The Best Movies About Female Spies

Spy movies with female leads explore a wide range of stories, from historical accounts of brave resistance fighters to thrilling modern-day espionage. These films typically feature agents working in disguise, cleverly outsmarting their opponents, and navigating complex situations where loyalties are uncertain and secrets can be deadly. They often incorporate real-world spy techniques, historical events, and the challenges of maintaining a false identity.

This collection features a variety of films – from timeless classics to compelling biographical stories, exciting action movies, and laugh-out-loud comedies – all focusing on women working in the world of intelligence. You’ll discover stories about those who manage spies, the spies themselves, those working in the field, data analysts, and special ops agents who navigate different organizations. Each film description highlights what makes it unique, including its main idea, important characters, and production information.

‘Mata Hari’ (1931)

Greta Garbo stars as a renowned Dutch dancer who becomes a spy during wartime. She uses her performances and romantic relationships to gather military secrets, traveling through Europe and secretly communicating with contacts to reach key officials and officers.

I just finished watching this film by George Fitzmaurice, and what really struck me was how effectively they built this world entirely on soundstages. They recreated everything – hotels, embassies, even secret apartments – and the attention to detail in the costumes and props was fantastic, really highlighting the characters’ constant use of disguises and those little, meaningful objects they’d trade. It stars Ramon Novarro and Lionel Barrymore, and what’s even more interesting is that the story isn’t just made up; it’s based on real events and actual court documents that were all over the news at the time.

‘Notorious’ (1946)

In the film, Ingrid Bergman plays the daughter of a spy who is asked by an American organization to go undercover within a radical group living in South America. As part of her mission, she pretends to be married, gains access to a wine cellar secretly used for smuggling, and must find hidden microfilm concealed within everyday objects.

Alfred Hitchcock’s film stars Cary Grant and Claude Rains and is famous for its smooth, extended camera movements, significant object reveals, and a party scene that cleverly hides a surveillance operation. The script, written by Ben Hecht, includes spy elements like code names, contacts, and communication methods that were typical of intelligence work in the mid-20th century.

‘Carve Her Name with Pride’ (1958)

This movie tells the true story of Violette Szabo, a British spy during World War II. It follows her journey as she trains to become a secret courier, learning skills like handling weapons, planning routes, and creating believable disguises to deliver messages in enemy-occupied France.

The film, directed by Lewis Gilbert and featuring Virginia McKenna, is based on official records and stories from the families involved. It shows how messages were secretly sent using poems, the dangers of working after enemy searches, and the challenges of providing support for acts of sabotage, as well as what happened to those who were caught.

‘Modesty Blaise’ (1966)

In this film, Monica Vitti plays a sophisticated independent agent hired to prevent a diamond robbery connected to a larger international criminal network. She skillfully manages a web of informants and uses clever tricks – like fake shipments, forged documents, and homemade devices – to outsmart her opponents.

Directed by Joseph Losey and starring Terence Stamp and Dirk Bogarde, the film features a vibrant, pop-art style, filming on location in Southern Europe, and cleverly designed action sequences that both poke fun at and pay tribute to classic spy movies. Its music, costumes, and inspiration from comic books helped create a fun, lighthearted formula for spy adventures with a strong female protagonist.

‘La Femme Nikita’ (1990)

In the film, Anne Parillaud stars as a criminal secretly trained by a government agency and given a new life with a fake identity. She’s then sent on dangerous missions, like infiltrating embassies, providing cover as a sniper, and escaping through hidden passages.

Directed by Luc Besson, the film shows how recruits are trained – covering everything from basic team skills and proper behavior to handling weapons and maintaining equipment. It set the stage for future adaptations and spin-offs, featured memorable supporting characters like Bob, and prominently showcased Paris as the backdrop for action scenes.

‘Point of No Return’ (1993)

This American remake of ‘La Femme Nikita’ stars Bridget Fonda as a secret agent who completes missions while pretending to live a normal life. The film follows her as she receives instructions from her superiors through secret communications and hidden exchanges, all while trying to maintain a personal relationship.

Directed by John Badham and starring Gabriel Byrne and Anne Bancroft, the film adapts the story to American locations. It showcases scenes in places like restaurants, hotels, and government buildings, which cleverly conceal entrances for spying and fast escapes.

