The magic and energy that are captured in movies are unlike anything else and it’s encouraging how the medium continues to push boundaries and break old expectations. There are plenty of movie genres that are considered to be sure things and make serious waves at the box office, but the excitement that surrounds action movies has hit unprecedented levels over the past few years.
Action movies can engage in unbelievable spectacles on a level that was previously never possible, but what’s just as exciting is the shift towards female movie stars as viable leads to headline these action blockbusters. There’s still work that needs to be done in this area, but there is at least an encouraging roster of action films with female heroes that can be enjoyed in the meantime.
10 Aliens Solidifies Ellen Ripley’s Status As An Action & Sci-Fi Hero
James Cameron’s Aliens is certainly full of frightening moments, but the sequel firmly moves the franchise from its horror roots into more kinetic action territory. Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley is a fantastic lead in Ridley Scott’s Alien and as much as she saves the day it’s still a movie where she’s largely on the run.
Aliens flips this dynamic and sets Ripley loose against the Xenomorph Queen and its brood. There are too many iconic moments to talk about from Aliens where Ripley proves that it’s not a good idea to get in her way.
9 Kill Bill, Volumes 1 & 2 Put Uma Thurman’s Bride On A Roaring Rampage Of Revenge
There are very few filmmakers that experiment as thoroughly with genre as Quentin Tarantino and he’s pushed himself to evolve as a director by his desire to tackle increasingly big endeavors. Kill Bill, Vols 1 and 2 mark a serious turning point for Tarantino and while it’s not his first film with a female lead, it’s definitely his most ambitious for the time.
Uma Thurman transforms into a martial arts prodigy that accumulates a body count in the hundreds while she carries out her traditional revenge scheme. Uma Thurman’s Bride character has become a modern action film hero.
8 Underworld’s Supernatural Antics Are Anchored By Kate Beckinsale’s Fearless Performance
It’s easy for some to dismiss the Underworld films before they’ve even been given a chance and it’s hard to believe that there are actually five entries in the action-horror hybrid that pits vampires against lycans. The Underworld movies don’t pretend to be high art and they’re more than happy to just engage in bloody spectacles with dynamic visuals.
The hack and slash nature of the Underworld movies can get somewhat repetitive, but the franchise’s saving grace is Kate Beckinsale, who absolutely commits to her role and establishes herself as a true badass that can reduce any monster to shreds.
7 Terminator 2: Judgment Day Turns Sarah Connor Into An Equal To The T-800
The Terminator series has struggled to find its footing with a series of misguided reboots and sequels, but it’s a property that’s continually returned to because the first two entries in the series are still action classics.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is an upgrade to the original in every department and the stunts that Cameron pulls off look incredible even by today’s standards. It’s a stroke of genius to turn the T-800 into an ally, but Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor does just as much of the heavy lifting here. She’s both the muscle and the heart of the film.
6 V For Vendetta Transforms Natalie Portman Into A Fighter For Justice
The movie adaptation of Alan Moore’s V For Vendetta isn’t directed by The Wachowskis, but James McTeigue’s film carries a lot of the DNA of their movies. V For Vendetta is an action property that has a lot to say, which can often get lost in favor of the material’s flashy visuals.
The movie muddles its message, but the cinematography and action choreography excel, as does the pained performance by Natalie Portman. Portman commits in a frightening way and her work is so powerful that it’s helped influence the edgier roles from the later stage of her career.
5 Hanna Turns A Young Saoirse Ronan Into A Cold, Calculated Death Dealer
There's been a real resurgence over unconventional assassin stories, especially when it comes to disaffected children who have dedicated their lives to become precise killing machines. Joe Wright's Hanna is a brutal action movie that's gone on to spawn a very satisfying Amazon series.
Saoirse Ronan stars as the titular Hanna and her performance is a far cry from the other more notable roles that she's gotten acclaim over. Ronan fully disappears in Hanna and she creates a startling character that exists purely to fulfill her blunt purpose.
4 Atomic Blonde Proves That Charlize Theron Should Headline Multiple Action Series
John Wick and its visceral "gun-fu" action set pieces have helped change modern action movies and it's inspiring that the people behind the movie have extended this goodwill into other blunt action movies. John Wick's David Leitch directs Atomic Blonde, an action film that's designed to put Charlize Theron in as many dangerous situations as possible.
Theron plays a deadly MI6 agent that's left with little patience and resources, but she's determined to survive. Theron's confidence in Atomic Blonde is off the charts and it doesn't hurt that Sofia Boutella also gets to show off her skills.
3 Alita: Battle Angel Masters Its Effects & Presents A Bold Sci-Fi-Action Hybrid
James Cameron has spent decades trying to bring Battle Angel Alita to life on the big screen and Robert Rodriguez’s recent adaptation, Alita: Battle Angel, is a modern classic that’s been grossly overlooked. There’s still a certain stigma around CG animation and the “uncanny valley” effect that occurs when it’s blended together with live-action.
Alita: Battle Angel isn’t perfect, but it nails its visuals and turns Rosa Salazar into a determined and scrappy cybernetic warrior named Alita. Whether it’s the messy fight scenes or the chaotic Motorball sequences, Alita makes sure that its female lead shines.
2 Mad Max: Fury Road Shows That The Women Have The Real Anger
One of the most satisfying comeback stories of this generation is George Miller’s near-perfect sequel to his long-dormant action franchise, Mad Max. Mad Max: Fury Road spoils its audiences and delivers unbelievable visuals and action set pieces that later movies have struggled to replicate.
Miller’s eye for action is unparalleled, but the real secret weapon in Fury Road is how Tom Hardy’s Max essentially turns into a supporting character to Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa, a fantastic decision that’s literally changed the face of the franchise.
1 The Resident Evil Series Has Put Milla Jovovich On The Map As An Action Star
There’s been a rocky road regarding movie adaptations of video games, but Paul W.S. Anderson’s Resident Evil series turns out six movies and proves that such efforts are not always destined to fail. The Resident Evil films borrow liberally from the popular video game series, but something that’s helped separate the movies from the games is Milla Jovovich’s presence as Alice.
Jovovich’s Alice becomes the best part of these movies and each new entry allows her to tackle even bigger dangers. The movies themselves may be disposable fun, but it’s impossible to deny Jovovich’s gravitas as the lead.