After being pigeonholed as a certain type of actor for a number of years, Kristen Stewart's movies have showcased that she is an incredible talent of immense versatility. The American actress got her start early, earning acclaim at the tender age of 12 years old for her role in David Fincher's thriller Panic Room. She continued her career with a number of teen roles before becoming a household name thanks to her role as Bella Swan in the Twilight movie franchise.
Like with her Twilight costar Robert Pattinson, the popular but critically derided movies helped and hurt Stewart's career, leading her to reinvent herself as an indie actor, willing to take on bold and challenging roles. Since then, Stewart has emerged as one of the most acclaimed actors of her generation, working alongside talented filmmakers and even scoring her first Oscar nomination. While there is a long and exciting career in movies ahead of her, Stewart has already built an amazing filmography.
15 Speak (2004)
As Melinda Sordino
Kristen Stewart landed her first leading role in a movie in Speak and immediately showcased the incredible talent she had even as a young star. Speak is based on the novel by Laurie Halse Anderson and stars Stewart as Melinda, a typical high school student with a good group of friends who lives a happy life until one end-of-the-year party leaves her traumatized and unable to speak. As she loses friends and becomes an outcast in her school, Melinda has to come to terms with what happened to her.
Speak
Release Date January 20, 2004
Runtime 89 minutes
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Elizabeth Perkins
Joyce Sordino
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Michael Angarano
Dave Petrakis
Melinda is a deeply complex character with so much of the performance relying on her internalized feelings. However, Stewart is more than up to the daunting task, delivering a powerful and nuanced performance that carries the entire movie. It is not an easy story to see unfold, but it speaks to the experiences a lot of young women face and the confusion that can come with such trauma.
14 Camp X-Ray (2014)
As Cole
Camp X-Ray is an example of one of the many smaller movies that Kristen Stewart has starred in that may be overlooked but still deserves to find an audience. Stewart stars in the film as Cole, a soldier in the United States Army who is assigned to serve in Guantánamo Bay, overlooking the detainees being kept there. Her perspectives on what she was told was a very black-and-white issue are changed when she forms a bond with a man there who claims to be innocent.
Camp X-Ray
Release Date October 17, 2014
Runtime 117 minutes
The movie addresses a very serious topic but examines it on a human level between two characters. The friendship and connection that forms between Cole and Ali is grounded and does not push for sentimentality. The chemistry Stewart shares with actor Payman Maadi is one of the highlights of the movie and helps to make the story more impactful.
13 Into The Wild (2007)
As Tracy Tatro
Another early role from Kristen Stewart before she became a household name showcased her ability to stand out in a strong cast with limited screen time. Into the Wild is based on the non-fiction book by Jon Krakauer which tells the story of a young man named Christopher McCandless, who left behind his affluent life and bright post-college future to hike across America. While his journey ended in tragedy, the movie shows the life of freedom Christopher led and the various lives he touched along the way.
Stewart has a role as Tracy, a young teen who is part of a community Christopher falls in with for a short period and who becomes infatuated with Christopher. Stewart is exceptional in the small role, playing this adventurous young girl while also highlighting the awkwardness and uncertainty of being so young. She is a memorable part of a profound and emotional movie.
12 Twilight (2008)
As Bella Swan
While the Twilight movies get their share of backlash from audiences, it is hard to ignore them as being incredibly important for Kristen Stewart's career. However, while there are some who are ready to dismiss them, they still remain popular with a lot of fans, especially the first movie. Twilight introduces audiences to the exciting love story between Bella (Stewart), a new girl in a small town, and Edward (Robert Pattinson), a mysterious, brooding local boy who turns out to be an ancient vampire.
The chemistry between Stewart and Pattinson is vital to the success of the franchise and seeing their romance blossom in this first movie is the best part of their franchise-long relationship. The first Twilight film adds in some horror elements that give it a dangerous edge but it never gets bogged down with the growing and awkward mythology of the story. While the franchise faltered afterward, Twilight was a strong start.
11 Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
As Lou
One of Kristen Stewart's most recent movies is also a love story with a dangerous edge, but Love Lies Bleeding could not be further from Twilight. The crime movie stars Stewart as Lou, the manager of a gym in a small town who forms a connection with a bodybuilder, Jackie (Katy O'Brian), who is preparing for a competition in Las Vegas. However, when they find themselves involved in a murder plot, their relationship is put to the test.
Love Lies Bleeding is a stylish noir movie that puts its own spin on the genre. Stewart is excellent as the movie's flawed hero who tries to make everything alright even as it all turns to chaos. Her chemistry with O'Brian is also excellent, making the audience care about this relationship even as their situation gets bloodier and bloodier.
