Skip to content

Top Navigation

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • News
  • Fashion
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Charity
    • Career
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore InStyle

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The 8 Breakout Hair Color Trends of Winter 2021

      Expect to see these shades all over Instagram. Read More Next
    • What Is a Capsule Wardrobe? 10 Tips to Help You De-Clutter Your Closet

      Fashion designer Misha Nonoo weighs in on the essential items that'll make your 'nothing to wear' days a thing of the past. Read More Next
    • "Maskne" Is a Thing — Here's How to Fight Face Mask Breakouts

      As if stress breakouts weren't bad enough. Read More Next
  • News
  • Fashion

    Fashion

    See All Fashion

    How to Find the Best Color to Wear For Your Skin Tone

    It's not as tricky as you think.
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity

    Celebrity

    See All Celebrity

    The 35 Most Naked Dresses of All Time

    Naked dresses are perhaps the most impressive of all red carpet feats. While they may not always make the best-dressed list, they do require a certain breed of celebrity to pull off. Not only do you have to have the balls to risk a wardrobe malfunction, but you have to do it with enough confidence that you look fierce — not terrified — in the photographs. Take Naomi Campbell's appearance in Valentino's couture show during the spring/summer 2019 presentation. The legendary model gracefully strutted down the runway in a see-through gown with a ruffle skirt. (Click through the gallery for the NSFW photo).  Get the inside scoop on all your favorite celebrities with our FREE daily newsletter, InStyle Celebrity. Breaking news, relationship updates, hairstyle inspo, fashion trends, and more direct to your inbox! Let's not forget Rihanna’s infamous CFDA dress either. The girl rocked a completely sheer dress without a bra — and later remarked that her only regret was not wearing a bedazzled thong to match. That, my friends, is dedication. Then, there was the year 2015, when the Met Gala saw not one nor two but three naked dresses on the red carpet, all worn by Hollywood’s hottest A-listers. Jennifer Lopez, above, bared her famous curves in a custom Atelier Versace illusion gown. Beyoncé was nearly naked in Givenchy. And Kim Kardashian West almost looked modest in comparison in her sheer Roberto Cavalli dress, because no one’s getting naked without KKW joining in. Click through to see the best naked dresses of all time.
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See All Beauty

    13 Steps You Can Take to Stop Stubborn Cystic Acne, According to Experts

    If you're struggling with breakouts on your chin and jaw area, read this. 
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair

    Hair

    See All Hair

    The 5 Haircut Trends That Will Dominate 2020

    The beginning of the new year comes with the irresistible urge to start over fresh, which means it's a great time to get a haircut.  This decade's first big hair trends include looks at every length that can be tailored to your hair texture and personal style. For anyone with a blunt bob — the most popular haircut of the past few years — you probably already guessed that the cut will still be going strong into the next decade. But there will be a few tweaks. As seen on Kerry Washington, 2020's bob has textured, softer edges, and looks amazing whether you part it down the middle or off to the side.  RELATED: The 10 Hairstyles You'll See Everywhere This Winter But if you swear that 2020 is going to be the year you finally grow out your hair, let Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian's extra-long lengths be your inspiration. Or, you can get the look instantly with the help of some clip in extensions.  To help you figure out how to wear your hair in the new year, we've rounded up the five biggest haircut trends of 2020, so you'll be sure of what you want before you head to the salon in January.  VIDEO: The Five Biggest Haircut Trends of 2020
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    See All Lifestyle

    Your Essential Keto Grocery List

    If you're embarking on the keto diet, here are the must-have items to add to your cart.
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues

    Politics & Social Issues

    See All Politics & Social Issues

    Of Course Kamala Harris Is Ready to Be President

    The senator has been criticized for seeming too ambitious — but that's kind of the point.
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Charity
    • Career
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture

    Pop Culture

    See All Pop Culture

    Introducing InStyle's First Podcast: Ladies First with Laura Brown

    Join editor in chief Laura Brown as she talks to trailblazers like Emily Ratajkowski, Michelle Pfeiffer and Storm Reid about their historic "firsts" in the industry.
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping

    Shopping

    See All Shopping

    The 13 Best Shapewear Pieces to Shop, According to Thousands of Customer Reviews

    Upgrade your lingerie drawer with these top-rated body shapers.
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Awards & Events Chevron Right
  3. Comic Con Chevron Right
  4. The Fiercest Women in Sci-Fi History

The Fiercest Women in Sci-Fi History

By Marianne Mychaskiw
Updated Jul 25, 2014 @ 4:45 pm
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Mary Evans/PARAMOUNT PICTURES/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

Sure, Superman and Batman are pretty cool, but characters like Storm from the X-Men and Wonder Woman are among the fiercest women in science fiction who truly redefined what it meant to fight like a girl. It's impossible to talk about superheroines without bringing up either of the two, and with Comic-Con in full swing, we decided to celebrate by rounding up 22 of the best women from our favorite comic books, TV shows, and movies. But it's not all about the good guys--with their quick ability to strategize to get exactly what they want, bad gal villains like Catwoman and Poison Ivy also make us geek girls proud. Whether you're looking for cosplay inspiration, or are in need of an extra dose of girl power, click through our gallery to see each character now!

