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With gender equality taking center stage in almost every industry, Hollywood is finally taking strides in its inclusivity agenda. This is especially so as an increased number of women are actively taking up lead roles in blockbuster action movies. Ironically, blockbusters are commonly stereotyped as a masculine field with stars like Sylvester Stallone, The Rock, Jason Statham, and Will Smith, helping push the analogy. However, female leads in blockbuster movies prove that they too can hold their own when it comes to badassery. With this in mind, we compiled a list of 8 of the most Badass women in your favorite action films. From acts of heroism to actual butt-kicking, these eight women are the real deal when it comes to being badass.

Wonder Woman

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DC's all-star male heroes have been dominating the halls of Hollywood for far too long. With most of DC's heroes being men, Wonder Woman took the term female hero to a whole new level. The mega-hit, starring Gal Gadot, is one of those movies that vividly captures adrenaline-filled action sequences, emotional scenes, and of course, defiance. There is no doubt that Wonder Woman is a real badass; after all, how bad do you have to be to stop a world war.

Tomb Raider

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With most video game-based movies struggling to make an impression, Tomb rider, starring Angelina Jolie, took the action-thriller scene by storm. The plot revolves around adventure junkie, Lara Croft, going into the most mysterious places searching for some of the world's most treasured artifacts. The fact that she performed her own death-defying stunts and dealt with bad guys the only way she knew how guarantees her a place on our list.

Captain Marvel

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Even before the film premiered back in 2019, the movie was already making moves in the social scene. And true to its word, Captain Marvel did not disappoint. There's nothing more satisfying than watching a female avenger beating up a bunch of bad guys. Wonder woman, played by Brie Larson, finds herself having to defend her people in an intergalactic war with a shape-shifting race called the Skrulls. With the movie climaxing in a show of her cosmic powers, Brie Larson made being a badass look far too easy.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

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In arguably one of the movies with the best fight scenes on the list, Yu Shu Lien(Michelle Yeoh) was an instant box-office smash at the time of release. The film is about a veteran warrior who's primary mission is finding the Green sword of Destiny. When a martial arts guru with exceptional sword skills meets an equally mean, Yu Jen, the stage is set for a breathtaking fight scene. 

Kill Bill

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Quentin Tarantino, the movie director famous for coming up with memorable female movie characters, did not disappoint with the Kill Bill films. Left for dead after being buried alive, 'The Bride's' revenge mission is filled with Uma Thurman leaving a trail of destruction with her devastating Kung-Fu Skills. The movie is the second film on our list that promises action-packed sword fights and plain old badassery.

Black Panther

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Despite Black Panther being a black superhero movie, the other standout feature of the film is the women in the movie, especially Danai Gurira, a badass all-women army leader. With her bald and heavily tattooed head, this badass is the true definition of girl power. In a stand out undercover mission in South Korea, Danai Gurira disposes of a wig in the first sign of impending action, quickly turning from a wig-wearing beauty to a traditional spear-wielding weapon.

Mad Max: Fury Road

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With 11 Academy Awards nominations to back, this female-led action movie definitely deserves a spot on our list. With a shaven head, a mechanical arm, and war paint all over her forehead, Charlize Theron is a badass, no-bullshit woman who rescues a band of mothers from breeding enslavement. In fact, the name Furiosa itself screams badass. While her rig driving skills are out of this world, her leadership qualities are a thing that sets her apart from other female movie heroes.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day

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How could we possibly have a list of movie badass without including Sarah Connor from Terminator 2: Judgment Day? Despite her sharing the stage with legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger, this doesn't stop her from standing out as a total badass. A thing of rare brilliance is that Linda Hamilton took up an Israeli ex-commando to train her on all gun welding and military combat techniques. This is evident in how fit she looks in the film. Since no one believes her story about a killing machine from the future out to kill her, she's left with the predicament of having to defend herself and her son. Her looks add to her meanness, and it takes is one look to make us convinced that Sarah Connor is one of the badass women ever to grace the Hollywood scenes.