This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

List of Dakota Fanning Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. Man on Fire (2004)
183
12
Man on Fire
R
183
12

A burnt out ex CIA operative John Creasy finds a new objective in life when he is hired by an industrialist Samuel Ramos to protect his daughter, Pita. A reluctant and uninterested Creasy soon forms a bond with the little girl. So when she is kidnapped, he is enraged and seeks to kill everyone involved in the heinous act.

Role:
Lupita Ramos
Directed By:
2. Uptown Girls (2003)
61
6
Uptown Girls
PG-13
61
6

Uptown Girls is a romantic comedy drama film, which tells the story of a childish grown woman Molly Gunn, who is forced to get a job after her money is stolen by her manager. She ends up working as a nanny of an 8-year-old girl, who ironically, acts like an adult. 

Role:
Ray
Directed By:
Boaz Yakin
3. I Am Sam (2001)
87
8
I Am Sam
PG-13
87
8

Sam Dawson is an intellectually disabled father raising his daughter Lucy with the help of a group of friends who also have disabilities. As Lucy grows up her intellectual superiority threatens their relationship. Things get more complicated when Lucy is placed in foster care but keeps coming back to her dad. 

Role:
Lucy Diamond Dawson
Directed By:
Jessie Nelson
4. The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
76
8
The Secret Life of Bees
PG-13
76
8

The Secret Life of Bees is an American drama film which tells the story of a teen girl who runs away to a small town in South Carolina to know the truth about her mother. She soon finds a group of women who may have a connection to her past.

Role:
Lily Owens
Directed By:
Gina Prince-Bythewood
6. Hide and Seek (2005)
59
9
Hide and Seek
R
59
9

Dr. David Callaway decides to move with his 9-year-old daughter, Emily, to a new house after discovering his wife’s dead body in the bathtub from an apparent suicide. But he becomes worried when Emily and her new imaginary friend Charlie, start causing problems. When Charlie murders a local woman, sinister secrets are revealed. 

Role:
Emily Callaway
Directed By:
John Polson
Awards:
MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Frightened Performance
7. Brimstone (2016)
52
10
Brimstone
R
52
10

Liz must save herself and her family from the Reverend, who wants to punish her, after she is wrongly accused of a crime.

Role:
Liz
Starring:
Guy Pearce, Carice van Houten, Kit Harington, Paul Anderson
Directed By:
Martin Koolhoven
8. Trapped (2002)
29
5
Trapped
R
29
5

A wealthy doctor and his wife tries to save their daughter, who is kidnapped by a mysterious man for unclear reasons. Soon it appears that the kidnappers may have a connection to the doctor’s past.

Role:
Abby Jennings
Starring:
Directed By:
Luis Mandoki
9. Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
52
9
Sweet Home Alabama
PG-13
52
9

Even though Jake Perry and his wife Melanie Smooter are estranged, he still hopes for a reconciliation. Melanie wants to divorce and marry Andrew Hennings, a wealthy man. However, things don’t work out according to her plans, and she ends up falling in love with Jake once again. 

Starring:
Directed By:
Andy Tennant
10. Please Stand By (2017)
30
6
Please Stand By
PG-13
30
6
Role:
Wendy
Starring:
Jessica Rothe, Toni Collette, Alice Eve, River Alexander, Marla Gibbs
Directed By:
Ben Lewin
11. War of the Worlds (2005)
85
18
War of the Worlds
PG-13
85
18

A Steven Spielberg thriller based on an H.G. Wells novel of the same name, War of the Worlds, stars Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning, who try to survive an alien invasion. As extraterrestrial tripods hunt human beings for their blood and tissue, a divorced father faces numerous obstacles as he tries to reach the safety of his ex-wife’s parents’ home.

Role:
Rachel Ferrier
Starring:
Morgan Freeman, Tom Cruise, Justin Chatwin, Channing Tatum, David Harbour, Timothy Francis Robbins, Miranda Otto
Directed By:
12. Now Is Good (2012)
37
9
Now Is Good
PG-13
37
9

Teenager Tessa Scott, who is diagnosed with leukemia, decides to live every moment of her life to the fullest. She prepares a list of things she wants to do, including experimenting with drugs and losing her virginity, before her time is up. Though it was not on her list, her most exhilarating experience comes from falling in love with the new neighbor, Adam. 

