10 Awesome Action Movie Characters With Disabilities

Action movies have featured some awesome characters with disabilities throughout the years who are often overlooked by audiences and misunderstood by writers. As a result, many of the heroes with disabilities either receive minimized depictions in the form of weak writing, or excessively exaggerated depictions in the form of one’s disability granting the character superpowers. While it’s admirable that the entertainment industry is making greater strides to be more inclusive, clumsy writing can often be more harmful than good. With representation in Hollywood improving, it is still necessary for the industry to be mindful of how it portrays different groups.

Diversity in action movies is of particular importance because action movies tend to have a much broader appeal to mainstream audiences than most other genres. It’s also important to put people with disabilities in roles that traditionally only able-bodied characters have taken, adding extra impact to awareness of many of the struggles members of the disabled community navigate every day. Alternatively, failure to properly represent members of that community minimizes their existence. Even though it isn’t a particularly regular occurrence, Hollywood has contributed to creating some of the best disabled action heroes through the years.

10 Fullmetal Alchemist (2017)

Ed Elrich Is Played By Ryosuke Yamada

Fullmetal Alchemist centers around two siblings who suffer tremendous damage to their bodies in their attempt to bring their parents back from the dead, and their journey to restore everything back to normal. One of the anime’s protagonists, Edward “Ed” Elrich, is often considered one of the best Shonen Jump heroes in manga history, and that’s largely due to his endearing personality, sense of loyalty to his loved ones, and creative superpowers. Furthermore, despite losing an arm and a leg while attempting to bring his parents back to life, Ed possesses an unyielding tenacity to do what’s right, and thus is one of the most inspiring heroes in action movies.

9 Chocolate (2008)

Zen Is Played By JeeJa Yanin

Chocolate follows protagonist Zen, a fierce young woman with autism who embarks on an action-packed journey to settle her ailing mother’s financial dispute with a local gang. While there are examples of poor depictions of autism in movies, Chocolate goes against the grain in that Zen doesn’t possess any absurd superpowers or Mary Sue-like tendencies. Zen endears audiences to her because she’s seen working and training just as hard as an action movie character without any disabilities would, and she earns all of her victories through those merits. Additionally, her bravery to challenge the gang terrorizing her family is the result of good writing, and not that of cheap gimmicks.

8 Captain America: Civil War (2016)

War Machine Is Played By Don Cheadle

Captain America: Civil War tells a tense and suspenseful story of espionage and deceit that sees many beloved members of the Avengers turn on one another all while trying to decipher the truth. In what is considered one of Don Cheadle’s best movies, the actor plays War Machine, the right-hand-man and Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, and despite War Machine’s actor switch, he’s consistently seen as an austere yet loyal companion to those he trusts. In Captain America: Civil War, War Machine is severely wounded in combat, as is seen throughout the remainder of the movie, undergoing physical therapy and re-learning how to walk.

While the scenes are initially heartbreaking, they also reinforce War Machine’s tenacity not only as a soldier, but as a man as well. Throughout the entire MCU, viewers are treated to well-written drama that often takes on the form of the franchise’s end-of-the-world stakes, yet it is Ironman’s refusal to leave War Machine’s side in his greatest time of need that stands as one of the series’ most dramatic moments. As a result, audiences watch War Machine slowly but surely regain the use of his legs as well as his confidence in a way that feels genuinely well-thought-out and unforgettable.

7 Planet Terror (2007)

Cherry Darling is played by Rose McGowan

The 2007 grindhouse movie Planet Terror centers around a Texas go-go dancer named Cherry Darling who loses her right leg after a swarm of zombies tears it from her body. Whereas many other characters would have submitted to their predicament, Cherry decides to allow her missing leg to be replaced by an assault rifle and grenade launcher attachment that she uses to fight the zombies. While Planet Terror is filled with many absurd scenes, they’re meant to be taken with a laugh, and the scenes are never humiliating or at Cherry’s expense. In fact, Cherry is often the most brave character in the story who inspires those around her.

6 Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

The Winter Soldier is played by Sebastian Stan

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a political thriller that sees Captain America uncovering a conspiracy surrounding himself and his once assumed deceased best friend. Upon making his entrance, the Winter Soldier is seen with an impressive metallic left arm, that seems to be controlling his mind. After some dramatic moments between him and Captain America, the Winter Soldier eventually joins the Avengers, thus undergoing one of the best character arcs. Similar to War Machine, Captain America never gives up on the Winter Soldier, and this helps him transition from villain to hero. Whereas his metallic arm was once a weapon for evil, he uses it to help others later.

5 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Chirrut Îmwe is played by Donnie Yen

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story sees a small resistance group take on the galaxy’s fearsome Imperial Army in a battle that nearly completely favors the bad guys. Among the small resistance group is the blind warrior, Chirrut Îmwe, a man who is as fearless as he is kind. Despite his visual impairment, Chirrut firmly believes in the Force, and while it isn’t ever outright confirmed or denied, his martial arts prowess and ability to dodge incoming attacks lead one to believe that the Force truly is strong with him. Furthermore, Chirrut is seen training and honing his skills, thus reminding viewers that hard work trumps even the Force.

4 Zatoichi (2003)

Zatoichi is played by Takeshi Kitano

Zatoichi is a blind swordsman who stumbles upon a conflict between two warring factions when he wanders into the wrong town. Although he constantly reassures people that he isn’t a swordsman or hero, he reluctantly agrees to help the townspeople in an effort to restore peace to the village. Despite Zatoichi’s being blind, he’s an extremely skilled swordsman, who inspires the townspeople and effectively strikes fear into the hearts of the yakuza members. Furthermore, Zatoichi always attempts to instill proper morals into those who’ll listen, thus reinforcing the swordsman’s code of honor. Precise and lethal, Zatoichi’s skill and compassion make him a true action hero.

3 John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Caine is played by Donnie Yen

John Wick: Chapter 4 is the latest installment in the John Wick franchise, and it sees the titular Wick travel across the world to defeat the High Table in an effort to clear his name and reputation. Among John Wick: Chapter 4‘s incredible cast of characters is Caine, a blind assassin and former friend of Wick who’s taking on the High Table to secure his daughter’s future. Caine’s speed, martial arts skills, and proficiency with firearms and swords are the result of his strenuous training. Despite the blind assassin’s seedy past, he redeems himself by ultimately putting his life and reputation on the line to assist his old friend.

2 The X-Men Franchise (2000 – Present)

Charles Xavier/Professor X is played by Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy

The X-Men franchise consists of a war between good and bad mutants that sees each side being led by Professor X and Magneto respectively. Considered one of the best mentors in Marvel movies, Professor X is not only one of the most powerful mutants in X-Men lore, but he’s also one of the most compassionate, as his true power seems to be his ability to inspire hope into the hearts of those around him. Throughout the franchise, Professor X is not only seen offering council to the young and impressionable mutants that he’s decided to mentor, but he’s also seen on many occasions doing the same for his enemies.

1 Daredevil (2015 – 2018)

Daredevil is played by Charlie Cox

While Daredevil is better known as a TV series hero, the character did get his own movie in 2003. Daredevil follows the story of attorney/vigilante Daredevil as he fights crime in court by day and takes to Hell’s Kitchen’s streets at night to dish out his personal brand of street justice. Daredevil is perhaps the best visually impaired action hero because of his recognizability, commitment to his role as New York’s defender, and his incredible martial arts skills. Furthermore, Daredevil often displays incredible feats of bravery, as he typically fights scores of dangerous foes alone. There are many characters with disabilities, but Daredevil is one of the best because the Man without Fear perfectly embodies an impaired hero’s best traits.