List of female action heroes
From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
A montage of actresses that have played female action heroes.
From top left: Michelle Yeoh, Uma Thurman, Tia Carrere, Linda Hamilton, Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Sigourney Weaver, and Lucy Liu.
From top left: Michelle Yeoh, Uma Thurman, Tia Carrere, Linda Hamilton, Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Sigourney Weaver, and Lucy Liu.
The following is a list of female action heroes that exist in various forms of media, including animation, comics, film, literature, television and video games.
Contents
Female action heroes
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This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.
Film
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- Æon Flux from Æon Flux (2005)[1]
- Alex Munday from Charlie's Angels (2000)[2][3][4]
- Alice from the Resident Evil series (2002-2012)[5][3]
- Babydoll from Sucker Punch (2011)[6]
- Beatrix Kiddo from Kill Bill (2003-2004)[2][5][3]
- Buffy Summers from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)[7]
- Captain Frankie Cook from Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)[2]
- Catwoman from Batman Returns (1992) and Catwoman (2004)[6]
- Cherry Darling from Grindhouse (2007)[5]
- Coffy from Coffy (1973)[3]
- Dylan Sanders from Charlie's Angels (2000)[2][3][4]
- Elektra from Daredevil (2003) and Elektra (2005)[6]
- Ellen "The Lady" from The Quick and the Dead (1995)[3]
- Ellen Ripley from the Alien series (1979-1997)[5][3][8]
- Éowyn from The Lord of the Rings series (2001-2003)[9]
- Everly from Everly (2014)[5]
- Evelyn Salt from Salt (2010)[5]
- Fox from Wanted (2008)[1]
- Foxy Brown from Foxy Brown (1974)[5][3]
- Guinevere from King Arthur (2004)[2]
- Imperator Furiosa from Mad Max: Fury Road (2014)[5][3][10]
- Inspector Jessica Yang from Supercop (1992)[11]
- Jackie Brown from Jackie Brown (1997)[3]
- Jen Yu from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)[5][1][12]
- Jill Valentine from the Resident Evil series (2002-2012)[6]
- Jordan O'Neil from G.I. Jane (1997)[2]
- Julie Pierce from The Next Karate Kid (1994)[7]
- Knives Chau from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)[6]
- Lara Croft from Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003)[13]
- Lucy from Lucy (2014)[5]
- Mallory Kane from Haywire (2011)[5][3]
- Mathilda from The Professional (1994)[7]
- Mei from House of Flying Daggers (2004)[3]
- Natalie Cook from Charlie's Angels (2000)[2][3][4]
- Newt from Aliens (1986)[7]
- Neytiri from Avatar (2009)[5]
- Nikita from La Femme Nikita (1990)[7][5][3]
- Padmé Amidala from the Star Wars prequel trilogy (1999-2005)[2]
- Pauline Hargraves from The Perils of Pauline movie serial (1933)[14]
- Princess Leia Organa from the original Star Wars series (1977-1983)[5][15]
- Rey from Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)[16]
- Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)[6]
- Sarah Connor from the Terminator series (1984-2015)[5][3]
- Selene from the Underworld series (2003–present)[13]
- Sgt. Rita Rose Vrataski from Edge of Tomorrow (2014)[5]
- Silk Spectre from Watchmen (2009)[6]
- Snow White from Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)[17]
- Tank Girl from Tank Girl (1995)[1]
- Torchy Blane from the Torchy Blane series (1937-1939)[18]
- Trinity from The Matrix series (1999-2003)[2][19]
- Yu Shu Lien from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)[5][1][12]
- Yuki Kashima from Lady Snowblood (1973) and Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance (1974)[5]
- Zen from Chocolate (2008)[5]
- Zoë Bell from Grindhouse (2007)[5]
Animated Film
- Elastigirl from The Incredibles (2004)[2][5]
- Merida from Brave (2012)[17]
- Mulan from Mulan (1998) and Mulan II (2004)[20]
- Princess Fiona from the Shrek series (2001-2010)[21][22]
Literature
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- Alanna of Trebond from The Song of the Lioness series (1983-1988) by Tamora Pierce
- Arya Stark from the A Song of Ice and Fire series (1996-2011) by George R.R. Martin
- Beatrice "Tris" Prior from the Divergent trilogy (2011-2013) by Veronica Roth[7]
- Camilla from the Aeneid (29-19 BCE) by Virgil[23]
- Éowyn from The Lord of the Rings series (1954-1955) by J. R. R. Tolkien[9]
- Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games trilogy (2008-2010) by Suzanne Collins[7][5]
- Linh Cinder from The Lunar Chronicles series (2012-2015) by Marissa Meyer
- Molly Millions from Johnny Mnemonic (1981) and Neuromancer (1984) by William Gibson[24]
- Nancy Drew from the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories (1930-2004), The Nancy Drew Files (1986-1997) and the Girl Detective (2004-2012) series by Carolyn Keene[25]
- Pippi Longstocking from the Pippi Longstocking series (1945-2001) by Astrid Lindgren[26]
- Polgara from The Belgariad (1982-1984) and The Malloreon (1987-1991) series by David and Leigh Eddings
Comic books
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- Batgirl debuted in Detective Comics #359 (1967) by DC Comics[27][28]
- Black Canary debuted in Flash Comics #86 (1947) by DC Comics[27]
- Black Widow (Natalia Romanova) debuted in Tales of Suspense No. 52 (1964) by Marvel Comics[7]
- Catwoman debuted in Batman #1 (1940) by DC Comics[2]
- Cutie Honey debuted in Weekly Shōnen Champion's 41st issue (1973) by Akita Shoten[29]
- Elektra debuted in Daredevil #168 (1981) by Marvel Comics[30]
- Hawkeye (Kate Bishop) debuted in Young Avengers #1 (2005) by Marvel Comics[27]
- Hit-Girl debuted in Kick-Ass #3 (2008) by Icon Comics[7][30][5]
- Medusa[31]
- Ms. Marvel [27]
- Natasha Irons [27]
- Nico Minoru,[31] Karolina Dean, Gertrude Yorkes, Molly Hayes and Klara Prast from Marvel's Runaways comics.
