There is something quite unsettling about being turned on by a girl who could kick seven shades out of you. And if she looks hot while she’s doing it, even better.
Selecting a list of all hot women who ever appeared in action flicks was always going to be a tough call. There are so many action films, and picking some chick who was basically the love interest throughout the entire film and whose sole role was to scream a lot would not be right.
The ones chosen for the list were restricted down to only the ones who are the leading characters and were also hard as nails. Not so much femme fatales, but lethal ladies. These ladies were also chosen as those who at least needed some type of rigorous training schedule and martial arts work to prepare for the role.
Enjoy!
26. Charlize Theron ~ Aeon Flux (2005)
25. Linda Hamilton ~ Terminator series (1984-1991)
24. Liv Tyler ~ Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003)
23. Natasha Henstridge ~ Species (1995), Species 2 (1998).
22. Rhona Mitra ~ Underworld 3 (2009), Doomsday (2008).
21. Kristanna Loken ~ Terminator 3 (2003).
20. Jennifer Garner ~ Daredevil (2003), Elektra (2005).
19. Shared Jointly with Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore ~ Charlie’s Angels I and II (2001-2003).
18. Megan Fox ~ Transformers (2007).
17. Gina Gershon ~ Bound (1996).
16. Leonor Varela ~ Blade 2 (2002).
15. Shared Jointly with Jordana Brewster, Sara Foster, Devon Aoki, Jill Ritchie and Megan Good ~ D.E.B.S (2004).
14. Meiko Kaji ~ Lady Snowblood (1973) and loads more.
13. Ziyi Zhang ~ Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Hero (2002).
12. Anne Parillaud ~ Nikita (1990).
11. Rose McGowan ~ Planet Terror (2008). Sexiest thing on, errr, one leg.
10. Michelle Yeoh ~ Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997).
9. Carrie Fisher ~ Star Wars Trilogy (1977-1983).
8. Michelle Rodriguez ~ S.W.A.T (2003), Resident Evil (2002)
7. Jessica Alba ~ Fantastic Four I and II
6. Carrie-Anne Moss ~ The Matrix trilogy (1999-2003).
5. Sigourney Weaver ~ Alien Series (1979-1997).
4. Milla Jovovich ~ The Fifth Element, Resident Evil I (2002) and II (2007).
3. Kate Beckinsale ~ Underworld I and II (200352006).
2. Uma Thurman ~ Kill Bill (2003-2004).
1. Angelina Jolie ~ Lara Croft I and II (2001-2003), Wanted (2008)
Have you seen any of these films? What did you think of them? Were there any action women in films left out in your opinion?
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Comments: 81
There are several on the list I was impressed with for various reasons. Linda Hamilton was impressive in that her previous roles were softer. I was surprised at how well she did Sarah. The same with Sigourney Weaver and Drew Barrymore. I like Kate Beckinsale anyway.
As a woman who is physically strong and has been all my life, I appreciate women that aren't helpless girly-girls. I grew up with 6 brothers and if I wanted to have adventures too, and hang out with them, being girly wouldn't cut it. My 2 older brothers and I worked construction in the summers with my dad to make money. My dad taught my two oldest brothers and me how to box and wrestle (mom wasn’t as thrilled with that). Dad felt that as a woman I especially needed to be able to defend myself. Came in handy a few times, thank you Dad.
I had a mother who while feminine, and very much a lady, was strong and capable. She had her time too, teaching us to walk straight and proud and we’re talking hours with books on your head, how to glide while wearing heels, how to sit—all without dislodging those stupid books. She taught her three daughters how to dress and knock 'em dead. Jeans and T's to dresses and makeup in less than an hour, and out the door, lol! It blew my mind when a close girl friend I grew up with would take 2 hours to do her hair and put on makeup. We roomed together later, and I learned very quickly, if I wanted my time in the bathroom, I needed to get there first.
I like that some of the stars today show women can be sexy while being tough. Some authors also portray strong women, like Christine Feehan, some of Nora Roberts women.
Strong and capable is sexy. They’re also less prone to be a ‘victim’.
