Die besten Filme von Dakota Johnson – unsere Empfehlungen
Dakota Johnson’s films range from major Hollywood productions and sophisticated dramas to horror films and independent comedies. The following ten recommendations are not a ranking of quality. They showcase different roles and genres and help you choose your next film. Well-known productions such as „Fifty Shades of Grey,“ „The Social Network,“ and „Madame Web“ are included in the filmography. The „Fifty Shades“ trilogy is also presented separately.

- Suspiria (2018) – Psychological Horror. In Luca Guadagnino’s reimagining of the horror classic, Dakota Johnson plays American dancer Susie Bannion. She arrives in West Berlin in 1977 to join a prestigious dance company. However, disturbing secrets lurk behind its facade. Johnson carries the story as the lead actress. The film’s unique blend of dance, body horror, and political tensions in divided Berlin is particularly striking. Anyone looking for an atmospheric horror film that eschews typical shock effects will find one of her most memorable roles here.

- The Lost Daughter (2021) – Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut is a psychological drama that tells the story of literature professor Leda (Olivia Colman), who is confronted with memories of her own motherhood during a vacation. Johnson portrays Nina, a young mother whose encounter with Leda triggers painful memories. Although Johnson is not the main character, Nina is crucial to the psychological development of the story. The tension arises primarily from unspoken conflicts and contradictory emotions. This sets the film apart from conventional family dramas.

- Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022) – Romantic tragicomedy. 22-year-old Andrew (Cooper Raiff) works as an entertainer at bar and bat mitzvah celebrations. There he meets Domino (Dakota Johnson), a mother raising her daughter Lola. A special connection develops between the two, one that doesn’t easily fit into a classic love story. Johnson plays one of the central roles and, according to Apple, also served as a producer. The film combines understated humor with questions about intimacy, responsibility, and different stages of life. The uncertainty surrounding their future together is a particular source of tension in the relationship between Andrew and Domino.

- The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) – Adventure and road movie. Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down syndrome, leaves his care facility because he wants to become a professional wrestler. Along the way, he meets the outsider Tyler (Shia LaBeouf). Johnson plays Eleanor, a caregiver who searches for Zak and later becomes part of his unusual journey. Her role adds questions about care and self-determination to the story of their friendship. The film derives its special appeal from the relationship between Zak and Tyler, who support each other on their journey, even though they initially have little in common.

- A Bigger Splash (2015) – Drama and psychological thriller. Rock singer Marianne (Tilda Swinton) and her partner Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts) are vacationing on the Italian island of Pantelleria. The arrival of Marianne’s former lover Harry (Ralph Fiennes) and his daughter Penelope fundamentally changes the situation. Johnson plays the enigmatic Penelope, whose presence creates additional tension. The film focuses on underlying conflicts, desires, and power struggles rather than straightforward thriller action. Particularly interesting is how the relationships between the four characters shift through subtle provocations and unspoken intentions.

- Bad Times at the El Royale (2018) – Mystery-Thriller. In the dilapidated El Royale Hotel, several strangers meet, each concealing their true intentions. Dakota Johnson plays Emily Summerspring, one of the enigmatic hotel guests. Alongside her are Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, and Chris Hemsworth. Director Drew Goddard weaves together different perspectives with surprising twists. The secrets of the hotel guests increasingly intertwine, altering the viewer’s perception of previously shown events. This very structure makes the film an interesting choice for fans of intricately plotted ensemble thrillers.

- How to Be Single (2016) – Romantic comedy. After a long-term relationship, Alice (Dakota Johnson) wants to find out what it’s like to live alone. In New York, she meets, among others, her fun-loving colleague Robin (Rebel Wilson). The story follows several women who deal with relationships, dating, and independence in different ways. Johnson plays a central role and provides a calmer counterpoint to the more boisterous characters. Unlike a classic romantic comedy, which primarily focuses on a couple finding each other, the film also explores what a self-determined life outside of a relationship means.

- Daddio – A Night in New York (2023) – Dialogue Drama. After arriving at New York’s JFK airport, a young woman, played by Johnson, takes a taxi to Manhattan. During the ride, an increasingly personal conversation develops between her and the driver, Clark (Sean Penn). The film focuses almost entirely on the two characters and their conversation. For Johnson, it’s a leading role where dialogue and understated reactions are more important than external action. The very limitation to just two conversationalists makes the drama unusual. According to epd Film, Johnson also served as a producer on „Daddio.“ The film was released in German cinemas in 2024.

