There are few modern actresses with a filmography as expansive and recognizable asKirsten Dunst. Her career has spanned several decades, beginning in 1994 when she was only 11 years old, appearing in Neil Jordan’s classic film,Interview with the Vampire. She continued to deliver performances in some of the most memorable movies of the past three decades, quickly becoming a household name after her performance as Mary Jane in Sam Raimi’sSpider-Mantrilogy, making her one of the most in-demand actors of our generation. It’s no surprise that every so often, tweetsreferencing her stellar careergo viral, proving her enduring appeal.
Dunst boasts a versatility in her catalog that most would envy, perfectly embodying relatable, humorous roles as well as bringing fragility and vulnerability to more multidimensional performances. She has been outspoken about her experiences of sexism in the industry and how her performances have received a lack of acclaim. Awards aside, Dunst has carved a lane for herself in Hollywood, consistently bringing her own flair and star power to any role she plays. Here are Kirsten Dunst’s best movies.
13The Two Faces of January
The Two Faces of January
Oscar Isaac plays a scheming tour guide who gets dragged into helping a young New York couple remove an unconscious man from their hotel room. The tour guide’s increasing infatuation with the vulnerable and responsive woman in the couple gives rise to jealousy and paranoia, leading to a tense and dangerous battle of wits between the two men in this love triangle.
Based on the Patricia Highsmith (Talented Mr. Ripley) novel of the same name, the engrossing thrillerThe Two Faces of Januaryfollows married 1960s New York couple Chester (Viggo Mortensen) and Colette MacFarland (Dunst) who, while vacationing in Greece, become swept up in a shocking murder and must seek help from a mysterious stranger (Oscar Isaac) to get them safely out of the country. Naturally, paranoia builds among the trio, and they begin to grow suspicious of one another and their true motives.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Dunst shined as the bewitching Colette, whose mounting attraction to the handsome stranger causes jealousy and hostility to fester within her husband and sets forth a series of violent events. She brought an intriguing complexity to the role and her performance was singled out by critics, with many commending her range and overall mystique and winning chemistry with Isaac.Stream for free onPrime Video.
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Hot off the heels of the blockbuster hitsInterview with the VampireandLittle Women, Dunst decided to take on a more light-hearted project and starred alongside the late andgreat Robin Williamsin the fantasy flick,Jumanji. The fan-favorite film centers on the magical board game that causes teenager Alan Parrish to get sucked into the mythical realm in 1969, and is subsequently freed three decades later when a brother and sister play the game. But first, they must beat Jumanji and its dangers before it’s too late.
Certified ’90s Classic
The beloved ’90s classic helped further catapult Dunst to fame and was a knockout hit with moviegoers, with audiences awardingJumanjian A- CinemaScore. It’s a fun and wildly entertaining entry in the actress' early career, and it’s a blast for fans to see her hold her own against the comedy heavyweight Williams and shine while doing so. 20 years later, the sequelJumanji: Welcome to the Junglewas released and caused a resurgence in popularity for the undisputed hit.Watch onNetflix.
11Little Women (1994)
Little Women
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s 1868–69 novel of the same title, the fifth feature film adaptation of the classic story Little Women follows the March sisters as they come of age in 19th century New England.
Touting a phenomenal ensemble castincluding Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, and Christian Bale, the 1994 big-screen adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott literary masterpieceLittle Womenfeatures Dunst as the quick-witted youngest March sister, Amy. Along with her distinct siblings, Amy experiences the ups-and-downs of growing up in 19th century New England while also discovering the importance of passion, love, and family.
Dunst’s Scene-Stealing Portrayal
Dunst beat out fellow up-and-comers Natalie Portman and Thora Birch to star as Amy, with director Gillian Armstrongretrospectively telling The New York Times thatthe actress “really blew [other young Amy candidates] out of the water”. For her spirited performance as the precocious Amy, she took home the Young Artist Award for Best Performance by a Youth Actress, andLittle Womenproved to be a major stepping stone in Dunst’s enduring and diverse Hollywood career.Rent/Buy onApple TV+.
10Spider-Man
Spider-Man
After being bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter Parker’s body chemistry is mutagenically altered in that he can scale walls and ceilings, and he develops a “spider-sense” that warns him of approaching danger. Adopting the name “Spider-Man”, Peter first uses his newfound powers to make money, but after his uncle is murdered at the hands of a criminal Peter failed to stop, he swears to use his powers to fight the evil that killed his uncle.
No list addressing Dunst’s career in film would be complete without the movie that propelled her into international superstardom, 2002’sSpider-Man.Sam Raimi’s version of the Marvel classic was a box office phenomenon and broke Hollywood records, paving the way for the superhero onslaught in cinema to come. Dunst played Mary Jane, the love interest of Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire).
Bona Fide Leading Lady
The performance marked a movement into the mainstream for Dunst, and spawned several massively successful sequels that she returned for. Her endearing chemistry with Maguire was singled out by fans and helped make the couple one of the silver screen’s most cherished pairings at the time. Later in her career, Dunst reflected on the gender inequality she faced in this role, noting how her co-star waspaid significantly more than her.Stream onDisney+.
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9Interview with the Vampire
Interview with the Vampire
Louis accepts a proposition from a vampire, and Lestat drains Louis' mortal blood and then replaces it with his own, turning Louis into a vampire. Louis must learn from Lestat the ways of the vampire in this film from Anne Rice’s vampire franchise.
