26 Women In Action Movies That Can Definitely Whoop Your Butt

    Don't mess with her.

    Jeremy Hayes
    by Jeremy Hayes

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    Action fans agree that John Wick: Chapter 4 delivered heart-pounding thrills. One character that brought some of the best action was Rina Sawayama as Akira. Let's just say she made Hawkeye look like he had a toy bow.

    Lionsgate

    Whether it is in the lead or supporting roles, there are action movies throughout history that have showcased women kicking ass on the big screen.

    Rina Sawayama filming a scene as Akira
    Lionsgate

    Here are 25 badass women who elevated action films:

    1. Danai Gurira as Okoye in the Black Panther franchise

    Walt Disney StudiosMotion Pictures

    Leader of the Dora Milaje, Okoye brings a unique personality to the screen. She offers laughs, emotional moments, and, most of all, passion while defending her people.

    2. Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley in Aliens

    Ripley in a mech suit
    20th Century Fox

    An army of aliens, face-huggers, and Mama Xenomorph aren't enough to bring Ripley down. Ripley should come up often if you ask people to name their favorite female protagonist.

    3. Zoe Saldaña as Gamora in The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise

    Gamora kneeling over someone
    Walt Disney StudiosMotion Pictures

    Why Gamora? Because she's awesome, that's why. I'd like more Zoe action movies, but no one can argue she has given a lot of time to her role as Gamora. She's the daughter of Thanos and tough as hell.

    4. Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu Lien in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

    Yu Shu Lein wields a sword
    Sony Pictures Classics

    I have very little to say about the film, but if you haven't seen it, please add it to your watchlist. Loaded with great performances, none tops Yeoh as Shu Lien. She's genuinely a scene-stealer and a beast with a blade.

    5. Charlize Theron as Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road

    Furiosa chokes Mad Max with his chain
    Warner Bros. Pictures

    There's a reason why we are getting a Furiosa movie, and that's because Theron's character elevated Fury Road as one of the greatest action flicks of all time. A strong, yet, not overpowered, character that gets the adrenaline going from the jump.

    6. Halle Berry as Sofia in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum

    Lionsgate

    Although she had limited screen time, Sofia was another awesome character in the Wick Universe. I loved her attack dogs, and I can't think of another character in movies that fought alongside a classic action character like John Wick and never for one moment didn't feel like they belonged. It was a tall order, but Sofia owned every moment she was on screen.

    7. Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day

    Sarah Connor loads a gun with sunglasses on
    Tri-Star Pictures

    If one character on this list is the badass GOAT, it has to be Connor. Between the two films, she shows a lot of growth, flaws, and never-ending badassness. She basically saves the world by passing on her badass behavior and, you know, intel on how to beat Skynet.

    8. Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity in the Matrix franchise

    Trinity holds two handguns
    Warner Bros.

    Maybe my favorite on this list, Trinity is deeply underappreciated among other badasses in films. From the opening minutes of the first Matrix film, she blows the audience away, yet, somehow, she keeps bringing the heat to every action scene. Hollywood loves origin stories, so I say give me what I want: The Matrix: Trinity.

    9. Uma Thurman as The Bride in the Kill Bill franchise

    The Bride wields a samurai sword
    Miramax Films

    If you see yellow and black coming at you, surrender while you can. The Bride might be one of Quiten Tarintino's most famous characters, and a lot can be created to Thurman's ability to kick ass.

    10. Rosa Salazar as Alita in Alita: Battle Angel

    Alita wearing a helmet
    20th Century Fox

    If you're looking for cyber-punk action, Alita has a huge fanbase, and it can be credited to its starring character. You might not expect a revived cyborg to be so relatable, but Salazar brings soul to this robotic character.

    11. Viola Davis as Nanisca in The Woman King

    Nanisca leads her army
    Sony Pictures Releasing Entertainment

    Suicide Squad. Widows. Davis could have been on this list for multiple roles, but leading an all-woman army takes the cake. Great leadership is always a badass trait, but don't underestimate her with a blade. It's better to run or hide.

    12. Gal Gadot as Diana Prince in Wonder Woman.

    Warner Bros.

    I can hear the Wonder Woman theme in my head just writing this post. In this film specifically, I think Gadot is truly the greatest woman superhero to ever superhero. The No Man's Land battle scene is one of the better superhero moments...period.