- Am I OK? (2022) – A tragicomedy about self-discovery. Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is in her early thirties and beginning to better understand her sexual orientation. At the same time, her long-standing friendship with Jane (Sonoya Mizuno), who is planning to move to London, is changing. The story intertwines Lucy’s coming out with an exploration of friendship, change, and self-discovery. Johnson plays the lead role and also served as a producer . Instead of focusing on a dramatic life crisis, the film addresses personal insecurities with gentle humor. The friendship between Lucy and Jane remains just as important as Lucy’s search for her identity.

- The High Note (2020) – a musical comedy-drama, stars Johnson as Maggie Sherwoode, the personal assistant to successful singer Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross). Maggie aspires to be a music producer herself and struggles to make her mark in the music industry, caught between professional expectations and her own ambitions. Unlike her darker dramas, Johnson here takes center stage in a more optimistic story about creativity and career. The focus is less on the romantic subplot and more on Maggie’s attempt to prove her musical abilities and be taken seriously professionally.
Dakota Johnson’s new films in 2025 and 2026
Dakota Johnson’s more recent films include the psychological thriller „Verity,“ the romantic comedy „Materialists,“ and the relationship comedy „Splitsville.“ These three productions were released in 2025 or 2026. The international release dates differ somewhat from the German theatrical releases.
Verity – Dark Secrets (2026)
In the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, Johnson plays writer Lowen Ashleigh. She is commissioned to continue the successful book series by author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway). To do so, Lowen moves to the family’s remote estate, where she discovers disturbing writings. Josh Hartnett plays Verity’s husband, Jeremy. Michael Showalter directed the film, and Dakota Johnson also served as an executive producer. According to Sony Pictures Germany, the film was released in German cinemas on October 1, 2026 .
What is Love Worth – Materialists (2025)
Dakota Johnson plays Lucy, a professional matchmaker in New York. While searching for suitable partners for her clients, she finds herself torn between the wealthy Harry (Pedro Pascal) and her former partner John (Chris Evans). Director Celine Song intertwines romantic entanglements with questions of financial security, societal expectations, and personal feelings. The film was released in German cinemas on August 21, 2025 .
Splitsville (2025)
In this romantic comedy, Johnson plays Julie, who has an open marriage with her husband Paul (Michael Angelo Covino). When Paul’s best friend Carey (Kyle Marvin) seeks refuge with the couple after his wife Ashley (Adria Arjona) announces their separation, new conflicts arise between them. Michael Angelo Covino also directed the film. Johnson not only acted but also served as a producer, as reported by Reuters . The film was released in 2025, but according to kino.de , it wasn’t released in German cinemas until January 22, 2026 .
Dakota Johnson: Filmography Overview
The following filmography lists 33 feature films starring Dakota Johnson up to October 2026, from her most recent work to her screen debut. Listed are the year of release, the title used in Germany or the original title, and her respective role.
The years listed refer to the year of the film’s release or its first public presentation, not necessarily the German theatrical release date. Some productions were initially shown at festivals and only later released through regular channels. Series, short films, classic documentaries, and purely production-based works are not included in this overview.
| Year | film | role |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Verity – Dark Secrets | Lowen Ashleigh |
| 2025 | Splitsville | Julie |
| 2025 | What is love worth – Materialists | Lucy |
| 2024 | Madame Web | Cassandra “Cassie” Webb |
| 2023 | Daddio – One Night in New York | Girlie |
| 2022 | Am I OK? | Lucy |
| 2022 | Persuasion | Anne Elliot |
| 2022 | Cha Cha Real Smooth | domino |
| 2021 | Woman in the Dark ( The Lost Daughter ) | Nina |
| 2020 | The High Note – Believe in your dream | Maggie Sherwoode |
| 2020 | The Nowhere Inn | Dakota Johnson (as herself, staged appearance) |
| 2019 | The Friend ( Our Friend ) | Nicole Teague |
| 2019 | The Peanut Butter Falcon | Eleanor |
| 2019 | Wounds | Carrie |
| 2018 | Suspiria | Susie Bannion |
| 2018 | Bad Times at the El Royale | Emily Summerspring |
| 2018 | Fifty Shades of Gray – Liberated Lust | Anastasia Steele |
| 2017 | Fifty Shades of Grey – Dangerous Love | Anastasia Steele |
| 2016 | How to Be Single | Alice |
| 2015 | A Bigger Splash | Penelope |
| 2015 | Black Mass | Lindsey Cyr |
| 2015 | Chloe Saves the World ( Chloe and Theo ) | Chloe |
| 2015 | Fifty Shades of Grey | Anastasia Steele |
| 2014 | Need for Speed | Anita |
| 2014 | Anarchy ( Cymbeline ) | Imogen |
| 2014 | Purely a men’s thing ( Date and Switch ) | Em |
| 2012 | 21 Jump Street | Fugazy |
| 2012 | Almost Married ( The Five-Year Engagement ) | Audrey |
| 2012 | For Ellen | Cindy |
| 2012 | Zicke Zacke Ziegenkacke ( Goats ) | Minnie |
| 2011 | Beastly | Sloan |
| 2010 | The Social Network | Amelia Ritter |
| 1999 | Crazy in Alabama | Sondra |