‘The Long Kiss Goodnight’ (1996)

Geena Davis stars as a teacher living in the suburbs who slowly begins to remember a former life as a secret agent. The story unfolds through clues like safe deposit boxes, fake passports, and old contact information, helping her piece together her past missions and the network she used to be a part of.

The movie, directed by Renny Harlin and written by Shane Black, features the main character alongside a private investigator played by Samuel L. Jackson. The story unfolds in various locations, from small towns to industrial areas, and highlights the characters’ abilities in areas like resisting interrogation, creating weapons on the fly, and quickly adapting to changing circumstances.

‘Charlotte Gray’ (2001)

Cate Blanchett plays a Scottish woman who joins the British secret service during World War II and is sent into France to aid the resistance. The story centers on her efforts to work with local groups, communicate using coded messages, and organize safe locations for supplies and shelter.

The film, directed by Gillian Armstrong, is based on Sebastian Faulks’s novel and was filmed in both France and the United Kingdom. It carefully recreates the clothing people would have worn to blend in and avoid attention, and the story focuses on the challenges of passing checkpoints, delivering messages, and working with local helpers.

‘Salt’ (2010)

In the movie, Angelina Jolie stars as a CIA agent suspected of being a secret spy. She’s on the run, trying to prove her innocence while uncovering a bigger plot. To avoid being caught, she relies on her knowledge of building plans, public transportation schedules, and quick-thinking disguises to get past tight security in cities.

The movie, directed by Phillip Noyce, features exciting action sequences filmed on bridges, in churches, and at government buildings. It includes realistic stunts like car jumps and scenes of characters falling down elevator shafts. The story is told through conflicting files and misleading clues, highlighting how easily security screenings can be fooled.

‘The Debt’ (2010)

This suspenseful thriller centers on a group of intelligence officers trying to capture a war criminal while also carefully controlling the narrative surrounding the operation. The film uniquely features Jessica Chastain and Helen Mirren playing the same character at different stages of her life, showing how her past missions impact the present.

The film, directed by John Madden, follows a complex operation involving undercover work, illegal border crossings, and misleading information. It explores how agencies handle informants, the moral questions surrounding deception, and the lasting consequences when an operation goes wrong.

‘Haywire’ (2011)

Gina Carano stars as a covert operative who completes sensitive assignments for a company with government connections. When she’s betrayed, she pieces together what happened by examining travel details, financial records, and security loopholes to find those responsible.

Steven Soderbergh’s film focuses on realistic fight choreography and spy skills, using natural sound and very little music during action scenes. The movie stars Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, and Channing Tatum, and was filmed in Dublin, Barcelona, and New Mexico.

‘Spy’ (2015)

Melissa McCarthy plays an office-bound analyst who supports agents in the field by talking to them through secure communication. When things go wrong, she goes undercover herself, creating believable disguises on the spot. She relies on tools that aren’t deadly, cleverly hides surveillance equipment in common objects, and works with an unusual partner.

I’m so excited about this new movie! Paul Feig is both writing and directing, and the cast is fantastic – Rose Byrne, Jason Statham, and Jude Law are all in it! They filmed all over Europe, in Budapest, Paris, and Rome, which looks amazing in the trailers. What I really like is that it’s funny, but it also feels like a real spy thriller, with all the details of how agents operate – things like safe houses, getting instructions, and tracking down weapons. It’s a great mix of action and laughs!

‘Allied’ (2016)

Marion Cotillard stars as a secret agent who teams up with a Canadian intelligence officer for a dangerous mission spanning North Africa and London. The story explores the difficulties of balancing a marriage with the need to keep their work a secret, as both agents are secretly tested to prove their trustworthiness.

Robert Zemeckis directed the film, which stars Brad Pitt. It features authentic planes from the era, secret messages, and costumes designed to hide weapons. The filmmakers combined real sets with visual effects to realistically portray the atmosphere of wartime and the secrecy of meetings held during curfews.

‘Atomic Blonde’ (2017)

Charlize Theron plays a British spy who’s sent to Berlin during a time of international tension. Her mission: retrieve a list of secret agents. She moves between hidden locations, deals with uncertain allies, and fights in tight spaces like stairwells and apartments, all while trying to figure out who she can trust.

