5 Must-See New Dakota Johnson Films: From Star-Studded Rom-Coms To A Colleen Hoover Thriller (2024-2026)
Dakota Johnson’s career trajectory is entering a fascinating new phase in 2024 and 2025, moving beyond the superhero genre and leaning heavily into complex, character-driven dramas and high-profile romantic comedies. Following the release of the polarizing *Madame Web* in early 2024, the actress has strategically lined up a slate of projects that showcase her range, including her first feature film as a director and highly anticipated collaborations with some of Hollywood’s biggest names and most acclaimed filmmakers.
As of late December 2025, the buzz is focused on a series of diverse roles that confirm her status as a versatile leading lady. From a two-person drama set entirely in a taxi to a star-studded romantic comedy and the adaptation of a best-selling psychological thriller, her upcoming filmography is arguably the most intriguing of her career, promising fresh and unique cinematic experiences for fans.
Dakota Johnson: Full Biography and Profile
Dakota Mayi Johnson is an American actress, producer, and director who rose to global prominence with her lead role in the *Fifty Shades* film series.
- Full Name: Dakota Mayi Johnson
- Born: October 4, 1989 (Age 36 as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Austin, Texas, United States
- Parents: Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith (Both actors)
- Breakout Role: Anastasia "Ana" Steele in the *Fifty Shades* trilogy (2015–2018)
- Notable Work: *The Social Network* (2010), *A Bigger Splash* (2015), *How to Be Single* (2016), *Suspiria* (2018), *The Peanut Butter Falcon* (2019), *The Lost Daughter* (2021), *Cha Cha Real Smooth* (2022), and *Madame Web* (2024).
- Profession: Actress, Producer, Director
- Accolades: Nominated for a British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) Rising Star Award.
The Immediate Slate: 2024 Releases and Director's Debut
The immediate future sees Johnson focusing on smaller, more intimate dramas and her first foray behind the camera, demonstrating a commitment to challenging, independent filmmaking.
1. Daddio (2024) - The Two-Person Drama
The film *Daddio* is one of Dakota Johnson's most anticipated 2024 releases, largely due to its unique premise and stellar co-star. The entire movie takes place within the confines of a New York City taxi, focusing on an intense, conversational drama between two people.
- Role: Girlie (A young woman passenger)
- Co-Star: Sean Penn (The taxi driver)
- Plot Summary: A woman (Johnson) takes a cab ride from JFK International Airport back to her apartment in Manhattan. During the ride, she engages in a deep, sprawling conversation with the cab driver (Penn) about the most significant relationships in their lives, exploring themes of love, loss, and connection.
- Director: Christy Hall (in her feature directorial debut)
- Release Date: Premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2024, with a wider release expected shortly after.
- Topical Authority Entity: Johnson also serves as a producer on the film, marking her continued involvement in creative development through her production company, TeaTime Pictures.
2. Loser Baby (2024) - Directorial Debut
A significant development in Johnson’s career is her move into directing. Her short film, *Loser Baby*, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2024.
- Role: Director and Writer (Co-wrote with Talia Bernstein)
- Genre: Comedy, Short Film (23 minutes)
- Context: This short is a precursor to her planned feature-length directorial debut, which she revealed she would be directing soon at the 2025 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
The Blockbuster Lineup: High-Profile 2025 and 2026 Projects
Looking ahead, Johnson’s schedule is packed with major, star-powered productions that are generating considerable anticipation in the industry, including collaborations with A-list actors and an adaptation of a literary phenomenon.
3. Materialists (2025) - The Star-Studded Rom-Com Drama
*Materialists* is arguably the most talked-about film on Johnson's upcoming slate, thanks to its high-profile cast and its director, Celine Song, who received critical acclaim for the Oscar-nominated film *Past Lives*.
- Role: Lucy Mason (An ambitious matchmaker)
- Co-Stars: Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal (forming a high-profile love triangle)
- Plot Summary: The film is a romantic comedy-drama centered on a professional matchmaker in New York City who becomes entangled in a toxic love triangle.
- Director: Celine Song
- Release Date: Expected in theaters around June 13, 2025.
- Topical Authority Entity: The combination of Johnson, Evans, Pascal, and the unique directorial style of Celine Song makes this a major event film for 2025, highly anticipated by critics and fans of sophisticated romantic narratives.
4. Splitsville (2025) - The Open Marriage Comedy
Scheduled for a 2025 release, *Splitsville* is a comedy that explores the modern complexities of relationships, friendship, and non-traditional marital arrangements.
- Role: Julie (A friend in an open marriage)
- Co-Stars: Adria Arjona, Kyle Marvin, Michael Angelo Covino, and Nicholas Braun.
- Plot Summary: The story follows good-natured Carey (Kyle Marvin) after his wife, Ashley (Adria Arjona), asks for a divorce. Carey seeks refuge and guidance from his friends, Julie and Paul, who share the secret to their happiness: an open marriage. This revelation causes a rift in the group.
- Release Date: Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, with a wide release following in August 2025.
5. Verity (2026) - The Colleen Hoover Thriller
One of the most exciting long-term projects is the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling psychological thriller, *Verity*. This project marks a return to the thriller genre for Johnson, but with a much darker, more complex psychological edge than her previous work.
- Role: Lowen Ashleigh (A struggling writer)
- Co-Stars: Anne Hathaway (as Verity Crawford, the bestselling author) and Josh Hartnett (as Jeremy Crawford).
- Plot Summary: Lowen Ashleigh (Johnson), a struggling writer, is hired by Jeremy Crawford to complete the remaining books in a successful series written by his injured wife, Verity (Hathaway). While working in the Crawford home, Lowen discovers a shocking, unfinished autobiography that contains a dark, terrifying confession.
- Director: Michael Showalter
- Release Date: Currently scheduled for October 2, 2026.
The Future of Dakota Johnson: Producer, Director, and Star
Dakota Johnson has made it clear that she is actively shaping her own narrative in Hollywood, not just as an actress but as a creative force. The critical reaction to the 2024 superhero film *Madame Web* was mixed, and Johnson herself has been candid about her experience, stating that she would likely never do a movie like it again.
This candidness underscores her current focus on projects where she has greater creative control and a deeper connection to the material, such as her role as a producer on *Daddio* and her highly anticipated directorial efforts. The upcoming slate—a mix of cerebral drama, sharp comedy, and psychological thriller—reflects a deliberate strategy to solidify her reputation as a serious, versatile artist. Fans can look forward to a period of unprecedented creative output from the star as she takes on new and challenging roles both in front of and behind the camera.
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