As the daughter ofMelanie GriffithsandDon Johnson,Dakota Johnsonwas born into Hollywood royalty. While Johnson has certainly benefited from nepotism, she is able to back it up thanks to her undeniable talent and impressive acting career. Johnson may have first rose to prominence by playing Anastasia Steele in the controversialFifty Shades of Greymovies, but she has since gone on to star in a wide range of acclaimed films.
From supporting roles in popular movies, to becoming an indie darling and leading lady, Johnson’s filmography is diverseand displays her growth as an actor. In 2024, she enters the world of Marvel by playing the leading role in Sony’sMadame Web, further boosting her already illustrious resume.
15’How to Be Single' (2016)
Appeared as Alice Kepley
Johnson ditched romantic drama for romantic comedy in 2016’sHow to Be Single, also starringRebel Wilson. After leaving her long-term boyfriend, Alice (Johnson) moves to New York and befriends co-worker Robin (Wilson), who lives a carefree lifestyle. Together they navigate single life and enjoy free drinks, one-night stands, and a lot of partying.
Also starringAlison BrieandLeslie Mann, the film has an undeniably feminist tone and subverts rom-com conventions by making a statement on modern-day relationships.Johnson proves she has the charisma and comedic chops to lead a rom-com, and she and Rebel Wilson make for a wildly entertaining pair.How to Be Singleis definitely not the greatest example of the genre, but it manages to feel refreshing in execution and also has an endearing focus on female friendships.
How to Be Single
14’For Ellen' (2012)
Appeared as Cindy Taylor
Johnson entered the indie scene with a small role in the dramaFor Ellen.Paul Danoplays Joby Taylor, a struggling musician in the midst of a divorce, who is set to receive money from the sale of his and his ex-wife’s old house. When he learns that the settlement involves him losing custody of his young daughter, he tries to pull himself together and fight to win custody back.
In the film, Johnson briefly appears as Cindy, Joby’s sister, who gives him some advice on how to regain custody of his daughter. She’s only in the movie for a couple of minutes, and the role isn’t particularly meaty or memorable, butit saw Johnson dip her toes into the indie scene that she would later become so well associated with.
Watch on Peacock
13’The High Note' (2020)
Appeared as Maggie Sherwoode
The High Noteis a feel-good music flick that is hard to dislike. Johnson plays Maggie, who works as a personal assistant to superstar Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross). Maggie is overworked but aspires to become a music producer, and as she helps Grace during a career crisis, she also takes on new singer David (Kelvin Harrison Jr.).
Both Maggie and Grace’s careers take a new trajectory and their lives change forever. The film is set in the glamorous world of the L.A. music scene, andIce Cubealso stars as Grace’s manager. Despite lacking some originality and taking the safe route,The High Noteis a heartwarming film filled with great tunes and harmonious chemistry between Johnson and Ross. Johnson also shows off her singing abilities, proving she’s a multitalented juggernaut.
The High Note
Watch on Amazon Prime
12’The Five-Year Engagement' (2012)
Appeared as Audrey
Jason SegalandEmily Bluntstar in the romantic comedyThe Five-Year Engagement, which also featuresChris Pratt,Alison Brie,Kevin Hart, andMindy Kaling. After a year of dating, Tom (Segal) proposes to Violet (Blunt). However, tying the knot isn’t so easy. Their wedding keeps getting pushed back over several years due to unforeseen circumstances. This forces them to question their commitment to each other.
Johnson plays the role of Audrey, a restaurant host who works with Tom. They date for a short amount of time while Tom is separated from Violet.Johnson does a lot with her limited screen time, portraying Audrey as immature and air-headed. She also shares a memorable breakup scene with Segal, where Tom decides he wants to win Violet back.
The Five-Year Engagement
11’Am I OK?' (2022)
Appeared as Lucy
Johnson further cements herself as an indie darling in the relatable and touching dramedyAm I OK?Co-directed by real-life coupleTig Notaro(who also stars in the film) andStephanie Allynee, the film follows Lucy (Johnson), who is best friends with Jane (Sonoya Mizuno). They have been friends their entire lives, and believe they know everything about each other, until Jane decides to move to London and Lucy realizes she might like women.
