Ranker FilmList RulesVote up your favorite movies with female covert operatives.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with James Bond or Ethan Hunt, but if you feel the spy game has been dominated by men for too long, check out this list of female spy movies.
In real life, women have already played a vital role in spycraft for years. For example, Josephine Baker was an important spy for the French Resistance in World War 2, and Mata Hari spied during World War 1.
However, not all female spies are the sensationalized femme fatales who seduce and destroy. As of 2019, women hold many of the top analyst positions at the CIA, and are an important part of the FBI and similar organizations all around the world. These women are intelligent, hardworking analysts and experts.
But we don't go to the movies to see people working hard at their jobs in a supportive, conflict-free atmosphere. We go to see spies racing against the clock, fighting their enemies, and saving the world. If that's what you're looking for, look no farther than this list of the greatest female espionage films. There are silly comedies, grounded dramas, and heart-racing action in all these female spy movies. They include female spies and secret agents.
So vote up the ones you like best, and don't forget to add any favorites! Then check back as new and recent female spy movies are added to the list.
You might also like this list about the best female assassin movies.
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11027Salt
Angelina Jolie, Liev SchreiberReleased: 2010
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
Salt is a 2010 American action thriller spy film directed by Phillip Noyce, written by Kurt... more
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10027Atomic Blonde
Charlize Theron, James McAvoyReleased: 2017
Directed by: David Leitch
Atomic Blonde is a 2017 American action spy thriller film directed by David Leitch and written... more3
7424Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Angelina Jolie, Brad PittReleased: 2005
Directed by: Doug Liman
Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a 2005 American action comedy film directed by Doug Liman. Bored... more4
5413Kill Bill Volume 1
Uma Thurman, Lucy LiuReleased: 2003
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Kill Bill: Volume 1 is a 2003 American martial arts film written and directed by Quentin... more5
7734Red Sparrow
Jennifer Lawrence, Joel EdgertonReleased: 2018
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Red Sparrow is a 2018 American spy thriller film directed by Francis Lawrence, based on the... more6
4310Hanna
Cate Blanchett, Eric BanaReleased: 2011
Directed by: Joe Wright
Hanna is a 2011 action thriller film that contains prominent fairy tale elements, directed by... more7
5426Charlie's Angels
Cameron Diaz, Drew BarrymoreReleased: 2000
Directed by: Joseph McGinty Nichol
Charlie's Angels is a 2000 American action comedy film directed by McG, starring Cameron Diaz,... more8
328Kill Bill Volume 2
Uma Thurman, Lucy LiuReleased: 2004
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Kill Bill Volume 2 is a 2004 martial arts action film written and directed by Quentin... more9
318Nikita
Jean Reno, Jeanne MoreauReleased: 1990
Directed by: Luc Besson
Nikita, also called La Femme Nikita, is a 1990 Franco-Italian action thriller film written and... more10
3819Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
Cameron Diaz, Demi MooreReleased: 2003
Directed by: Joseph McGinty Nichol
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle is a 2003 American action comedy film. It is the sequel to... more11
245The Long Kiss Goodnight
Samuel L. Jackson, Geena DavisReleased: 1996
Directed by: Renny Harlin
The Long Kiss Goodnight is a 1996 action film directed and produced by Renny Harlin, written... more12
4933Charlie's Angels
Kristen Stewart, Naomi ScottReleased: 2019
Directed by: Elizabeth Banks
Charlie's Angels is a 2019 action-adventure comedy film directed by Elizabeth Banks, based on... more13
3417Spy
Melissa McCarthy, Jason StathamReleased: 2015
Directed by: Paul Feig
Spy is a 2015 American action comedy spy film directed by Paul Feig. A desk-bound CIA analyst... more14
2711Red 2
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bruce WillisReleased: 2013
Directed by: Dean Parisot
Red 2 is an American action comedy film and sequel to Red. It was inspired by the limited... more15
248Red
Bruce Willis, Morgan FreemanReleased: 2010
Directed by: Robert Schwentke
Red is a 2010 American action comedy film directed by Robert Schwentke, inspired by the comic... more16
3419The Spy Who Dumped Me
Mila Kunis, Kate McKinnonReleased: 2018
Directed by: Susanna Fogel
The Spy Who Dumped Me is a 2018 American action comedy film directed by Susanna Fogel. Best... more17
177Official Secrets
Keira Knightley, Matt SmithReleased: 2019
Directed by: Gavin Hood
Official Secrets is a 2019 American-British political thriller directed by Gavin Hood, based... more18
166Get Smart
Anne Hathaway, Dwayne JohnsonReleased: 2008
Directed by: Peter Segal
Get Smart is a 2008 American action comedy film which was produced by Leonard B. Stern, who is... more19
145Zero Dark Thirty
Jessica Chastain, Chris PrattReleased: 2012
Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow
Zero Dark Thirty is a 2012 American war thriller film directed by Kathryn Bigelow. A chronicle... more20
122Point of No Return
Anne Bancroft, Bridget FondaReleased: 1993
Directed by: John Badham
Point of No Return is a 1993 American action film directed by John Badham and starring Bridget... more21
2317The Avengers
Robert Downey Jr., Chris EvansReleased: 2012
Directed by: Joss Whedon
Marvel's The Avengers is a 2012 American superhero film directed by Joss Whedon, based on the... more22
101The Peacemaker
Nicole Kidman, George ClooneyReleased: 1997
Directed by: Mimi Leder
The Peacemaker is a 1997 American action/thriller film starring George Clooney and Nicole... more23
135Haywire
Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregorReleased: 2011
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Haywire is a 2011 action-thriller film directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring Gina Carano,... more24
2015Suicide Squad
Will Smith, Jared LetoReleased: 2016
Directed by: David Ayer
Suicide Squad is a 2016 American superhero film directed by David Ayer, based on the DC Comics... more25
136Tomorrow Never Dies
Pierce Brosnan, Teri HatcherReleased: 1997
Directed by: Roger Spottiswoode
This film is the eighteenth spy film in the James Bond series, and the second to star Pierce... more
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