- Raven [27]
- She-Hulk[31]
- Spider-Girl[32]
- Storm, Jean Grey, Rogue,[2] Emma Frost, Kitty Pryde, Jubilee and Dazzler[31] from the X-Men
- Sue Storm
- Supergirl[30]
- Wendy and Gail from Sin City [2]
- Wonder Woman[2][30]
Television series
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- Ace from Doctor Who (1963-1989)[33]
- Aeryn Sun from Farscape (1999-2003)[34]
- Alex Mack from The Secret World of Alex Mack (1994–1998)[35]
- B'Elanna Torres from Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)[36]
- Batgirl from Batman (1966-1968)[28]
- Buffy Summers from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)[30][37]
- Cameron from Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008-2009)[38]
- Capt. Maggie Beckett from Sliders (1995-2000)[39]
- Cathy Gale from The Avengers (1961–1969)[40]
- Christine Cagney from Cagney & Lacey (1982-1988)[41]
- Claire Bennet from Heroes (2006-2010)[30]
- Dana Scully from The X-Files (1993-2002)[41]
- Doña María Teresa "Tessa" Alvarado from Queen of Swords (2000-2001)[42]
- Emma Peel from The Avengers (1961–1969)[40][43]
- Gabrielle from Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001) and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995-1999)[44]
- Gwen Cooper from Torchwood (2006-2011)[45]
- Jadzia Dax from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)[46]
- Jaime Sommers from The Bionic Woman (1976-1978) and Bionic Woman (2007)[47]
- Jessica Jones from Jessica Jones (2015–present)[48]
- Jill Munroe from Charlie's Angels (1976–1981)[43][4]
- Julie Rogers from Charlie's Angels (1976–1981)[43][4]
- Kara Danvers (Supergirl) from Supergirl (2015–present)[49]
- Kate Austen from Lost (2004-2010)[50]
- Kathryn Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)[43][51]
- Kelly Garrett from Charlie's Angels (1976–1981)[43][4]
- Kimberly Hart (The Pink Ranger) from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993-1995) [30][52]
- Kira Nerys from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)[48]
- Kris Munroe from Charlie's Angels (1976–1981)[43][4]
- Leela from Doctor Who (1963-1989)[33]
- Mary Beth Lacey from Cagney & Lacey (1982-1988)[41]
- Max Guevera from Dark Angel (2000-2002)[53][54]
- Nikita from La Femme Nikita (1997-2001)[43]
- Olivia Dunham from Fringe (2008-2013)[50]
- Paige Matthews from Charmed (1998-2006)[55]
- Peggy Carter (Agent Carter) from Agent Carter (2015–present)[56][57]
- Phoebe Halliwell from Charmed (1998-2006)[55]
- Piper Halliwell from Charmed (1998-2006)[55]
- Prue Halliwell from Charmed (1998-2006)[55]
- Purdey from The New Avengers (1976-1977)[40]
- River Tam from Firefly (2002)[1]
- Sabrina Duncan from Charlie's Angels (1976–1981)[43][4]
- Seven of Nine from Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)[36][43]
- Shelby Woo from The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo (1996-1998)[35]
- Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)[58]
- Sydney Bristow from Alias (2001–2006) [55]
- Tara King from The Avengers (1961–1969)[40]
- Tiffany Welles from Charlie's Angels (1976–1981)[43][4]
- Trini Kwan from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993-1995)[52]
- Vallery Irons from V.I.P. (1998-2002)[43][54]
- Veronica Layton from The Lost World (1999-2002)[55]
- Veronica Mars from Veronica Mars (2004-2007)[37][54]
- Wade Welles from Sliders (1995-2000)[39]
- Wonder Woman from Wonder Woman (1975-1979)[17]
- Xena from Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001) and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995-1999)[36][43][59][55]
- Zoe Washburne from Firefly (2002)[60]
Animated television series
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- Æon Flux from Æon Flux (1991-1995)[2]
- Betty Barrett (Atomic Betty) from Atomic Betty (2004-2008)[61]
- Blossom from The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2005)[30]
- Bubbles from The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2005)[30]
- Buttercup from The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2005)[30]
- Cheetara from ThunderCats (1985-1989)[30]
- Kim Possible from Kim Possible (2002-2007)[62]
- She-Ra from She-Ra: Princess of Power (1985-1987)[17]
Video games
- Samus Aran from the Metroid series
- Bayonetta from Bayonetta[63]
- Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider series[64]
- Faith Connors from Mirror's Edge
- Hana Tsu-Vachel from Fear Effect
See also
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References
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- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Supercop as Woman Warrior
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Kim, L. S. "Making women warriors: a transnational reading of Asian female action heroes in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Jump Cut: A Review of Contemporary Media. No. 48, Winter, 2006.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 30.00 30.01 30.02 30.03 30.04 30.05 30.06 30.07 30.08 30.09 30.10 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 43.00 43.01 43.02 43.03 43.04 43.05 43.06 43.07 43.08 43.09 43.10 43.11 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 48.0 48.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Reconstruction studies in contempoary culture
- ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 55.0 55.1 55.2 55.3 55.4 55.5 55.6 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
-Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. - ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Further reading
- Alvarez, Maria. "Feminist icon in a catsuit (female lead character Emma Peel in defunct 1960s UK TV series The Avengers)", New Statesman, 14 August 1998.
- Au, Wagner James. "Supercop as Woman Warrior." Salon.com.
- Barr, Marleen S. Future Females, the Next Generation : New Voices and Velocities in Feminist Science Fiction Criticism. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield, 2000.
- Deuber-Mankowsky, Astrid and Dominic J. Bonfiglio (Translator). Lara Croft: Cyber Heroine. Minneapolis: University Of Minnesota Press, 2005.
- Early, Frances and Kathleen Kennedy, Athena's Daughters: Television's New Women Warriors, Syracuse University Press, 2003.
- Garner, Jack. "Strong women can be heroes, too." Democrat and Chronicle. 15 June 2001.
- Heinecken, Dawn. Warrior Women of Television: A Feminist Cultural Analysis of the New Female Body in Popular Media, New York: P. Lang, 2003.
- Ho, Sam. "Licensed to Kick Men: The Jane Bond Films." The Restless Breed: Cantonese Stars of the Sixties. Hong Kong: Urban Council of Hong Kong, 1996. ISBN 962-7040-50-9
- Hopkins, Susan, Girl Heroes: the New Force in Popular Culture, Pluto Press Australia, 2002.
- Inness, Sherrie A. (ed.) Action Chicks: New Images of Tough Women in Popular Culture, Palgrave Macmillan, 2004.
- ———. Tough Girls : Women Warriors and Wonder Women in Popular Culture. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1999.
- Karlyn, Kathleen Rowe. "Scream, Popular Culture, and Feminism's Third Wave: 'I'm Not My Mother'. Genders: Presenting Innovative Work in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences No. 38 (2003).
- Karras, Irene. "The Third Wave's Final Girl: Buffy the Vampire Slayer." thirdspace 1:2 (March 2002).
- Kennedy, Helen W. "Lara Croft: Feminist Icon or Cyberbimbo?: On the Limits of Textual Analysis". Game Studies: The International Journal of Computer Game Research. 2:2 (December, 2002).
- Kingston, Maxine Hong. The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts. New York: Vintage, 1975.
- Magoulick, Mary. "Frustrating Female Heroism: Mixed Messages in Xena, Nikita, and Buffy." The Journal of Popular Culture, Volume 39 Issue 5 (October 2006).
- Mainon, Dominique. The Modern Amazons: Warrior Women on Screen. Pompton Plains, N.J. : Limelight Editions, 2006.
- Osgerby, Bill, Anna Gough-Yates, and Marianne Wells. Action TV : Tough-Guys, Smooth Operators and Foxy Chicks. London: Routledge, 2001.
- Rowland, Robin. "Warrior queens and blind critics." Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 31 July 2004.
- Spicuzza, Mary. "Butt-Kicking Babes." AlterNet. 27 March 2001.
- Tasker, Yvonne. Action and Adventure Cinema. New York: Routledge, 2004.
- ———.Working Girls: Gender and Sexuality in Popular Culture. London: Routledge 1998
- ———.Spectacular Bodies : Gender, Genre, and the Action Cinema. London and New York: Routledge, 1993.
- Trickey, Helyn. "Girls with Gauntlets." Turner Network Television.
- Ventura, Michael. "Warrior Women." Psychology Today. Nov/Dec 1998. 31 (6).
