From Superhero Flop To A24 Darling: 5 New Dakota Johnson Films That Will Redefine Her Career (2024-2025)

Dakota Johnson is currently undergoing one of the most fascinating career transformations in Hollywood, moving decisively away from blockbuster franchises and embracing a slate of high-profile, auteur-driven projects. As of December 18, 2025, the actress is navigating the controversial fallout from her 2024 superhero debut while simultaneously gearing up for a series of releases that position her as an indie film powerhouse and a major player in the romantic comedy revival. This deep dive explores the five most important new Dakota Johnson films and projects that are set to completely redefine her professional trajectory over 2024 and 2025.

The shift is not just in genre; it’s a strategic move towards producing and collaborating with critically acclaimed filmmakers. From an intense two-person drama to a star-studded A24 romantic comedy, Johnson is proving she is far more than the star of the Fifty Shades series. Her upcoming slate is arguably the most diverse and critically intriguing of her career, culminating in her own debut as a feature film director.

Dakota Johnson: The New Filmography & Career Profile

Dakota Mayi Johnson was born on October 4, 1989, in Austin, Texas, into a legendary Hollywood family. Her parents are actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, and her maternal grandmother is actress Tippi Hedren.

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• Full Name: Dakota Mayi Johnson
• Born: October 4, 1989 (Age 36 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Austin, Texas, U.S.
• Parents: Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith
• Grandmother: Tippi Hedren
• Early Career Breakthrough: Anastasia "Ana" Steele in the Fifty Shades film series (2015–2018).
• Critical Acclaim: *A Bigger Splash* (2015), *Bad Times at the El Royale* (2018), *The Peanut Butter Falcon* (2019), *The Lost Daughter* (2021).
• Production Company: Co-founder of TeaTime Pictures, which focuses on producing unique and diverse stories.
• Recent Controversy: Starring as the titular character in Sony's *Madame Web* (2024).

1. The A24 Rom-Com Revival: Materialists (2025)

The most anticipated entry in Johnson’s upcoming filmography is undoubtedly *Materialists*. This project is not just a film; it’s a statement about the current state of the romantic comedy genre. Directed by the Oscar-nominated filmmaker Celine Song, who captivated audiences with her 2023 debut *Past Lives*, *Materialists* is poised to be a major critical and commercial success for Johnson.

What Makes Materialists a Must-Watch?

• The Director: Celine Song’s involvement elevates the film instantly. Her unique, tender, and mature approach to relationships and love triangles is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the rom-com format.
• The Cast: Johnson stars as Lucy Mason alongside Hollywood heavyweights Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal, forming a high-wattage love triangle. This star power alone guarantees massive audience interest.
• The Studio: Produced by A24, the studio known for its bold and critically acclaimed independent films, *Materialists* is expected to be a smart, relevant, and mature romantic comedy-drama. The film follows a matchmaker in New York City and explores the complexities of contemporary dating.
• Release Date: The film is slated for a 2025 release, with some sources pointing to a June 13, 2025, theatrical debut.

Following the contentious reception of *Madame Web*, Johnson’s choice to pivot to a prestige project with an acclaimed director like Song demonstrates a clear intention to prioritize artistic integrity and complex character work. This film is widely seen as her major post-superhero comeback vehicle.

2. The Intense Indie Drama: Daddio (2024)

One of Johnson's most immediate and intense new releases is the drama *Daddio*, which had a theatrical release on June 28, 2024. This film is a pure showcase of acting talent, featuring a script that is almost entirely a two-hander between Johnson and her legendary co-star, Sean Penn.

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The plot is deceptively simple: it follows a young woman (Johnson) who gets into a New York City taxi at JFK Airport and engages in an hour-and-a-half-long, deeply personal conversation with the cab driver (Penn).

Dakota Johnson’s Role as Producer and Actress

In *Daddio*, Johnson not only stars but also serves as a producer through her company, TeaTime Pictures. This dual role is a recurring theme in her recent work, indicating a move toward greater creative control. The film is written and directed by Christy Hall, a notable playwright and screenwriter, and distributed by Sony Pictures Classics. The entire film is set inside the taxi, a technical and performance challenge that relies entirely on the dialogue and the chemistry between the two leads, offering a masterclass in contained storytelling.

3. The Bold Genre Experiments: Splitsville & Trudy Blue (2025/TBA)

Johnson is not shying away from controversial or experimental themes. Her slate includes two projects—a subversive comedy and a grounded sci-fi—that demonstrate her willingness to take risks and explore non-traditional narratives.

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Splitsville (2025): The Unromantic Comedy

*Splitsville* is a relationship comedy that promises to be anything but traditional. Co-starring Adria Arjona, Kyle Marvin, and Michael Angelo Covino, the film centers on two couples whose friendship implodes when one couple decides to divorce. The comedy is described as a "slapstick relationship comedy" that dives into the complexities of modern relationships, including themes of ethical non-monogamy (ENM), jealousy, and shifting boundaries. It's a sharp, offbeat look at contemporary dating culture, with Johnson playing the character Julie.

Trudy Blue (TBA): The Sci-Fi Action Turn

In a major shift toward the action and science fiction genres, Johnson is attached to star in *Trudy Blue*. This grounded sci-fi action film is set in the near future and features Johnson as an outlawed android maid. The plot is a high-concept chase: the android awakens in a landfill thousands of miles from her home and must navigate a hostile world. The film is set to be directed by Angus MacLane, a Pixar veteran, and Evan Twohy, promising a visually imaginative and action-packed performance for Johnson.

4. The Directorial Debut: Loser Baby (2024)

Beyond her acting roles, Dakota Johnson has officially stepped behind the camera. Her directorial debut, the short film *Loser Baby*, premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

• Format: Short film.
• Director: Dakota Johnson.
• Plot: It is described as a story about queer friends living in Los Angeles.
• Production: Produced by her company, TeaTime Pictures.

The move into directing signals Johnson’s long-term commitment to shaping the stories she wants to tell, a major development for her career profile. She has even expressed intentions to direct her first feature-length film soon.

5. The Madame Web Aftermath: A Candid Reflection (2024)

While *Madame Web* was released in February 2024, its impact on Johnson’s career remains a key talking point, and her candid comments about the experience are the freshest news surrounding the film. The Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU) film was a critical and commercial disappointment, but Johnson has publicly addressed the chaos of the production.

She described the experience of filming with a blue screen as "absolutely psychotic" and admitted she often wondered, "I don't know if this is going to be good at all". Crucially, she has distanced herself from the film's poor reception, stating that its failure "wasn't my fault," pointing to the challenges of working on a large, committee-driven studio project. This honest, self-aware commentary has been widely praised, allowing her to move past the flop and focus entirely on her new, carefully selected projects like *Materialists* and *Daddio*.