Let’s be real—there’s something completely exhilarating about seeing a woman own the action genre. Whether she’s sword-fighting, kicking off a motorcycle, or simply matter-of-factly taking down the bad guys with her brain, female action heroes have evolved from being the occasional exception to downright superstars of pop culture. And though the genre’s evolved, it’s the women—particularly Black women and women of color—who’ve fought their way into the limelight and rewritten the rules. Here’s a tribute to ten unforgettable women who’ve shaken up the action world—and did it in style.
10. Grace (Ready or Not)
Samara Weaving’s Grace is not your average bride. On what is supposed to be the best day of her life, she finds herself battling a killer-in-law family in a sinister game of hide-and-seek. Blood-soaked and barefoot, she transforms from bewildered bride-to-be to tough-as-nails survivor. In Variety’s account, it is her unfiltered combination of fear and determination that turns her into a breakout contemporary action hero.
9. Ramona (Hustlers)
Jennifer Lopez’s Ramona may not be armed with weapons, but she’s dangerous in all the best ways. In Hustlers, she’s a pole-dancing mastermind who flips the script on Wall Street wolves with charm, grit, and flawless style. As Variety highlights, Ramona’s strength lies in her confidence and unshakable control, making her an antihero who’s impossible to ignore.
8. Ilsa Faust (Mission: Impossible Series)
Enter Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust: a spy so smooth and collected she can keep up with Ethan Hunt without even sweating. From fiery gun battles to frenzied action sequences, she combines brains with bravery. Variety describes her as one of the franchise’s best additions—and really, it’s difficult to argue.
7. Rita Vrataski (Edge of Tomorrow)
Codename the “Full Metal Bitch” for a reason, Emily Blunt’s Rita Vrataski is a combat-hardened soldier who toughens up Tom Cruise’s hero like he’s her human punching bag. Armed with a huge sword and an even larger attitude, Rita redefined what a sci-fi heroine could be. Variety calls her one of the most powerful presences in contemporary action movies.
6. Letty Ortiz (Fast & Furious Franchise)
Michelle Rodriguez’s Letty anchors the Fast & Furious franchise. When she’s racing in the streets, battling top-notch assassins, or surviving what should be her death, Letty’s loyalty and do-or-die attitude ensure she’s a franchise mainstay. As Variety says, her constant presence anchors the mayhem.
5. Pam Grier’s Action Queens (Coffy, Foxy Brown, Jackie Brown)
When many of today’s action heroes were still in strollers, Pam Grier was opening doors—literally. As Coffy and Foxy Brown, she provided us with the template for cool, complicated, and authoritative Black heroines. Subsequently, in Jackie Brown, she infused quiet intensity into a performance that demonstrated her range. Raindance asserts that Grier’s roles were bold, uncompromising, and decades beyond their time. Black Girl Nerds highlights that she established what it could mean to be a Black woman on screen—intelligent, fashionable, and powerful.
4. Okoye (Black Panther)
Danai Gurira’s Okoye is not only Wakanda’s most deadly warrior—she’s its conscience. The Dora Milaje leader is both faithful and deadly, walking spears and politics alike. Whether she’s bouncing out of moving cars or gazing down at royalty, Okoye leaves a lasting impression. Black Girl Nerds praises her strength, bravery, and dedication to her people.
3. General Nanisca & the Agojie (The Woman King)
Viola Davis unleashes raw strength as General Nanisca, commander of the Agojie—a highly skilled all-female fighting unit inspired by actual African history. This is not a movie about combat; it’s about claiming identity, healing, and resilience. Variety commends the emotional depth of the story, while Black Girl Nerds appreciates how Nanisca’s agony turns into strength.
2. Trinity (The Matrix)
Carrie-Anne Moss’s Trinity set the tone for late-’90s cool with black leather, slow-motion kicks, and a no-nonsense demeanor. She was Neo’s equal (and sometimes superior) partner, both emotionally and physically. As Raindance describes it, Trinity broke the game open, showing that women in action didn’t have to be sidekicks or symbols—they could be soul and strategy.
1. Wonder Woman
From Lynda Carter’s signature twirl to Gal Gadot’s battlefield charge, Wonder Woman has evolved as the ultimate female empowerment symbol. She’s strength, compassion, leadership, and legacy in one. As Raindance recalls, she shone like a beacon during the women’s rights movement—and has continued to inspire new generations of girls (and boys) ever since.
From underground warriors to cinematic icons, these women have redefined the action film genre—not only with fists and bullets, but with heart, with guts, and with unforgettable presence. They’ve broken the mold and kicked in the door, demonstrating time and again that strength doesn’t have a face—it just knows how to make an entrance.