Zendaya has evolved from a Disney Channel performer into one of the most recognizable and versatile actors of her generation. Known for her roles in the Spider-Man franchise, Dune, The Greatest Showman, Malcolm & Marie and Challengers, she has established a career that combines major Hollywood productions with intimate character-driven dramas.
Her success is built on more than blockbuster appearances. Zendaya has demonstrated an ability to portray emotionally complex characters, perform in musicals, contribute voice work to animated films and take on demanding dramatic roles. Her television performance as Rue Bennett in Euphoria has also helped establish her as an award-winning dramatic actor and producer.
As of October 2026, her filmography includes superhero adventures, science-fiction epics, romantic dramas, musicals, comedies and animated features. Her recent projects include The Drama, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, while Dune: Part Three is scheduled for release in December 2026.
1. Who Is Zendaya?
Full name: Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman
Date of birth: September 1, 1996
Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States
Profession: Actress, producer, singer and dancer
Breakthrough: Shake It Up (2010) and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Signature roles: MJ, Chani, Rue Bennett and Tashi Duncan
Major recognition: Two Primetime Emmy Awards for Euphoria.
Zendaya began performing at a young age, working as a model and dancer before gaining attention through Disney Channel. Her early career developed her confidence in front of the camera and her skills in dance, music and comedy.
Her transition into mature acting roles was particularly significant. Rather than remaining associated exclusively with children’s entertainment, she gradually built a film career that encompasses large-scale studio productions and independent projects.
The name Zendaya comes from a Shona word meaning “to give thanks,” according to her published biographical profile. Over the years, she has also become known for her fashion influence, red-carpet appearances and involvement in producing projects in which she stars.
2. Complete Zendaya Movie Filmography
The following list presents her major released feature-film appearances in chronological order, including voice roles. Television films and selected other screen credits are listed separately to make the filmography easier to navigate.
| Year | Movie | Role | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Super Buddies | Lollipop (voice) | Family animation |
| 2017 | Spider-Man: Homecoming | Michelle “MJ” Jones | Superhero |
| 2017 | The Greatest Showman | Anne Wheeler | Musical drama |
| 2018 | Duck Duck Goose | Chi (voice) | Animation |
| 2018 | Smallfoot | Meechee (voice) | Animated comedy |
| 2019 | Spider-Man: Far From Home | MJ | Superhero |
| 2021 | Malcolm & Marie | Marie Jones | Relationship drama |
| 2021 | Space Jam: A New Legacy | Lola Bunny (voice) | Sports animation |
| 2021 | Dune | Chani | Science fiction |
| 2021 | Spider-Man: No Way Home | MJ | Superhero |
| 2024 | Dune: Part Two | Chani | Science fiction |
| 2024 | Challengers | Tashi Duncan | Sports drama |
| 2026 | The Drama | Emma Harwood | Dark romantic comedy |
| 2026 | The Odyssey | Athena | Epic fantasy |
| 2026 | Spider-Man: Brand New Day | MJ | Superhero |
The filmography reflects a substantial shift from family-oriented entertainment toward adult drama and major cinematic franchises. Spider-Man, Dune and Challengers are particularly important in understanding how she developed into a leading film actor.
3. Zendaya’s Most Important Movies
3.1. Spider-Man: Homecoming(2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming was a major turning point in Zendaya’s film career. Directed by Jon Watts, the Marvel film stars Tom Holland as Peter Parker, a young superhero learning to balance ordinary teenage life with his responsibilities as Spider-Man.
Zendaya plays Michelle, a sharp-witted and observant student whose unusual personality distinguishes her from more conventional high-school characters. The character later becomes widely known as MJ.
Although her role in the first film is relatively supporting, she establishes a memorable presence through understated humor and an independent personality. The film introduced Zendaya to a global blockbuster audience and laid the foundation for her continuing involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Why it matters: This was her breakthrough feature-film role and the beginning of one of her best-known screen partnerships.
3.2. The Greatest Showman(2017)
In The Greatest Showman, Zendaya plays Anne Wheeler, a talented trapeze artist who performs in the circus organized by P. T. Barnum, portrayed by Hugh Jackman.
Anne’s relationship with Phillip Carlyle, played by Zac Efron, forms an important romantic storyline. Their relationship faces prejudice and social barriers, giving the film an additional emotional dimension.
The production allowed Zendaya to combine acting, dance, physical performance and musical storytelling. She also performed in the song “Rewrite the Stars” with Efron, one of the film’s most recognizable musical numbers.
The film helped demonstrate that Zendaya could work effectively beyond contemporary teen dramas and superhero movies. Her performance brought a mixture of athleticism, vulnerability and romantic sincerity to the role.