Dunst’s career in Hollywood had a strong start when she starred in Neil Jordan’s 1994Interview with the Vampire, when she was only 11 years old. She played Claudia, a vampire who is trapped in the body of a young girl, but who has matured as time has passed and has become frustrated at her situation.
Dunst Dazzles the Masses
The Anne Rice adaptation received mixed reviews but was nonetheless a box office success,grossing over $223 millionworldwide. Dunst’s performance caught the eye of critics, and she was nominated for a Golden Globe and won the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor. Dunst gave a strong and deeply memorable performance well beyond her years, and her career as an actor was off to a flying start.Rent/Buy onPrime Video.
8The Beguiled
The Beguiled
The Beguiled is a period drama directed by Sofia Coppola, set during the American Civil War. It revolves around an injured Union soldier, played by Colin Farrell, who seeks refuge at an all-girls’ boarding school in the South. The presence of the wounded man causes tension and rivalry among the women of the household, led by Nicole Kidman and featuring performances by Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning.
Dunst had a very strong relationship with director Sofia Coppola, someone for whom she would star in several career-defining roles throughout her career. Dunst collaborated with Coppola for a third time in the 2017 filmThe Beguiled, a sweeping adaptation of the Thomas P. Cullinan novel and remake of the ’70s film starring Clint Eastwood.
A Spellbinding Southern Gothic Remake
The captivating southern gothic follows a soldier seeking refuge in an all-female boarding school during the Civil War, exploring sexual tensions and rivalries within the group. Dunst plays the prim and proper Edwina, who must fight her growing attraction to the handsome soldier John McBurney (Colin Farrell); her performance gained widespread critical praise.Stream onNetflix.
7Bring It On
Bring It On
As the newly elected captain of her high school’s award-winning cheerleading squad, Torrence Shipman aims to take her team to the top of the national championships — despite the challenges of a rival squad, choreography calamities, catty fellow cheerleaders, and romantic entanglements.
Bring It Onwas released in 2000 and went on to become a box office success and a cult classic, beginning theBring It Onfranchiseand firmly establishing itself as a staple in the teenage rom-com phenomenon of the ’90s and early 2000s, an era which continues its cultural significance today. Dunst played the main character and head cheerleader, Torrance, who goes head-to-head against school cheer rival the Clovers.
Bring It On Is a Trailblazing Teen Cult Classic
Her performance showcased her range as an actress and made her a pop culture figure, propelling her to the tabloid stardom of the early 2000s.The New York Timesraved about Dunst’s admirable ability to master the comedy genre, calling her “a terrific comic actress, largely because of her great expressive range, and the nimbleness with which she can shift from anxiety to aggression to genuine hurt.“Stream onPrime Video.
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Drop Dead Gorgeous
A small-town beauty pageant turns deadly as it becomes clear that someone will go to any lengths to win.
Michael Patrick Jann’s 1999 satirical black comedyDrop Dead Gorgeousfollows a small-town beauty pageant and its ruthless and cutthroat contestants who will stop at nothing to win, not even murder. The movie starred a great ensemble cast at the beginning of their careers including Dunst, Brittany Murphy, Denise Richards, and Amy Adams, alongside established greats like Ellen Barkin and Allison Janney.
Before They Were Massive Stars
The film received mixed reviews from critics, some of which found that the satirical comedy did not land, though Dunst’s role as Amber Atkins was favorably singled out by critics. Regardless,Drop Dead Gorgeoushas gone on to achieve cult status and is an interesting time capsule, showcasing several iconic Hollywood stars at the beginning of their careers.Currently unavailable for streaming.
5Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Michel Gondry’s 2004 critical successEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mindwon the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The fantastical romantic comedy dealt with emotional topics concerning the fragility of memories and love, taking a literal interpretation of this with a universe where memories can actually be erased.
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A Wide-Eyed & Devastating Portrayal
Dunst has a relatively small role alongside actors such as Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey, playing Mary, the receptionist at the clinic who yearns for her boss, unaware of the memories which have been taken from her. Her performance is hauntingly naive and allows the audience to painfully sympathize with her.Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mindis widely regarded as not only one of the finest films of the 2000s, but also one of the greatest of all time, and has amassed a passionate cult following.Buy/Rent onPrime Video.
4Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette
Often maligned, passionately debated and ultimately a misunderstood young woman, Marie Antoinette (Kirsten Dunst), through Coppola’s vision, emerges neither as staid historical villain nor divine idol – but as a confused and lonely teenage outsider thrust against her will into a decadent and scandal-plagued world on the eve of disaster.
Long-term collaborators Dunstand Sofia Coppoladelivered the 2004 movieMarie Antoinette, depicting the life of the young queen in the years leading up to the French Revolution. The actress was joined by stars like Jason Schwartzman, Rose Byrne, and Steve Coogan in the bold and vibrant picture, which was based on the Antonia Fraser biography about the historical figure.
A Heartbreaking Performance of a Doomed Girl
Marie Antoinettereceived mixed reviews from critics, with many taking issue with the historical inaccuracies and modern flair, which totally missed the point of the film, which was to emotionally replicate the teen angst of Marie Antoinette herself and remind audiences that she was essentially a child when she became the dauphine of France, and was only 19 when she became queen. The portrait of this period is an energetic and haunting look at a young girl in way over her head.
Dunst’s charismatic performance was widely praised and cemented another strong entry in her catalogue of impressive performances. The historical drama won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, and it also competed for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, where it garnered a mostly glowing reception from audiences.Rent/Buy onApple TV+.
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