The Most Badass Black Women in Movie History

This list—and every list about badass female characters—begins with Foxy Brown. She set the stage for what everyone else could be.

You know you never get tired of watching Angela burn his stuff.

I have yet to meet a Black woman who doesn’t know every word of Sofia’s famous speech.

We could have done a whole list just on the women of Wakanda, but this special shoutout is for their General Okoye. She doesn’t hesitate to put a spear to her own husband’s neck to protect her country.

Viola Davis’ Nanisca is who we all want to be after one too many inappropriate looks in the supermarket.

Cleo was always too much of a badass to end up in jail. She wasn’t going out like that.

Val is not only a legendary warrior, she becomes the new King of Asgard when her people need her most.

As much as I love Nichelle Nichols’ Uhura, it was really cool to see her treated as an action hero. I also love how she’s clearly smarter than most of the men she works with.

I maintain my position that Monica was too good for Quincy and she deserved someone who wouldn’t be threatened by her shine.

For years people have been asking about a female James Bond. Hey world, she’s been right in front of you the whole time.

I’m not rooting for Evillene, but “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News” is more show-stopping than anything Dorothy does.

Just in case we all forgot about how she started this all, Pam Grier’s Jackie Brown outsmarted every man who underestimated her, and looked damn good doing it.