The landscape of action movies has undergone a significant shift in recent years, with female-led action movies gaining widespread popularity and recognition. In the 1970s and 1980s, the action genre was dominated by male stars like Clint Eastwood, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who defined the genre with many iconic roles. However, the early 1990s marked a turning point, with actresses like Geena Davis and Sandra Bullock breaking into the action genre.
Since then, the number of female-led action movies has grown exponentially. In 2024, Anya Taylor-Joy delivered a significant career swerve, leading the non-stop action spectacle Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. This movie marks a further shift towards greater diversity and representation for actresses in Hollywood. So, if you enjoyed Furiosa, here are 5 female-led action movies to watch next.
5. Salt (2010)
In the 2010 action-thriller Salt, Angelina Jolie reasserted her status as a leading lady in the action genre, showcasing her versatility and range as a performer. The movie follows Evelyn Salt (Jolie), a highly trained CIA agent who is accused of being a Russian spy and must go on the run to clear her name and uncover the truth about her past. With her reputation on the line, Salt uses her exceptional combat skills and cunning to evade capture, outmanoeuvre her enemies, and take down her former colleagues.
Directed by Phillip Noyce, Salt marked a triumphant return to form for Jolie, who had established herself as an action star with iconic roles in Tomb Raider and Gone in Sixty Seconds. However, Jolie had also shown a more dramatic side in films like Clint Eastwood‘s Changeling, demonstrating her ability to take on complex and nuanced characters. In Salt, she brought both strengths together, delivering a performance that was both physically demanding and emotionally resonant. As a result, the film solidified Jolie’s position as a strong and formidable hero on the big screen, paving the way for future female-led action movies.
4. Hanna (2011)
In the 2010 action-thriller Hanna, director Joe Wright crafts a gripping and intense tale of a young woman’s transformation into a deadly assassin. The film follows Hanna (Saoirse Ronan), a 16-year-old girl who has been raised by her father Erik (Eric Bana) in the wilderness, training her to be a skilled fighter and killer. When they’re forced to flee their home, Hanna sets out on a journey to track down the ruthless Marissa (Cate Blanchett), a CIA agent who killed her mother and has been hunting her. As Hanna navigates the treacherous world of espionage, she uses her unique skills and naivety to outmaneuver her enemies, leading to a series of brutal and exhilarating showdowns. Hanna is widely regarded as one of the best female-led action movies, thanks to Ronan’s impressive performance, which brings depth and vulnerability to the character. The film’s unique blend of action, suspense, and drama makes it a standout in the genre, and its exploration of themes such as identity, trauma, and femininity adds complexity and nuance to the story.
3. Atomic Blonde (2017)
In the 2017 action-packed thriller Atomic Blonde, Charlize Theron proved herself to be a force to be reckoned with as a leading action star, delivering a career-defining performance as Lorraine Broughton, a top-level spy sent to Berlin in the late 1980s to take down a espionage ring that’s threatening to upend the fragile balance of power in the city. As she navigates the treacherous landscape of Cold War-era espionage, Lorraine must use her razor-sharp skills and deadly precision to take down her enemies, from brutal East German agents to ruthless double agents. Directed by David Leitch, a rising action filmmaker with a background in stunt work and second-unit directing, Atomic Blonde is a visually stunning and deeply kinetic film that showcases Theron’s impressive physicality and combat prowess. With its blend of high-octane action sequences, intricate plot twists, and stylish retro aesthetic, Atomic Blonde is a triumphant collaboration between Theron and Leitch, solidifying Theron’s status as a formidable action star and cementing Leitch’s reputation as a master of modern action filmmaking.
Watch Atomic Blonde on Apple TV+
2. The Long Kiss Good Night (1996)
Although it may not be as widely discussed today, The Long Kiss Goodnight was a pioneering film in the realm of female-led action movies, paving the way for future generations of female action stars. Directed by Renny Harlin, a renowned action director known for his work on films like Die Hard 2 and Cliffhanger, and written by Shane Black, the mastermind behind the Lethal Weapon franchise, The Long Kiss Goodnight stars Geena Davis as Samantha Caine, a amnesiac woman who discovers she’s a deadly assassin. As Sam navigates her newfound identity, she must use her skills to take down a group of mercenaries who are trying to kill her, while also uncovering the truth about her past and her true identity. With its clever blend of humour, action, and suspense, The Long Kiss Goodnight showcases Davis’s impressive physicality and combat prowess, making her one of the first female action stars to truly hold her own alongside male counterparts. The film’s success can be attributed to the talented team behind it, including Harlin’s stylish direction and Black’s witty script, which helped to elevate the film’s genre-bending action and acid humour.
Watch The Long Kiss Goodnight on Apple TV+
1. Kill Bill (2003)
While Quentin Tarantino‘s Kill Bill may seem like the most obvious choice for the best female-led action movies, its sheer dominance in the genre is undeniable. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 are two standout examples of female-led action movies, with Uma Thurman‘s iconic performance as Beatrix Kiddo at the forefront. While both films are driven by the theme of revenge, they differ in terms of their tone and pacing. Vol. 1 is a non-stop, brutal action film that showcases Kiddo’s impressive martial arts skills and her quest for revenge against her former assassin comrades, the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad.
The film’s fast-paced action sequences, choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping, are some of the most memorable and thrilling in cinematic history. In contrast, Vol. 2 is more contemplative and introspective, with Tarantino indulging in his signature extended dialogue scenes and character development. While still an action-packed film, Vol. 2 takes a more deliberate pace, allowing for a deeper exploration of Kiddo’s backstory and emotional journey. Despite these differences, both films are undeniably Tarantino-esque and showcase Thurman’s impressive physicality and acting chops. Want to read about more iconic action movies? Here’s the true story behind Die Hard.
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