Why it matters: The Greatest Showman established her credentials as a musical performer and broadened her appeal to family audiences.
3.3. Spider-Man: Far From Home(2019)
In Spider-Man: Far From Home, Zendaya returns as MJ, now becoming a more important part of Peter Parker’s personal life. The story follows Peter and his classmates on a European school trip, where a holiday turns into another confrontation with extraordinary threats.
MJ’s intelligence, dry humor and skepticism make her a distinctive romantic interest. Instead of simply waiting to be rescued, she actively investigates the mysteries surrounding Peter’s adventures.
The film also develops the chemistry between Zendaya and Holland, allowing their characters’ relationship to grow naturally within the superhero narrative.
Why it matters: The sequel expanded MJ’s role and strengthened Zendaya’s place in one of the world’s most successful film franchises.
3.4. Malcolm & Marie(2021)
Directed by Sam Levinson, Malcolm & Marie is one of Zendaya’s most demanding dramatic performances. She stars opposite John David Washington in a black-and-white film centered on a filmmaker and his partner during a tense night following a movie premiere.
Zendaya plays Marie, a woman whose frustrations with her partner reveal deeper questions about recognition, artistic ownership, emotional dependency and the unequal distribution of credit in relationships.
The film relies heavily on dialogue, facial expression and subtle shifts in emotional intensity. Unlike a superhero movie, it offers few action sequences or elaborate settings to support the performance.
Zendaya’s role requires her to convey anger, affection, disappointment and vulnerability, sometimes within a single extended argument. Her work demonstrates how effectively she can sustain a feature film through performance alone.
She also served as a producer, reflecting her growing involvement in the creative and organizational side of filmmaking.
Why it matters: The film represents a major step toward more intimate, adult-oriented drama and showcased her ability to carry a story built around complex dialogue.
3.5. Dune(2021)
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune adapts the first part of Frank Herbert’s influential science-fiction novel. The story follows Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, as his family becomes entangled in a political struggle over the desert planet Arrakis.
Zendaya plays Chani, a Fremen warrior who appears prominently in Paul’s dreams before becoming more directly involved in his journey.
Although her screen time in the first installment is comparatively limited, Chani is central to the film’s mythology and emotional direction. Zendaya’s performance introduces a character associated with independence, survival and resistance to outside control.
The film’s elaborate production design, desert landscapes and large-scale world-building also placed her within one of the decade’s most ambitious science-fiction productions.
Why it matters: Dune established Zendaya as a key figure in a major science-fiction franchise and introduced a character she would develop much further in the sequel.
3.6. Spider-Man: No Way Home(2021)
Spider-Man: No Way Home places MJ at the emotional center of Peter Parker’s increasingly complicated life. After Peter’s identity becomes public, his friends are drawn into the consequences of his superhero responsibilities.
Zendaya brings warmth and humor to the character while also portraying the fear and uncertainty that emerge as Peter’s world becomes more dangerous.
The movie’s multiverse storyline brings together characters from earlier Spider-Man films, but its emotional foundation rests on Peter’s relationships and the sacrifices he must make.
MJ’s connection with Peter gives Zendaya opportunities to move beyond the sarcastic, guarded personality established in the earlier films.
Why it matters: The movie deepened MJ’s emotional importance within the franchise and remains a defining entry in Zendaya’s blockbuster career.
3.7. Dune: Part Two(2024)
Dune: Part Two significantly expands Zendaya’s role as Chani. Paul Atreides joins the Fremen, and his relationship with Chani develops against a background of political conflict, religious prophecy and growing resistance to imperial control.
Unlike the first film, where Chani frequently appears through Paul’s visions, the sequel gives her a substantial emotional and ideological presence.
Chani is skeptical of the messianic expectations surrounding Paul. She believes in the Fremen people’s ability to determine their own future and worries that outsiders will exploit their beliefs for political purposes.
Zendaya’s performance gives these concerns a personal dimension. Her Chani is a warrior and romantic partner, but also an independent thinker who challenges the direction of the story’s central hero.
The character’s conflict with Paul becomes one of the film’s most significant dramatic elements.
Why it matters: Dune: Part Two is one of Zendaya’s most substantial science-fiction performances, demonstrating her ability to combine physical action with political and emotional complexity.
3.8. Challengers(2024)
Directed by Luca Guadagnino, Challengers marked a particularly important development in Zendaya’s career. She stars as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy whose career is interrupted by injury.
Tashi later becomes a coach and marries Art Donaldson, a professional tennis player played by Mike Faist. Her past connection with Patrick Zweig, portrayed by Josh O’Connor, complicates their relationships and drives the film’s central conflict.
