13 Action Films Featuring Daughters in Peril

      There may be no more lasting action-movie theme than fathers rescuing their daughters in peril. Here are 13 films centered around fathers who must confront villains — and occasionally the world — to save their at-risk daughters.

      Lone Wolf McQuade (1983)

      Orion Pictures – Credit: C/O

      Lone Wolf McQuade features Chuck Norris as an ex-military Texas Ranger who now lives a secluded life with a wolf. He soon faces off against a criminal gang led by the sinister Wilkes (David Carradine).

      While there’s plenty of tension leading up to it, the story escalates when Wilkes kidnaps McQuade’s daughter Sally (Dana Kimmell) and takes her to Mexico, resulting in a memorable martial arts showdown between McQuade and Wilkes — a significant event in 1983, showcasing Chuck Norris against the star of Kung Fu!

      Wilkes nearly triumphs, donning a rather preppy sweater, but makes the critical mistake of striking Sally, thereby awakening McQuade’s protective instincts.

      Commando (1985)

      20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

      Commando is a more hyperbolic, streamlined, and humorous version of Lone Wolf McQuade. This film was among the pioneers in showcasing a retired military dad with a tough kidnapped daughter as the ideal premise for a masculine action adventure.

      Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a series of sharp one-liners as John Matrix, a hero with an unforgettable name. Young Alyssa Milano shines as Jenny Matrix, with Rae Dawn Chong also making a strong impression as an exceptional action movie sidekick.

      At a brisk 90 minutes, Commando stands out as one of the most tightly constructed, fast-paced entries in the "daughters in distress" genre.

      True Lies (1994)

      20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

      So why not repeat the success? Schwarzenegger teamed up with Jamie Lee Curtis in this James Cameron film that primarily explores the deception-filled marriage of Harry and Helen Trasker (Schwarzenegger and Curtis), culminating in the abduction of their daughter, Dana (Eliza Dushku).

      This film features one of the most impressive climactic confrontations in dads-saving-daughters cinema, involving Dana, a skyscraper, a jet, and a helicopter.

      Air Force One (1997)

      Sony Pictures Releasing – Credit: C/O

      In Air Force One, Harrison Ford portrays ordinary President James Marshall, whose plane is hijacked by terrorists led by Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman).

      Things escalate further when Ivan threatens the First Daughter’s life, prompting the activation of those protective father instincts we mentioned earlier, leading to his declaration, “Get off my plane.”

      Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

      20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

      The fourth installment of Die Hard raises the stakes by having John McClane’s (Bruce Willis) estranged daughter kidnapped by cyberterrorists.

      Her name is Lucy Gennero-McClane (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and if you’re familiar with the Die Hard saga, you know that a woman not taking McClane’s surname signifies his feelings of inadequacy. Nevertheless, everything ultimately turns out well.

      The subsequent Die Hard film paired John McClane with his son, but that’s a discussion for another time. To die hard.

      Taken (2008)

      20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

      Regarded as the benchmark for dads saving daughters, Taken features Liam Neeson as Brian Mills, a father who must use his "very particular set of skills" to rescue his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) from being sold by despicable people.

      Taken stands out as a compelling divorced dad fantasy: When his ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen) marries a seemingly superior provider, Brian demonstrates his worth by accomplishing what the new husband cannot.

      Mills remains courteous to Lenore’s new husband Stuart (Xander Berkeley), but by Taken 2, their marriage is crumbling — likely due to the new husband’s insecurity after being outshone by his wife’s ex.

      The commendable aspect of Taken is how effectively it develops the family dynamic before diving into thrilling action, all within a tight 90-minute runtime. Bryan is the ultimate father in the dads-saving-daughters category, so compelling that he inspired two sequels.

      Taken 2 (2012)

      20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

      Taken 2 escalates the stakes: This time both parents are abducted, and Kim must rescue them, employing clever techniques involving triangulation and grenades. Yet, given the nature of a dads saving daughters story, Kim ultimately needs her father's help.

      This installment might be our favorite in the Taken series due to its unique twists on the genre and the creativity of the script and action sequences.

      Taken 3 (2014)

      20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

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