Here’s a complete ranking of every Milla Jovovich action movie, from worst to best. Jovovich has become one of the most recognizable figures in the action genre, starring in numerous blockbuster hits. However, despite her reputation as one of Hollywood’s most dependable action stars, not all of her films have been major successes.
Milla Jovovich, a Ukrainian-American actress, began her career in modeling at just 12 years old. Her mother, Galina Jovovich, was a well-known Russian actress in the Soviet Union before transitioning to working as her daughter’s agent and appearing in American films. Milla has a natural affinity for action roles, which led VH1 to crown her the “reigning queen of kick-butt” back in 2006.
Jovovich has headlined several live-action adaptations, ranging from classic stories to modern video games. Her dedication to the physical demands of the genre has solidified her status as one of Hollywood’s most formidable action stars. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the highs and lows of her work in the action movie world so far.
#15. Future World (2018)
Future World is a futuristic sci-fi action thriller set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The story follows a prince on a desperate quest to find a legendary medicine that could save his dying mother, the queen, who resides in a desert oasis.
Directed by James Franco, the film features both Franco and Milla Jovovich as villains. Unfortunately, the movie comes off as a poorly executed imitation of Mad Max, at times teetering on the edge of parody. Given the film’s low quality, it’s surprising Franco managed to attract such high-profile stars to the project.
#14. The Rookies (2019)
The Rookies is a Chinese action film and stands as one of Milla Jovovich’s biggest critical and financial disappointments. The plot follows an extreme sports enthusiast who unwittingly becomes entangled in the world of illegal trade and must join forces with a mismatched group of professionals to dismantle a terrorist organization.
Jovovich plays Bruce, an international special agent leading this unlikely team. Upon its release, the film grossed a mere $3 million and was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews. The plot is so chaotic and incoherent that it often feels like a parody of itself.
#13. Ultraviolet (2006)
Hellboy is a reboot of the 2004 film based on Mike Mignola’s comics, centering on a half-demon raised by a U.S. scientist to battle the forces of evil, despite his prophesied role in bringing about the apocalypse. Milla Jovovich stars as the villain, Nimue, The Blood Queen, an ancient sorceress from Arthurian legend.
While the 2004 version directed by Guillermo Del Toro was praised for its artistic style and storytelling, the 2019 reboot fell short. Lacking the creative vision and cohesion of its predecessors, the film ended up feeling surprisingly dull and forgettable, despite its wild and colorful characters.
#12. Hellboy (2019)
Monster Hunter is a film adaptation of Capcom’s beloved video game series. Milla Jovovich stars as Artemis, the leader of a U.S. military unit that gets transported to a dangerous new world inhabited by massive creatures and terrifying monsters. To survive and find their way home, the team must navigate this strange land.
However, the movie strays far from the source material in both tone and plot, using only select characters and set pieces from the games in a subpar action-heavy storyline that lacks the fantasy depth fans expected.
While there were a few highlights, like Tony Jaa’s performance, the film ultimately disappointed both longtime fans of the games and newcomers. Despite this, with the success of the game franchise, it seems likely that Monster Hunter 2 could still be on the horizon.
#11. Monster Hunter (2020)
Monster Hunter is a film adaptation of Capcom’s hit video game series, with Milla Jovovich starring as Artemis, the captain of a U.S. military unit that gets transported to a dangerous new world filled with enormous creatures and deadly monsters. The team must navigate this hostile environment to find a way back home.
Unfortunately, the film strays far from the tone and plot of the games, relying on action-packed set pieces and characters without capturing the fantasy essence that fans love.
While there were a few bright spots—Tony Jaa’s character being a standout—the movie ultimately disappointed both longtime fans and newcomers. Despite the film’s shortcomings, the success of the games suggests a sequel, Monster Hunter 2, might be on the horizon.
#10. Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
Resident Evil: Retribution is the fifth installment in the Resident Evil franchise, based on Capcom’s popular video game series. In this film, Alice and her allies find themselves trapped deep within an Umbrella Corporation facility, gradually uncovering the company’s dark secrets while piecing together parts of Alice’s past.
The movie also introduces fan-favorite character Leon Kennedy, but his portrayal fell short of expectations, leaving many fans disappointed. Retribution takes the franchise to a much grander scale, but at times it feels like a parody of itself.
The plot is overly convoluted, with contradictions that clash with the storylines of earlier films, making it arguably the most forgettable entry in the series.
#9. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)
As the title suggests, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter is the last installment in Milla Jovovich’s Resident Evil film series, but it was also one of the worst-received.
In this movie, Alice returns to Raccoon City, where she storms Umbrella’s underground headquarters in search of a cure for the T-virus. In its attempt to conclude the series, the film retcons several plot points from earlier entries, leading to a storyline that feels disjointed and random at times.