The story explores ambition, competition, desire, manipulation and the blurred boundaries between professional success and personal relationships.
Zendaya’s performance is deliberately controlled. Tashi is intelligent, ambitious and often difficult to read, making her a more morally ambiguous character than many of Zendaya’s previous roles.
The film also required substantial tennis-related preparation and an understanding of the sport’s physical and psychological demands. Zendaya served as a producer, further strengthening her relationship with the film’s creative development.
Why it matters: Challengers established Zendaya as a compelling adult dramatic lead who can anchor a sophisticated film outside an established franchise.
3.9. The Drama(2026)
In The Drama, directed by Kristoffer Borgli, Zendaya stars as Emma Harwood, a woman whose engagement to Charlie, played by Robert Pattinson, is shaken by an unexpected revelation shortly before their wedding.
The film combines dark comedy, romantic tension and psychological discomfort. Rather than following a conventional love-story structure, it examines the gap between the image people present to their partners and the complicated realities of their pasts and identities.
Zendaya’s role continues her movement toward morally complicated, adult-oriented material. The premise places her character at the center of questions about trust, judgment, intimacy and whether people can truly know one another.
Released in April 2026, the film represents another collaboration between Zendaya and A24, a studio associated with distinctive independent and director-driven cinema.
Why it matters: The Drama adds another character-focused production to a filmography that balances commercial franchises with more unconventional storytelling.
3.10. The Odyssey(2026)
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey adapts the ancient Greek epic traditionally attributed to Homer. The story centers on Odysseus and his long, dangerous journey home following the Trojan War.
Zendaya appears as Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, who plays an important role in Odysseus’s mythological journey.
The film gives her a place within an epic historical and mythological production, distinct from her modern-day dramas and futuristic science-fiction roles.
Athena is an especially significant character in the original mythology: she frequently guides, protects and advises Odysseus. The extent and interpretation of the character’s role depend on Nolan’s adaptation.
Why it matters: The film expands Zendaya’s range into classical mythology and a large-scale literary adaptation. It also places her in another major collaboration with a prominent contemporary filmmaker.
3.11. Spider-Man: Brand New Day(2026)
Spider-Man: Brand New Day brings Zendaya back as MJ, continuing her association with Tom Holland’s version of the Marvel superhero.
The new installment follows the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which dramatically changed Peter Parker’s personal circumstances and relationships. The consequences of that story create new emotional possibilities for MJ’s place in Peter’s life.
The film continues Zendaya’s involvement in one of her defining franchises while offering an opportunity for her character to evolve beyond the high-school setting of the earlier movies.
Released in 2026, it is part of an unusually busy year in her career, alongside The Drama, The Odyssey and her return to the Dune universe.
Why it matters: The movie extends Zendaya’s most recognizable franchise role into a new phase of the character’s story.
4. Zendaya’s Animated Movies and Voice Acting
Zendaya has also contributed to animated films, demonstrating that her career is not limited to live-action performances.
Duck Duck Goose (2018)
Voice role: Chi
In this animated family comedy, Zendaya voices Chi, a duckling involved in a journey with a carefree goose. The film combines humor, adventure and themes of friendship, responsibility and family.
Smallfoot (2018)
Voice role: Meechee
Zendaya voices Meechee, a young yeti who becomes interested in the possibility that humans exist. The film explores curiosity, tradition, skepticism and the importance of questioning accepted beliefs.
Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)
Voice role: Lola Bunny
Zendaya voices Lola Bunny in the basketball adventure starring LeBron James. Her version of the character is portrayed as an accomplished and independent athlete who joins the Looney Tunes team.
Super Buddies (2013)
Voice role: Lollipop
An early voice credit in Zendaya’s screen career, this family adventure belongs to the Disney Buddies series and predates her major theatrical film roles.
These projects helped broaden her experience with performance for different audiences and formats. Smallfoot and Space Jam: A New Legacy are particularly notable among her animated credits.
5. Zendaya’s Television Movies and Early Screen Roles
Before becoming a major theatrical star, Zendaya appeared in television films that helped establish her career.
| Year | Title | Role | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Frenemies | Halley Brandon | Disney Channel television film |
| 2014 | Zapped | Zoey Stevens | Disney Channel television film |
Frenemies (2012)
Frenemies is a Disney Channel comedy about friendships that shift between rivalry and affection. Zendaya plays Halley Brandon, one of the teenagers whose relationships form the film’s central stories.
The production suited her early career, combining comedy, youth-oriented storytelling and themes of friendship and loyalty.