    13. Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow in the Marvel Universe

    Black Widow falling from the sky
    Walt Disney StudiosMotion Pictures

    From Iron Man 2 to Black Widow, Johansson gave a lot of years to build the legacy of Natasha Romanov. I'd go as far as to say that she mainstreamed the old legs-around-an-enemy's-neck-and-flip trick. Every movie tried to have a Black Widow-like character.

    14. Zazie Beetz as Domino in Deadpool 2

    20th Century Fox

    She's lucky and very cinematic. Maybe the most ridiculous comic book character in Marvel was given great representation by Beetz, who brought plenty of personality to a character that never should have worked.

    15. Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Huntress in Birds of Prey

    Huntress holds a crossbow
    Warner Bros. Pictures

    Plenty of options from Birds of Prey, and although Harley is the obvious pick, I thought Huntress was the most memorable character as far as "badassery." This film's choreography is well-executed, and Winstead's take is very unique.

    16. Rebecca Romijn as Mystique in the X-Men franchise

    20th Century Fox

    That's right. Villains count for this list. Short of meaningful dialogue, but Mystique in the original X-Men movies was the definition of an ass-kicker. Whenever she shows up, there are bound to be plenty of bodies flying across the room.

    17. Antje Traue as Faora-Ul in Man of Steel

    Faora-Ul holds a blade and smiles
    Warner Bros. Pictures

    Despite the superabilities, it's really her presence that stands out. The way she delivers her lines and the coldness of her voice is fit for an audiobook — and she sounds cool with every cocky jab at the Man of Steel.

    18. Amber Midthunder as Naru in Prey

    Naru unleashes battle cry
    Hulu

    I wanted more horror in Prey but I got a shining star in the lead role. Midthunder's performance alone is worth the price of admission. Many people have taken down a predator before, but it felt hard-earned for the first time since the original.

    19. Eva Green as Artemisia in 300: Rise of an Empire

    Artemisia holds a bow with a flaming arrow
    Warner Bros. Pictures

    Oh, Captain, my Captain, I would sail with this Naval leader (and I'm Greek). Artemisia is vicious, vengeful, and very intimidating. She's great with duel swords and commands legions well through stormy tides — a perfect fit for the gritty movie series adapted from the graphic novel.

    20. Charlize Theron as Lorraine Broughton in Atomic Blonde

    Lorraine Broughton masks up
    Focus Features

    The only double dip on this list, Theron has proven she can throw punches with the best of them. One fight scene, in particular, stands out that involves a single take that lasts a whopping 10 minutes.

    21. Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

    Lara Croft uses a glow stick light in a cave
    Paramount Pictures

    Maybe the most iconic female lead in video games, Jolie was the first to tackle the role of Lara Croft. Campy as heck, but like the 2000 Charlie's Angels film, it's a fun ride. Croft is cheeky, but she's a natural at tomb raiding that could roll with the likes of Indiana Jones.

    22. Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood in Raiders of the Lost Ark

    Marion drinks a shot while bystanders watch on
    Paramount Pictures

    Marion picks up a weapon once in the movie, but her badassery goes beyond her ass-kicking ability. If every actor had half of Karen Allen's charisma, every film would be an instant classic.

    23. Lashana Lynch as Nomi in No Time to Die

    Nomi drives car with sunglasses on
    United Artists Releasing

    In No Time to Die, 007's replacement, Nomi, was a unique take on a Bond ally. She had style, but not when it came to capturing/killing targets. She was blunt, rough, and aggressive, and it was nice to see compared to other female agents in action films that are usually "flippy" in their fighting style.

    24. Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust in the Mission: Impossible franchise

    Isla in a yellow dress
    Paramount Pictures

    One of the best characters in the M:I franchise, Ilsa is intelligent, witty, and can hold her own in a fight. Whether trying to snipe someone in a theater or making death-defying dives, she was an exciting addition to the team.

    25. Rachel Weisz as Evelyn The Mummy Returns

    Universal Pictures

    The Mummy movies are a blast, and it's nice that Brenden Fraser is getting his flowers, but the heart of the movie wouldn't exist without Weisz as Evelyn. Not to mention, she ends up delivering some sweet fight scenes in the sequel.

    26. Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise

    Elizabeth Swann screams out commands
    Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

    If you want to see drastic character development, watch Elizabeth in the Pirates franchise. She goes from being kidnapped by pirates to becoming the literal pirate king.

    Who's your favorite? I'm sure I missed some, so please share what action movie women you love in the comments below!