Their friendship is tested as both go through individual journeys of personal growth and try to find themselves.Johnson is utterly charming and endearing as Lucy, and the film’s central friendship is just as narratively importantas Lucy’s coming out experience. The film has a swift runtime of under ninety minutes, making it a breezy yet moving watch.
Watch on Max
10’A Bigger Splash' (2015)
Appeared as Penelope “Pen” Lanier
Johnson has collaborated withCall Me by Your NamedirectorLuca Guadagninotwice, the first time being in 2015 withA Bigger Splash. When rockstar Marianne (Tilda Swinton) is on vacation on an Italian island with her boyfriend Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts), her ex-lover Harry (Ralph Fiennes) visits with his daughter Penelope (Johnson). Their arrival causes an eruption of jealousy, passion, and danger for all involved.
The sun-drenched Italian island of Pantelleria makes for a compelling backdrop to the chaos that unfolds, and the film takes a deeply psychological route in its drama.Johnson is enigmatic and seductive among her co-stars, makingA Bigger Splasha wicked good time. For fans ofGuadagnino’s artistic style of filmmaking, the film is a must-watch.
A Bigger Splash
Rent on Apple TV
9’The Lost Daughter' (2021)
Appeared as Nina
The Lost Daughteris thedirectorial debut of actressMaggie Gyllenhaal, which received large critical acclaim upon release.Olivia Colmanplays Leda, a woman on a seaside vacation who becomes fixated on a young mother in the villa, played by Johnson. The sight of the mother and her young daughter (Athena Martin Anderson) awakens dark memories and choices Leda made as a mother, haunting her on her idyllic getaway.
She goes on a psychological journey that forces her to confront her past, shown through flashbacks whereJessie Buckleyplays her younger self.While this is undoubtedly Colman’s film, Johnson brings mystery and intrigue to her role.The Lost Daughteralso co-starsPaul MescalandPeter Sarsgaard, rounding out an impressive ensemble cast.
The Lost Daughter
8’Suspiria' (2018)
Appeared as Susanna “Susie” Bannion / Mother Suspiriorum
In hersecond collaboration with Luca Guadagnino, Johnson led the 2018 remake ofDario Argento’s arthouse horror classic,Suspiria. She plays Susie, an American student who travels to Berlin to join a renowned dance company. When violent events start to take place, she becomes suspicious and discovers that the school is run by witches. Sinister secrets are revealed and darkness engulfs the institution.
This is one of Johnson’s darker roles, and she brings the right amount of intensity to this creepy and unnerving film. Nailing both the dance sequences and the film’s more gruesome moments,Suspiriahelped Johnson move away from her rom-com leading lady persona, and proved she could tackle something much more serious. While it may not reach the heights of Argento’s cult classic, this remake is an inspired and stylishly macabre take on the story.
7’Black Mass' (2015)
Appeared as Lindsey Cyr
After breaking out inFifty Shades of Grey, Johnson took on a number of supporting roles in prominent films, including 2015’sBlack Mass. Based on true events, it tells the story ofWhitey Bulger (Johnny Depp), a notorious criminal from South Boston who becomes an FBI informant to take down a gang invading his turf. However, his allegiance with the law makes it easier to commit his own crimes and get away with it.
Johnson playsLindsey Cry, Bulger’s loyal girlfriend and mother of his child, who is undying in her devotion and the only person that stands up for him. Johnson is able to hold her own alongside seasoned veteran Depp, and is supported by a starry cast includingJoel Edgerton,Benedict Cumberbatch,Jesse Plemmons,Kevin Bacon, and more.
Black Mass
6'21 Jump Street' (2012)
Appeared as Fugazy
A modern and comedic version ofthe ‘80s TV seriesof the same name,21 Jump Streetis a hilarious and action-packed ride starringJonah HillandChanning Tatum. Hill and Tatum play Schmidt and Jenko, two police officers who go undercover as high school students in order to bust a drug ring.
Hill and Tatum are a wildly entertaining duo, making this one of the most popular comedies of the 2010s.21 Jump Streetfeatures Johnson in one of her earliest roles, playing fellow undercover cop Fugazy.She has great chemistry with the film’s two lead actors, and delivers comedic energy that she would later bring to larger rolesin her career. However, she did not return for the film’s sequel,22 Jump Street.
