Film Junk Poll: What is the Best Female-Fronted Action Movie?

With both Haywire and Underworld Awakening hitting theatres this weekend, it seems like an appropriate time to discuss some of the best action movies that have been led by females. Although we’ve been seeing more women kicking ass on the big screen in recent years, the fact is, a lot of them are still overshadowed by their male co-stars. That’s why this poll only focuses on movies where the primary star is a woman (ie. Terminator 2 does not count). Also, just to make things a little more fair, you can probably consider a vote for Resident Evil or Underworld to be a vote for the entire franchise. So what is the best female-fronted action movie? Cast your vote in this week’s poll and tell us about your other favourites in the comments below.

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  • Ozymandias

    How is this even a contest? Kill Bill and Aliens are the only two logical choices. I went with Kill Bill, btw.

  • bullet3

    Can’t beat Aliens/Kill Bill, though Long Kiss Goodnight should really be on that list

  • Aaron123

    Love Aliens, but yeah Kill Bill wins. I know it doesn’t fit in to the poll but the second half of Death Proof is so awsome.

  • indianamcclain

    I’m going with Lt. Ripley.

  • Sam

    Came here to vote for Hanna. Now leaving.

  • From this list, I’d say Kill Bill, but I loved Kick-Ass.

  • patrik

    Since Kick-Ass isn’t on the list, I agree with the current order. Kill Bill, Aliens and then Underworld.

  • Fuck “Underworld” and “Resident Evil”, right in their faces. “Underworld” in particular had it’s head so far up it’s own ass right from the get-go. Given the quality of some of these choices, I’m half-surprised that “Aeon Flux” isn’t on this list. No love for “Elektra”? *crickets*

  • These are great! But Death Proof takes the cake in my opinion.

  • Kasper

    Man, this makes me realize that almost all female-fronted action movies are shit.

  • Cassius Clay

    Aliens…all others pale in comparison.

  • Steve

    I’m surprised at all the Tarantino support. I found The Bride to be completely defined by the tragedy which befell her. Death Proof is probably the most “girl-power” on the list, but it seemed pretty pandering and absurd to me.

    I myself haven’t seen too many action movies so I really don’t have a say.

  • Where’s “Firecracker” on this list?

  • Anthony

    Aliens. ’nuff said. Contest over. Game, set, and match.

  • I still enjoy watching Kill Bill on a lazy weekend sometimes. Aliens is great, but I have to be in a specific mood for it. KB is the only one I can really enjoy at any time.

    Might’ve said Hanna had it been on the poll. I think it should’ve been on there over, say, Suckerpunch at least.

  • drexlw

    Nikita is my favourite on the list but it’s not strictly an action movie. So….Aliens.

  • Boys, what’s the story with no Hanna???

  • Also, this list is SERIOUSLY lacking in Cynthia Rothrock.

  • Falsk

    Suckerpunch? Are you fucking kidding me?

    If we’re talking about ‘best female-fronted action movie where the main character isn’t overly sexualized and actually treated like a human-fucking-being’ THEN PUT ME ON THE RIPLEY TRAIN. I don’t think I’ve ever seen as inspiring a female action star as Ripley AND I DON’T CARE THAT THE ROLE WAS INTENDED TO BE MASCULINE. It still counts.

  • Xidor

    Wizard of Oz. Dorothy kicks ass.

  • Beerdude

    I love Kill Bill, but I think we all know in our hearts that this has to be Aliens.

  • La Menthe

    Alien/Aliens?

  • Chuck

    Point of No Return…

  • DAMN this was a tough one. I went with Kill Bill but it could just as easily have been Aliens.

  • anton

    kill bill is a nice try

  • What is with Alien not getting more love. I see it is tied with Kill Bill but come on, Ripley is the queen.