Directed by David Leitch and inspired by the graphic novel ‘The Coldest City’, the movie features dynamic, extended action sequences, a soundtrack of popular songs, and a visually striking style influenced by neon lights. Strong performances from James McAvoy and Sofia Boutella emphasize themes of teamwork between different organizations and the use of trickery.

‘The Spy Who Dumped Me’ (2018)

When Mila Kunis’s boyfriend’s hidden past comes to light, she and Kate McKinnon find themselves caught up in a world of international espionage. They’re on the run across Europe, dodging surveillance by using clever disguises and teaming up with unexpected helpers as they try to locate a valuable object hidden inside an everyday item.

Susanna Fogel directed the film, which involves several spy agencies, constantly changing case officers, and a skilled hitman as the main threat. Filming took place in Budapest, Vienna, Amsterdam, and Berlin, with popular tourist spots used to disguise secret meetings and rescue operations.

‘Red Sparrow’ (2018)

Jennifer Lawrence stars as a retired ballerina who’s brought into a secret program. There, she’s trained in things like reading people, spotting when she’s being watched, and recruiting informants. Her main job is to find a traitor and handle an important source working for the opposing side.

Directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Joel Edgerton and Charlotte Rampling, the movie takes place mainly in locations like embassies, safe houses, and training centers. It realistically portrays spy techniques, including secret exchanges, keeping information isolated, and using damaging information strategically.

‘A Call to Spy’ (2019)

This historical film tells the story of Vera Atkins, Virginia Hall, and Noor Inayat Khan, who built and ran secret spy networks in Europe during wartime. It depicts how they recruited agents, used radio communication, and faced the constant danger of being discovered while sending messages from stationary locations.

Sarah Megan Thomas wrote, produced, and stars in this film, which was shot both in the US and internationally. Locations included recreations of safehouses, farms, and occupied city streets. The production team used real-life stories and previously secret documents to accurately depict timelines, code names, and the results of various missions.

‘Anna’ (2019)

Sasha Luss plays a new recruit who lives a double life: she works as a fashion model but is secretly an undercover operative. The story follows her missions, which involve strict deadlines, hidden weapons, and constantly changing identities to stay one step ahead of enemy agents, as well as the tense negotiations with her handlers.

I just finished watching this movie by Luc Besson, and it was incredible! It stars Helen Mirren and Cillian Murphy, and the action jumps around between Moscow, Paris, and Barcelona. The story isn’t told straight forward – it uses flashbacks to show how the characters were trained, the tests they went through, and the different offers they got from rival organizations. It really adds to the mystery and keeps you guessing!

‘The Operative’ (2019)

In the film, Diane Kruger stars as a woman who is hired by a spy agency to infiltrate a company in the Middle East. The movie shows her learning the language, blending into the local community, and secretly communicating information through everyday activities like grocery shopping and her daily commute.

Directed by Yuval Adler and featuring Martin Freeman, the movie is based on the novel ‘The English Teacher’. It creates a realistic feel by using shaky camera work and filming in actual locations, showing the work of surveillance teams, escape plans, and the dangers of unsecured radio communication.

‘Black Widow’ (2021)

Scarlett Johansson is back as a spy facing off against a secret program that turns young girls into undercover agents. The story involves a network of hidden safe houses throughout Eastern Europe, a stolen record book containing important identities, and a dangerous mission to shut down the program’s leaders.

Cate Shortland directed this film, starring Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, and David Harbour. It includes exciting air and ground rescue scenes, and a moving command center. The story explores themes of brainwashing, betrayal, and how an organization rebuilds itself after being revealed.

‘The 355’ (2022)

A global team of secret agents works together to recover a device that can break into secure computer systems. These agents, representing several nations, create fake identities, sneak into auctions, and monitor each other to stop the device from being sold.

The film, directed by Simon Kinberg and featuring Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong’o, Penélope Cruz, Diane Kruger, and Fan Bingbing, was filmed in Paris, Marrakesh, Shanghai, and London. It explores how different intelligence agencies work together, the challenges of securely handling sensitive technology, and the difficulties that come with sharing intelligence information.

Let us know your favorite spy movies with female leads! Tell us about the missions that were the most exciting and kept you on the edge of your seat.

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2025-10-12 08:51