Each year, the month of March marks Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate amazing women - both real and fictional. As we are in the month of March, now is the perfect time to reflect on some of the most iconic action heroines in film history. There is a long list of characters to choose from, but we have selected some of the most recognized characters for this list. They are brave, they are strong, and while being fictional characters, they represent the hero within us.
From zombie slayers to spies, from superheroes to warriors, these action heroines are the best of the best. Life can get tough, but they are tougher. While we look forward to new films and the introductions of new action heroines, it is also important to remember the past. Here are some of the women that have become action superstars.
Related:Here’s Why Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley is One of the Strongest Characters of All Time
11Alice — Resident Evil
Say what you will about theResident Evilmovies, but Milla Jovovich’s Alice is one of the most prominent heroines of the action genre. She appeared in sixResident Evilfilms as the face of the franchise for 14 years. The consensus is that the films are notCitizen Kane, but they undoubtedly occupy a large space in action cinema. Alice dedicated her life to bringing down the evil Umbrella Corporation, never stopping until the mission was finished.
10The Bride — Kill Bill Vol. 1 & Vol. 2
After being attacked by the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, a team she was formerly a part of, The Bride swore revenge on the team of assassins. The character in Quentin Tarantino’sKill Bill Vol. 1and its sequelKill Bill Vol. 2was described as the “deadliest woman in the world.” She certainly lived up to that reputation, eliminating anyone that got in her way. What’s more, The Bride breaks so many of the stereotypes that a strong woman character at the time was expected to be like.
9Storm — X-Men Series
First appearing inX-Men(2000) and last appearing inX-Men: Days of Future Past(2014), Halle Berry’s Storm is one of themost powerful members of the X-Men. With the ability to control the weather, there are few mutants that come anywhere close to Storm’s power level. WithX-Mencharacters such asProfessor X appearing in the MCU, hopefully Storm is also able to appear in the future. In the Marvel Comics, Storm and Black Panther were formerly one of the Marvel universe’s most prominent couples.
Related:Here’s Every Movie Patrick Stewart Played Professor X, Ranked
8Sarah Connor — Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Evolving from a damsel-in-distress inThe Terminatorto a powerful warrior and mother inTerminator 2: Judgment Day, Sarah Connor is easily one of the best action heroines of all time. Even when people thought she was crazy, Sarah Connor had a razor-sharp focus on saving the entire human race. While Sarah did not voluntarily choose the life of a warrior, it is a call she answers and does not back away from.
7Trinity — The Matrix
TheMatrixtrilogy was a major action genre highlight of 1999 and the early 2000s. Carrie-Anne Moss' character, Trinity, is at the center of some amazing action sequences. One of her most iconic moments is the flying slow-motion kick. Then there’s the fantastic highway motorcycle scene fromThe Matrix Reloaded. Along with Keanu Reeves' Neo, Trinity reappears inTheMatrix Resurrections. The film reveals new secrets on how important of a character Trinity is in the franchise.
6Alex Munday — Charlie’s Angels
Private investigator, athlete, explosives expert, and skilled martial artist, Lucy Liu’s Alex Munday fromCharlie’s Angelsexcels at anything she sets her mind to. Alex Mundayhelped normalize Asian identityfor a mainstream audience during a time when audiences rarely saw an Asian actress in a Hollywood action movie. Alongside Cameron Diaz' Natalie Cook and Drew Barrymore’s Dylan Sanders, Alex Munday is a joy to watch on-screen.
Related:These Are Lucy Liu’s Best Performances, Ranked
5Black Widow — Marvel Cinematic Universe
Black Widow is Marvel Studios' first woman superhero and is one of the core characters of the Infinity Saga. Trained to be a deadly assassin, Natasha Romanoff chooses to leave past allegiances behind to serve more benevolent forces. She finds a family in the Avengers and her sacrifice inAvengers: Endgameultimately allows for Thanos to be defeated. Though long-awaited, the beloved character finally received her solo filmBlack Widow, which released in 2021.
Imperator Furiosa is a war captain, a soldier, and a leader in a brutal post-apocalyptic world. One great thing aboutMad Max: Fury Roadis that it brought representation through Furiosa’s disability. But the film did not dwell on or use it to become a significant defining trait of her character. Furiosa’s artificial arm neither empowers nor disempowers her. Furiosa’s management of her trauma and drive to protect other women is incredibly inspiring. Anya Taylor-Joy will be playing a young version of the character in a stand-aloneFuriosaprequel film.
3Letty Ortiz — Fast & Furious
TheFast & Furiousfranchise is one of the most successful and longest-running action franchises in film history. Street racer and mechanic Letty Ortiz is one of the main characters in the franchise, and is also the wife of Dom. That means Letty is not just part of the crew Dom calls family figuratively, but is part of the family literally. TheFastsaga is pretty ridiculous, but Letty is in on all the crazy action. A scene inFast 9features Letty in a car driven off a cliff while grappling on to a helicopter.
Related:Explained: This is What’s Hurting the Fast & Furious Franchise
2Wonder Woman — DCEU
Patty Jenkins became the first woman ever to direct a major superhero film with 2017’sWonder Woman. Diana Prince was brave, righteous, and heroic, but also had a lot to learn. The film portrays a beautiful journey of Diana becoming Wonder Woman, acknowledging both the light and dark within humanity but still choosing to fight for them. Wonder Woman is one of DC’s greatest superheroes.