Information on films and roles can be verified using the FILMSTARTS filmography and the FILMDIENST film directory .
The fact that film directories sometimes give different years can be explained by three examples:
“Daddio” premiered at a festival in 2023, but didn’t open in Germany until June 27, 2024. “Am I OK?” was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in 2022 ; the regular US streaming release followed on June 6, 2024. For “Splitsville,” the international release year of 2025 also precedes the German theatrical release in January 2026.
One special feature is „The Nowhere Inn“: The mockumentary combines documentary elements with a fictional story.
The „Fifty Shades of Grey“ films in the correct order
The „Fifty Shades of Grey“ series consists of three films released between 2015 and 2018. Dakota Johnson plays Anastasia Steele in all three installments, while Jamie Dornan portrays entrepreneur Christian Grey. The correct order corresponds to the release years:
- Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) : Anastasia meets Christian Grey during an interview. A relationship begins between them in which differing ideas of intimacy and control play a central role.
- Fifty Shades of Grey – Dangerous Love (2017) : After their breakup, Anastasia and Christian try to continue their relationship under changed circumstances. New conflicts arise due to Christian’s past.
- Fifty Shades Freed (2018) : The concluding film follows Anastasia and Christian after their wedding. Their future together is strained by personal conflicts and external threats.
The trilogy is based on the novels by E.L. James. The first film, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, was released in 2015; James Foley directed the two sequels. For Dakota Johnson, the role of Anastasia Steele marked her international breakthrough as the lead in a major film production.
Where can I stream movies with Dakota Johnson?
Dakota Johnson’s films are available in Germany via streaming subscriptions as well as digital rental and purchase options, depending on the title. Anyone looking for a specific film should therefore check the respective title page and distinguish between a subscription included in the subscription and a paid individual purchase.
Direct German listings are available for several of the featured films:
- Suspiria (2018) : The JustWatch homepage shows streaming options as well as digital rental and purchase options, including available language versions.
- Woman in the Dark (2021) : Netflix features the film on its German homepage with German and English audio tracks.
- Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022) : The German overview of offers lists Apple TV as a streaming option and includes a German audio version.
- The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) : JustWatch lists both subscription offers and digital rental and purchase options for Germany.
- Daddio – One Night in New York (2023) : The cover page provides an overview of subscription-based streaming services as well as paid rental and purchase options.
Streaming overview as of October 21, 2026. Offers, prices and language versions are subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions about Films with Dakota Johnson
What was Dakota Johnson’s first film?
Dakota Johnson made her screen debut in 1999 in Crazy in Alabama . In the film by Antonio Banderas, she starred alongside her mother, Melanie Griffith.
Does Dakota Johnson play the lead role in „The Social Network“?
No. In David Fincher’s film The Social Network (2010), Dakota Johnson plays the supporting character Amelia Ritter. Her role is significantly smaller than her later leading roles.
In which films did Dakota Johnson also work as a producer?
In addition to her acting work, Dakota Johnson was involved as a producer on films such as Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022), Am I OK? (2022), Daddio (2023), and Splitsville (2025). She was an executive producer on Verity (2026).
Which Dakota Johnson movies are suitable for viewers who don’t like horror?
How to Be Single (2016) is a romantic comedy about dating and independence. The High Note (2020) tells a lighter story about music, career ambitions, and self-discovery. Both offer alternatives to Johnson’s horror and thriller roles.