Top 10 Underrated Female Movie Heroes

#10: Ruby Roundhouse

“Jumanji” Franchise (1995-)
Ruby Roundhouse often gets lost in the ensemble of "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle." But don’t be fooled: she is a badass. Shy and intelligent high school student Martha Kaply transforms into Ruby after entering the world of Jumanji. Ruby, in turn, is a fearless and skilled warrior. Shedding her shy exterior, Martha quickly embraces the change. As a result, her character development is among the strongest in the film, growing in both confidence and leadership. Most importantly, Ruby is a master of martial arts and dance fighting, making her combat scenes among the most memorable in the franchise. Thanks to Karen Gillan’s athleticism and comedic timing, Ruby holds her own with The Rock, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black.

#9: Cassie Thomas

“Promising Young Woman” (2020)
Writer and director Emerald Fennell made a huge splash with her feature debut, “Promising Young Woman.” In it, Carey Mulligan stars as Cassie, a complex lead with dark motivations. Cassie is out for revenge against the man who assaulted her best friend, Nina, and those who allowed it to go unpunished. Cunning and clever, she executes a complicated revenge plot with meticulous precision. While in deep emotional pain, Cassie masks her rage with a thin veneer of fragility. Her motivations make her incredibly compelling and relatable. Her story is an unsettling but powerful commentary on assault, trauma, and the impact of attitudes towards women and consent.

#8: Zoë Bell, Abernathy Ross, & Kim Mathis

“Death Proof” (2007)
The 2007 B-action film “Death Proof” is an often overlooked entry in Quentin Tarantino’s filmography. It stars Kurt Russell as stuntman Mike McKay, who uses his modified car to murder women. Mike’s bloody crusade comes to a crashing end when he goes after the wrong friends. The ladies of “Death Proof” include Tracie Thoms, future “Ahsoka” star Rosario Dawson, and famed stuntwoman Zoë Bell. Zoë does some incredible high speed stunts of her own, barely hanging onto the hood of a fast-moving car. Ultimately, when they recover from Mike’s attack, they go on the offensive, giving the killer a taste of his own medicine. While not the most well-rounded characters, the squad in “Death Proof” are undeniably tough as nails.

#7: Lola

“Run Lola Run” (1998)
“Run Lola Run” is a quintessential 90’s fever dream and one of the most overlooked films of the decade. Franka Potente stars as the titular, red-haired Lola: a Berlin native who’s boyfriend works for the mob. When he accidentally loses 100,000 Deutschmarks of his boss’ money, he turns to Lola for help. She has only 20 minutes to find an alternative source of funds. The film follows Lola down three divergent paths, ultimately landing on the one where she’s successful. It’s a pulse-pounding examination of the butterfly effect and how small mistakes can ripple into the future. Despite her visceral fear, Lola’s determination and resolve are evident through every permutation of events, even when she fails.

#6: Sarah Ashburn & Shannon Mullins

“The Heat” (2013)
In “The Heat,” Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock are the best all-female buddy-cop duo since “Cagney & Lacey.” Ashburn and Mullins are a refreshing take on a male-dominated genre. McCarthy’s Mullins is a brash, dirty, and unapologetic Boston cop. She’s forced to partner up with Bullock’s Ashburn, an uptight, by-the-book FBI agent. Despite being as compatible as oil and water, their unlikely partnership is exactly what’s needed to break the case wide open. They also help each other grow individually and to overcome the sexism of their colleagues. Their foul-mouthed banter, violent antics, and believable camaraderie stand out among the pantheon of cinematic heroines.

#5: Mallory Kane

“Haywire” (2011)
Long before her controversial opinions got her kicked out of the “Star Wars” universe, Gina Carano’s first starring role was in Steven Soderbergh’s "Haywire." She played Mallory Kane, a highly trained operative seeking revenge after being betrayed. The film showcases Kane’s extraordinary physical prowess and combat skills, utilizing Gina Carano's real-life MMA expertise. Despite her stoic exterior, Mallory is a fairly well-rounded character, showing moments of vulnerability and a deep well of pathos. Despite being out on her own, Mallory never really reads as an underdog. She’s a one man army, taking bloody revenge one goon at a time.

#4: Samantha Caine / Charly Baltimore

“The Long Kiss Goodnight” (1996)
This action thriller had the misfortune of being released after one of the biggest blockbuster summers of the decade. The movie was lost in the shuffle with movies like “Independence Day,” “Twister,” and “Jerry Maguire.” It represents Geena Davis at the peak of her badassery. She stars as Samantha Caine, an average small-town wife who’s forgotten her past as an international assassin. She hires Mitch - Samuel L. Jackson at his most relatable - to help dig up clues. As Samantha’s former identity - Charly - begins to surface, Davis transforms from warm and bubbly to cold and terrifying. She’s confident, vicious, and utterly deadly, dominating in the best action flick you’ve likely never seen.

#3: Alice

“Resident Evil” Franchise (2002-)
Between 2002 and 2016, Mila Jovovich starred in six “Resident Evil” films as Alice, a deadly covert operative. In the first film, Alice suffers from amnesia. As the film progresses, her physical skills begin to manifest. Over the course of the series, her abilities dip into the superhuman thanks to experiments conducted by the evil Umbrella Corporation. Alice is a killing machine, taking on bigger, nastier zombies and monsters with each subsequent film. The franchise has never been particularly well-regarded by either audiences or critics. As a result, Alice is seldom shown the respect she deserves as a one-woman zombie-slaying army.

#2: Lorraine Broughton

“Atomic Blonde” (2017)
After the success of “John Wick,” co-director David Leitch left the franchise, molding his gun-fu aesthetic to a 1980s spy thriller. “Atomic Blonde” stars Charlize Theron as Lorraine, a triple agent navigating the dangerous streets of East Berlin right before the fall of the Wall. In addition to fighting in some of the best combat scenes ever shot, Lorraine must navigate the murky waters of the 1980s spy world. She doesn’t know who she can trust, and the audience is never quite sure if we can trust her, either. Theron is magnificent, navigating hand to hand combat effortlessly. While understandably compared to “John Wick,” “Atomic Blonde” really does put its own, unique stamp on the genre.

#1: Yu Shu Lien

“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000)
Yu Shu Lien deserves more praise than she’s ever received. At first blush, she appears to mainly be a warrior of unparalleled grace and skill. However, as the film develops, we understand that - behind her serene, honor-bound exterior - Yu Shu Lien is a woman of deep feeling. While clearly in love with male lead Li Mu Bai, she prioritizes her loyalty to her deceased fiancee. In battle, her confidence, strength, and skill give her enemies pause in every confrontation. Yu Shu Lien's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of staying true to one's principles, making her one of the most underrated heroines in movie history.

Is there a female lead who didn’t get the flowers she’s due from this list? Let us know in the comments below!