Move over, boys, because the girls have come to kick some ass. Women have taken the spotlight inactionfilms for quite some time now. Many ladies in the industry have proven they have the chops to endure the physical challenge that comes with filming action sequences. These days, it’s not hard to see the most popular male leads in films and franchises with a female partner who is as competent as the boys in the film, driving more audiences to a previous male-centric genre.
Update August 02, 2025: In honor of the release ofThe Marvels, this article has been updated with more great female action stars.
While male superstars mostly dominate the action genre, it isn’t without its many incredible female action stars. From the likes of Michelle Yeoh, Milla Jovovich, Charlize Theron, and Linda Hamilton, audiences have been treated to many truly awesome female action stars.The Marvelshas put the spotlight on three powerful women heroes who are building off the legacy of some great action heroes (many whom have previously appeared in the MCU). So, without further ado, here are the best female action stars of all time.
15Angelina Jolie
Angelina Joliehas achieved critically acclaimed status for starring in multiple dramas since the early years of her career. However, she has proven time and time again she’s built to be an action star. She kickstarted her action roles withGone in 60 Seconds, only to get one of the most memorable parts in her career one year later:Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.
The multifaceted actress has pulled off many action sequencesrequiring physical prowessover the years. Her most notable roles includeSky Captain and the World of Tomorrow,Mr. & Mrs. Smith,Salt, and the comic book filmWanted. In 2021, Angelina was introduced as Thena, the Goddess of War inEternalsin the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
14Kate Beckinsale
You could be fooled byKate Beckinsale’s frame as the actress is not exactly built like an action star. Originally known for period pieces and costume dramas, Beckinsale’s role inUnderworld, rewrote her star persona as an action hero. She’s been featured in almost all the films in the series. She balanced her early role as the vampire Selene with a vampire hunter named Anna Valerius inVal Helsingalongside co-star Hugh Jackman.
Not afraid to experiment, Kate Beckinsale has played the hero and the antagonist. While she plays a sympathetic role inWhiteout, she’s the lead enforcer for the big baddie in theTotal Recallremake. The actress offeredan outstanding performanceinJoltback in 2021. Beckinsale plays ex-bouncer Lindy Lewis, a woman suffering from intermittent explosive disorder who must keep her disorder in check with jolts of electricity.
13Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawerencebecame an action star following her role as Mystique inX-Men First Classand Katniss Everdeen inThe Hunger Gamesone year later. For over a decade, she would trade-off between those two roles, which cemented her not just as a star but as a box office draw. Quirk and snarky, Lawrence has all the makings of an action star. She has since stepped away from action roles and is looking to return to smaller films that are less franchise-focused, yet her latest comedy,No Hard Feelings, certainly showed she still has what it takes to do physical stunts.
12Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johanssonwas first known for small character dramas likeGhost WorldandLost in Translation, but she began to flirt with the action genre in films likeThe IslandandThe Spirit.In 2010, Johansson was cast as Natasha Romanoff, a.k.a. The Black Widow in Iron Man 2, which shifted the entire trajectory of her career.
She would reprise her role as Black Widow in all fourAvengersmovies,Captain America: The Winter SoldierandCaptain America: Civil War, and her own solo spin-off film in 2021. For over a decade, audiences could go to the movies and see Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow. In addition to that she also worked in other action films like 2014’s Lucy and 2017’sGhost in the Shell.
11Cynthia Rothrock
Cynthia Rothrockisthe most impressive female action staryou’ve likely never heard of. Cynthia got her big break alongside our number one pick for this ranking, Michele Yeoh, in the filmYes, Madam.With an extensive background as a World Champion Martial Artist and Weapons specialist, Rothrock is the only woman in this ranking, aside from Yeoh, who knows how to fight for real.
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Cynthia Rothrock was active between 1985 and 1997, appearing in 40 feature films. While many were low-budget American martial arts productions, she also had recurring work from the Asian film industry. You can see this extraordinary woman kicking ass for real in productions such asFight to Win,No Retreat, No Surrender;China O’Brienparts 1 and 2, andThe Rage and Honortrilogy.
10Karen Gillan
Although she predominantly started her career inDoctor Whoas his companion Amy Pond,Karen Gillanhas more recently taken a shine to the action genre. Over the past decade, Gillan has been a keymember of theGuardians of the Galaxyand starred alongside Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Nick Jonas in the twoJumanjimovies as the butt-kicking action heroine Ruby Roundhouse. 2021 allowed Gillan to become the action superstar she was born to be withGunpowder Milkshake. Although the movie wasn’t particularly memorable, what stood out was Gillan’s prowess as an action star, performing all her own choreography and the majority of her stunts.
9Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Mary Elizabeth Winsteadhas starred in a wide variety of genres. From her very first role in the soap operaPassions, to two fantastic horror movies,Final Destination 3and10 Cloverfield Lane, among many others. However, Winstead has predominantly taken the action genre by storm. She has starred inScott Pilgrim vs The World, The Thing, Birds of Prey, and headlining in the sadly disappointingNetflix original action movie,Kate.
In all her action roles, Winstead delivers powerhouse performances and jaw-dropping choreography that cement her as a female action star to watch out for. While she did not get to take part in the action scenes inAhsoka, audiences who know what Hera Seyndulla can’t wait to see Winstead cut loose as the character in whatever Star Wars project she returns in.
8Zoe Saldaña
Zoe Saldañahas been crushing the box office for as long as we can remember. The action star has headlined two of the best andmost successful action franchisesof all time, withAvatarand the MCU. If it wasn’t for her spectacular performances as Neytiri or Gamora, the films she starred in wouldn’t be half as good. That isn’t even without mentioning her role as Uhura inStar Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness,andStar Trek Beyond. She is a sci-fi franchise action legend.
Outside these gigantic franchises, Saldaña similarly proved her action star prowess, taking on action movies likeColombiana,The Losers, and more recentlyThe Adam Project. Zoe Zaladaña is known for being one of the few actresses who always handles her own stunts, especially fighting sequences. While she doesn’t negate the work of stunt performers for more dangerous sequences, it’s nice to learn this aspect of the actress as it enhances the fluidity and authenticity of every scene she’s in.
7Halle Berry
Halle Berryhas delivered spectacular female action roles for decades. From starring in the 2000s’X-Menfranchise, the James Bond flickDie Another Day,and more recently, in perhaps her best action role yet,JohnWick: Chapter 3: Parabellum. Berry is a star who has always shown off her action-hero prowess. However, she went above and beyond inJohn Wick: Chapter 3.
BeforeJohn Wick: Chapter 3even went into production, Halle Berry expressed her interest in appearing in the franchise. Well, her voice was heard, as Sofia’s character was written solely with Halle Berry in mind. Berry went through extensive gun combat training and trained tirelessly to learn the flawless choreography that inhabits the world ofJohn Wick, and the end result not short of sensational.
6Zhang Ziyi
From starring in martial arts classics likeCrouching Tiger Hidden Dragon,Hero,House of the Flying Dragons,and the underratedThe Grandmaster,Zhang Ziyiis undoubtedly one of the most impressive and profound female martial artists in the business. Her stunning, fast-paced, and brutal martial arts skill set is deeply impressive, and her power to carry a scene is second to none.
Ziyi has been missing from American audiences for quite some time now, but she’s been far from inactive. She’s had a long, prolific career in her native China, with plenty of Wuxia films such asHero,House of Flying Daggers, andThe Grandmaster. She also plays the occasional thriller in films such asPurple ButterflyandThe Great War.
