Many would argue that there is no shortage of badass female characters in movies today. However, that has not always been the case. In action-adventure and science fiction movies, men have historically been written as the powerful, badass leads, with the women appearing more fragile and having to try incredibly hard to be considered strong.
In recent years, powerful female characters have begun trickling into huge franchises such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the DC Extended Universe. These characters have become incredibly beloved and have given the male characters some huge competition, often shining through as the true badasses of the movies.
10 Ellen Ripley Was The Original Badass (Alien Franchise)
While strong women have always existed in film, for many viewers, Alien‘s Ellen Ripley is the first character they can remember who was allowed to be both powerful and brave and still retain many feminine and maternal qualities. First appearing in the 1979 movie, Ripley was initially written as a man, but director Ridley Scott decided to change the character to a woman.
Ripley is one of the most well-known science fiction protagonists of all time and is considered by many to have set the standard for all the badass women who have been able to follow in her footsteps.
9 Katniss Everdeen Was The Face Of A Revolution (The Hunger Games)
Katniss Everdeen never wanted power or control. However, when she courageously volunteered to take her sister’s place in the Hunger Games, Katniss became the face of revolution. As the protagonist of The Hunger Games, she used her smarts, strength, and skills with a bow to outsmart Panem’s capital and begin taking back some of the control over her own life.
Katniss was put through trauma after trauma and had so much responsibility on her shoulders. While this could push anyone over the edge, Katniss kept fighting for change and the people of Panem’s freedom.
8 Hermione Granger Is The Smartest Witch Of Her Age (Harry Potter Franchise)
While being one of the most intelligent and capable witches Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has ever seen, Harry Potter‘s popular heroine Hermione Granger is also a strong, brave Gryffindor. In The Philosopher’s Stone, Hermione stands by Harry’s side in his fight against Voldemort and gets the Golden Trio out of many scrapes.
Initially, she was very type-A and refused to break the rules. However, given the circumstances, she learns to rebel. Hermione has many incredibly badass moments, including stealing the show by punching Draco Malfoy in the face and escaping Gringotts on a dragon in The Deathly Hallows.
7 Wonder Woman Is A Warrior (DC Extended Universe)
Like many comic book heroes, Wonder Woman has appeared many times on screen. But unfortunately, the character has a history of being portrayed as submissive and objectified.
However, director Patty Jenkins set out to change this with Wonder Womanin 2017. Despite being a little naive about “Man’s World,” it is never debated how strong-willed, capable, and powerful Diana is. She carries her combat abilities and the compassion that she learned as a badass Amazon warrior with her for the duration of the movie.
6 Natasha Romanoff Paved The Way (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
For many years, Natasha Romanoff was one of the only prominent female heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite representing the entire female gender, it never felt like she competed with the men because the characters and audience knew what a courageous person and a formidable hero she was.
While her character was sometimes portrayed through the eyes of a misogynistic writer or director, her characterization in recent movies aimed to combat that. As a result, Natasha garnered a considerable fanbase and paved the way for some brilliant and powerful female heroes who have debuted in recent years. Seeing Natasha take down the Red Room with her sister Yelena in Black Widowshowed how badass she was until the end of her life.
5 Imperator Furiosa Is A Powerful Warrior (Mad Max: Fury Road)
Imperator Furiosa is a powerful woman and a secondary protagonist of Mad Max: Fury Road. Being the only woman in Immortal Joe’s army and losing her arm in battle, she is reluctant to discuss the events of her past. While Furiosa’s strength is never questioned, she struggled with the idea of rebellion and helping other women gain their freedom from Joe’s hold on them.
However, upon seeing how they are treated and dehumanized, she hatches a plan to help them escape. Many would agree that there is nothing more badass than Furiosa using her strength and skills to protect women who are unable to protect themselves due to their situation.
4 Princess Leia Is Iconic
Portrayed memorably by Carrie Fisher, Princess Leia is one of the most iconic female badasses in movie history. Appearing throughout many projects in the Star Wars franchise, she is continually given space to show her strength. Leia is passionate and fearless but also incredibly kind and sacrificial.
Despite their effect on her, Leia committed to her duties and was an incredible leader. Despite proving herself many times, she still was met with disbelief and questioning from the men she met. However, Leia’s stubbornness and quick attitude played off against the likes of Han Solo and proved she could hold her own in any situation.
3 Harley Quinn Is Never Really A Villain
Harley Quinn has made it to audiences’ screens many times, but one of the most beloved portrayals of the character comes from Margot Robbie in the DC Extended Universe. Despite Suicide Squad being received poorly, fans attached to Quinn and her characterization.
Despite being recognized as a villain, Harley wants to stand up for the little guy and protect others. Especially in The Suicide Squad, Harley goes against the orders of Waller to protect civilians from Starro. Harley Quinn features in some of the most badass sequences in recent years, including escaping from the Corto Maltese government, a gun in each hand, and fighting with the Birds of Prey on rollerskates.
2 Mulan Makes A Huge Sacrifice
Fa Mulan’s strength and wish for adventure initially get her in trouble with her family, who expect her to be the “perfect” potential wife instead. However, when her elderly father is conscripted into the army, Mulan’s bravery and sacrifice protect him as she disguises herself as a man and joins in his place.
Being seen as a man for most of the movie, Mulan proves herself to be one of the strongest people under the command of Li Shang. When it is revealed that she is a woman, it only highlights more that she has value other than what she could offer to a potential husband. Mulan’s sacrificial nature and strength make her who she is.
1 Wanda Maximoff Is A Badass Hero And Villain
Wanda Maximoff is potentially the MCU’s most badass Avenger turned Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness villain. Often deemed the MCU’s strongest, most powerful character, she serves a significant part of the Avenger’s takedown of Thanos in Endgame and sacrifices a lot in the process.
Losing the person she loves most and then losing her family again in WandaVision, Wanda tries everything in her power to find happiness again, which leads her down a villainous path. However, in the end, she recognizes her wrongdoing and takes steps to fix her mistakes, no matter the cost.