5 Must-See New Dakota Johnson Films: From Star-Studded Rom-Coms To A Colleen Hoover Thriller (2024-2026)

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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.

new dakota johnson film
new dakota johnson film

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