The Best Female Action Movies, Ranked

A science fiction action adventure comedy-drama, Everything Everywhere All at Once has plainly put, everything in terms of the genre and tones that it is trying to achieve, and it manages to beautifully blend them all into one masterful story, but above nearly everything else in the film, the one element that stands out is the phenomenal action. Michelle Yeoh at 60 years of age makes fighting look easier than the biggest and best action stars in their 20s thanks to her complete dedication to the craft of creating a realistic and passionate persona. While many of the fight scenes are far too wacky and weird to actually describe, one thing is for sure, they will stick with fans for the rest of their lives, as Everything Everywhere All at Once is undoubtedly one of the best female action movies of all time.

One of the most surprising movies of the past few decades, Prey is a prequel series to the beloved Predator series that follows a hunter in 1719 as she faces off against the apex predator of the galaxy. Using simple bows, arrows, and knives to take down the hulking beast seemed nearly impossible, but thanks to the remarkable and outstandingly realistic performance from breakout star Amber  Midthunder as Naru, every scene in the film feels real and is executed to perfection. The film manages to keep the violence and stellar action of its predecessors, only simply tweaking them for a more ancient time with more impactful and bone-crunching realism.

Of all the films released over the past 20 years, none scratch the historical epic action itch quite like 2022's The Woman King. Following an all-female group of warriors set to protect the African kingdom of Dahomey, Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, and Sheila Atim all shine as some of the most ferocious, fearsome, and incredible warriors ever put to screen. Showcased in brilliant action setpieces with some of the most remarkable hand-to-hand combat in decades, The Woman King explores the power of the woman, and why woman's action movies are changing the genre.

Sigourney Weaver is arguably the biggest and best female action star of all time thanks to one role, her game-changing and revolutionary portrayal of Ellen Ripley in the Alien franchise. Metamorphasizing from a simple scientist to an otherworldly superhero, Weaver lent a grounded and realistic portrayal of a woman scared for her life who rose from the ashes to save humanity. Face-to-face with some of the most terrifying creatures ever put to screen, her character never backed down and faced terrors the likes of which would make grown men break down and cry. Ripley is the female action hero to end all female action heroes.

Few characters saw as radical a change as Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor did between the first and second Terminator films. Hamilton's Connor transformed from a weak and timid every-woman into one of the most fearsome and incredible female action movie stars the world had ever seen, and it all felt completely natural and in tune with the story being told. The character had just gone through the wringer, and in Terminator 2: Judgement Day, she wasn't going to let anything stop her from protecting her son. Much like Sigourney Weaver's Ripley did in the 80s, Hamilton's Sarah Connor changed female action roles for all time.

There are few films that portray their main protagonist with such controlled chaos, such elegant poise, and such overwhelming power as Kill Bill. Uma Thurman brought Beatrix Kiddo to life in one of the most jaw-dropping and stellar actions sagas the world has ever seen. Totaling over four hours of bloody, chaotic carnage, Kill Bill pulls no punches and often goes so far over the line it nearly becomes comical, but the grounded and heartbreaking portrayal from Thurman helps make the film feel real even in the absurd moments. The fight against the Crazy 88's still goes down in history as not only one of the best action scenes in a female action movie but one of the best actions scenes of all time.