Dakota Johnson is an Austin, Texas-based actress who grew up in a household of stars, as both her parents are amazing actors. She saw her parents in the spotlight since she was a little girl, and Johnson developed a strong desire to act at a very young age. Even she appeared in the movie Crazy in Alabama at age ten alongside her mother. But her parents were very clear about completing her education before entering into the blooming world of acting. Later, when she finished her education, Dakota appeared in a film, The Social Network, in 2010, a decade after her debut film.
After that, Johnson did many roles but is primarily known for the Fifty Shades of Grey film series, which catapulted her to glory. Her appearance in the film spawned many lead roles. But before that, if you go on to describe her filmography career in one word, it would be “undervalued.” Yet, she definitely knew how to make lemonade when life gives you lemon! As recently, she stole the lead role in Netflix’s Persuasion and appeared in Cha Cha Real Smooth on Apple TV. So, to celebrate her comeback, here are the top 10 best Dakota Johnson movies.
Image Courtesy: Splash Film
Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)
Director: Cooper Raiff
Writer: Cooper Raiff
Genre: Comedy, Drama
IMDB Rating: 8.1
Runtime: 1 hr. 47 mins
It’s an American drama released in limited theatres and available on Apple TV+. The film mostly received favorable reviews from critics, while Johnson was nominated for Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Film Award as a Best Supporting Actress.
A young man working as a Bar Mitzvah party host befriends a mother(Johnson) and her autistic daughter.
Image Courtesy: Santa Cruz Sentinel
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Director: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz
Writer: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
IMDB Rating: 7.6
Runtime: 1hr. 37mins
It is a 2019 American drama that had a limited theatrical run in the US on August 9, 2019. The movie went on to be a hit, earning over $23 million, becoming the highest-earning independent movie of the year, and receiving critical acclaim, whereas the audience praised the cast performances.
Zak flees his care home in order to pursue his goal of becoming a wrestler. A minor outlaw on the run would become Zak’s unexpected trainer and friend. Eleanor, the social worker, played by Johnson, starts to see Tyler and Zak as more than simply her job, and the three form a trio.
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Our Friend (2019)
Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Writer: Brad Ingelsby, Matthew Teague
Genre: Drama, Romance
IMDB Rating: 7.3
Runtime: 2hrs. 4mins
It is a biographical drama modern take on Matthew Teague’s 2015 Esquire article “The Friend: Love Is Not a Big Enough Word.” The film received mostly favorable reviews, with many praising the performances of the three central characters.
After getting life-changing news, a couple, Matt(Affleck) and Nicole(Johnson) receives surprising help from their closest friend. He puts his own life aside and moves into their house to help them.
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21 Jump Street (2012)
Director: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Writer: Michael Bacall, Jonah Hill, Patrick Hasburgh
Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama
IMDB Rating: 7.2
Runtime: 1hr. 49mins
It’s an American buddy cop action film based on Stephen J. Cannell and Patrick Hasburgh’s 1987-1991 television series of the same title. The film received mostly favorable feedback and won the BMI Film & TV Awards for Film Music.
A pair of underperforming officers are being sent away to a nearby high school to fit in and bust a synthetic drug circle. Fugazy, Johnson’s character, represents one of the police personnel who doubts the duo and mocks their incompetence.
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Am I OK? (2022)
Director: Stephanie Allynne, Tig Notaro
Writer: Lauren Pomerantz
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
IMDB Rating: 7.2
Runtime: 1hr. 26mins
It’s an American drama that garnered favorable reviews from the critics applauding Johnsons and Sonoya Mizuno’s performance.
Its story is about two best friends from childhood, Lucy(Johnson) and Jane. But when Lucy ventures on an individual journey, their friendship is put to the test.
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Bad Times At The El Royale (2018)
Director: Drew Goddard
Writer: Drew Goddard
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
IMDB Rating: 7.1
Runtime: 2hrs. 21mins
It’s a neo-noir thriller that received critical acclaim for its entire cast, soundscape, and cinematography. In addition, the film received a Saturn Award in the Best Thriller Film category.
The early 1970s. Four strangers check into the El Royale Hotel. The hotel is depopulated, with only one desk clerk on duty. Some of the newcomers’ motives for being there are far from innocent, and some aren’t who they seem to be. While Johnson plays Emily Summerspring, a woman who abducts her younger sister after a cult has deluded her.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
Black Mass (2015)
Director: Scott Cooper
Writer: Mark Mallouk, Jez Butterworth, Dick Lehr
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
IMDB Rating: 6.9
Runtime: 2hrs. 3mins
It’s a biographical crime drama based on the life of American mob boss Whitey Bulger. It got mostly supportive feedback praising the ensemble cast, especially Johny Depp, and earned $99 million on a budget of $53 million.
Its story focuses on Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and perhaps the most notorious violent thug in South Boston. He became an FBI undercover operative to bring down a Mobster family trying to invade his territory. Johnson plays the burglar’s love interest in the movie.
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Suspiria (2018)
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Writer: Dario Argento, Daria Nicolodi, David Kajganich
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
IMDB Rating: 6.8
Runtime: 2hrs. 32mins
Suspiria is a supernatural horror based on the 1977 Italian movie of the same title by Dario Argento.Amazon Studios gave it a limited run in Los Angeles and New York, in which it earned over $180,000 in its first weekend. The film became the highest screen average box-office debut of the year. It also received praise for its visual elements and the cast performances.
Susie(Johnson), a youthful American dancer, reaches Berlin in the 1970s to take the stage for the globally known Helena Markos Dance Co. When she ascends to the position of lead performer, the woman she supplants sobs and accuses the company’s female directors of sorcery. In the meantime, an inquiring psychotherapist and a theater group member unearth dark and evil mysteries.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
The Lost Daughter (2021)
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Writer: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Elena Ferrante
Genre: Drama
IMDB Rating: 6.7
Runtime: 2hrs. 1min
It’s a psychological thriller modeled on Elena Ferrante’s 2006 novel of the same title. The film acquired positive reviews from critics, who praised the story and cast. In addition, the film won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Its plot revolves around Leda (Colman), who witnesses a younger mother, Nina (Johnson), making the same parenting errors she did.
Image Courtesy: Dakota Johnson Life
The Social Network (2010)
Director: David Fincher
Writer: Aaron Sorkin, Ben Mezrich
Genre: Biography, Drama
IMDB Rating: 7.7
Runtime: 2hrs
It is an American biographical drama modeled on Ben Mezrich’s 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires. It was a huge smash hit, grossing $224 million on a $40 million spending plan and receiving widespread acclaim from critics.
Its story revolves around a Harvard student, Mark Zuckerberg, who starts working on an innovative idea that ultimately becomes Facebook – the worldwide networking site. Six years later, he became one of the youngest billionaires. But he is sued by the twin brothers, who claim he stole their idea. Whereas Johnson appears as a fling to Sean Parker, the first president of Facebook.