While marketed as the final chapter, the movie lacks a true sense of closure, avoiding any meaningful resolution and leaving the door open for a sequel that never materialized.
#8. Survivor (2015)
Survivor is a crime thriller featuring Milla Jovovich and Pierce Brosnan. In the film, a Foreign Service Officer in London attempts to thwart a terrorist attack planned for New York City but finds herself on the run after being falsely accused of crimes she didn’t commit.
The storyline feels clichéd, heavily borrowing elements from other films in the genre while failing to offer anything particularly new or significant. Like many of Jovovich’s movies post-Resident Evil, Survivor lacks originality and struggles to stand out in a crowded cinematic landscape.
#7. The Three Musketeers (2011)
The Three Musketeers is a fresh retelling of Alexandre Dumas’s classic tale, focusing on the young D’Artagnan, the often-overlooked fourth musketeer who journeys to France with dreams of joining the legendary trio.
Milla Jovovich portrays Milady de Winter, an ex-lover of Athos and a co-conspirator of the film’s antagonist, Count Richelieu. The film features a powerhouse cast that elevates a relatively bland script, using their star power to rescue it from being merely an average adaptation.
While the potential for a more impactful story is present, the performances help keep the film engaging.
#6. Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
Resident Evil: Afterlife is the fourth installment in the franchise and marks the return of director Paul W.S. Anderson. In this film, Alice teams up with a new group of misfit survivors, including Claire Redfield, who is struggling with memory loss.
The story brings together characters from previous Resident Evil games while introducing Claire’s brother, Chris Redfield.
Although the plot is fairly mediocre and has a certain resemblance to George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, it remains a largely enjoyable and inoffensive continuation of the series, providing fans with more of the action and thrills they’ve come to expect.
#5. Kuffs (1992)
The oldest film on this list, Kuffs, is an action-crime thriller featuring Christian Slater as George Kuffs. Desperate for money, George travels to San Francisco to ask his brother, Brad, for a loan, only to find himself on a mission to uncover Brad’s murderer after he is killed.
Along the way, George uncovers a web of conspiracy. Milla Jovovich plays Maya Carlton, George’s pregnant girlfriend. Although Kuffs predates all the Resident Evil films and represents one of Jovovich’s smaller roles, its star-studded cast and ’90s action flair have contributed to its status as one of her more well-received films in the genre, despite being relatively unknown.
#4. Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
Resident Evil: Apocalypse is the second installment in the franchise and arguably the most inspired by the video games, drawing heavily from Resident Evil 3: Nemesis.
In this film, the Umbrella Corporation has quarantined Raccoon City, turning it into ground zero for the T-virus outbreak and trapping everyone inside.
Alice encounters Jill Valentine, a beloved character from the games, and together they are pursued by the menacing Nemesis, one of the iconic creatures from the series.
Apocalypse skillfully balances original content with references to the source material, creating a nostalgic aesthetic that resonates more strongly than in any of the other installments.
#3. Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
Resident Evil: Extinction is the third installment in the franchise and features a distinct stylistic shift from its predecessors. In this film, Alice is at her most powerful, having undergone genetic modifications that grant her superhuman abilities.
She leads a group of misfit survivors through the desolate Nevada deserts. This installment introduces Claire Redfield, another beloved character from the games, and marks the first time the series moves beyond the confines of Raccoon City.
With a largely original storyline, Extinction explores the possibilities of a world devastated by the T-virus, pushing the narrative boundaries of the franchise.
#2. The Fifth Element (1997)
The Fifth Element is an underrated sci-fi gem from the ’90s, featuring a richly developed futuristic setting.
The story follows Korben Dallas, a cab driver in 23rd-century New York City, who finds himself at the center of the world’s fate when Leeloo (played by Milla Jovovich), the physical embodiment of the fifth element, unexpectedly lands in his cab.
Alongside an eccentric radio personality, Dallas embarks on a mission to reunite Leeloo with the other four elements while racing against time and the nefarious plans of the villainous Zorg. Often considered the best-received film of Jovovich’s career, The Fifth Element is a must-see for any sci-fi enthusiast.
#1. Resident Evil (2003)
The original Resident Evil film rightfully holds the top spot on this list as the best installment in the franchise.
While it borrows several elements from the video games, the story is predominantly original, introducing Alice for the first time—an iconic character who does not appear in the games.
This film is packed with memorable moments and is arguably the most significant role of Milla Jovovich’s career. It launched the saga for which she is best known, bolstered the careers of both her and her then-husband, and remains one of the most well-received video game adaptations in cinematic history.