Role:
Tessa Scott
Starring:
Kaya Scodelario, Olivia Williams, Jeremy Irvine, Paddy Considine
Directed By:
Ol Parker
13. Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood (2019)
71
18
Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood
71
18

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a comedy drama film which takes us 1960s Los Angeles and tells the story of Rick, a fading actor and Cliff, his stunt double, who try to navigate the rapidly changing film industry, and hope to regain the fame and success they once had.  

Role:
Squeaky Fromme
Starring:
Brad Pitt, Kurt Russell, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Austin Butler, Rumer Willis
Directed By:
14. Hounddog (2007)
30
8
Hounddog
R
30
8

Hounddog is a musical drama film which tells the story of a young girl named Lewellen, who lives with her stern and religious grandmother, as her parents are unable to take care of her. Although her father cares for her, he is unable to provide her a stable home, but he gives her gifts occasionally such as Elvis Presley's recordings. She begins listening to Presley’s music and eventually begins to find comfort in it from her troubled life.

Role:
Lewellen
Starring:
Jill Scott, Isabelle Fuhrman, Robin Wright, Granoldo Frazier, Cody Hanford, Piper Laurie
Directed By:
Deborah Kampmeier
15. Push (2009)
48
14
Push
PG-13
48
14

A secret government agency – Division - is changing simple citizens into strong psychic warriors, in process killing those who resist the transformation. Nick Gant, a telekinetic, is approached by a clairvoyant Cassie who seeks his help in finding the pusher Kira, who can play a crucial role in stopping the agency. However, they are chased by a division agent Henry Carver.

Role:
Cassie Holmes
Starring:
Camilla Belle, Corey Stoll, Colin Ford, Joel Gretsch, Djimon Hounsou, Robert Tsonos
Directed By:
Paul McGuigan
16. Very Good Girls (2013)
19
5
Very Good Girls
R
19
5

Two teen girls make a pact to lose their virginity before starting college. However, their lives take a turn, when they both fall for the same artist, and their friendship is tested for the first time.

Role:
Lilly
Starring:
Elizabeth Olsen, Richard Dreyfuss, Boyd Holbrook, Demi Moore, Sterling Jones, Lenny Platt
Directed By:
Naomi Foner
17. The Cat in the Hat (2003)
36
9
The Cat in the Hat
TV-PG
36
9

Cat in the Hat is a fantasy comedy film, which revolves around two children who are quite bored with their lives. However, their lives take an interesting turn when they are visited by a talking cat. 

Role:
Sally
Starring:
Alec Baldwin, Mike Myers, Paris Hilton, Kelly Preston, Spencer Breslin
Directed By:
Bo Welch
18. Effie Gray (2014)
20
8
Effie Gray
PG-13
20
8
Role:
Effie Gray
Starring:
Claudia Cardinale, Derek Jacobi, Tom Sturridge, Emma Thompson, Polly Dartford, Greg Wise, Tom Herriott
Directed By:
Richard Laxton
19. Cutlass (2007)
19
6
Cutlass
19
6
Role:
Lacy
Starring:
Kristen Stewart, Chevy Chase, Kurt Russell, Virginia Madsen, Sarah Roemer
Directed By:
20. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)
47
14
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2
PG-13
47
14

Now a vampire, Bella trains with Edward to get used to her new life while watching over their fast-growing daughter Renesmee, who has been imprinted by Jacob as her protector. However, the Cullens need to gather allies to save their family from the Volturi, which consider Renesmee a threat to vampires due to a false allegation.

Starring:
Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Anna Kendrick, Kellan Lutz, Maggie Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard, Michael Sheen
Directed By:
Bill Condon
21. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
42
14
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
PG-13
42
14

As her high-school graduation day approaches, Bella finds herself struggling to choose between her love for vampire Edward and werewolf Jacob. Meanwhile Seattle witnesses a series of killings as a malicious vampire begins creating an army of new-born vampires to take revenge on Edward and Bella.

