The highly anticipated Wonder Woman will be a tough act to follow with its surplus of dazzling action sequences and that tear-jerker of an ending.
To prepare for this sequel, you can of course watch female-led MCU movies like Captain Marvel and Dark Phoenix. That being said, there are some non-comic-book, female-led action adventure films to hold you over until the release of Wonder Woman 1984.
Fast Color
Fast Color follows a young woman with seemingly boundless, alien-like superpowers. Gugu Mbatha-Raw stars in this film and contributes an irable performance as a mother on the run, struggling to hone her daughter's emerging powers.
The coming-of-age story surely makes for a heartwarming depiction of the bond between mother and daughter. However, thrill-seekers looking for action will find value in the film's vibrant CGI and suspenseful plotline. Currently available on Hulu, Fast Colour garnered praises from critics and audiences alike.
Annihilation
Starring Natalie Portman, Annihilation is a nightmare of an adventure into the alien-controlled Area X, a government interest site sectioned off from the rest of the world by a spectral forcefield splashed with different shades of neon colors. Portman's character, Lena, pushes through into a bizarre and vibrantly colored jungle, searching for her lost husband and the rest of his team.
Undoubtedly, Annihilation has a notch 'turned-up' in comparison to Wonder Woman when it comes to terror, with a psychedelic sequence that is so potently jarring you may catch a seizure. If you still use a night light, this isn't an ideal pick.
Haywire
This 2011 thriller took an innovative approach by choosing an MMA fighter (whose acting portfolio was rather minimal at the time) in Gina Carano as the female lead. Haywire also has a formidable lineup of actors to complement Carano, including appearances by Channing Tatum and Michael Fassbender.
Carano's inherent combat skills make for electric yet brutal action sequences that director Steven Soderbergh seems to bring to their fullest. Additionally, the action isn't limited to hand-to-hand combat, as there is a wealth of further stunts in Haywire (guns and car crashes). Carano definitely shows the men whose boss.
Hanna
Made by English film director Joe Wright, Hanna is a rather 'artistic' approach to the typical big-boobed, female-led action flick. Hanna, played by Saoirse Ronan, is a teenager trained to be a killer by her father, played by Eric Bana. After being captured and finding herself in a strictly secured government facility, Hanna uses her father's lessons to escape, only to find a confusing world outside the snowy landscapes she's known all her life.
Critics liked Hanna, and a viewer will understand why after they see the film's cinematographic depth.
Tomb Raider (2018)
2018's Tomb Raider is the reboot of Angelina Jolie's Lara Croft: Tomb Raider films based on the 1996 video game made by Core Design. As one critic coined it, Jolie's "ever-watchable" nature is ed by several nice action scenes that may not have been a critic's cup of tea but made the two films fan favorites.
The newest Tomb Raider, enhanced by almost fifteen years of constant innovation in the film industry, is surely a step up from Jolie's 2003 sequel, which was actually better received than its first chapter. The 2018 film's stellar cast, which includes Dominic West and Walton Goggins, is another strong point of the reboot that propels the film further than its preceding series.
Underworld
Underworld is another nightmarish female-led action/adventure that may not be directly down the typical Wonder Woman fan's alley but should at least be on the same block. The series of movies starring Kate Beckinsale includes five films stretching over thirteen years.
The vampire infused horror/action should make for an enticing treat if you like female-led adventures. Additionally, the abundance of content it offers over five films may be all it takes to get you to Dec. 25th.
Kill Bill
Quentin Tarantino's fourth and fifth films, Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Kill Bill: Volume 2, are arguably two of the best movies in the famed director's filmography. Starring Uma Thurman, these action/thrillers are full-throttle murder sprees accented with whimsical one-liners and elusively poignant emotion at times.
Though it may not be appropriate for all ages, Kill Bill is a full-throttle film series that makes for a frenzied joy-ride of a picture. Another exciting thing worth noting is Tarantino has never denied the possibility of a third chapter, even teasing at the possibility, according to IndieWire.
Lucy
In Lucy, audiences can find Scarlett Johansson outside of the tights of Black Widow, and the actress contributes a stellar performance as usual. Similar to Hanna, Lucy awakens as a prisoner in some strange facility. However, Lucy is bestowed with animalistic, supernatural powers that make her a force to be reckoned with.
The French film was a tremendous success at the U.S. can't get enough Johansson.
Charlie's Angels
The 2019 reboot starring and directed by Elizabeth Banks is another solution for holding you over until Christmas. The film did fairly well in critics' eyes and refrained from cowering to the high-expectations of the Charlie's Angels name. However, the film is certainly more spunky and poppy than Wonder Woman.
Charlie's Angels should balance out some of the darker, horror-infused entries on the list with the boisterous humor that Banks brings to her directorial and acting efforts.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Although the more recent installment of the martial arts series was largely written-off by critics, the original Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is an action/adventure classic. The 2000 film was celebrated for its underbelly of romance and feminine courage, which ed the sword-slinging action and martial arts endemic to the genre.
Esteemed filmmaker Ang Lee directed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and it is arguably his best work to date.
