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30 Kristen Stewart Movies – The Best List

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Kristen Stewart began her film career as a child actor in 1999 at the age of nine years old. As a young girl, Stewart imagined herself as a scriptwriter or a director, or any role other than the center of attention! However as her supporting role in 2002, Jodie Foster starrer Panic Room gained praise, Stewart’s flair for acting was realized and she went on to act in several independent films and box office releases. Throughout her career, Stewart has portrayed a diverse array of characters and won a multitude of awards for her excellent performances. She has not only managed to be one of the highest paid actresses of Hollywood but also is the fourth most powerful actress in the world according to Forbes. She is also the only American woman to have won a Cesar Award. Stewart continues to astound both critics and the audience with her remarkable dedication to her work and her professional growth.

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So here are 30 must-watch Kristen Stewart movies to satisfy your weekend binge desires!

Clouds of Sils Maria (2014)

Bewitching and intelligent, Clouds of Sils Maria is a remarkable film in all its aspects and a milestone in Stewart’s career, garnering her a total of nine wins and eleven nominations for her role as Valentine, a young assistant to film and stage actress, Maria. The movie focuses on Maria’s struggles with her envy and insecurities as she stars alongside starlet Jo-Ann in a lesbian drama, all while the bubbling desire between her and Valentine grows. The movie won the Best Film award at 2014 Prix Louis Delluc while Stewart was praised for her standout performance.

Camp X-Ray (2014)

Based on a detention facility at the Guantanamo Bay detention camps, this indie-drama follows the story of a young soldier, Amy Cole, and the improbable friendship that blossoms between her and a Muslim detainee. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014, the movie was praised for excellent performances by both Stewart and Moaadi as well its powerful and moving depiction of the grey area of war and the conflict between duty and humanity. Stewart was also nominated for Best Actress by the Women Film Critics’ circle for what is perhaps her best performance so far.

Personal Shopper (2016)

After her critically acclaimed performance in Oliver Assayas’s Clouds of Sils Maria, Stewart returns in yet another one of Assayas’s works as Maureen, a personal shopper in Paris who awaits a sign from her deceased twin brother’s spirit. Stewart does an exceptional job in portraying the despair of a grieving sister who finds herself at the center of many unexplained incidences. Stewart was nominated for several accolades for her role in this drama-mystery and won the award for Best Actress at the Oaxaca FilmFest in 2016.

Speak (2004)

In this Indie coming of age drama based on a 1999 novel of the same name by Laurie Halse Anderson, Stewart plays the role of a fourteen-year-old freshman Melinda Sordino, who becomes a social outcast and selectively mute after an incident over the previous summer. The 92 minutes film deals sensitively with the challenging issue of rape and is equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful. Despite not winning any awards at the Sundance Film Festival at its premiere, this adaptation of the New York Times Bestselling book has been highly praised by the general audience and is undoubtedly one of Stewart’s best performances.

Lizzie (2018)

Based on the infamous true story of Lizzie Borden, the biographical thriller stars Stewart as Bridget Sullivan, a servant at the Borden’s household. The movie focuses on the romantic relationship that blossoms between the two women and the frightening turn of events it leads to. After its première at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018, the film received praise for brilliant performances by both Stewart and Sevigny as well as their scintillating on-screen chemistry.

The Runaways (2010)

A biographical recount of the 1970s rock band of the same name, The Runaways talks about the relationship between members Cherie and Joan through the formation and disbandment of the band. Stewart was praised for her ‘authentic’ portrayal of the guitarist and vocalist Joan, by Joan Jett herself, who expressed her happiness with Stewart’s performance and singing abilities. The film had positive critical reception and was well received by the audience as well.

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Panic Room (2002)

Starring alongside critically acclaimed actress Jodie Foster in this horror/thriller, Stewart plays the role of Sarah, the pre-teen daughter of recently divorced Meg Altman who move into a brownstone in New York, and find themselves seeking haven in the impenetrable panic room of the house on their first night when three burglars, resolute on getting what they came for, break into their home.

The plot point that contributes the most to making this thriller play out like a race against time is that Sarah - a diabetic patient does not have access to her insulin syringe in the panic room.

The movie garnered a positive review by more than half of its viewers and a worldwide collection of $196.4 million. Stewart also got the first nomination of her film career with this movie for The Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress.

Undertow (2004)

Good old-fashioned familial resentment and greed set against a southern backdrop and violent themes make this movie one worth watching! Stewart cameos as Lila, the love interest of Chris, a rebellious teenager. Although her appearance is brief, Stewart does well in delivering the rawness of teenage love.

Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005)

If you’re a fan of Jumanji and outer space, you’re in luck! Based on the novel of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg (author of Jumanji), Zathura follows the intergalactic adventures of brothers Walter and Danny as they struggle to finish the magical board game and return back home from outer space. Stewart plays the role of Lisa, the ill-tempered sister of Walter and Danny who doesn’t get along with her brothers. Lisa is not only the only female character in the film but also an original character who doesn’t exist in the book by Allsburg. The movie was well received by both critics as well as the general audience.

In the Land of Women (2007)

Heartbroken writer Carter moves to Detroit to look after his ailing grandmother and finds himself getting close to his neighbor Sarah, and her daughters Lucy and Paige. Stewart’s Lucy is a typical angst-ridden teenager but in its relatability lies its beauty. Although the film did not garner much success, it holds its own as a light weekend watch.

The Cake Eaters (2007)

Set in a sleepy town, The Cake Eaters is a story of how the lives of two families get entangled in the face of loss and grief. Stewart plays Georgia, a teen girl suffering from a rare and incurable disease who just wishes to experience love and life in the few short years she has left. Praised for its interesting characters and a brilliant directorial début by Mary Stuart Masterson, The Cake Eaters won several awards including a People’s Choice Award for Best American Indie Film in 2007.

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Into the Wild (2007)

This movie adaptation of Jon Krakauer’s 1996 novel of the same name is a biographical account of the travels of 19-year-old Christopher McCandless who renounces his old life to voyage across North America and the Alaskan wilderness. Christopher meets various people in his journey; He meets Tracy Tatro, played by Stewart, and the two have a short and unlived romance. This tale of wonderment and exploration gives a raw insight into life, and won several awards for Best Motion Picture, as well as a couple of nominations for The 80th Academy Awards.

The Yellow Handkerchief (2008)

What happens when an ex-convict, a runaway teenager and a geek band together in a road trip across Louisiana? A surprising amount of soul-searching.

Stewart plays the role of a 15-year-old runaway, Martine, in this remake of the 1977 Japanese classic of the same name. This indie drama garnered positive reviews from both the critics and the audience after its première at The Sundance Film Festival in 2008 and was praised for admirable acting by the cast.

Twilight (2008)

Undoubtedly the most famous title of Stewart’s film career, this 2008 release marks the beginning of the movie adaptation of The Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer. Stewart plays the role of seventeen-year-old Bella Swan who moves to a small town in Washington to live with her father and falls in love with a 108-years-vampire, Edward, played by Robert Pattinson. The movie received several nominations in The 2009 Teen Choice Awards while Stewart bagged the award for Best Female Performance at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

Stewart reprises her role as Bella Swan in this sequel to Twilight (2008). As Bella deals with separation from Edward, Stewart showcases a reckless side to her character, which is new to the audience. Jacob Black, played by Taylor Lautner also becomes a more prominent character in the story. The movie did astonishingly good at the box office with the highest single-day domestic gross opening. New Moon also received the award for Best movie at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards while Stewart and Pattinson received the award for Best Kiss.

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The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)

The third installment of The Twilight Saga sees the return of Victoria as the main antagonist of the film and the ever-intensifying love triangle of Bella, Edward, and Jacob. With new dangers lying ahead, the film offers more ‘action’ than its predeceasing parts. Breaking Box office records, the movie garnered great commercial success but mixed reviews from the critics. Stewart won several awards for her performance as the female lead and Eclipse received The Most Anticipated Movie of the Summer Award at the National Movie Awards among other accolades.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011)

Based on the fourth book of the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, Breaking Dawn Pt. 1 revolves around Bella’s pregnancy and the deteriorating toll it takes on her health. Although the general consensus about the movie was less than positive from both avid fans as well as critics, it managed to not only be an overall commercial hit but also the fiftieth highest grossing film of all time.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)

The final installment of The Twilight Saga and the pinnacle of its commercial success, Breaking Dawn Pt. 2, showcases a whole new side to Bella as she explores her newfound vampire powers. Despite mixed critical reception the movie was the highest grossing film of the Twilight series and won several awards. Talk about going out with a bang! Stewart won a Teen Choice Award and a Virgin Media Award for her performance.

Welcome to the Rileys (2010)

Debuting at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, Welcome to the Rileys revolves around Doug and Lois, a couple who starts drifting apart after the death of their daughter Emily. Stewart plays the role of Mallory, a seventeen-year-old stripper who lives alone. The beauty of the movie lies in the unexpected ways a runaway, an agoraphobic, and a grieving father help each other fix their broken lives and emerge from their respective miseries. Stewart won the award for Best Actress at the Milan International Film festival for her role in the indie drama.