Start Slideshow

1 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Wonder Woman

Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

It's impossible to talk about badass women in sci-fi without bringing up Wonder Woman, who was played by Lynda Carter in the '70s-era TV series. Known back on her home island as Princess Diana of Themyscira, the Amazonian superheroine-clad in her star-spangled ensemble-fought for justice with her lasso of truth, and rocked arm cuffs and a tiara that doubled as weapons.

1 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Storm

Credit: ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

We admit-we had a hard time picking a favorite X-Men member among Rogue, Jean Grey, Mystique, and Shadowcat, but Storm is truly a force of nature with her ability to manipulate energy and the weather, and can use both as weapons to create lightning bolts, super-strong tornadoes and hurricanes, and wind gusts so strong that they can lift entire buildings.

2 of 22

3 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Beatrix Kiddo

Credit: Mary Evans/MIRAMAX FILMS/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

Also known as The Bride or Black Mamba, Uma Thurman played the skilled assassin in Kill Bill volumes 1 and 2, and is the only member of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad to master the five point palm killing technique. Just as the film's title suggests, Kiddo's main objective was to get revenge on the squad leader Bill and her ex-colleagues, who murdered her wedding party and attempted to kill her just before her walk down the aisle.

3 of 22

Advertisement

4 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Buffy Summers

Credit: Getty Images

Speak softly and carry a large stake... After answering to her calling as the Slayer, Buffy Summers takes on the task of keeping Sunnydale safe from vampires and other supernatural forces. She and fellow slayers Willow and Xander are trained by Giles, and are taught exactly how to take on the creatures they eventually face.

4 of 22

5 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Ellen Ripley

Credit: Mondadori via Getty Images

Ellen Ripley came out as the sole human survivor in 1979's Alien, and in 1986, Sigourney Weaver reprised the iconic role to battle the aliens on planet LV-426.

5 of 22

6 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Supergirl

Credit: Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty Images

In 1984, Helen Slater took on the role of Kara Zor-El, Superman's cousin who battled the villain Selena (played by Faye Dunaway) to defend Argo City.

6 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

April O'Neil

Credit: Raymond Hall/FilmMagic

April O'Neil just got a 2014 makeover! A far cry from the yellow jumpsuit the right hand woman of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles wore back in the '80s, Megan Fox's real-life take on the character complemented her Sai weapons with a more-modern ensemble.

7 of 22

8 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Batgirl

Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

Before Alicia Silverstone reprised the role in the late '90s, Yvonne Craig played Gotham's toughest-and most-stylish-heroine.

8 of 22

9 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Barbarella

Credit: Silver Screen Collection

Played by Jane Fonda, Barbarella's catlike reflexes and voluminous '60s-era blowout went on to inspire the design of the comic book heroines in the years that followed. Also of note: Her trademark bodysuits served as a muse for Jean-Paul Gaultier's costumes in The Fifth Element.

9 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Catwoman

Credit: 20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved, Courtesy: Everett Collection

Portrayed by the stunning Eartha Kitt and Julie Newmar in early versions, Catwoman-a.k.a. Selina Kyle-is one of the most iconic villainesses in the Batman universe who dons her best feline-inspired apparel to carry out major heists. In what we consider the Romeo and Juliet storyline of the comic book world, she later becomes romantically involved with Batman, and in some versions, the two marry and have a daughter.

10 of 22

11 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Catwoman

Credit: Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection

Still glamorous as ever, Selina Kyle later got a few modern-day updates by Michelle Pfeiffer in 1992, Halle Berry in 2004, and most recently by Anne Hathaway in 2012.

11 of 22

12 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Nyota Uhura

Credit: ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection,SSPL/Getty Images

In addition to being the communications officer on the USS Enterprise, Lieutenant Uhura's influence extended far into the real world. Nichelle Nichols, who played the character during its original run, later volunteered with NASA to encourage both women and ethnic minorities to join the service, and succeeded in recruiting Dr. Sally Ride, Colonel Guion Buford, Dr. Judith Resnik, and many more astronauts. In 2009, Zoe Saldana took on the iconic role originated by Nichols when Star Trek got a big-screen reboot.

