Women in pop fiction are often relegated to stereotypical, supporting roles. But we’re starting to see more and more strong female characters that challenge gender roles by refusing to sit in the corner and look pretty, electing instead to kick ass and take names.

With the recent release of both Hanna and Sucker Punch, we decided to take a look at some of the most badass heroic women in film.



Actress: Noomi Rapace

Appearances: The Millennium Trilogy

Lisbeth Salander first appeared in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as the troubled but brilliant hacker. She has been known to set people on fire along with other means of torture and dispatch. She’ll get a reprise in the American version later this year when David Fincher directs Rooney Mara in the role.



Actress: Rose McGowan

Appearances: Planet Terror

She has a friggin’ gun for a leg. ‘Nuff said.



Actress: Anne Parillaud

Appearances: La Femme Nikita

The former drug addict is recruited by French intelligence as an assassin. Their mistake is in thinking they can control her.



Actress: Pam Grier

Appearances: Foxy Brown

“A whole lot of woman,” Foxy Brown knows how to get revenge. After her boyfriend is killed by a gang of drug- and sex-traffickers, she castrates one and presents his package to his girlfriend. Scary bad ass.



Actress: Angelina Jolie

Appearances: Wanted

As a member of a secret league of assassins, Fox has the ability to bend the path of bullets. Angelina Jolie has played her fair share of impressive heroine’s in the past, but Fox takes the cake.