Dakota Johnson has quickly become one of the most exciting and versatile actresses of her generation. The daughter of Hollywood royalty Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, she first burst onto the scene as Anastasia Steele in the wildly popular Fifty Shades of Grey franchise. But there’s so much more to Dakota than just Fifty Shades.
Over the past decade, she’s proven her acting chops in everything from quirky indie comedies to intense psychological thrillers. Her performances are always captivating, whether she’s playing a free-spirited single gal navigating the dating world or a tormented dancer at a creepy ballet academy run by witches (yes, really).
So without further ado, let’s count down the best Dakota Johnson movies, ranked by critical acclaim and sheer entertainment value. Get ready for some Fifty Shades, but also plenty of other cinematic treats that showcase Dakota’s immense talent.
9. Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
Bad Times at the El Royale is a stylish neo-noir thriller that boasts an all-star ensemble cast, including Dakota as a mysterious hippie named Emily Summerspring. The movie follows seven strangers, each with a secret to bury, who meet at a rundown hotel on one fateful night in 1969.
Dakota sinks her teeth into her shady character, keeping you guessing about her true motives. She shares electric scenes with co-stars like Jeff Bridges, Jon Hamm, and Chris Hemsworth. Dripping with ’60s atmosphere and Tarantino-esque twists, Bad Times at the El Royale is a pulpy, suspenseful ride that lets Dakota show off her femme fatale side.
8. A Bigger Splash (2015)
Before Suspiria, Dakota teamed up with director Luca Guadagnino for the sun-soaked erotic drama A Bigger Splash. She plays Penelope, the alluring daughter of a music producer (Ralph Fiennes) who unexpectedly visits his rock star ex (Tilda Swinton) and her boyfriend (Matthias Schoenaerts) on an idyllic Italian island.
Dakota is the epitome of youthful sensuality and reckless abandon. Her mere presence ratchets up the sexual tension and disrupts the delicate balance between the other characters. With its gorgeous cinematography and simmering passions, A Bigger Splash is a seductive showcase for Dakota’s star power.
7. Black Mass (2015)
Dakota proved she could hold her own opposite Johnny Depp in the gritty crime drama Black Mass. Based on a true story, the film stars Depp as notorious Boston gangster Whitey Bulger. Dakota plays Lindsey Cyr, Bulger’s former girlfriend and mother of his son.
Though her role is small, Dakota makes a big impact in her scenes. She brings a touching vulnerability to Lindsey, a woman caught between her lingering feelings for Bulger and her desire to protect their child. Black Mass showed that Dakota could deliver in prestige dramas, not just sexy romances or quirky indies.
6. The Social Network (2010)
Technically more of a cameo than a full-fledged role, Dakota’s brief but memorable appearance in The Social Network marked her first major film after childhood parts in Crazy in Alabama and The Five-Year Engagement. She pops up as a Stanford student who sleeps with Justin Timberlake’s Sean Parker in one scene.
It’s a small but pivotal moment that establishes Parker as an unpredictable playboy. And Dakota makes the most of her screen time, oozing charm and sex appeal. Even in a minor role, she stood out among the movie’s Oscar-nominated cast and writing. The Social Network hinted at the star Dakota would soon become.
5. Suspiria (2018)
Kicking off our list is the utterly bonkers and brilliant Suspiria, director Luca Guadagnino’s reimagining of the 1977 Italian horror classic. Dakota plays Susie Bannion, an ambitious American dancer who joins a world-renowned dance company in Berlin. But as she rises through the ranks, Susie discovers the company is a front for a coven of witches. Cue the most batshit crazy dance-school-witches movie you’ll ever see.
Dakota fully commits to the role, transforming herself physically and delivering an intense, go-for-broke performance. Suspiria is arthouse horror at its finest – gruesome, hallucinatory, and strangely beautiful. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re down for a wild, witchy ride, Dakota will put a spell on you.
4. The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Suspiria is the feel-good indie dramedy The Peanut Butter Falcon. Dakota plays Eleanor, a kind nursing home employee who helps a young man with Down syndrome (played by Zack Gottsagen) pursue his dream of becoming a pro wrestler.
It’s a sweet, Mark Twain-esque adventure that will warm even the coldest of hearts. Dakota brings a lovely sincerity to her role, and her chemistry with co-stars Gottsagen and Shia LaBeouf is simply a delight. The Peanut Butter Falcon is a low-key charmer that leaves you smiling from ear to ear.
3. The High Note (2020)
Who knew Dakota Johnson could sing? She shows off her vocal chops in the utterly charming The High Note, a music industry comedy in which she plays the overworked assistant to a legendary diva (Tracee Ellis Ross).
Dakota lights up the screen with her megawatt presence, nailing both the comedic and emotional beats. She has an easy, effervescent chemistry with co-star Kelvin Harrison Jr., who plays an up-and-coming musician she discovers. The High Note hits all the right, well, notes – it’s funny, heartfelt, and features a killer soundtrack. Watch it for Dakota’s luminous performance and to see her flex her comedic muscles.
2. Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)
One of Dakota’s most recent and acclaimed roles was in the 2022 Sundance darling Cha Cha Real Smooth. She plays Domino, a young mother who forms an unlikely connection with Andrew (Cooper Raiff), a directionless 22-year-old who works as a bar mitzvah party host.
Cha Cha Real Smooth is a poignant, perceptive coming-of-age story that beautifully captures the messy uncertainties of young adulthood. Dakota brings such warmth and depth to Domino, a woman grappling with the challenges of motherhood and marriage. Her scenes with Raiff crackle with authenticity and bittersweet yearning. It’s a quietly powerful performance that sneaks up on you – just like the movie itself.
1. The Lost Daughter (2021)
And finally, we’ve arrived at the #1 spot: Dakota’s tour-de-force turn in The Lost Daughter, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s stunning directorial debut. Dakota plays the younger version of Leda (Olivia Colman), a college professor on a beach vacation who becomes obsessed with a young mother and her daughter.
The Lost Daughter is a complex, provocative exploration of motherhood, desire, and the ways we can become strangers to ourselves. Dakota is absolutely riveting as young Leda, capturing the character’s intelligence, sensuality, and simmering frustration. She more than holds her own against heavyweight co-stars like Colman and Jessie Buckley. It’s a revelatory performance that cements Dakota as one of the finest actresses of her generation.
So there you have it – the best Dakota Johnson movies, ranked. From her star-making turn in Fifty Shades to her recent string of knockout performances in indies like The Lost Daughter and Cha Cha Real Smooth, Dakota has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with on screen.
Whether she’s dancing with witches, crooning in a recording studio, or grappling with the complexities of motherhood, Dakota Johnson always brings her A-game. She has that rare combination of movie-star magnetism and raw, soulful talent. And the best part? She’s only just getting started.
I for one can’t wait to see what Dakota does next. Maybe she’ll do a sci-fi epic or a gritty crime thriller. Maybe she’ll make us laugh, cry, or cover our eyes in terror. One thing’s for sure – with Dakota Johnson, it’s always going to be a wild, wonderful ride. So buckle up, movie lovers. Dakota is taking us to exciting new places.
