ROTTEN TOMATOES: Total Recall: The 25 Best Action Heroines of All Time

Total Recall: The 25 Best Action Heroines of All Time

by RT Staff

11. Cynthia Rothrock

If we could rename this iconic 80's action legend, she'd be Cynthia WrathRocks! GRRR! Alright, lame wordplay aside, this martial arts champion was a pioneer, breaking into an industry that was dominated in the States by the likes of Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. After signing a deal with Golden Harvest (employer of Lee himself), Rothrock found success in the Hong Kong film industry and eventually transitioned to the US market with Martial Law. She never quite found her footing in mainstream Hollywood, but movies like Honor & Glory and China O'Brien (probably her most famous role) helped open the doors for aspiring female martial artists in American film. Rothrock on! Sorry, couldn't help it.

more info...

10. Kate Beckinsale

When Hollywood demands actresses maintain wireframe physiques, how is anyone going to get any action movies starring girls started? I guess just make sure your lead actress is smoking hot. Enter Kate Beckinsale. Though she doesn't register the same sheer screen presence as others on this list, her flagship action movies (Underworld and Underworld: Evolution) features her in some flattering leather outfit, engaging in some well-choreographed gunplay, and unraveling a unique vampires versus werewolves plot. Along with Van Helsing where she fights an assortment of Transylvanian ghoulies, sticking in the monster trade is serving Beckinsale well.

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(1-20 of 126 posts) | Reply

jokerboy1991 writes:
on Jun 25 2008 09:13 PM

Good list but there are some duds, I think the list should also deal with men I mean not to sound sexist but the coolest action stars to me are guys, no offens Jen lol, I mean Bruce Willis, Arnold, Harrison Ford (#1), Christain Bale, Will Smith is good, Keanu Reeves, Tom Cruise, and duh Matt Damon. The only ones I will say here are amazing is Uma Thurman, Carrie Ann Moss, Pam Gries, not Demmi Moore, and I am sure I will think bot MaCovoy and Jolie will be the coolest action stars after this weekend. Still a pretty cool list, I got add some of these to my netflix.

(Reply to this)

jokerboy1991 writes:
on Jun 25 2008 09:15 PM

Also where's Rose McGowan, I mean come on Plannet Terror! With that machine gun leg she was a fully loaded woman! Also for the guys a forgot Russel Crowe I mean Gladiator and 3:10 to Yuma, oh and Kurt Russel.

(Reply to this)

sovietbagpipes writes:
on Jun 25 2008 09:38 PM

Like most lists on here it's a mixed bag.

And joker, Arnold and Ford wouldn't be near #1

(Reply to this)

blsinner writes:
on Jun 25 2008 09:43 PM

Linda Hamilton is WAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY too low on the list!

(Reply to this)

sunsaz writes:
on Jun 25 2008 09:58 PM

Pretty good list. A lot of the names on the list were "one-hit wonders" as far as good movies are concerned, but action films aren't exactly poetic from an acting standpoint. No argument on #1 at least.

(Reply to this)

tomwaitsjr writes:
on Jun 25 2008 10:03 PM

I was happy to see Ziyi Zhang and Milla!

Some I'd like to see, but maybe aren't strict heroines.

Obviously Missed: Franka Potente in Run Lola Run

maybe Irene Jacob in RED

Keira Knightly as Domino (we see her boobs!)

1. Jodie Foster for Silence of the Lambs
2. Carrie Fisher in Star Wars
3. Gillian Anderson
4. Elizabeth Hurley in Austin Powers
5. Jennifer Jason Leigh in ExisTenZ
6. Lori Petty in Tank Girl
7. Meg Ryan in Courage Under Fire
8. Katherine Hepburn in The African Queen
9. Charlize Therone in that God Awful MTV movie . . .forgot name
10. Jane Fonda in Klute/Barbarella
11. Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby
12. Meryle Streep in Silkwood
13. Sarandon and G. Davis in Thelma and Louise
14. The girl from Whale Rider
15. Parker Posey as Fay Grimm
16. Mary Stuart Masterson in Fried Green Tomatoes
17. Pocahantos girl in The New World
18. Halle Berry X Men

I love Famke J, but I don't think she is even the best Bond girl, let alone someone who should make the list.

I'm sure I forgot a ton.

Oh well.

(Reply to this)

jokerboy1991 writes:
on Jun 25 2008 10:12 PM

In reply to this comment (#1812999)
Oh lol yeah Arnold wouldnt be no #1, but in my opinion I consider Ford the best action hero. I mean Star Wars, Indy, and the Jack Ryan movies.