Zapped (2014)
In Zapped, Zendaya plays Zoey Stevens, a teenager who discovers that a smartphone application can influence the behavior of boys around her.
The fantasy comedy gave her a prominent lead role and allowed her to combine physical comedy with the familiar themes of teenage life and family relationships.
Both films belong to her television-era filmography rather than her later theatrical feature-film career. They remain useful viewing choices for audiences interested in how she developed her acting style before entering major Hollywood productions.
6. Zendaya’s Television Career
Although this article focuses on her movies, television has played a central role in her development as an actor.
Shake It Up (2010–2013)
Zendaya gained widespread recognition as Rocky Blue, an enthusiastic dancer. The series established her as a young television star and showcased her musical and comedic abilities.
K.C. Undercover (2015–2018)
She played K.C. Cooper, a high-school student who discovers that her parents are spies and becomes involved in secret missions. Zendaya also served as a producer on the series.
Euphoria (2019–2026)
Zendaya stars as Rue Bennett, a teenager struggling with addiction, relationships, grief and the challenges of growing up. Her intense, emotionally demanding performance earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards for outstanding lead actress in a drama series.
Why Euphoria changed her career
Rue Bennett is one of Zendaya’s most important roles because it requires a very different approach from her work in family entertainment.
The character is vulnerable, unreliable and often self-destructive. The series explores addiction and its consequences without presenting recovery as a simple or predictable process.
Zendaya’s performance depends on emotional restraint as much as dramatic intensity. Her ability to convey Rue’s humor, pain, denial and occasional hope helped establish her reputation as a serious dramatic actor.
Her Emmy recognition also distinguished her from many performers whose careers began in children’s television. Euphoria demonstrated that she could lead a mature drama while taking on greater responsibility behind the scenes.
7. Zendaya’s Upcoming Movies and Future Projects
As of October 18, 2026, several announced projects are expected to expand Zendaya’s filmography further. Release schedules and production plans can change, so the following titles should be distinguished from films already released.
Dune: Part Three
Scheduled for December 18, 2026
Zendaya returns as Chani in the next installment of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science-fiction universe. The story is expected to continue exploring the consequences of Paul’s rise to power and the political and personal conflicts surrounding him.
Shrek 5
Planned for 2027
Zendaya is attached to voice Felicia, one of Shrek and Fiona’s daughters. The project will add another major animated franchise to her voice-acting résumé.
Be My Baby
Zendaya is attached to portray Ronnie Spector, the lead singer of the Ronettes, in a biographical film directed by Barry Jenkins. The project is particularly interesting because it could bring together her acting, musical experience and producing work. A confirmed theatrical release date has not been established in the cited information.
Untitled Alex Garland science-fiction film
Production planned for 2027
Zendaya has been announced for a new A24 science-fiction film written and directed by Alex Garland, known for Ex Machina and Civil War. As of the latest announcement, the title, plot details, additional cast and release date had not been disclosed.
These projects suggest that Zendaya intends to keep moving between major franchise productions, animation, music-related biographical drama and director-led cinema.
8. Zendaya’s Acting Style and Career Development
One of the most interesting aspects of Zendaya’s filmography is the contrast between her roles. She has not built her career around a single character type.
| Acting strength | Representative project | What it demonstrates |
|---|---|---|
| Comedy and youthful energy | Shake It Up, Zapped | Timing, movement and screen presence |
| Musical performance | The Greatest Showman | Singing, dance and romantic expression |
| Understated humor | Spider-Man: Homecoming | Naturalistic dialogue and comic timing |
| Emotional intensity | Malcolm & Marie | Dialogue-driven dramatic performance |
| Epic character drama | Dune: Part Two | Physical performance and ideological conflict |
| Psychological complexity | Challengers | Ambiguity, ambition and emotional control |
| Dark romantic comedy | The Drama | Uncomfortable humor and relationship tension |
| Mythological drama | The Odyssey | Work within a large-scale literary adaptation |
From Disney star to adult dramatic actor
Zendaya’s transition is an example of a performer gradually expanding the kinds of stories she can tell. Her early projects relied heavily on humor, dance and accessible family entertainment. Her later roles have increasingly explored complicated relationships, identity, power and moral uncertainty.
This transition has been supported by collaborations with directors who have distinct filmmaking styles, including Denis Villeneuve, Luca Guadagnino and Sam Levinson.
Balancing commercial films and independent cinema
Her blockbuster appearances provide access to enormous international audiences. The Spider-Man and Dune films place her within established franchises with large-scale production values and expansive fictional worlds.
