Not every woman on TV was technically a hero in the traditional sense. Love interests, sure. Or mother/daughter figures, definitely. But it’s wise to remember that not every hero wears a costume or goes around beating up the bad guys.
Basically, the whole idea of being a hero is being selfless and acting on behalf of others. In that sense, there have been many female heroes on TV over the year. But in this case, we’re carving out a special niche in time. Check out some of the greatest female heroes from iconic 80s movies.
5. Vicki Vale – Batman
So yes, she wasn’t exactly a fighter, but a journalist, Needless to say, being a journalist in Gotham requires nerves of steel. In that vein, Vicki Vale ( Kim Basinger) fits the bill completely. Not only did she stick with the story, even when the going got tough.
But she did manage to stall the Joker so Batman could finally catch him unawares in the bell tower. If you’re familiar with the Joker and his antics, it’s evident that her actions were nothing short of heroic.
4. Sorsha – Willow
Technically, Willow started out as a villain. Seeing as she was not just the daughter of the evil Queen Bavmorda but also her enforcer. The true test of her bravery was not only her learning to stand up for the oppressed. But the mere fact that she turned against her mother really showed her mettle.
The role of Sorsha was played by Joanne Whalley, in the 1988 film. However, she has reprised the role in the 2022 Disney+ series.
3. Marion Ravenwood – Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
While not all heroes bear arms, that’s not the case when it came to Marion Ravenwood. Played by Karen Allen, Marion was the perfect blend of street smart, normal smarts, and strong all in one. Did she sometimes have a bit of a know-it-all attitude?
Sure thing, but her strong will and mental tenacity got her out of many-a-tough situation. She was a strong fixture in most of Indiana Jones’ (Harrison Ford) adventures. Which ultimately led to her keeping some pretty important artifacts out of the hands of the bad guys.
If that’s not heroic, at the very least, then nothing else really is.
2. Red Sonja – Red Sonja
No doubt, the past goes a long way in shaping the present (or future). This is completely the case in the story of Red Sonja. Played by Brigitte Nielsen, this character is practically forged in the embers of her trauma. After she’s raped and left for dead by a covetous queen Gerden (Sandahl Bergman), Red Sonja is literally reborn as a woman scorned.
She’s bestowed powers by a mysterious female deity and plans on using them to hunt down Gerden. As her journey progresses, she also uses those powers to fight many injustices and protect the little guy.
1. Ellen Ripley – Alien
There’s no world where Ellen Ripley wouldn’t be considered an ultimate hero. This iconic role was played by Sigourney Weaver, who was basically the civilian adviser to the United States Colonial Marine Corps. She went on to battle one of the deadliest alien queens in the universe.
Not only did she save the earth, but she proved that sometimes it takes a well-seasoned heroine to defeat the biggest of foes. She didn’t just stop at beating a hive queen but kept delivering the heroics right into the third and fourth installments of the franchise.
At the end of the day, this just proves that female heroes are just as fun to watch.
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