Top 10 Badass Female Movie Characters

#10: Black Widow Marvel Cinematic Universe (2010-)

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Originally intended for the British beauty Emily Blunt, this spy-tastic role was offered to Miss Scar Jo in 2009 and she sunk her teeth into the character like an actual Black Widow. In other words, she killed it. Natasha Romanoff made her Marvel Universe debut as Tony Stark’s undercover assistant in “Iron Man 2” and worked both her cleavage and a chair in “The Avengers.” Scarlett Johansson will continue to reprise her role in the superhero films and rumor has it that a stand-alone Black Widow feature is in the works – and we can’t wait to see her kick some ass on her own.

This sensuous warrior will either break your heart or send an arrow straight through it. Katniss Everdeen was forced into a life of violence, but her street smarts and grounded personality make her an existential revolutionary ready to beat you with brains. Men follow her valiantly into battle, while women say, “dang, that girl bad.” She’s fierce in combat just like fellow female Johanna Mason, and brutally honest with a devoted man-train that bows down to her very existence. She’s Katniss Everdeen, the beautiful badass of the big screen.

She’s perfected the stoic power stance and wears sunglasses like a futuristic boss. Although Trinity’s tightly groomed hairstyle may look painful, the real suffering happens when she unleashes deadly roundhouses all over her enemies. Her love for Neo is powerful, but her vengeance is even more potent, and by the way – she rides a Ducati cooler than you could ever dream of. You don’t want to meet this vixen in or out of The Matrix because she’ll leave you whimpering in a corner and make you call out her name. Then she’ll hack your entire life because she’s got it like that.

This colorful mutant takes over identities and makes her enemies suffer. Mystique first appeared in 2000’s “X-Men” as Magneto’s right-hand lady, and she has been a major part of the franchise ever since due to her struggle to overthrow humanity. She boasts cat-like speed and reflexes, the ability to assume the appearance of anyone, and operates like afemale Bond. She may have a sensitive side, but it's buried deep.

This ice-cold Hungarian vampire doesn’t draw many laughs, but she certainly draws plenty of blood. After a betrayal from her own clan, Selene sets off on a path of vengeance and deals out death like Vegas deals out cards. Despite her spectacular way of dealing with trouble, Selene’s extraordinary ego causes problems under deadly circumstances. She makes base jumpers look like wimps, and at the end of the day, Selene lives and her enemies become dust blowing in the wind.

Don’t confuse this quiet hacker for a softie, because she’ll surprise you with pierced nips and a punch to the face. Lisbeth Salander offers assistance to Daniel Craig’s Michael Blomkvist in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” but she’s able to survive on her own as one of the world’s most brilliant hackers. Men are frightened of Ms. Salander, yet curious about what’s beneath the tough exterior. We’ll tell you what’s beneath: a tough interior. She couldn’t care less what you think of her and she WILL have revenge…oh yes, she will have revenge.

#4: Sergeant Rita Vrataski “Edge of Tomorrow” (2014)

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This starry-eyed Sergeant welcomed Tom Cruise back to life over and over, and who wouldn’t want to wake up to see her angelic face? However, Rita Vrataski is more than just a pretty face, as she’s a hardened veteran of war and trains Major William Cage to be a time-traveling fighting machine. Her witty personality ensures sparkling conversation, while her fearless personality makes her the so-called “Full Metal Bitch” of the Big Screen. While many avoid danger at all cost, Rita Vrataski calls it just another day at the office.

#3: Sarah Connor “The Terminator” (1984); “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991)

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Once just another college student looking to make a few bucks, this character became a symbol of femaleempowerment through her badass-dom and ass-kicking ways. After a cyborg assassin attempts to mess with fate, Sarah Connor unleashes her wrath and ultimately transforms herself into a woman ready for war. She’s seen the best of times, and she’s seen the worst of times, but the name Sarah Connor has become synonymous with survival. You messed around and took a whipping, Cyborgs. You messed with the wrong dame.

#2: The Bride / Beatrix Kiddo “Kill Bill” (2003-04)

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Scientists were so impressed with this Quentin Tarantino character that a parasitic wasp was named in her honor. After her wedding rehearsal was violently crashed, Beatrix Kiddo went into a four-year coma and then awoke with trouble on her mind. She’s a trained assassin and wastes no time getting down to business. In fact, she’s one of a few people in the world who may kill with her fingertips. Beatrix boasts a customized sword that will slice you, dice you and fling your remains in the air before she walks away in silence. Big Mama B is the perfect wife if you’re ready to obey a few simple rules. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. - Lara Croft “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” (2001); “Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life” (2003) - Hit-Girl “Kick-Ass” franchise (2010-) - Leticia ‘Letty’ Ortiz “The Fast and the Furious” franchise (2001-) - Pvt. Dizzy Flores “Starship Troopers” (1997) - Fox “Wanted” (2008)

#1: Ellen Ripley “Alien” franchise (1979-97)

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She’s one of the best movie heroes of all time and helped transform the identity of an entire genre of film. Ellen Ripley is a university-educated space traveler, albeit a reluctant one, and like her pal Private Vasquez, she expresses no fear in times of chaos. When it comes to killer aliens, her methods are innovative - because they have to be - but it’s Ripley’s intellectual acumen that serves as her greatest asset. She paid the cost to be the boss and we love her for that! Do you agree with our list? Who is your favorite badass female movie character? For more mind-blowing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.