For those searching for underrated Dakota Johnson movies you should watch, five overlooked films reveal Johnson’s range far beyond her iconic turn as Anastasia Steele. Each title listed below brings a different side of Johnson’s talent to light, offering emotional depth, daring performances, and fascinating characters waiting to be rediscovered.
Dakota Johnson’s Lesser-Known Films: More Than Just a Fifty Shades Star
While most audiences recognize Dakota Johnson as the face behind the Fifty Shades franchise, her career stretches much wider, showcasing versatility built on a Hollywood legacy. As the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, Johnson combines star power with an offbeat allure in her work. Despite being celebrated for her high-profile roles and fashion choices, several meaningful performances from her filmography have gone unnoticed and underappreciated.
This article dives into five movies where Johnson steps beyond mainstream fame, embracing roles that highlight her emotional range, comedic touches, and willingness to defy expectations. These films, ranging from indie dramas to offbeat thrillers and early career appearances, may have slipped past many but are well worth adding to any serious movie lover’s list.
5. The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019): Heartfelt Adventure with Southern Charm
Dakota Johnson brings life to Eleanor, a compassionate social worker, in The Peanut Butter Falcon—a story inspired by the humor and adventure of Mark Twain’s writings. The film follows Zak, a young man with Down syndrome played by Zack Gottsagen, as he escapes from a care facility to chase his dream of becoming a wrestler. Teaming up with Tyler, portrayed by Shia LaBeouf, Zak navigates a world both kind and chaotic, with Johnson’s Eleanor anchoring their journey with warmth and steadfast kindness.
Johnson’s portrayal in this role pulls away from her usual “cool girl” image, offering a performance filled with humility and genuine affection. Despite its relatively modest $6 million budget, the movie grossed over $23 million at the box office and collected several audience awards at film festivals. Nevertheless, this modern adventure flew under mainstream awareness, possibly due to its gentle themes rather than blockbuster thrills. For those wanting a heartfelt story with memorable characters, The Peanut Butter Falcon becomes a must-watch—and it is currently available on Prime Video in the US.
4. Our Friend (2019): A Raw Story of Friendship and Loss
In Our Friend, Johnson delivers a deeply emotional performance as Nicole Teague, a woman facing a terminal cancer diagnosis alongside her husband Matt, played by Casey Affleck. The true story centers on their family’s closest friend, Dane (Jason Segel), who puts his life on hold to support them through hardship and heartbreak.
Johnson’s approach to Nicole is marked by subtle authenticity and emotional openness. Instead of playing into stereotypes, she gives a nuanced portrayal of vulnerability and resilience. Her work here stands out among her most mature roles—a testament to her willingness to embrace challenging stories over glossier, lighter fare.
Despite its $10 million budget, the film struggled at the box office, earning only around $700,000. The limited release and pandemic-era circumstances left this moving film underseen, even as critics praised its honest depiction of support and grief. For viewers prepared for an intense, tear-jerking drama built on themes of friendship and sacrifice, Our Friend is available for streaming in the US on Peacock.
3. Bad Times at the El Royale (2018): Mystery and Grit in Retro Style
Bad Times at the El Royale transports audiences to a shadowy hotel straddling the border between California and Nevada. Featuring a star-studded cast—including Jon Hamm, Jeff Bridges, Chris Hemsworth, Lewis Pullman, and Dakota Johnson—the film crafts an unpredictable thriller set in the late 1960s with style and vivid atmosphere.
Johnson stands out as Emily Summerspring, an enigmatic and tough character shrouded in rebellion and secret motives. Breaking away from the softer roles in her past, Johnson’s performance here pulses with energy and a fearless attitude, putting her alongside some of Hollywood’s most notable talents.
The movie, with its $32 million budget, ultimately brought in $31 million worldwide—falling just short of box office success. Its unconventional narrative and genre-blending approach may have impacted its mainstream reach, yet it remains a brilliantly stylish and suspenseful work. Johnson’s contribution is central to its electricity, making Bad Times at the El Royale a film that fans of noir-inspired mysteries will not want to miss. It’s currently available on Hulu in the US.
2. Beastly (2011): Early Career Sparks in a Modern Fairy Tale
Before her breakout fame, Dakota Johnson took on the role of Sloan Hagen in Beastly, the 2011 film that reimagined Beauty and the Beast for a younger generation. Starring Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens in the lead, the movie is set amongst a cast of moody New York City teenagers wrestling with high school drama and transformation curses.
Although her screen time is brief, Johnson seizes the opportunity to leave an impression as a mean girl who interacts with the “beast” before the story’s romantic core unfolds. Her presence—though fleeting—demonstrates a strong on-screen charisma even in her early years, a preview of her eventual rise as a versatile star.
Despite carrying a “guilty pleasure” reputation and performing moderately well at the box office—earning over $38 million against a $17 million budget—Beastly was largely forgotten alongside its bigger, fantasy-driven rivals. It now stands as an enjoyable snapshot of Johnson before her signature roles, available to stream now on Prime Video for those curious about the beginnings of her journey.
1. Persuasion (2022): A Playful Spin on a Literary Classic
Persuasion delivers Jane Austen’s beloved story with a uniquely modern twist, casting Dakota Johnson as Anne Elliot, a character torn between societal duty and longing. The Netflix original injects fresh energy into the period drama, with Gen-Z influences and a protagonist who breaks the fourth wall and mixes contemporary flair with classic sensibility.
This adaptation split opinions—while some viewers found the casual tone and unconventional narration charming, others felt it strayed too far from the spirit of Austen’s original work. Johnson, however, brought both humor and quiet heartbreak to Anne, painting her as witty, complex, and deeply relatable to modern audiences.
Though the film struggled to maintain sustained attention after its streaming debut and never faced a theatrical box office run, Johnson’s lively performance invites viewers to consider Persuasion as a standalone romantic comedy with literary roots. For fans willing to embrace a new take, Persuasion is currently available on Netflix in the US.
Discovering the Impact of Johnson’s Overlooked Roles
Exploring underrated Dakota Johnson movies you should watch offers fresh appreciation for an actress whose work extends far beyond mainstream expectations. From her early beginnings in films like Beastly to bold leading performances in Persuasion and The Peanut Butter Falcon, Johnson continually surprises with her willingness to tackle diverse genres and complex characters. Each title on this list—highlighted by her interactions with notable co-stars such as Jeff Bridges, Shia LaBeouf, and Jason Segel—demonstrates her growing range and influence in modern cinema.
For both devoted fans and newcomers, seeking out these lesser-known films adds depth to any watchlist. As Johnson continues to shape her career and redefine her image, these hidden gems are poised for renewed discovery and long-overdue recognition.
