Iconic Films Starring Dakota Johnson
Before you watch her latest project Madame Web—see some of the quintessential films that put Dakota Johnson on the map.
With so many films starring Dakota Johnson to choose from, there's ample movie marathon fodder for every kind of film lover. You could sort by your favorite genre (of which she spans many) or favorite director (a varied list of heavy hitters). But for her new fans—perhaps superhero film devotees interested looking to scope out the actress's skills ahead of her Marvel debut in Madame Web—it's important to know the hits.
Films starring Dakota Johnson start with her debut role was at the young age of 10, with a small part in the 1999 film Crazy in Alabama. Directed by her stepfather Antonio Banderas, she and her step-sister Stella Banderas appear as the daughters of Lucille Vinson, played by Johnson's mother Melanie Griffith. As an adult, she went on to score smaller parts, like her role in The Social Network. But it wasn't until the steamy Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy we all know and love that Johnson became a household name. In 2016, she received a BAFTA Rising Star Award nomination and was featured in the Forbes' 30 Under 30 list.
Over a decade later, there's an impressive amount of films starring Dakota Johnson to understand what makes her one of Hollywood's brightest stars. After Madame Webb, there are numbers films starring Dakota Johnson in the worls, but you can start with the stand-out films L'OFFICIEL has rounded up here.
21 Jump Street (2012)
An early look at films starring Dakota Johnson will show her in 21 Jump Street. In this reboot of the '80s TV series, the actress landed the role of Fugazy, an undercover cop. The movie follows two careless cops who go undercover in a high school to stop a synthetic drug ring. Starring alongside Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, Johnson rivals the main duo with her partner in this short-lived but funny role.
A Bigger Splash (2015)
Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy (2015-2018)
Who could forget this spicy romance? In this torrid trilogy of films starring Dakota Johnson, her character, Anastasia Steele, develops a relationship with powerful businessman Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) that is marked by passionate rendezvous, luxurious living, and unexpected drama.
How To Be Single (2016)
Though she may be known for her dramatic roles, comedy films starring Dakota Johnson are not to be overlooked. In the rom-com How To Be Single, Johnson plays Alice, a newly single college graduate who has just moved to New York City. With the help of her boisterous co-worker, Robin (Rebel Wilson), Alice learns the ins and outs of the single life in the big city.
Suspiria (2018)
Another one of Luca Guadagnino's films starring Dakota Johnson, Suspiria tells the story of a world-renowned studio in Berlin with a mysterious past. Johnson plays American dancer Susie Bannion who arrives at the studio in 1977 and becomes roped into the studio's suspicious doings. Also starring Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth, and Chloë Grace Moretz, this supernatural horror movie is an ode to the 1977 film of the same name.
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
Of the films starring Dakota Johnson, this one is perhaps the most star-studded. In this thriller, the lives of seven mysterious strangers overlap on one night at the run-down El Royale Hotel in the 1960s. Starring alongside Chris Hemsworth, Jon Hamm, Cynthia Erivo, and Jeff Bridges, Johnson plays Emily Summerspring, a sassy hippie with a secret who arrives at the hotel unaware of the wild events to come.
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
The Peanut Butter Falcon follows Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a man with Down syndrome, who escapes his care facility to follow his dream of being a pro wrestler. While fleeing, he befriends an outlaw, Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), who decides to become his coach. Johnson plays Zak's caretaker, Eleanor, who goes searching for him and eventually joins the adventure. It's certainly one of the more feel-good films with Dakota Johnson.
The Lost Daughter (2021)
If you really enjoy psychological drama films with Dakota Johnson, The Lost Daughter is a must-see. She stars as Nina, a young mother on vacation in Greece. Also starring Olivia Coleman and Paul Mescal, the movie follows a college professor who, upon meeting Nina and her daughter, is prompted to reckon with her past and recall memories of her motherhood. The film received three Oscar nominations in 2022 and was praised by critics.
Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)
Cha Cha Real Smooth is about Andrew (Cooper Raiff), a recent college graduate and party starter, and his unexpected friendship with a young mother named Domino, played by Johnson, and her teenage daughter. In another of the heartwarming drama films with Dakota Johnson, she sports baggy clothes, hoops, and bangs for her cool mom character who helps Andrew and herself get their life back on track. Johnson produced this film with her company, TeaTime Productions, which she co-founded with Ro Donnelly.
Persuasion (2022)
In this modern take on the Jane Austen classic, Johnson plays the lead, Anne Elliot, who must decide whether or not to give an old love a second chance. Also starring Suki Waterhouse and Henry Golding, this film puts a comedic twist on the historical romance with Johnson regularly breaking the fourth wall.
Daddio (2023)
Unlike other films with Dakota Johnson, Daddio, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in 2023, only features two main actors. On the ride back to her apartment from JFK Airport, Johnson's character, Girlie, has frank but sincere conversations on everything from romance to grief with the cab driver, Clark (Sean Penn). Johnson also helped co-produce this film with TeaTime Productions. "It took a lot of fighting to get that made," said Johnson in her L'OFFICIEL USA cover interview.
Madame Web (2024)
In one of the latest films with Dakota Johnson, she enters the MCU. Madame Web follows Johnson in the title role of Cassie Webb, a paramedic-turned-superhero with psychic powers. As her character grapples with her past, she must also protect three powerful young women from a deadly foe.
