Action movies from the ‘2000s
The 2000s elevated female-led action movies to global blockbuster status, blending spectacle and star power into some of the top female action films of all time.
Charlie’s Angels delivered stylish teamwork, while Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon brought poetic martial arts storytelling. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider turned a gaming icon into a cinematic force, Kill Bill: Volume 1 redefined revenge, and Underworld added a darker, gothic edge.
Charlie’s Angels (2000)
Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu star as elite private investigators tasked with rescuing a kidnapped software engineer in a twisting, high-stakes case.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi star in a sweeping tale of a stolen sword, forbidden love, and martial arts adventure. Directed by Ang Lee.
Dark Angel (2000)
Jessica Alba stars as super-soldier Max Guevara, navigating a dystopian Seattle while evading government forces and searching for her lost siblings.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
Angelina Jolie stars as adventurer Lara Croft, exploring lost empires and uncovering secrets tied to her missing father in a high-stakes quest.
Resident Evil (2002)
Milla Jovovich leads a military unit battling a rogue supercomputer and hordes of mutated, flesh-eating creatures unleashed after a catastrophic laboratory experiment.
Enough (2002)
Jennifer Lopez plays a woman who, after failed escape attempts, transforms herself into a fighter determined to confront and defeat her abusive husband.
Naked Weapon (2002)
Maggie Q stars as a deadly assassin trained by the ruthless Madame M, as a long-running CIA investigation resurfaces amid a new wave of killings.
Underworld (2003)
Kate Beckinsale stars as Selene, a fierce vampire warrior caught in a war with werewolves, while uncovering secrets and falling for a human target.
Kill Bill (2003)
Uma Thurman plays a former assassin The Bride who awakens from a coma and embarks on a relentless quest for revenge against those who betrayed her.
Terminator 3: Rise of The Machines (2003)
Kristanna Loken plays the lethal T-X, a powerful female Terminator hunting John Connor, as a reprogrammed T-850 arrives to protect him.
Catwoman (2004)
Halle Berry plays a timid woman transformed into a feline antihero, balancing crime and justice while evading a determined detective intrigued by her double nature.
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Hilary Swank stars as aspiring boxer Maggie, whose determination earns the respect of a grizzled coach as she rises through the ranks.
Elektra (2005)
Jennifer Garner plays a skilled assassin whose change of heart draws her into a deadly battle against a powerful and sinister crime syndicate.
Bandidas (2006)
Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek star as an unlikely duo who become bank robbers to fight back against a ruthless enforcer terrorizing their town.
DOA: Dead of Alive (2006)
Devon Aoki stars as one of several elite fighters invited to a deadly tournament, where rival women must unite to uncover a hidden conspiracy.
The Brave One (2007)
Jodie Foster plays a traumatized radio host who turns vigilante, seeking revenge against the attackers who destroyed her life in New York City.
Doomsday (2008)
Rhona Mitra stars as a hardened operative leading a mission into a quarantined zone to stop a deadly threat to humanity’s future.
Chocolate (2008)
JeeJa Yanin stars as a young autistic girl with extraordinary fighting skills who takes on ruthless gangs to repay her ailing mother’s debts.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008)
Lena Headey stars as Sarah Connor, living off-grid with her son while fighting to stop Skynet and prevent humanity’s destruction.