Starring:
Ashley Greene, Elizabeth Reaser, Christian Serratos, Jack Huston, Peter Facinelli, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
Directed By:
David Slade
22. Nine Lives (2005)
17
6
Nine Lives
R
17
6

Nine Lives is a drama film which revolves around nine different women, as they struggle and try to deal with various problems in their lives, such as parent-child relationships, illness, death, etc.  

Starring:
Ian McShane, Amy Brenneman, Holly Hunter, Aidan Quinn, Glenn Close, Robin Wright, Sissy Spacek
Directed By:
Rodrigo García
23. The Motel Life (2012)
14
6
The Motel Life
R
14
6
Starring:
Emile Davenport Hirsch, Kris Kristofferson, Garrett Backstrom, Andrew Lee, Emile Hirsch, Stephen Dorff
Directed By:
Alan Polsky, Gabe Polsky
24. Hansel & Gretel (2002)
10
6
Hansel & Gretel
PG
10
6
Starring:
Tom Arnold, Lynn Redgrave, Taylor Momsen, Jacob Smith, Delta Burke, Howie Mandel
Directed By:
Gary J. Tunnicliffe
25. Every Secret Thing (2014)
16
7
Every Secret Thing
R
16
7

While investigating the disappearance of a three year old girl, a detective feels that it might be linked to the two young women, who were put away years ago for an infant’s death.

Role:
Ronnie Fuller
Starring:
Elizabeth Banks, Diane Lane, Danielle Macdonald, Nate Parker
Directed By:
Amy Berg
26. The Runaways (2010)
15
5
The Runaways
R
15
5

This is a biographical drama film about the well known rock band, The Runaways. It begins with the formation of the band in 1975 and then goes on to depict its journey until Cherie Currie’s departure from the scene, side by side focusing on the relationship between Currie and Joan Jett. 

Role:
Cherie Currie
Starring:
Riley Keough, Michael Shannon, Kristen Stewart, Stella Maeve, Scout Taylor-Compton
Directed By:
Floria Sigismondi
27. The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
39
17
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
PG-13
39
17

When Edward realises that his presence can actually harm Bella, he and his family leave Forks. Bella is heartbroken and depressed. Her long-time friend Jacob tries to keep her engaged and happy, but he has his own secrets. As Bella unravels new secrets from the supernatural world, she puts herself in new dangers.

Starring:
Edi Gathegi, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart, Kellan Lutz, Anna Kendrick, Ashley Greene
Directed By:
Chris Weitz
28. Charlotte's Web (2006)
14
5
Charlotte's Web
G
14
5

Charlotte’s Web is an adventure comedy film, which tells the story of a pig who realizes that he is going to be slaughtered for food very soon. Therefore, he hatches a plan with a spider that lives in his pen to ensure that he won’t be killed. 

Starring:
Julia Roberts, Kathy Bates, Robert Redford, Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Buscemi, Sam Shepard, Essie Davis
Directed By:
Gary Winick
29. American Pastoral (2016)
11
6
American Pastoral
R
11
6

The life of Swede and his wife is shattered after their daughter Merry, disappears after a bomb blast. Things get even worse after Merry is suspected by the FBI for the blast. Rita Cohen, a 22-year-university student, comes to Swede and hints that she knows about Merry’s whereabouts, and asks him for 10,000 $ in return. However, things get uglier as she runs off with the money.  

Role:
Merry Levov
Starring:
Ewan McGregor, Jennifer Connelly, Peter Riegert, Rupert Evans
Directed By:
30. The Benefactor (2015)
12
6
The Benefactor
12
6
Role:
Olivia
Starring:
Theo James, Richard Gere, Cheryl Hines, Dylan Baker
Directed By:
Andrew Renzi
31. The Last of Robin Hood (2013)
8
4
The Last of Robin Hood
R
8
4
Role:
Beverly Aadland
Starring:
Kevin Kline, Susan Sarandon, John Hudson Messerall, David Kronawitter
Directed By:
Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland
32. Night Moves (2013)
11
7
Night Moves
R
11
7

Night Moves is a mystery thriller film which revolves around a private investigator in Los Angeles, who is hired by an ageing actress, to find her runaway teenage daughter.  Although the detective manages to track her down, he stumbles across something sinister.

