In Furie, Veronica Ngo brilliantly portrays Hai Phuong, a former gangster in Ho Chi Minh City, who has dedicated herself to raising her young daughter. However, when her child is abducted by human traffickers, Hai Phuong is compelled to return to the dangerous underworld of Vietnam. This fast-paced film, filled with impressive fight scenes, will captivate you from start to finish, culminating in a thrilling finale on a speeding train. Action enthusiasts who are familiar with Veronica Ngo from The Old Guard series should definitely check out Furie to witness an exceptional demonstration of her abilities and an overall fantastic female-led martial arts action film.
7) The Princess
In the 2022 medieval action film “The Princess,” directed by Le Van Kiet and starring Veronica Ngo, we find a reunion of these talented individuals. The movie centers around Joey King’s character, the titular princess, who is set to marry a prince from another kingdom – the cruel Prince Julius, portrayed by Dominic West.
In a medieval castle tower, the Princess, who had left Julius at the altar, finds herself imprisoned and compelled to battle the invading kingdom’s troops to safeguard her family. Adopting the “The Raid” narrative style, this story showcases Joey King’s portrayal of a warrior-Princess trained by Ngo’s Linh. She engages in an epic, action-packed struggle as she descends from the tower’s top to ground level. With their strong performances and stylish execution, both King and Ngo breathe life into this Princess, making it a standout female-centric action movie that you won’t want to miss on streaming platforms.
8) Everything Everywhere All at Once
For decades, Michelle Yeoh has earned legendary status in martial arts films across both Hong Kong and Hollywood. In the year 2022, the acclaimed film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” undeniably ranks among her top five favorite roles.
In “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” the character Evelyn Wang, a laundromat owner, prepares for her taxes with her husband Waymond (Ke Huy Quan). However, their ordinary life is disrupted when one of Waymond’s alternate selves from another reality draws them into a mission critical to the survival of the multiverse. This film excels in multiple genres, showcasing it as a martial arts spectacle, an expansive sci-fi saga, a hilarious and at times unexpectedly risqué comedy, and a tender narrative about Evelyn’s journey to reconnect with Waymond, who is contemplating divorce, and their daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu). Ke Huy Quan delivers an electric comeback in the world of acting with “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” while Michelle Yeoh’s performance and the movie’s exhilarating action sequences further cement it as a remarkable addition to the female-led action genre.
9) Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
In 2024, the film titled “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” unfortunately didn’t do well at the box office, but much like its 2015 forerunner, “Mad Max: Fury Road,” it garnered significant praise as a groundbreaking action movie.
Before the events of “Mad Max: Fury Road,” the movie “Furiosa” explores the backstory of the titular Imperator and warrior (played by Anya Taylor-Joy, replacing Charlize Theron from “Fury Road”) set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Furiosa seeks revenge against Demetus (Chris Hemsworth), the ruthless leader of the Biker Horde, for the death of her mother, Mary Jabrassa (Charlee Fraser). In the capable hands of “Mad Max” director George Miller, “Furiosa” maintains the thrilling and daring automotive action sequences as seen in “Fury Road,” while Anya Taylor-Joy brings depth to the developing character of Furiosa, a warrior who is less scarred but still driven by vengeance. Despite its initial box office struggles, the era of streaming may prove favorable for an action epic like “Furiosa” in the future.
10) From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
The initial standalone film in the John Wick series, titled “Ballerina: From The World of John Wick,” clearly demonstrates that the John Wick universe consistently delivers action movie bliss in today’s cinematic terrain.
Between the third and fourth installments of the “John Wick” series, the film “Ballerina” follows Ruska Roma warrior Eve Macarro (played by Ana de Armas), who embarks on a vengeance mission for her father’s murder at the hands of a secretive cult. This pursuit could potentially create a significant division within the Ruska Roma’s long-standing alliance with the cult. “Ballerina” showcases an abundance of martial arts fights, gun-fu battles, and extraordinary stunts – typical of a “John Wick” movie. Moreover, it introduces a flamethrower to the franchise, resulting in the expected fiery chaos. Ana de Armas delivers a powerful performance as Eve, exuding both strength and vulnerability, while Keanu Reeves reappears as the Baba Yaga, making a memorable impact despite his limited screen time. “Ballerina” expands the “John Wick” universe with more potential stories to tell in the future, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with its four predecessors as an exceptional action movie powerhouse.
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2025-07-23 03:41