(Reply to this)

tomwaitsjr writes:
on Jun 25 2008 10:33 PM

FRANCES McDormand in FARGO

Natassja Kinski in Cat People
Jennifer Lopez in Out of Sight
Theresa Russel in . . . err, i forget. Someone help me.
Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins
Whoever played Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. . .
Ingrid Bergman as Joan of Arc
Audrey Hepburn in Wait until Dark

Sissy Spacek as Carrie
Julia Roberts as Erin Brokavich
Renee Zellweger in COld Mountain

Judy Garland as Dorothy in OZ
Sally Field as Nora Rae
Angela Basset as Tina Turner
Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth (BUt no way the awful awful sequel)

Selma Blair in Hellboy I/II

Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity

*Diane Lane in Streets of Fire

OK. As you can tell, I'm putting off doing something by coming up with names. . .

(Reply to this)

Silverevilchao writes:
on Jun 25 2008 10:44 PM

This list is FAIL. Sigourney Weaver should be #1 for Alien ALONE.

(Reply to this)

tomwaitsjr writes:
on Jun 25 2008 11:15 PM

Juliet Lewis as Mallory in Natural Born Killers

Neve Campbell in Scream?

female main actor in first Nightmare on Elmstreet.

I agree about McGowan in Planet Terror.

I think this category is TOO BROAD for my simple mind.

BROAD. he heh.

(Reply to this)

CoUcH ToMaToE DoUgIe writes:
on Jun 25 2008 11:48 PM

Another dissapointing list, R.T. Seriously, Demi Moore? And how

the hell is Weaver not in the top five? Also, is it too much too ask for you

to list the best action heroines on good movies. Seriously, any list that

includes a McG movie makes it an invalid list, just saying RT staff. Also, I

hope these lists are not being determined by how good of an YouTube video

you can find.

(Reply to this)

mustard_tree writes:
on Jun 26 2008 12:08 AM

In reply to this comment (#1813186)
I totally agree dude... This list sucks... Hey, where's Carrie Fisher?

(Reply to this)

tomwaitsjr writes:
on Jun 26 2008 12:55 AM

Yah! Carrie Fisher!

(Reply to this)

genxorcist writes:
on Jun 26 2008 05:13 AM

In reply to this comment (#1813018)
I second that. She should be in the top 5 ... as should Sigourney Weaver. Ellen Ripley and Sara Conner both redefined the woman action hero. Many of the women on this list wouldn't be on this list if not for those two.

(Reply to this)

bsideleau writes:
on Jun 26 2008 06:11 AM

Sigourney Weaver should be #1 hands down, no argument. And 90% of the ladies in this list shouldn't even be there....lots of 80's one-note punchlines and even a couple modern flavor of the months.

(Reply to this)

'Stache-Attack writes:
on Jun 26 2008 07:29 AM

How 'bout Kiera Knightly. Three 'Pirates' movies, plus an interesting role in 'Domino'. Not great movies, but pretty strong action/heroine roles. At least better than some of others listed. (I mean come on waitsjr, seriously, Erin Brakovich??? To each their own I guess.)

(Reply to this)

opTIMus Nerd writes:
on Jun 26 2008 07:39 AM

I enjoyed the list but agree Ripley and Sarah Connor are far too low. I would vote for Uma to be in top 2, if not 1, I have never seen any woman kick more *** then in the Kill Bill flicks. I appreciate the kung-fu ladies I have never heard of but there are plenty of better know heroines that are not on the list (see above comments). I also was not aware The Fifth Element is now a cult classic...I just thought is was cheap to put on syndication as it is on TV all the time.

(Reply to this)

Soundwave2008 writes:
on Jun 26 2008 08:18 AM

This list is total BS! How can anyone beat out Sigourney Weaver for Alien and Aliens? No offense to any other female characters but Ellen Ripley kicked total *** in both movies. She should be number one hands down.

(Reply to this)

Derbeste writes:
on Jun 26 2008 08:48 AM

I don't normally criticize RT lists. I know most of them have formulas and every list is HIGHLY subjective anyway......

But I have to agree with many of my peers on this one:

- Linda Hamilton is BEYOND too low.

- Sigourney Weaver should be top 3 at the very least IMO.

- It seems like knowing Kung Fu will get you a much higher spot....but you don't see martial artists kicking the sh** out of robots and aliens.

Glaring absences:

- Carrie Fisher (as many have said). Just....WOW.

- Jamie Lee Curtis. Mike Myers is cultural folklore now because of her.

- Sarah Michelle Geller. Ok...not a movie heroine, but you can't deny the badassery of Buffy.

- Jodie Foster. Silence of the lambs is now Iconic.

- Halle Barry. Yeah...I'm joking. But I do like Storm. :)

(Reply to this)

Derbeste writes:
on Jun 26 2008 08:50 AM

oh....and though she's not real....

I think Elastigirl should get an honorable mention. :)

(Reply to this)

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