I guess that I have always been too much of a girly girl in my life but do enjoy seeing women who can hold their own in films. I get so frustrated when I see movies of women running from the boogy man and always end up getting caught.
I do like the fact that the movie industry is doing something to change the perception of woman and our so called "helplessness." Although I haven't seen all of the above listed films I do plan on seeing them as I can really appreciate how they are portrayed.
My two favorites are Sigourney Weaver in Aliens, and Linda Hamilton of Terminator fame. I used to love watching "Beauty and the Beast" with Linda in it and never missed an episode. Linda was so strong and kind in that show but quite different than she was in the Terminator.
You know Sia, I too can go from p.j.'s or jeans and t-shirt to the nines in an hour or less! ;)
Good for you for writing a story with a strong woman in it! Excellent!
If you want to see one or two, I would recommend Terminator and Aliens. Those two are my favorites and have very strong, brave women in them. Sci-fi films but nonetheless tops in my book!
As for old copies of these films ~ no can do. I don't buy many films but you can usually catch them on cable.
As in learning how to use weapons and do karate and that type of thing.
You are quite the movie buff aren't you??
Good for you!
Check out cable chick, I'm sure you can catch most any of these on there these days. ;)
Being tough and strong also means being aware of your surroundings and not going into someplace dangerous without a very good reason, and prepared.
I didn't miss an episode of Beauty either. I thought it was a wonderful concept of another world under our feet and it was my first glimpse of paranormal heroes that appear human but aren't. Took books awhile to catch up with that. But that was why I was so shocked to see Linda Hamiliton in Terminator. She did well in it.
Yay, another sensible woman. Honestly, I have nothing against girly-girls, I have a few close friends that are. That whole bathroom scene was just such a surprise, Sheesh!
Carrie Fischer, What? In what parts did she kick ass, that was not played by a second, or computer generated.
I haven't seen a lot of these, but would like to mention some of the James bond girls; Famke Janssen, Eve Green, and the ever popular Diana Rigg
I am a strong woman in most of life and especially in business since the majority of the people who work for me that are contracters are men. Being too hard can sometimes work against you so I prefer to use my womanly charms and smile to get done what needs to get done instead of using the ol'power play ploy.
Sensible woman, ME? Yes, but you ought to get a load of my bathroom and my dresser with 999 different bath lotions, creams, oils, sprays, soaps and then the cosmetic wonderland in the bathroom, then the dresser filled with all types of beauty regimen and bottles and bottles of perfume and nail polish and jewelry of course.
You would literally run out of there lybo! Sheesh is right! If only those things weren't one of my biggest weaknesses. ;)
I do agree Carrrie Fisher was a weak one on the list.
Again, you all are so right about the Bond women. Unfortunately none of them had any type of extra training, lifting, use of guns or anything else along those lines. Thats why they did not make it on the list.
In light of the fact that we have now had a woman run for President and now a woman being voted in as Vice President would show that we women are capable of doing whatever our minds set us up to do. Only the mind keeps us from doing it.
As for Jessica Alba, she has always been a cutie to look at so nothing wrong with your eyes Lionel. :o
:)_
I too liked that part in Charlie's Angels. You know she had to be tough to do that.
I don't think that Uma is ugly but she does have a different look about her.
I loved Nikita and as far as I'm concerned the Anne Parillaud version was better although I have seen the Bridget Fonda version more times. Something about the innocence of Bridget Fonda in that film that I really liked.
Again, the reason these women were chosen is because of their professional training in order to be able to perform their own stunts,etc. It was not a beautfy contest.
Uma is like Meryl Streep, can look plain or lovely--depending upon the role and the make-up. There's a few actresses like that.
You're so right about Meryl and Uma being able to look plain or lovely. I much prefer the actresses who can act and not just be another pretty face.
I am curious to see Tank Girl though.
Angelina Jolie's really got it goin' on!
I loved her in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. She shared the lead with Brad Pitt, and she kicked serious butt, using her hands and some guns.
Or maybe it's her lips they ook like fishlips or something...yuckk
HH