10 The Runaways (2010)
As Joan Jett
Kristen Stewart's talents playing leading women in biopics began with The Runaways, in which she portrayed the famed Joan Jett, lead guitarist in the titular rock band. The movie follows the ragtag group of musicians and aspiring stars who came together to form an all-female rock band that took the world by storm.
The Runaways
Release Date March 19, 2010
Runtime 106 Minutes
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Dakota Fanning
Cherie Currie
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Michael Shannon
Kim Fowley
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At the center of the band was the complex relationship between Jett and the band's lead singer, Cherie Currie, played by Dakota Fanning. With the focus on two very different lead characters, the movie avoids being another standard music biopic but does fall into some familiar territory at times.
The performances are also strong with Stewart capturing the tough and rebellious nature that helped make Jett a star.
However, The Runaways is elevated by its fun soundtrack and performance sequences. The performances are also strong with Stewart capturing the tough and rebellious nature that helped make Jett a star. However, Michael Shannon steals the show as their eccentric manager, Kim Fowley.
9 Panic Room (2002)
As Sarah Altman
As with some of David Fincher's other movies, like The Game and The Killer, his engrossing directing elevates a typical genre story into something truly special. The same can be said about Panic Room, as it takes a simple home invasion story and makes it stand out.
Kristen Stewart's first speaking role was in 2001's The Safety of Objects at the age of 11 years old.
Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart star as Meg and Sarah Altman, a mother and daughter who move into a new home only for three men to break in. When Meg and Sara retreat to the panic room, they discover that what the men want is in that room and they will do anything to get to it.
Panic Room
Release Date March 29, 2002
Runtime 112 minutes
As Kristen Stewart's breakout role, Panic Room holds up remarkably well against the actress' entire filmography, with her performance as the young Sarah holding her own against Oscar winners like Foster, Forest Whitaker, and Jared Leto. Though not as cerebral as Stewart's best work, the tension she's able to contribute to the pulse-pounding home invasion thriller at such a young age is not to be underestimated.
8 Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005)
As Lisa Budwing
Zathura: A Space Adventure is something of a forgotten installment in the Jumanji franchise. Like the original movie, it focuses on a board game that, when played, takes the players on an adventure that is far more than they bargained for, bringing the game to life. However, while the first movie was a jungle-focused game, Zathura is an intergalactic board game as it takes three youngsters on a ride into the cosmos where they encounter endless danger.
Stewart excels as a classic archetypal annoyed babysitter, thrust into the chaos of the science fiction world of Zathura. A fondly-remembered childhood classic, the movie also serves as a stepping stone for Jon Favreau as a director, playing in the family-friendly world for the first time since Elf while also giving him an introduction to special-effects movie making which would serve him well with Iron Man.
7 Adventureland (2009)
As Emily "Em" Lewin
Kristen Stewart teamed with fellow rising star Jesse Eisenberg for the funny and impressive Adventureland. Eisenberg plays James, a young man whose plans of getting out of his small town to travel and go to college are hampered when his family find themselves in financial hardships. James is forced to take a job at the local theme park, Adventureland. While it is far from the cultured world he is used to, James manages to make friends and form a connection with fellow employee, Em (Stewart).
Adventureland is an ideal coming-of-age summer movie that captures the excitement of young romance as well as the struggles of looking ahead to the future. The cast is also excellent with Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader, and Kristen Wiig all playing supporting roles. However, Eisenberg and Stewart are the most effective, carrying the movie with their electric chemistry which is both funny and sweet.
6 Personal Shopper (2016)
As Maureen
While Kristen Stewart has worked in the fantasy genre in some of her biggest movies, Personal Shopper is a much different and fascinating take on this type of story. The moody, atmospheric paranormal thriller sees Stewart take the role of Maureen, a young woman working as a celebrity's personal shopper in Paris.
Personal Shopper is a movie that highlights a shift in Stewart's career when she began taking chances with more challenging material.
However, her simple life is suddenly upended when she begins receiving text messages from an unknown number that appears to be coming from a deceased person. Personal Shopper is a movie that highlights a shift in Stewart's career when she began taking chances with more challenging material.
As such, Personal Shopper is not for everyone, but those who can get on board with its tonal shifts and perplexing narrative are in for a treat. It is a gripping supernatural thriller at times, but also serves as an intimate drama. Stewart walks the fine line between the tones effortlessly, delivering a terrific performance that earned her several nominations from critics groups.
