Black Widow is the highly anticipated spin-off Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) flick that everyone's been waiting for, and is release date has been pushed back once again due to the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. For those that literally cannot wait another second before Natasha Romanoff hits the big screen again, there are some other flicks that might get fans through the wait.
Whether fans love Scarlett Johansson, the rest of this upcoming cast, superhero flicks, action thrillers, or some powerful female leads, this list is here to satisfy all those cravings while they anxiously await the actual release of this film.
Harley Quinn: Birds Of Prey (2020)
For those that were waiting for some powerful women to hit the big screen, this one might just satisfy that craving. Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey -- originally titled Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) -- definitely a bit more fun and wild, but this DC Extended Universe (DCEU) entry stars Margot Robbie slaying the role as the 'fantabulous' Harley Quinn.
The girl gang joins up, including Black Canary and Huntress, to save a young girl from the ruthless crimelord Black Mask (Ewan McGregor). This action-packed female-led flick is entertaining from start to finish, and is arguably a better realization of what Suicide Squad originally set out to do.
Haywire (2011)
Ewan McGregor makes this list once again, but this time he's teamed up with Gina Carano (Cara in The Mandalorian) and Michael Fassbender. A super soldier is betrayed and set up during a mission, so she takes revenge upon herself.
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Haywire is a crime thriller with a strong female lead who's also a trained black ops soldier with some stellar and impressive moves under her belt - much like Black Widow herself.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Technically part of a four-hour epic, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is a Quentin Tarantino flick starring Uma Thurman as an assassin who is tricked on the job by her team. She wakes up from a four-year coma with a list of all those who wronged her. Her mission? To kill everyone written on the list.
For crime and violence and bold moves, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is definitely a thrilling and entertaining ride. This one is definitely more outrageous, in Tarantino flair, but it's still a cool female assassin flick. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 completes the story in stirring fashion, but it's decidedly more meditative when compared to its action-packed predecessor.
Salt (2010)
People jokingly say that Black Widow already existed before the MCU recruited her, and here name is Angelina Jolie. Here, she plays a CIA agent on the run, after she is accused of being a Russian spy.
Back in 2010, this flick made waves for having such a powerful female role. Plus, everyone loves a spy-thriller, and Salt doesn't disappoint, especially for fans of Jolie. For an intelligent, cold, and calculating lead, this one will definitely satisfy those waiting for Natasha Romanoff's return.
No Country For Old Men (2007)
This one doesn't have a female lead, but it does have assassins, cops, hunters, crime, and a chase. Directed by the Coen Brothers, No Country for Old Men has Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Woody Harrelson.
After Llewelyn Moss (Brolin), a hunter, takes some money from the scene of a drug deal gone wrong, a violent and cruel assassin starts tracking him down, along with two police officers who may or may not be willing to hear his side of the story. In a wicked game of cat and mouse, there's enough suspense, intelligent tricks, and stellar acting to go around.
Lucy (2014)
For those that simply just need another dose of Scarlett Johansson kicking butts and shooting faces, Lucy should definitely be binged next.
Taking on a sci-fi twist, regular girl Lucy (Johansson) is kidnapped and forced to smuggle drugs for her captors. But in a twist of fate, the drugs that she accidently ingests turn her into a super-soldier without mercy. Lucy has a powerful female lead in a movie that's all about revenge, violence, and courage. Smarter than it may seem at first, this action-packed thriller is definitely entertaining.
Tomb Raider (2018)
The third Tomb Raider (and the first reboot) is a bit different from the rest here list since, among other things, it has a fantasy twist. Based on the popular video game franchise's recent reboot, Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander) goes on an adventure to the island where her father disappeared.
With magic, artifacts, and tombs, this action adventure is definitely a riveting flick with a stellar female lead. A mix between Salt and Indiana Jones, no one can miss this one.
Barely Lethal (2015)
This one has a more comedic spin on a female-led action flick. Barely Lethal stars Hailee Steinfeld and Samuel L. Jackson, aka Nick Fury himself in this lighthearted take on the spy thriller.
Here, teenage special ops agent Megan Walsh (Steinfeld) fakes her own death - so she can join high school. However, surviving high school can be trickier and deadlier than being an international spy. This hilarious and action-packed flick is unique, but also totally cool.
Red Sparrow (2018)
It goes without saying that Red Sparrow is probably the darkest film on the list. This action thriller stars Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Edgerton. Lawrence plays a Russian intelligence agent, who is trained as a 'sparrow' - an assassin who uses seduction as her main tool. She finds herself caught between the CIA and her Russian service, and only violence and chaos unfolds.
Not for the faint of heart, Red Sparrow has all the assassins, a powerful female lead, and suspense a Black Widow fan could hope for. If it helps, it's been joked that Red Sparrow was the real Black Widow prequel due to its training scenes resembling the Red Room seen in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Hanna (2011)
Hanna stars a young Saoirse Ronan, who plays a teenage girl trained by her father to be an assassin. On a mission in Europe, she is tracked by a ruthless and cruel agent - and all her operatives. With Cate Blanchett co-starring, there is plenty of female power to go around in this flick.
Plus, with assassins, actions, drama, and suspense, this one will definitely hook fans, and keep them entertained until Black Widow. If that's enough, Hanna also inspired an ongoing series on Amazon Prime that was just renewed for a third season.