Not many actresses have the charisma of Zendaya. Since the 2000’s, Zendaya has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s challenged tennis players, rebellious teenagers or circus performers, the actress has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Challengers
It’s challenging to pursue romantic relationships in sports. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl fond of playing tennis. I remember an athletic girl seeking to become a world-famous tennis player. Fond of holding a tennis racket, she treasured games she would respect. However, sports ruined our relationship forever. Her desire to succeed in championships caused our relationship to face hardships. Few films I’ve seen have captured challenging barriers lovers experience in tennis as powerfully as “Challengers”. Released in 2024, Zendaya’s best movie captured tennis players facing challenging romantic relationships. In the greatest role of her career, Zendaya portrayed a female tennis player experiencing doomed love affairs causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Zendaya has spent most of her career playing commemorated teenagers with likeable personalities. With “Challengers”, however, the actress took steps out of her comfort zone playing a commemorated tennis player. Working alongside Mike Faist who is also outstanding, Zendaya created a portrait of tennis that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Tashi becomes aware her lovers are engaging in a commemorated tennis fight causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Challengers” Zendaya’s best movie is its commemorated appeal. Unlike most movies about tennis, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about romantic relationships in sports which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal portrait of challenges experienced by lovers in tennis whose lives deteriorate, it’s a captivating reminder of a great actress that has made movies which audiences appreciate.
2. Dune: Part Two
The Middle East is a country that shaped my identity. I fondly recall with nostalgia fond memories of growing up in the country of Saudi Arabia. During my childhood, I grew up in a Middle Eastern neighbourhood. I have always believed movies are an art that have rarely captured the beauty of a country holding a precious place in my heart. As someone that grew up to value the Middle East, I adored “Dune: Part Two”. Released in 2024, Zendaya’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved science-fiction book about Arabian countries. In the most heroic role of her career, Zendaya portrayed a feminist warrior participating in warfare to save a planet facing despair. Zendaya has always had an aptitude for playing emotional women under stress, and “Dune: Part Two” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Timothee Chalamet who is also great, Zendaya honoured a classic science-fiction book. For instance, the ending scene in which Chani bids farewell to Paul after he marries causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Dune: Part Two” a sci-fi classic is its appeal. Unlike most sci-fi movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. As precious as dune planets, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has manufactured movies which won’t be forgotten soon.
3. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man is a spectacular comic-book hero that always impressed my teacher. Several years ago, my teacher was a huge fan of the superhero. He adored a superhero whose great powers came with great responsibility shaping his identity. His classroom was decorated with posters of a superhero that he appreciated. In 2021, Zendaya honoured the iconic comic-book character with no way home in her movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home”. In the most supportive role of her career, Zendaya portrayed a rebellious teenager supporting a superhero swinging webs in the air. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a supporting role. Working alongside Tom Holland who is also outstanding, Zendaya honoured a hero that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which MJ becomes aware that Peter is in grave danger causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Spider-Man: No Way Home” a comic-book classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Spider-Man movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. A strong tribute to a superhero, it’s a bold reminder of an actress making movies giving audiences dreams to follow.
4. The Greatest Showman
P.T. Barnum is a legendary circus performer that always impressed my father. I remember my father was once a huge fan of the circus performer. He would always speak fondly about a great showman that he loved dearly. In 2017, Zendaya honoured the greatest showman in her movie “The Great Showman”. In the most musical role of her career, Zendaya portrayed a circus theatre performer engaging in a doomed love affair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase talent for singing melodies she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Hugh Jackman who is also outstanding, Zendaya honoured a circus performer that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Anne Wheeler first meets Phillip sparking the beginning of their romantic affair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Greatest Showman” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most musicals, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of pursuing one’s dreams which would resonate with everyone. A touching tribute towards an entertaining showman with talent for performing, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that thrives playing larger-than-life characters with strong showmanship whose movies are worth celebrating.
5. Dune
Dune is a legendary science-fiction series that my grandfather always loved dearly. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a grandpa that adored a book in the sci-fi genre. He admired a series about doomed planets destined to die soon. In 2021, Zendaya honoured the iconic sci-fi series about dusty dune planets in her movie “Dune”. In the most mysterious role of her career, Zendaya portrayed a feminist warrior seeking to survive on a doomed planet facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing strong women in positions of power. Working alongside Timothee Chalamet who is also outstanding, Zendaya honoured an iconic science-fiction book about planets that are dying. For instance, the scene in which Chani first meets Paul seeking to prepare him for a future of warfare is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Dune” a commemorated science-fiction masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the commemorated science-fiction book to appreciate it. The film delivers a meaningful message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. As precious as spice on the planet of Arrakis, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated actress that has often manufactured movies audiences consider precious.
6. Smallfoot
Over the past decade, the animation genre has faced a decline in quality. With their cartoonish characters, predictable stories and lack of surprises, most animated movies are a chore to sit through. In a genre that has lost its strong foot, it’s worth praising “Smallfoot”. Released in 2018, Zendaya’s movie offered a unique spin on the animated genre. In the most animated role of her career, Zendaya portrayed a creature facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase her talent for creating compelling animated characters through her powerful voice. Working alongside Channing Tatum who is also amazing, Zendaya created an animation movie that’s compelling. An astonishing portrait of creatures that are animated, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress making memorable movies which deserve to be appreciated.
7. Space Jam: A New Legacy
When it comes to the greatest animated movies ever made, it’s worth discussing Space Jam. Since its release in 1996, Joe Pytka’s movie has become an animated classic that children adore. In 2021, Zendaya honoured the iconic animated movie’s legacy in her movie “Space Jam: A New Legacy”. In the most colourful role of her career, Zendaya portrayed a creature seeking to survive in space causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by making her first ever animation movie. Working alongside LeBron James who is also amazing, Zendaya honoured an iconic animated movie that’s inspiring. As strong as LeBron James’ love for basketball, it’s a brilliant reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured unforgettable movies that are always easy for audiences to recall.
8. Malcolm & Marie
It’s challenging to face the end of a marriage. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face a broken marriage causing emotional damage. Following the painful separation, it was hard for my aunt to move on. As someone haunted by memories of a marriage facing tragedy, I appreciated “Malcolm & Marie”. Released in 2021, Zendaya’s movie captured a broken marriage. In the most emotional role of her career, Zendaya portrayed an actress in a marriage beyond repair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase vulnerability she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside John David Washington who is also amazing, Zendaya created a portrait of marriages that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of a broken marriage, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actress making memorable movies which engage.
9. Frenemies
Zendaya has always excelled at playing teenage girls facing a dilemma. Zendaya has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing teenage girls with courage. Zendaya’s strength for playing teens facing adversities is clearly evident in her movie “Frenemies”. Released in 2012, Daisy Mayer’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most youthful role of her career, Zendaya portrayed a rebellious high school teen facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing teenage girls under stress. Working alongside Bella Thorne who is also amazing, Zendaya created a teen comedy that’s captivating. A powerful portrait of hardships faced by teen girls that change their routine, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made great movies which deserve to be seen on the big-screen.
10. Zapped
Zendaya hasn’t always made great movies attracting audiences to the Cinema. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Zapped” falls into the latter category. Released in 2014, Peter DeLuise’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, the actress portrayed a rebellious high school teenager that seeks to control boys experiencing despair. Zendaya brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Zapped” is a bad movie, it honoured Zendaya’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Zoey’s desire to become a successful student, it’s a stirring reminder of an actress with strong commitment that has manufactured unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of entertainment.
The Film Buff 