Café Society (2016)

Set in the 1930s, Café Society is the story of Bobby, a Jewish man who moves to Hollywood and falls for Veronica, the young and candid secretary of his uncle. One of Woody Allen’s finer works, the movie premiered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and garnered positive reviews from both critics and the audience. Stewart’s role as Veronica exists at the very heart of the film, and it is her standout performance that raises the film to all its glory.

Still Alice (2014)

Based on Lisa Genova’s bestselling novel of the same name, Still Alice stars Stewart as Lydia, daughter of Alice Howland, a fifty-year-old college professor who gets diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. The movie is honest and sensitive in its portrayal of Alice’s personal struggles and the toll her disease takes on her family.
Moore won several awards for her performance in this indie drama while Stewart was highly praised for her immaculate acting.

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Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Fans of fairy tales, you wouldn’t want to miss out on this one! A box office hit, Snow White and the Huntsman add a thrilling and dark twist to the classic tale with Stewart playing the role of Snow White, ‘the fairest of them all.’ The movie was not only a commercial success but also was praised for its unusual retelling and acclaimed cast. Stewart won a Teen Choice Award and several nominations for her role and the movie got nominated for two Academy Awards.

On the Road (2012)

Based on Jack Kerouac’s 1957 novel of the same name, On the road, follows the affairs of a young aspiring writer Sal, an ex-conman Dean and his sensual wife Marylou, on their road trip across the American southwest, in a search for themselves and the unknown. Director Walter Salles decided to cast Stewart for the role of Marylou after seeing her performance in Penn’s Into the Wild, and undoubtedly, his decision bore promising results. The movie was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival and was acclaimed as One of the Best Movies of 2012 by Total Film.

Anesthesia (2015)

Debuting at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival, Anesthesia is a story that leads one up to something grand but sadly falls short of it. Though the movie had a mostly average critical reception, the general consensus about the film remains positive owing to the impeccable acting by a talented ensemble. Stewart plays the role of Sophie, a brilliant grad student who faces psychological issues. Although Stewart’s role was limited, her screen time accounts for some of the most powerful and moving scenes of the film.

Equals (2015)

Set in a dystopian utopia where emotions no longer exist, Equals follows the story of Silas and Nia, two people who regain their emotions after being diagnosed with a mysterious ‘disease’. The story resembles an almost Romeo and Juliet like archetype set against a sci-fi backdrop. What the movie lacks in terms of screenplay, Stewart and Hoult make up for through their excellent chemistry.

Certain Women (2016)

Based on short stories by Maile Meloy and set in Montana, the charm of Certain Women lies in its simple yet captivating storytelling. The movie follows the seemingly unrelated lives of three women in their little prairie town. Stewart stars as Elizabeth, a law student that teaches an adult education class, and gains the affection of a ranch hand, Jaime. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016 and won the award for Best Film at the London Film Festival in the same year.

Adventureland (2009)

Set in the summer of 1987, Adventureland follows the story of recent college graduate James Brennan who takes up work in a shady amusement park where he meets Emily ‘Em’ Lewis, a witty girl with troubled home life. The comedy-drama gathered positive reviews from critics and was praised for its nostalgic and insightful depiction. The movie was also nominated for Best Ensemble Cast at the Gotham Independent Film Awards.

The Messengers (2007)

In this 2007 Horror Thriller, Stewart plays the role of Jess, the young irresponsible daughter of the Solomons, who decide to move to a farm in North Dakota in an effort to emerge from their familial and personal issues. However, ominous occurrences start to happen as soon as the family moves into the house and the Solomons end up with much more than they bargained for. Although The Messengers fails to be a spine-tingling experience, it manages to be a sufficiently entertaining weekend watch.

JT LeRoy (2018)

Based on Savannah Knoop’s biographical memoir ‘Girl Boy Girl- How I Became JT LeRoy’, the movie stars Stewart as Savannah, a woman who pretends to be JT LeRoy, her sister-in-law’s literary persona, for six years. Stewart was also praised by Knoop herself, for her extensive research and dedication to the role. The film debuted at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival and received mixed reviews from critics with a more than average audience rating.

American Ultra (2015)

With Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart as the main leads Mike and Phoebe, this Action Comedy is packed with a zany screenplay that manages to entertain despite its lacking execution. If you’re looking for a fun weekend watch that makes you laugh, American Ultra doesn’t disappoint.