Role:
Dena
Starring:
Jesse Eisenberg, Peter Sarsgaard, Alia Shawkat, Logan Miller
Directed By:
Kelly Reichardt
33. Winged Creatures (2008)
9
4
Winged Creatures
R
9
4

Winged Creatures is a drama film which revolves around a group of people, including Carla, Charlie, Bruce, Annie, and Jimmy, who are forced to retreat under a table at a diner when a suicidal gunman begins shooting people randomly. All five of them manage to survive and they develop a unique relationship with one another.  

Role:
Anne Hagen
Starring:
Kevin Durand, Troy Garity, Kate Beckinsale, Josh Hutcherson, Forest Whitaker, Guy Pearce, Jennifer Hudson
Directed By:
Rowan Woods
34. Tomcats (2001)
10
6
Tomcats
R
10
6

At the wedding of a friend, the remaining bachelors bet on staying single. Seven years later, one of them, Michael tries to get his friend Kyle married, so that he can win the bet and get out of a sticky situation. However, things get quite complicated, when he starts developing feelings for Kyle’s future bride.

Starring:
Jaime Pressly, Bill Maher, Garry Marshall, Jerry O'Connell, Shannon Elizabeth, Jake Busey
Directed By:
Gregory Poirier
35. Zygote (2017)
12
11
Zygote
12
11
Role:
Barklay
Starring:
Jose Pablo Cantillo
Directed By:
Neill Blomkamp
36. Father Xmas (2001)
9
3
Father Xmas
9
3
Role:
Clairee
Starring:
Stephen Fanning, Christopher Lohr, Gina Marie
Directed By:
Marie Rose
37. The Escape (2016)
9
3
The Escape
9
3
Role:
Lily
Starring:
Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Clive Owen, Michael Brown
Directed By:
Neill Blomkamp
38. Celia (2012)
9
4
Celia
9
4
Role:
Hannah Jones
Starring:
Allison Janney
Directed By:
Rodrigo García

Animation Movies

Justice League Unlimited
10
1
Justice League Unlimited
10
1
Starring:
Jeremy Piven, Tara Strong, Michael York, Nathan Fillion, Eric Roberts, Corey Burton, Malcolm McDowell
Directed By:
Joaquim Dos Santos, Dan Riba
Family Guy
21
5
Family Guy
TV-14
21
5
Starring:
Liam Neeson, Carrie Fisher, Kiefer Sutherland, Sean Bean, Chris Diamantopoulos, Cristin Milioti, Rob Lowe
Directed By:
Tonari no Totoro (1988)
20
5
Tonari no Totoro
G
20
5

Also known as My Neighbour Totoro, the Japanese animated classic depicts the story of sisters Satsuki and Mei after they move to an old country house. They become friends with spirits called susuwatari and particularly the adorable creature Totoro, while they come to terms with their mother’s illness and personal trials.

Role:
Satsuki (2005 Disney version) (voice)
Starring:
Lea Salonga, Elle Fanning, Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, Shigesato Itoi, Sumi Shimamoto
Directed By:
Coraline (2009)
15
5
Coraline
TV-14
15
5

Alone and bored in the old house her parents recently moved into, 11-year-old Coraline discovers a secret passageway to a better version of her home where everybody has buttons for eyes. After she refuses her Other Mother's horrible offer to sew buttons in her eyes, she is imprisoned and must flee before her soul is trapped there forever.

