My Favourite Kirsten Dunst Films of All-Time

Not many actresses in Hollywood are as beloved as Kirsten Dunst. Since the 1990’s, Dunst has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s majestic political leaders, rebellious teenagers or lovers of superheroes, Dunst has portrayed many strong characters. Given the sheer number of films that she made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of an actress that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man is a spectacular superhero that shaped my teacher’s identity. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a teacher that appreciated the web-swinging superhero. A comic-book nerd, he often spoke fondly about a superhero making him feel heard. He always praised a legendary hero whose great powers came with great responsibilities that shaped his identity. As someone treasuring memories of a teacher that grew up to value Spider-Man, I adored “Spider-Man 2”. Ever since its release in 2004, Kirsten Dunst’s movie has stood the test of time as a comic-book classic. In the greatest role of her career, Dunst embodied a woman engaging in a romantic affair with a superhero that becomes a burden to bear. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Dunst has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through monologues, and “Spider-Man 2” showcased her strengths as an actress. As Mary Jane Watson, Dunst did an extraordinary job of portraying a beloved comic-book character. Dunst turned what could have been a stereotypical love interest into a compelling character whom audiences could easily relate to. For instance, the scene in which Mary Jane and Peter have a conversation expressing their feelings for each other before being attacked by Doc Ock causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Spider-Man 2” Kirsten Dunst’s greatest movie is its universal appeal. The film managed to turn Spider-Man into a relatable hero with flaws with whom anyone could easily identify. Unlike most comic-book movies, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 20 years following the release of a comic-book film about a superhero whose great powers come with great responsibilities that are challenging, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actress whose movies are worth celebrating.

2. The Power of the Dog

Bullying has impacted my identity. At an early age, I often experienced consequential bullying that caused damage. During high school, I was often picked on by big bullies which were cruel. No matter how hard I tried, I could never stand up against bullies that left me terrified. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured consequences of bullying as powerfully as “The Power of the Dog”. Released in 2021, Kirsten Dunst’s western captured women that are bullied. In the most emotional role of her career, Dunst embodies a helpless housewife that is bullied by her rancher brother-in-law causing despair. With “The Power of the Dog”, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a victim of bullying. Working alongside Benedict Cumberbatch who is also amazing, Dunst captures bullying. For instance, the scene in which Rose cries after being bullied by Phil causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Power of the Dog” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a bold message about bullying which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal portrait of bullying causing lives of cattle ranchers to crumble, it’s a bold reminder about an actress whose movies audiences consider special.

3. Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette is a legendary queen my mother has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a mother that sought to educate people about a queen with courage. I remember forming strong bonds with a mother that grew up to treasure the historical figure. She spoke fondly about a queen she yearned to see on the big-screen. In 2006, Kirsten Dunst did an exceptional job of portraying the legendary queen in her movie “Marie Antoinette”. In the most majestic role of her career, Dunst embodies a legendary queen facing expectations causing despair. Dunst has a flair for conveying emotions through expressions, and “Marie Antoinette” showcased her strengths as a performer. For instance, the scene in which Marie Antoinette breaks down crying after people gossip about her inability to become pregnant causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Marie Antoinette” a commemorated period piece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about societal expectations which would resonate with everyone. Despite taking place in the 18th Century, it tackles themes that remain relevant today. Centuries after Marie Antoinette became a queen, it’s a marvellous reminder about a celebrated actress whose timeless movies deserve to be seen on the big-screen.

4. Hidden Figures

NASA is a spectacular space organization that shaped my grandfather’s persona. I remember a grandfather that adored an agency ensuring successful missions in space. He always spoke fondly about an agency ensuring space travel that shaped his identity. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather that admired NASA’s hidden historical figures, I adored “Hidden Figures”. Released in 2016, Kirsten Dunst’s movie honoured African-American women that ensured space missions. In the most unlikeable role of her career, Dunst embodies a racist supervisor that mistreats black employees in NASA. With “Hidden Figures”, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by showcasing a cruel side to herself audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Vivian tries to apologize to Dorothy for her racist treatment of employees showcased the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “Hidden Figures” a great biopic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about racism which would resonate with everyone. A heartfelt tribute towards hidden African-American historical figures that changed the space race, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress whose unforgettable movies audiences embrace.

