Honorable Mentions: Trinity's introduction in The Matrix is awesome but more of a chase than a fight, Angelina Jolie's brawls in Salt are great but don't feature a stand-out throw down, and the Silk Spectre/Owl Man team-ups from Watchmen are slow mo fun but Spectre isn't the lead player.
#10 Ramonoa vs Roxy from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
While the majority of this film is Scott fighting on Ramona's behalf, the tables are turned when Scott is attacked by Roxy, Ramona's former girlfriend from college. With Scott too dazed imagining the two ladies together and uncomfortable hitting a lady, Ramona steps up with an oversized hammer to take Roxy down. What follows looks like a Tekken fight, including the neon dunked club, before switching the comedy kung-fu as Ramona moves Scott's body for him, before ending in the silliest fashion possible.
#9 Mallory vs. Paul from Haywire
Gina Carano's breakout role may be light on dialogue but it's heavy on fighting. In the fight that sets the whole movie in motion Carano's Mallor is double-crossed by Michael Fassbender's Paul in a brutal hand to hand brawl that works its way through a luxury suite. The fight is insanely well choreographed and shows off Carano's considerable combat MMA skills, but the lack of soundtrack really emphasizes the power of each blow.
#8 Leeloo vs Magalores from The Fifth Element
For most of The Fifth Element we've been told that Leeloo is a "supereme being" and is the embodiment of perfection. While the men onscreen agree that she's physically flawless, her considerable skill set is demonstrated in a one-sided fight against the violent alien race known as the Magalores. Furious at the murder of innocent civilians Leeloo leaps into action and begins an acrobatic and sometimes cartoonish beatdown of the Magalores. Oh and did I mention that this is all to a pop opera song sung by a blue alien, cause that's kinda awesome.
#7 Ripley vs Alien Queen from Aliens
While the fight is a tad clunky, the mother vs mother battle makes this list for Ripley's entrance alone. Firing off a classic catchphrase "Get away from her you bitch!" Sigourney Weaver's Ripley then grapples with the giant alien queen in a power loaded before pulling the old blow her out the airlock move.
#6 Black Widow vs Goons from Iron Man 2
Considering how much time she spents fighting aliens or killer robots, it's easy to forget how easily Black Widow can beat down other humans. But the scene that introduced her signature grapple based fighting style is a quick reminder. Tearing through male security goons with ease Scarlett Johansson's Widow easily dispatches all comers with tech, kicks, and the most casual mase spray ever...with a finishing pose after every KO. All the while, Tony Stark's bodyguard Happy flails against a single foe in the lobby.
#5 Rey vs Kylo Ren from Star Wars: The Force Awakens
This lightsaber fight is noticeably more messy than some of Star War's best, but it makes the cut for the power of its reveal and it's ultimate outcome. With Ren easily dispatching Rey and Finn, the Sith Lord looks ready to grab Luke Skywalker's lightsaber...before it goes flying into Rey's hands. The newly awaken Jedi then takes Kylo Ren to task and bests him before the dissolving planet separates them. Can't wait for their next round.
#4 Hit-Girl vs Mafia Goons from Kick-Ass
The dimiutive Hit-Girl deals out a lot of bloody justice in this flick but her best battle is furious close-quarters fire-fight between her and a hallway full of henchmen. With "Bad Reputation" blaring in the backgroud, Hit-Girl dual wields pistols in an acrobatic fashion and creates so much havoc in such a small span of time that the baddies go running for a rocket launcher.
#3 Letty vs Riley from Fast & Furious 6
Hollywood's go to tough girl Michelle Rodriguez and the aforementioned Gina Carano go toe to toe twice in this Fast & Furious sequel and their first encounter is easily the best. As Riley initially gains the upper hand with technical prowess Letty works her way back thanks to scrappiness and intensity as Justin Lin's camera follows every blow. It's also perfectly juxtaposed by Roman and Han getting their asses handed to them by one man.
#2 The Bride vs The Crazy 88 from Kill Bill Vol. 1
This movie is chalk-full of expert fight scenes, often between two women, but the masterstroke from fight choreographer Yuen Woo Ping has to be the gonzo hack and slash centerpiece to the first Kill Bill. After besting her target's bodyguard and some of her top lackeys, The Bride then takes on an army's worth of thugs single-handedly. The blood flies in buckets as our heroine chops through limbs, swords, and bodies up and down the restaurant. My personal favorite moment? The Bride break-dance leg slicing to "Nobody But Me."
#1 Yu Shu Lien vs Jen Yu from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
In terms of skill, staging and story it's hard to beat this one on one battle versus Michelle Yeoh's experienced Yu Shu Lien and the Zhang Ziyi's young upstart Jen Yu. Looking to stop Jen Yu from escaping, Yu Shu Lien uses every weapon at her disposal to gain the upper hand as Jen Yu is consistently saved by her powerful sword The Green Destiny. And yet, not a word is spoken. The scene is flat-out stunner with lightning quick weapon work from both actresses and speaks volumes about each character. A high water mark for stunt work and fight work as storytelling.
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