All Of Dakota Fanning's Movies, Ranked

Ranker Film
Updated September 1, 2023 3.4K votes 610 voters 62.6K views
Over 600 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of All Of Dakota Fanning's Movies, Ranked
Voting Rules
Vote for your favorite Dakota Fanning movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.
Latest additions: The Equalizer 3
Most divisive: Hounddog

With over 600 votes cast, this list of the best Dakota Fanning movies is a must-read for fans of the talented young star. Since her breakthrough role in 2001’s I Am Sam, Dakota Fanning has captivated audiences with her award-winning performances and charm. From coming-of-age dramas to family favorites and horror flicks, she's done it all.

Her impressive body of work includes iconic roles like Lucy Diamond Dawson in War of the Worlds (2005), Jane Volturi in The Twilight Saga (2008–2012), and Cherie Currie in The Runaways (2010). While she captured our hearts as a child actress, recent projects such as Please Stand By (2017), Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood (2019) and Sweetness in the Belly (2020) showcase how far she's come since then.

Whatever your favorite genre may be, you're sure to find something on this list that will please even the most discerning fan. So why not take a few moments out of your day to appreciate some great cinema? Go ahead and vote up your favorites so others can enjoy them too.

Ranked by
  • Man on Fire
    1

    Man on Fire

    Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Christopher Walken
    151 votes
    • Released: 2004
    • Directed by: Tony Scott
    A gripping tale of vengeance, Man on Fire is a potent entry in the action-thriller genre. The plot centers on John Creasy (Denzel Washington), a burnt-out ex-CIA operative turned bodyguard, hired to protect Pita Ramos (Dakota Fanning), a lively young girl in Mexico City. When Pita is kidnapped, despite Creasy's valiant efforts, his sense of duty ignites into an all-consuming fury. As he embarks on a relentless quest to retrieve Pita and punish those responsible, the city's criminal underbelly faces a man ablaze with righteous anger. This film delivers a dramatic exploration of redemption through its complex protagonist and intense narrative.

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  • Uptown Girls
    2

    Uptown Girls

    Brittany Murphy, Dakota Fanning, Marley Shelton
    105 votes
    • Released: 2003
    • Directed by: Boaz Yakin
    Molly Gunn (Brittany Murphy) has never worked a day in her life and has lived like a queen since her father, a famous rock 'n' roll star, died and left her his fortune. But everything changes when Molly realizes that her manager has stolen her money. She lands a job as a nanny for Ray (Dakota Fanning), a young girl whose serious attitude is the opposite of Molly's carefree one. With help from her boyfriend, Neal (Jesse Spencer), Molly tries to bond with Ray and learn how to be an adult.

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  • Charlotte's Web
    3

    Charlotte's Web

    Julia Roberts, Dakota Fanning, Steve Buscemi
    86 votes
    • Released: 2006
    • Directed by: Gary Winick
    In the heartwarming film Charlotte's Web, a young farm girl named Fern (Dakota Fanning) befriends a runt pig, Wilbur. Voiced by Dominic Scott Kay, Wilbur is destined for slaughter until Charlotte (Julia Roberts), an eloquent spider, weaves words into her web to save him. The movie, adapted from E.B. White's timeless novel, is an enchanting blend of drama and fantasy that showcases the power of friendship and selflessness. Garnering critical acclaim, it brings to life vividly animated characters and a compelling narrative that appeals to both children and adults.

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  • Dreamer
    4

    Dreamer

    Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning, Kris Kristofferson
    87 votes
    • Released: 2005
    • Directed by: John Gatins
    Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) is a horse trainer who is struggling to connect with his precocious daughter, Cale (Dakota Fanning). But then a horse by the name of Soñador suffers a broken leg after its evil owner (David Morse) races her despite Ben's advice. Rather than put his client's injured horse down, Ben adopts her and welcomes Cale into the family business. They train Soñador to race again as grouchy but kind-hearted Grandpa (Kris Kristofferson) lends his encouragement.

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  • I Am Sam
    5

    I Am Sam

    Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning
    107 votes
    • Released: 2001
    • Directed by: Jessie Nelson
    I Am Sam is a heartfelt drama that centers around Sam Dawson (Sean Penn), a man with an intellectual disability, who fathers a daughter named Lucy Diamond Dawson (Dakota Fanning). As Lucy grows older, her mental capacity surpasses Sam's, leading to the state deeming him unfit as a parent. The story unfolds as Sam, aided by lawyer Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer), fights for custody of his daughter. Directed by Jessie Nelson, this film garnered Penn an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Notable for its exploration of love and family in unconventional circumstances, I Am Sam challenges societal norms and perceptions.

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  • The Secret Life of Bees
    6

    The Secret Life of Bees

    Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson
    92 votes
    • Released: 2008
    • Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
    Haunted by memories of her late mother and abused by her father (Paul Bettany), 14-year-old Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) runs away with her friend and caregiver Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) to the South Carolina town that holds the key to her mother's past. There, Lily meets the Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo), who take her in and teach her about beekeeping, honey, and the Black Madonna. Lily also discovers that the truth about her mother is closer than she thinks.

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