Few actresses have enjoyed the type of sustained success as Kirsten Dunst. We’ve literally watched her grow up on screen, beginning with 1994’s Interview with the Vampire and ending with Alex Garland’s controversial Civil War, which is releasing later this week. Dunst has showcased her incredible talent in comedies, dramas, action pictures, and even superhero epics. As such, listing our favorite Kirsten Dunst films to commemorate her latest project only felt fitting. Here they are in no particular order.
Jumanji (1995)
Joe Johnston’s big-screen adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg’s celebrated children’s story continues to delight nearly three decades after its initial release. Robin Williams headlines the family adventure, co-starring Bonnie Hunt, and brings his usual charm to the over-the-top antics. Dunst plays Judy, a young girl dealing with losing her parents, who gets swept up in a dangerous (and deadly) board game with her brother Peter (Bradley Pierce). Imaginative, fun, and occasionally thrilling, this charming 90s tale has only improved over time and remains the cream of the crop in terms of Jumanji pics. Sorry, Dwayne Johnson.
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
After blowing the roof off the superhero genre with 2002’s box office smash Spider-Man, director Sam Raimi turned around and created one of the all-time great superhero pictures. Spider-Man 2 takes everything that worked in the original and adds more drama, more superheroics, more eye-popping special effects, and dastardly villains, resulting in a damn good flick that towers over most modern tales. Tobey Maguire is pitch perfect as Peter Parker/Spidey as he struggles to balance his crime-fighting ways and his personal life, notably his relationship with the beautiful Mary Jane Watson (Dunst). Everything about Spider-Man 2 works, from Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock to JK Simmons’ scene-stealing J. Jonah Jameson. Spidey’s bout with Doc Ock aboard a speeding train is God-level superhero cinema.
Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Dunst’s breakout role arrived in Neil Jordan’s classic vampire thriller Interview with the Vampire, where she held her own opposite Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt and gave audiences an early peek at her astounding acting chops. Dark, morbid, but oddly touching, this brutal tale chronicles the life of Louis (Pitt), a man-turned-vampire dealing with the consequences of immortality. Dunst portrays Claudia, a young girl cursed to remain a child forever after Lestat (Cruise) saves her from certain death. Not for the faint of heart but undeniably brilliant, Interview with the Vampire is a gothic triumph.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Dunst enjoys a small but crucial role in Michel Gondry’s trippy romantic drama about a man (Jim Carrey) attempting to wipe the memories of his eccentric ex-girlfriend (Kate Winslet) from his brain via a medical procedure. Dunst plays Mary, one of the techs performing the procedure, who unwittingly carries a tragic secret directly tied to her boss, Dr. Mierzwiak (Tom Wilkinson). As typical, Gondry crafts a mesmerizing visual feast and sprinkles his strange world with ample humor, heart, and sadness. Eternal Sunshine is one of the best films of the 2000s and likely deserves more praise than it receives.
Marie Antoinette (2006)
Dunst teamed with Sofia Coppola for three unique projects: 1999’s The Virgin Suicides, 2006’s Marie Antoinette, and 2017’s The Beguiled. Each picture is worthy of a look, but the best of the bunch (for me, anyway) remains the historical biopic Marie Antoinette, where Dunst takes on the challenging role of the young queen of France. The actress delivers a powerful performance that captures the character’s complexities, from her extravagant lifestyle to her personal struggles. Decidedly artsy and featuring a modern soundtrack that adds an unexpected element to the film, this heady, historical drama stands out as a captivating and memorable cinematic experience.
Honorable Mentions:
Melancholia (2011): Dunst delivers a haunting performance in Lars von Trier’s apocalyptic drama about a young woman dealing with depression amidst the end of the world.
Bring It On (2000): This plucky cheerleader comedy stars Dunst as Torrance Shipman, a determined high school cheerleading captain who guides her team toward a championship.
Dick (1999): Dunst stars alongside Michelle Williams in this irreverent, albeit satirical take on the Watergate scandal.
Tower of Terror (1997): Yeah, I had to go there. Tower of Terror is a silly little low-budget Disney movie based on the Disneyland ride that somehow became a staple in the Ames household. Starring Steve Guttenberg, and Jan from The Office, this mystery caper entertains provided you view it through thick nostalgia goggles.
Also not featured on this is the second season of the acclaimed TV series Fargo, in which Dunst delivers perhaps her greatest performance as the multifaceted Peggy Blumquist. Dunst knocks it out of the park and runs away with the season. Great stuff!
