My Favourite Dakota Johnson Films

Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned recognition of Dakota Johnson. Since her rise to fame in the 2000’s, Johnson has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s matchmakers, terminally ill lovers or political leaders, Johnson has created several characters. Given the 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 appreciated.

1. Materialists

Matchmaking is an activity that my friend always found entertaining. At an early age, I fell in love with a clever girl that would love to make matches for marriage. A girl with enduring appeal, she would often feel strongly about matchmaking which she considered a lucrative business deal. She always had talent for assisting kids going through rough patch of breakups through making match. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured struggles faced by materialist matchmakers as powerfully as “Materialists”. Released in 2025, Dakota Johnson’s best movie depicted lives of matchmakers facing adversity. In the greatest role of her career, Johnson portrayed a matchmaker woman that arranges marriages causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Johnson has spent most of her career playing likeable heroines in American dramas. With “Materialists”, however, the actress showcased rare emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Chris Evans who is also amazing, Johnson created portrait of matchmakers that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Lucy becomes aware of the consequences of matchmaking causing sexual assault despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Materialists” Dakota Johnson’s best movie is its appeal. Unlike most romantic dramas, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A captivating portrait of women that make matches arranging a marriage, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with ability to engage through a meaningful message.

2. The Social Network

Facebook is a legendary social networking company that my cousin always loved dearly. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a cousin that adored the company which changed social media. A huge fan of Facebook, he would always praise ambitious founders of a company that changed his outlook. He would often yearn to see the social media company depicted in Cinema. In 2010, Dakota Johnson honoured the legendary social network company in her movie “The Social Network”. In the most seductive role of her career, Johnson portrayed a college student that sleeps with a tech billionaire. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Andrew Garfield who is also amazing, Johnson honoured a social network company that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Amelia becomes aware that she has slept with a billionaire is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Social Network” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be Facebook users to appreciate it. It delivers a message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute towards legendary social media, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with charisma whose movies attract audiences towards modern-day Cinema.

3. The Peanut Butter Falcon

Down Syndrome is a devastating disease that affected my teacher deeply. I remember a psychology professor that had kids with the mental disorder. Fascinated with Down Syndrome, he often sought to educate students about a disorder he appreciated. He would often strive to educate students in my school about a disease causing lives to deteriorate. In 2019, Dakota Johnson captured the harsh realities of the mental condition in her movie “The Peanut Butter Falcon”. In the most compassionate role of her career, Johnson portrayed a woman seeking to care for a kid with Down Syndrome facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under stress. Working alongside Shia LaBeouf who is also amazing, Johnson created a portrait of Down Syndrome that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Eleanor becomes aware that Zak has a passion for wrestling is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Peanut Butter Falcon” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Down Syndrome, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of Down Syndrome causing lives of adolescents to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured unforgettable movies in her career audiences appreciate.

4. Our Friend

Terminal illness has impacted my family. Several years ago, my family learned that our beloved uncle had been diagnosed with grim Cancer that caused sorrow. I recall that my uncle was a great person that looked at the world from a positive view. His sad death left my family mourning. As someone treasuring fond memories of a deceased uncle that was a close friend, I adored “Our Friend”. Released in 2019, Dakota Johnson’s movie offered a powerful portrait of terminal illness. In the most tragic role of her career, the actress portrayed a terminally ill woman battling a disease causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress rare chances to showcase emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Casey Affleck who is also amazing, Johnson created a portrait of terminal illness that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Nicole becomes aware of her Cancer diagnosis causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Our Friend” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about terminal illness, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about loss which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of terminal illness, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has become an icon in entertainment business.

5. The Lost Daughter

Mothers are powerful figures that can affect children’s futures. As far as I can remember, I have shared complicated bonds with my mother. An authoritative parent, her strict nature nagging me to do things has often been irritating. Despite her strict parenting style, I admire a mother I find inspiring. As someone treasuring fond memories of my mother, I adored “The Lost Daughter”. Released in 2021, Dakota Johnson’s movie captured grim hardships faced by mothers. In the most conflicted role of her career, Johnson portrayed an emotional mother struggling to care for a daughter that’s a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women facing distress. Working alongside Olivia Colman who is also amazing, Johnson created a portrait of mothers that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Leda reveals her past to Nina causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Lost Daughter” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about mothers, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a bold message about motherhood which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of motherhood, it’s a magnificent reminder of an actress that has stood the test of time as an icon in Hollywood.

6. Black Mass

When it comes to the most notorious gangsters in American history, it’s worth discussing Whitey Bulger. During the 1970’s, Bulger was a notorious gangster that engaged in criminal activities. In 2015, Dakota Johnson honoured the gangster with mass appeal in her movie “Black Mass”. In the most conflicted role of her career, the actress portrayed the wife of a notorious gangster facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Johnny Depp who is also amazing, Johnson honoured a commemorated gangster that’s frightening. Nearly 60 years after Whitey Bulger became a frightening gangster committing murder, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured timeless movies audiences commonly treasure.

7. Bad Times at the El Royale

Hotels are compelling settings that have often made for engaging movies. Since the 1970’s, hotels have often been backdrops of entertaining movies. In 2018, Dakota Johnson captured the enduring appeal of hotels that are royale in her movie “Bad Times at the El Royale”. In the most mischievous role of her career, Johnson portrayed a woman that visits a frightening hotel causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show as a supporting character with limited screen-time. Working alongside Chris Hemsworth who is also amazing, Johnson created a commemorated crime drama about hotels that’s engaging. As precious as the El Royale hotel, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has made engaging movies throughout her impressive career which commonly excel.

8. Cha Cha Real Smooth

Dakota Johnson has often excelled at playing emotional women that face trauma. Johnson has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing emotional women facing damage. Johnson’s strength for playing women whose lives are rarely smooth is clearly evident in her movie “Cha Cha Real Smooth”. Released in 2022, Cooper Raiff’s comedy showcased the actress at her best. In the most adventurous role of her career, the actress portrayed a women embarking on a road trip causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women with a goal. Working alongside Cooper Raiff who is also amazing, Johnson created a drama that’s engaging. As strong as romance sought by Andrew, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured memorable movies audiences value.

9. Suspiria

Over the past decade, the horror movie genre has declined in quality. With their cheap jump scares, nonsensical storytelling and poor acting, most horror movies have become a chore to sit through. In a genre that has declined in the modern era, it’s worth praising “Suspiria”. Released in 2018, Dakota Johnson’s movie revived the horror genre. In the most frightening role of her career, Johnson portrayed a female dancer seeking to prepare for a competition causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase talent for horror she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Tilda Swinton who is also amazing, Johnson created a horror movie that’s captivating. As strong as Susie’s love for dancing, it’s a captivating reminder of an actress that has made engaging movies which are worth definitely celebrating.

10. Madame Web

Dakota Johnson hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Madame Web” falls into the latter category. Released in 2024, S.J. Clarkson’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Johnson portrayed a comic-book heroine seeking to prepare for warfare. Johnson brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Madame Web” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Johnson’s legacy. As strong as Cassandra’s desire to protect women, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that with strong dedication to her craft that has produced unforgettable movies throughout her impressive career which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.