5 Happiest Season (2020)
As Abby Holland
Coming out as bisexual herself in 2017, Kristen Stewart has gone on to become an avid figurehead for LGBTQ+ voices in cinema, thanks in no small part to her role in 2020's Happiest Season. Stewart stars as Abby who is invited to spend Christmas with her girlfriend, Harper (Mackenzie Davis), and her family.
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However, after Harper reveals that her family doesn't know she is gay, they are forced to pose as platonic friends. Happiest Season embraces many beloved Christmas movie rom-com tropes and it's all the better for it, even though many cinephiles look down their noses at these types of movies.
Still, it's hard to understate the importance of a film in this genre focusing on a queer relationship, considering the exclusion LGBTQ+ voices have historically faced in cinema. The cast is also exceptional with Dan Levy, Alison Brie, and Aubrey Plaza in supporting roles. Stewart grounds it all with her performance, which also shows off her rarely-seen comedic skills.
4 Still Alice (2014)
As Lydia Howland
One of Kristen Stewart's most heartfelt and emotionally devastating films, Still Alice tackles a delicate subject that many viewers can relate to with a clearly considered level of care. Julianne Moore stars as Alice, an accomplished linguist professor who discovers that she has Alzheimer's disease. As she comes to terms with losing large aspects of herself, Alice deals with the life-changing news alongside her loving family, including her daughter, Lydia (Stewart).
Still Alice
Release Date December 5, 2014
Runtime 101 Minutes
Moore gives a powerful performance in the lead role, earning an Oscar for Best Actress. However, Stewart is also very effective in the supporting role, sharing easy chemistry with Moore that makes their scenes together the highlight of the movie. Still Alice is a harrowing and honest look at the difficulties of such news as well as the strength Alice's loved ones share in ensuring she does not simply give up.
3 Spencer (2021)
As Diana, Princess of Wales
Kristen Stewart earned her first Oscar nomination while taking on one of the most recognizable figures in modern history. Stewart's depiction of the beloved Princess Diana in 2021's Spencer is far from a typical biopic. Specifically, the film speculates on the royal family member's internal turmoil circa the holiday season of 1991, as she debates whether to divorce Prince Charles, a then-unheard-of act of marital defiance for a woman of her position.
Spencer
7/10
Release Date November 5, 2021
Runtime 117 Minutes
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Timothy Spall
Major Alistair Gregorys
The movie is not a total success as a whole, but it is made riveting thanks to the commanding performances by Stewart. She is able to take such a well-known subject and somehow make this an intimate portrait of her. It makes for a fascinating and disturbing look at the Princess of Wales with Stewart's portrayal standing out as the best fictional depiction of Diana.
2 Clouds Of Sils Maria (2014)
As Valentine
Taking a break from Hollywood, Kristen Stewart dipped her toes into European production with Clouds of Sils Maria. Juliet Binoche stars in the movie as an actress who is struggling with her age and fading fame which is only made worse when she signs onto a new project in which she will costar opposite a young and talented. Stewart plays Valentine, the young personal assistant to Binoche's Maria.
Clouds of Sils Maria
Release Date April 10, 2015
Runtime 124 Minutes
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Juliette Binoche
Maria Enders
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Chloe Grace Moretz
Jo-Ann Ellis
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Lars Eidinger
Klaus Diesterweg
The intense drama is a fascinating look at a true talent spiraling into self-doubt and loneliness. Binoche is excellent in the lead role, but many critics pointed to Stewart's performance in the supporting role as being the highlight of the movie. The relationship between Maria and Valentine is a complex one, with sexual tension as an underlying factor. Stewart excels at playing this young woman who has to fill many roles for her boss while seeing the destructive path she is on.
1 Certain Women (2016)
As Elizabeth Travis
By far the most grounded, subtle, and atmospheric of Kristen Stewart's work, Certain Women is an ambitiously terse narrative that only performances as strong as Stewart's could do justice to. The film is daringly low-stakes, telling three concurring stories of three different women with relatively mundane lives living in the American Great Plains. Stewart's city-mouse, country-mouse romance plot is by far the strongest of the three, and elevates the film from a rote think-piece of feminism to a hypnotic character study that earns its slow pace.
Filmmaker Kelly Reichardt shows once against her ability to tell moving and powerful stories about ordinary life and these small stories are further elevated by strong performances from the likes of Laura Dern, Michelle Williams, and Lily Gladstone in her first major movie role. However, Stewart is the most effective member of the cast, perfectly fitting into the movie's tone of a grounded and relatable character with a story worth telling.
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