12 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Tank Girl

Credit: United Artists/Getty Images

In the year 2033, the Earth was in the midst of an 11-year drought caused by a comet hitting the planet. The Water & Power group holds the water supply in reserve and uses it to control the world's population, so Tank Girl (Lori Petty) makes it her mission to steal the H2O and give it back to the community. Water & Power catches on and attacks Tank Girl's headquarters, capturing her and killing her boyfriend. She teams up with Jet Girl (Naomi Watts) and the duo sneaks into Water & Power headquarters, where they engage in a battle and eventually release the once-rationed water.

13 of 22

14 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Agent Dana Scully

Credit: ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

The truth is out there! Gillian Anderson played FBI Agent Dana Scully in The X-Files, where she worked alongside Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) to investigate unsolved extraterrestrial cases.

14 of 22

15 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Zoe Washburne

Credit: ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

Gina Torres played Serenity's first mate on the series Firefly, and fought bravely in the Unification War. Aside from Sargent Malcolm Reynolds, she was the only survivor of their platoon, and ended up joining a renegade group called the Dust Devils to fight against the Peacekeepers of the Alliance. She then joined the crew of the Serenity, and we admire her for her loyalty, ability to think logically and keep her cool in the midst of a battle, not to mention, how well she works a mean leather ensemble.

15 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Poison Ivy

Credit: ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Uma Thurman strikes again! Though 1997's Batman & Robin wasn't the biggest success, Thurman's role as doctor-turned-villainess Pamela Isley goes down in our book as one of the most iconic nemises in Gotham history.

16 of 22

17 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Silk Spectre II

Credit: ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

For Malin Akerman's character in Watchmen, crime fighting runs in the family. Silk Spectre II is the daughter of Sally Jupiter, the original Silk Spectre who was part of the Minutemen superhero group. She followed in her mother's footsteps, and doesn't shy away from making her feminist and humanitarian opinions known.

17 of 22

18 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Elektra

Credit: ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

Though Elektra (Jennifer Garner) was killed at the end of Daredevil, the ninja assassin is brought back to life by Stick, a martial arts master who trains her in the Kimagure technique. The discipline gives those who practice it the ability to see into the future and bring people back from the dead, though Elektra leaves training to become a contract killer as she has a hard time controlling her anger.

18 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sarah Connor

Credit: ©TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Portrayed by Linda Hamilton in the Terminator saga, Sarah is saved from the Terminator from a soldier named Kyle at the age of 19, but after he is killed during a mission, she is left alone with an unborn son. Years later, she becomes a warrior, and is broken out of prison by her now teenage son, who helps Connor and the Terminator delay the impending war with the machines. In Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, she and her son John use a time machine to travel to 2007, and attempt to find a way to prevent Skynet from being formed.

19 of 22

20 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Katniss Everdeen

Credit: Murray Close/©Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection

When her younger sister Prim was chosen as District 12's tribute in the 74th annual Hunger Games, Katniss (played by Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers to compete in her place. She and fellow tribute Peeta Mellark ended up winning thanks to their quick thinking, and Katniss' expertise with a bow and arrow. After taking part in the Quarter Quell alongside previous Hunger Games victors, Katniss forms alliances with the tributes, and ends up becoming the symbolic leader of the rebellion against the Capitol.

20 of 22

21 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Hermione Granger

Credit: Murray Close/Entertainment Pictures

The brightest witch of her year, Hermione Granger (played by Emma Watson) was the brains behind Harry Potter's mission to defeat Voldemort, all while maintaining perfect grades at Hogwarts.

21 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 22

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lara Croft

Credit: Mary Evans/PARAMOUNT PICTURES/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

Angelina Jolie took the archaeologist, who moonlights as a tomb raider, from the Playstation to the big screen in 2001, veering slightly from her backstory in the game. As the title Tomb Raider suggests, Croft is notorious for breaking into ancient tombs and taking ancient artifacts, and is extremely skilled in the art of combat.

22 of 22

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Marianne Mychaskiw

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 22 Wonder Woman
2 of 22 Storm
3 of 22 Beatrix Kiddo
4 of 22 Buffy Summers
5 of 22 Ellen Ripley
6 of 22 Supergirl
7 of 22 April O'Neil
8 of 22 Batgirl
9 of 22 Barbarella
10 of 22 Catwoman
11 of 22 Catwoman
12 of 22 Nyota Uhura
13 of 22 Tank Girl
14 of 22 Agent Dana Scully
15 of 22 Zoe Washburne
16 of 22 Poison Ivy
17 of 22 Silk Spectre II
18 of 22 Elektra
19 of 22 Sarah Connor
20 of 22 Katniss Everdeen
21 of 22 Hermione Granger
22 of 22 Lara Croft

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
InStyle InStyle

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Accolades Licensing
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
InStyle is part of the Meredith Beauty Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. InStyle may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.instyle.com

View image

The Fiercest Women in Sci-Fi History
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.