Note: There are spoilers below. Also, scenes from these offerings contain violence (as one might imagine) and, at times, strong language.
During the press tour for “The Old Guard 2,” a 2025 summer action movie put out by streaming giant Netflix, star Charlize Theron made a plain but valid (if depressing) point: “Action films with female leads don’t get green-lit as much as the ones with male leads.”
Worse, “guys will get a free ride” when it comes to action films, she added to The New York Times, in the sense that “when women do them, and the movie maybe doesn’t hit fully, they don’t necessarily get a chance again. But they’ll take [the risk] many times on the same guy who might have a string of action movies that did not do so well.”
She’s right. One example? “The Marvels,” a 2023 Marvel Cinematic Universe offering led by a trio of women – Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani – that raked in tens of millions of dollars domestically while making history for its Black woman director, Nia DaCosta. But in comparison to other comic-book films from the Marvel machine, which made hundreds of millions in the U.S. during the comic-book maker’s cinematic heyday, it was a flop – and online fanboys were quick to crow about its so-called failure.
“Disney forgot 99% of comic book fans are guys,” one person wrote. Added another: “Disney’s THE MARVELS bombed. Why? Because ‘SUPERHERO’ is a male brand.” As sexist and baseless as these criticisms were, Marvel has yet to attempt anything of the sort since. It has, however, invested in male-led films like this year’s “Captain America: Brave New World,” despite them struggling repeatedly at the box office.
One thing the naysayers can’t take away, though, is that women have churned out some seriously thrilling action performances over the years, from the Pam Griers of cinematic eras past to the Angelina Jolies of today – performances that have made us gasp, cringe in sympathetic pain, and cheer in celebration at their victories. Below, we reflect on several of those more recent action performances – and the asses kicked by action-star actresses.
“Atomic Blonde”
In addition to her work in the “Old Guard” films, as well as her turn starring in “Mad Max: Fury Road,” Theron also took on the lead role in this 2017 action-packed spy thriller. One scene in particular – a lengthy, single-shot sequence that sees her character, top MI6 spy Lorraine Broughton, beating her way through a barrage of assailants while making her way down a stairwell – is an achievement of both action stardom and cinematography.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”
This 2000 Chinese film, based on a novel that shares its name, was an international hit – and with good reason. The blend of history (with the film set in Imperial China), fantasy and action made for a dazzling spectacle featuring downright stunning fight scenes from actresses like Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi. The movie was a strong awards-season presence throughout 2001, even snagging a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars that year.
“Kill Bill Vol. 1” (And 2)
Uma Thurman, who is also featured in “The Old Guard 2” alongside Theron, took on an especially large challenge when stepping into the role of The Bride for this double-feature about revenge. (We only learned later that she endured a car crash while filming this very physical role, and that neither director Quentin Tarantino and producer Harvey Weinstein represented her best interests.) Over the course of two movies, she dispatches a top-secret assassin ring – whose female members are portrayed by Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox and Darryl Hannah – as well as a bevy of skilled henchmen.
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
This TV show, which aired from 1997 to 2003, is based on a 1992 movie bearing the same name (which starred Christie Brinkley). The conceit: High school student Buffy Summers’ life is transformed when she comes into her own as the chosen generational protector against a vampire scourge. The show, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, was a thoughtful thrill ride full of vampire battles (and on occasion, slayer-on-slayer fights) that remained so popular it spawned a series of comic books and a revival series that’s currently in development.
“Alias”
Airing from 2001 to 2006, this show was a star-maker for its lead actress, Jennifer Garner. She took down baddies as Sydney Bristow, a double agent who worked as an operative for a worldwide crime syndicate but was actually an agent of good for the Central Intelligence Agency. Sharp, charming and strong, she punched and kicked her way to justice in a number of fights that rivaled her seemingly bottomless collection of spy wigs.
“Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)”
Margot Robbie stars in this DC Comics film as Harley Quinn, a Batman-universe baddie who was The Joker’s sidekick (and girlfriend). The story begins with her break-up from the supervillain, and sees her trying to strike out on her own – if only she could rid herself of the numerous enemies she accrued when under The Joker’s protection. A thrilling, multi-threaded story comes together to see unlikely allies played by Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Rosie Perez teaming up to beat (up) the bad guys.
“Xena: Warrior Princess”
Xena was a modern-era action icon. The show was admittedly something of a silly offering at times – there is a “Groundhog Day”-inspired episode that one should seek out to enjoy immediately, if not sooner – but Lucy Lawless grounds the fantasy series with a strength of presence and some serious action chops, as her character seeks redemption for past misdeeds by using her considerable battle skills to defend the helpless.
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
Another film that brought out the ire of internet man-children the world over, this “Star Wars” installment saw actress Daisy Ridley taking center stage as Rey, a woman with immense powers who spends much of the film training with Jedi Master Luke Skywalker (while communing via telepathy with First Order leader Kylo Ren). Her developing mental and physical strength come in handy for an especially tense battle between the forces of good and evil.