In contrast, Malcolm & Marie and Challengers focus more directly on individual psychology and human relationships. These projects allow Zendaya to explore characters who are not necessarily heroic or easy to understand.
The combination has helped her avoid being defined exclusively by franchise roles.
Developing as a producer
Zendaya’s involvement in producing projects is another important dimension of her career. Production work can provide performers with opportunities to influence creative decisions, shape projects and contribute to the development process.
Her producer credits on projects including Malcolm & Marie and Challengers indicate that her interests extend beyond acting alone.
9. Awards and Industry Recognition
Zendaya has received major recognition for her television work and has become an increasingly prominent figure in theatrical cinema.
Primetime Emmy Awards
Zendaya won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Euphoria in 2020 and again in 2022. The wins established her as one of the most acclaimed performers of her generation in television drama.
Recognition for dramatic film roles
Malcolm & Marie, Dune: Part Two and Challengers have contributed to her reputation as a performer capable of handling demanding material outside conventional franchise storytelling.
International movie-star status
The Spider-Man and Dune franchises have made Zendaya recognizable to audiences around the world, while her work with independent studios and acclaimed directors has strengthened her artistic profile.
Her career illustrates how success in television can become a foundation for film stardom when accompanied by a deliberate expansion into different genres and increasingly complex roles.
10. Best Zendaya Movies to Watch First
If you are new to Zendaya’s filmography, the following selection offers a useful introduction to her range.
1. Challengers (2024)
Best for dramatic acting
A psychologically complex sports drama that demonstrates Zendaya’s ability to lead a film and portray a difficult, ambitious character.
2. Dune: Part Two (2024)
Best for science fiction
Her most substantial performance as Chani, set within an expansive science-fiction epic.
3. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Best for superhero entertainment
An emotionally significant chapter in the relationship between MJ and Peter Parker.
4. Malcolm & Marie (2021)
Best for intimate drama
A dialogue-heavy relationship film that places Zendaya’s performance at the center of the story.
5. The Greatest Showman (2017)
Best for musical entertainment
A colorful musical that highlights her singing, dance and romantic performance.
6. The Drama (2026)
Best for dark romantic comedy
A more recent look at her work in a relationship-centered film with an unconventional premise.
11. Frequently Asked Questions About Zendaya Movies
What was Zendaya’s first movie?
One of her earliest feature-film credits was the voice role of Lollipop in Super Buddies (2013). Before that, she had already appeared in television productions, including Frenemies in 2012.
What movie made Zendaya famous?
Her Disney Channel series Shake It Up initially made her famous among younger audiences. In cinema, Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Greatest Showman, both released in 2017, significantly expanded her international profile.
What are Zendaya’s most famous movies?
Her best-known movies include Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Greatest Showman, Dune, Dune: Part Two and Challengers.
Has Zendaya won an Oscar?
Zendaya’s major award recognition includes two Primetime Emmy Awards for Euphoria. The cited biographical and awards listings do not establish an Academy Award win for her.
Is Zendaya a producer as well as an actress?
Yes. She has producer credits on projects including Malcolm & Marie and Challengers. Her producing work is an important part of her development as a creative professional.
Will Zendaya appear in Dune: Part Three?
Yes. She is set to reprise her role as Chani in Dune: Part Three, which is scheduled for release on December 18, 2026.
Will Zendaya appear in Shrek 5?
She is attached to voice Felicia, the daughter of Shrek and Fiona, in the animated sequel planned for 2027.
What is Zendaya’s best performance?
That depends on the viewer’s preferences. Euphoria showcases her television acting, Challengers highlights her work in psychological drama, Dune: Part Two demonstrates her range in science fiction, and Malcolm & Marie offers an intimate study of a complicated relationship.
Zendaya’s filmography tells the story of a performer who has continually expanded her abilities and professional ambitions. From her early years on Disney Channel to her leading roles in Spider-Man, Dune, Malcolm & Marie and Challengers, she has moved between genres while developing a distinctive screen presence.
Her strongest career achievement is arguably this versatility. She can appear in a large-scale superhero production, portray a guarded and ambitious tennis strategist, perform in a musical or lead a tense relationship drama without relying on the same character type.
With The Drama, The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day among her 2026 releases, and Dune: Part Three approaching, Zendaya remains a central figure in contemporary Hollywood. Her future projects, including Be My Baby and Shrek 5, suggest that her filmography will continue to expand across live-action drama, major franchises and animation.
For viewers exploring her work, the best approach is to watch several contrasting films rather than focusing on one franchise. Together, they reveal why Zendaya has developed from a young television performer into a versatile actor with both commercial appeal and serious dramatic ambitions.
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