5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Memory loss is a painful process that causes people to face stress. Recently, I witnessed my aging grandmother losing her memory that affected her ability to function effectively. She got into the bad habit of forgetting about things, people and places which were important in her life. It was heartbreaking to see a grandmother I appreciated face memory declining. As someone that witnessed a grandmother losing memories in her spotless mind, I adored “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”. Released in 2004, Kirsten Dunst’s movie depicted the impact of memory loss on romantic relationships. In the most thought-provoking role of her career, Dunst embodies a scientist investigating the impact of memories on a romantic affair facing despair. It gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her aptitude for playing strong characters. For instance, the scene in which Mary confesses her romantic feelings for her boss is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about memory loss which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of memory loss in the mind causing romance to be declined, it’s a strong reminder about a one-of-a-kind actress whose movies have left a lasting legacy behind.

6. The Virgin Suicides

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about suicides, it’s worth discussing The Virgin Suicides. Since its publication in 1993, Jeffrey Eugenides’ book has stood the test of time as a literary classic. In 1999, Kirsten Stewart did an exceptional job of adapting the beloved book about suicides in her film “The Virgin Suicides”. In the most provocative role of her career, Dunst embodies a rebellious teenager that forms strong bonds with her sisters facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing emotionally disturbed women. Working alongside Josh Harnett who is also excellent, Dunst honoured literature. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about teenage girls that are suicidal, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress whose memorable movies audiences consider to be special.

7. Melancholia

Kirsten Dunst is one of those actresses that has always excelled at playing melancholic characters. Since her career began years ago, Dunst has excelled at playing characters facing sorrow. Dunst has built an image for playing disturbed women facing emotional damage. Dunst’s strength for playing sad characters facing melancholia is clearly evident in her film “Melancholia”. Released in 2011, Dunst’s most tragic movie captured a doomsday. In the most tragic role of her career, Dunst embodies a depressive woman struggling to cope with a doomsday disaster causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her strength for playing downbeat characters with depression. As strong as Justine’s feelings of melancholia, it’s a marvellous reminder of an actress with charisma whose timeless movies attract audiences to the Cinema.

8. Civil War

Politics is a sensitive subject which is rarely easy to depict in movies. Hollywood has often shied away from politics. Filmmakers often avoid tackling politics in movies because it has potential to upset viewers. In an industry afraid of discussing politics causing a war, it’s worth praising “Civil War”. Released in 2024, Kirsten Dunst’s most recent movie depicted a political civil war. In the most political role of her career, Dunst embodies a journalist investigating a civil war causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a political character. Dunst showcased bravery making a political movie that could have caused controversy. A powerful portrait of civil war causing consequences which are dangerous, it’s a fantastic reminder of a famous actress whose movies audiences consider to be precious.

9. Bring it On

Cheerleading causes friendships to face tragedy. In high school, I formed bonds with a girl that loved engaging in cheerleading she considered to be cool. Her pursuit of success in cheerleading cause her to abandon friendships she had once valued. As someone treasuring memories of a teenage girl that loved cheerleading on, I adored “Bring it On”. Released in 2000, Kirsten Dunst’s movie captured the lives of competitive teenage cheerleaders. In the most athletic role of her career, Dunst embodied a competitive cheerleader seeking to prepare for a tournament that’s a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her strength for playing strong feminist characters. A captivating portrait of cheerleading girls that are competitive, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that built a legacy which is effective.

10. Spider-Man 3

Kirsten Dunst hasn’t always made great movies. While most movies that the actress has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Spider-Man 3” falls into the latter category of movies. Released in 2007, Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man movie was a disaster. In the most wooden role of her career, Dunst embodies a woman facing a burden to bear. Dunst brought charisma proving to be the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Spider-Man 3” is a tangled mess of a movie, it remains a commemorated reminder of Dunst’s lasting legacy. As strong as Spider-Man’s desire to defeat Venom, it’s a strong reminder of a great actress that has achieved stardom playing characters with wisdom whose memorable movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve dreams of film criticism.