Role:
Coraline Jones (voice)
Starring:
Keith David, Dawn French, Ian McShane, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders
Directed By:
Henry Selick
Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time (2003)
6
3
Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time
TV-G
6
3
Role:
Preschool Kim (voice)
Starring:
Michael Clarke Duncan, Vivica A. Fox, Tahj Mowry, Kelly Ripa, Gary Cole, Jean Smart, Christy Carlson Romano
Directed By:
Steve Loter
Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005)
5
3
Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch
PG
5
3
Role:
Lilo Pelekai (voice)
Starring:
Emily Osment, Tia Carrere, Chris Sanders, David Ogden Stiers, Kevin McDonald
Directed By:
Michael LaBash, Tony Leondis
Gus - Petit oiseau, grand voyage (2014)
4
3
Gus - Petit oiseau, grand voyage
PG
4
3
Role:
Delf (voice)
Starring:
Christine Baranski, Seth Green, Zachary Gordon, Danny Glover, Arthur Dupont, Sara Forestier, Bruno Salomone
Directed By:
Christian De Vita

TV Shows

Friends
52
7
Friends
TV-14
52
7
Starring:
Tom Selleck, Christina Applegate, Jane Lynch, Cole Sprouse, Adam Goldberg, Donny Osmond, Denise Richards
Directed By:
Malcolm in the Middle
13
4
Malcolm in the Middle
TV-PG
13
4
Starring:
Bryan Cranston, Bea Arthur, Kat Graham, Frankie Muniz, Ashley Tisdale, Heidi Klum, Hayden Panettiere
Directed By:
ER
10
4
ER
TV-14
10
4
Starring:
Zac Efron, Chris Pine, Don Cheadle, Brenda Song, Bob Newhart, Stanley Tucci, Diane Ladd
Taken
13
2
Taken
13
2

Over a period of five decades, three different families experience alien abductions, which leave them with many questions but no answers.

Role:
Allie Keys
Starring:
Michael Moriarty, Julie Benz, Kevin Durand, Elle Fanning, Justin Chatwin, Matt Frewer, Emily Bergl
Directed By:
Breck Eisner, Félix Enríquez Alcalá, John Fawcett, Tobe Hooper, Jeremy Kagan
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
11
4
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
TV-14
11
4
Starring:
Pauley Perrette, Milo Ventimiglia, Sarah Rafferty, Mahershala Ali, Josh Dallas, Michael B. Jordan, Michael K. Williams
Directed By:
The Practice
7
3
The Practice
7
3
Starring:
James Spader, Rider Strong, Gabrielle Anwar, Donal Logue, Andie MacDowell, Lara Flynn Boyle, Rebecca De Mornay
Directed By:
Dennis Smith, Jeannot Szwarc, Christina Musrey, Arvin Brown, Dwight H. Little
The Fighting Fitzgeralds
7
3
The Fighting Fitzgeralds
7
3
Starring:
Fred Willard, Brian Dennehy, Connie Britton, Swoosie Kurtz, Louis Ferreira, Christopher Moynihan, Jon Patrick Walker
Directed By:
Peter Bonerz, Gail Mancuso, Barnet Kellman, James Widdoes
Spin City
7
4
Spin City
TV-14
7
4
Starring:
Lori Loughlin, Kal Penn, Stephen Colbert, Tim Allen, Lana Parrilla, Christopher Lloyd, Jennifer Esposito
Directed By:
Andy Cadiff, Ted Wass, Lee Shallat Chemel, Carl Lauten
Ally McBeal
7
4
Ally McBeal
TV-PG
7
4
Starring:
Jon Bon Jovi, Lucy Liu, Michael Weatherly, Anna Nicole Smith, Calista Flockhart, Florence Henderson, Missi Pyle
Directed By:
Mel Damski, Jonathan Pontell, Bill D'Elia, Arlene Sanford, Michael Schultz
Strong Medicine
5
4
Strong Medicine
5
4
Starring:
Jenna Fischer, Fran Drescher, Bianca Lawson, Tia Mowry, Teri Garr, Patrick J. Adams, Lacey Chabert
The Ellen Show
4
4
The Ellen Show
4
4
Starring:
Ed Asner, Mary Tyler Moore, Kaley Cuoco, Cloris Leachman, John Ritter, Vance DeGeneres, Ellen DeGeneres
Directed By:
Andrew D. Weyman

Dakota Fanning Awards

MTV Movie & TV Awards
Hide and Seek Best Frightened Performance 2005