Zendaya is one of the most popular actresses, having captivated a huge fan base with her multifaceted talent and versatility. She entered the industry with Disney Channel Sitcom Shake It Up when she was 14 years old and gained a massive appreciation for her dancing skills and natural charisma. Since then, she has delivered the industry some incredible projects, and this post highlights the best movies featuring Zendaya.
5. Frenemies
- Release Date: January 13, 2012
- Director: Daisy von Scherler Mayer
- Cast: Bella Thorne, Zendaya, Mary Mouser, Nick Robinson, Stefanie Scott
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 5/45%
After Shake It Up, Zendaya and Bella Thorne got the chance to work together and spread magic in Frenemies. Released in 2012, Frenemies captivated the hearts of every young Disney fan with its anthology-style narrative. It revolves around three pairs of frenemies, one of which is Halley Brandon and Avalon Greene, who, after earning an internship at a major publishing house, navigate the complex feelings of jealousy and competition.
Frenemies allowed Zendaya to capture a wider audience, showcasing the true potential of the actress and making fans realize that she is certainly worthy of becoming a star.
4. Malcolm & Marie
- Release Date: February 5, 2021
- Director: Sam Levinson
- Cast: Zendaya, John David Washington
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.6/57%
Here, we have added this black-and-white drama film to the list because we highly recommend that you watch this masterpiece. Why do we call it a masterpiece? Well, that’s because it features the best acting of our beloved Zendaya; the film actually showcases the most mature character the actress has played throughout her career.
The film revolves around Malcolm, a filmmaker, and his girlfriend, Marie. It takes place on the night of Malcolm’s movie premiere, and the night that was supposed to be celebratory turns into a night of confrontations. Malcolm and Marie question their relationship and the love they share with each other.
3. Spider-Man Trilogy
- Release Date: July 7, 2017 (Homecoming), July 2, 2019 (Far From Home), December 17, 2021 (No Way Home)
- Director: Jon Watts
- Cast: Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tony Revolori, Bokeem Woodbine, Tyne Daly, Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr.
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7/92%
MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy —Homecoming, Far From Home, and No Way Home — blessed Zendaya with her breakout role as MJ. In the first film, she didn’t have a significant role, though, as her character was kept mysterious until the very end. However, fans did fall for her witty one-liners and mysterious persona, despite the limited screen time. Later, the second movie featured her in a larger role, comparatively. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the chemistry between Holland and Zendaya in the second and third films became a fan-favorite aspect, contributing to their positive reception.
The Spider-Man Trilogy essentially gave Zendaya wings, making her an overnight sensation and increasing her visibility to the global audience.
2. Challengers
- Release Date: April 26, 2024
- Director: Luca Guadagnino
- Cast: Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7/88%
Challengers is yet another movie featuring Zendaya in an intense role. The Gen Z icon portrays the role of Tashi Duncan, a mother of a young girl in this steamy, emotionally charged film. Tashi Duncan is seen navigating the complex relationship with her husband, Art Donaldson, and his former best friend, Patrick Zweig. Zendaya essentially served as the emotional glue of the narrative. To be honest, Challengers provided her with the opportunity to earn lead lady status for the first time.
1. Dune (Part 1 & 2)
- Release Date: October 22, 2021 (Dune 1), March 1, 2024 (Dune 2)
- Director: Denis Villeneuve
- Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 8.25/88%
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films revolutionized the science-fiction genre and contributed significantly to Zendaya’s rise to stardom. Zendaya portrayed the role of Chani, who emerged as a standout character, and her pairing with Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides raised the eyebrows of every viewer. Like Spider-Man: Homecoming, Dune: Part 1 sees Zendaya’s character as a mysterious woman who created a massive impact on the narrative.
The Dune films are said to be the most visually stunning adaptations any novel could have had. The CGI sandstorms, ships, and the sound score by Hans Zimmer —everything about the films is a show stealer.
Shashank Shakya
