Kristen Stewart's top 20 movie roles, ranked from worst to best

1-21

Ignacio Weil

TV Shows & Movies - October 8th 2024, 18:00 GMT+2

About this gallery:

For this list, we have decided to focus only on movies where Kristen Stewart appears, no matter how small her role is. For this reason, don’t expect any of her performances in series, short films, or commercials. And remember, this list is subjective! If you think any movie is not in the right spot, share your opinion!

| © Paramount Vantage

Cropped On the Road — 20. On the Road (2012)

As Marylou, Stewart dives headfirst into the free-spirited, bohemian life of *On the Road*. Her performance is wild and uninhibited, matching the film’s beatnik energy. Though the movie can feel like it’s wandering at times, Stewart’s fiery portrayal adds a spark to every scene she’s in.

| © IFC Films

Cropped JT Le Roy — 19. JT LeRoy (2018)

Playing Savannah Knoop in this true story, Stewart is fully committed, even if the movie itself is a bit scattered. Her performance stands out as one of the film’s strengths, showing her ability to transform into real-life characters with nuance. It’s a fascinating role, but the film doesn’t quite live up to its potential.

| © Universal Pictures

Cropped Equals — 18. Equals (2015)

In this dystopian romance, Stewart brings a cool detachment to her character, which fits the film’s emotionless society. It’s a restrained performance, and while the film can feel a bit cold, Stewart’s portrayal of repressed emotions breaking free is compelling. It’s not her flashiest role, but it works for the mood of the movie.

| © A24

Cropped Underwater — 17. Underwater (2020)

Leading this deep-sea thriller, Stewart channels her inner action star, and she does a pretty good job. The movie itself is a bit of a genre mish-mash, but Stewart keeps things grounded with a solid, no-nonsense performance. She’s resourceful, tough, and definitely gives off Ripley vibes—minus the aliens.

| © 20th Century Fox

Cropped The Twilight Saga New Moon — 16. The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

In *New Moon*, Stewart spends a good chunk of the movie heartbroken, and she does her best with all the long stares and dramatic sighs. Sure, it’s melodramatic, but that’s what *Twilight* is all about. Stewart handles Bella’s pain with commitment, even if it sometimes feels like overkill.

| © Summit Entertainment

Cropped The Twilight Saga Eclipse — 15. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)

In *Eclipse*, Bella is stuck in the middle of a love triangle, and Stewart leans into the angst with gusto. Her performance is as brooding as ever, but she brings a bit more fire this time around. It’s still *Twilight*, so you know what you’re getting, but Stewart manages to make Bella’s emotional turmoil feel a little more intense than before.

| © Summit Entertainment

Cropped The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 2 — 14. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012)

Finally, Bella gets to be a vampire, and Stewart clearly enjoys sinking her teeth into the role (pun intended). There’s a new confidence in her portrayal, and she finally gets to show some real range after several movies of brooding. It’s a solid finish to her *Twilight* journey, and fans were more than happy with her fierce, vampiric transformation.

| © Summit Entertainment

Cropped Snow White and the Huntsman — 13. Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Kristen Stewart’s Snow White is a warrior princess, and she’s definitely more interested in swinging swords than singing to birds. In *Snow White and the Huntsman*, Stewart brings a fierceness to the classic role, though the movie sometimes leans a little too heavily on style over substance. Still, Stewart stands out, giving Snow White a determined edge that makes the role her own.

| © Universal Pictures

Cropped Café Society — 12. Café Society (2016)

Woody Allen’s *Café Society* may be a bit light on substance, but Stewart’s performance as a conflicted secretary torn between two lovers is refreshing. She brings a modern twist to the 1930s setting, blending vulnerability and sharpness with ease. Stewart’s charm and understated style give the film its heart, making her character more memorable than the story itself.

| © Amazon Studios

Cropped Certain Women — 11. Certain Women (2016)

In *Certain Women*, Stewart’s role is small but mighty. She plays a young lawyer who forms a quiet connection with a ranch hand. Stewart’s performance is all about restraint—she doesn’t need flashy dialogue to convey the loneliness and uncertainty of her character. It’s the kind of performance that lingers, showing just how effective Stewart can be with minimal words.

| © IFC Films

Cropped Into the Wild — 10. Into the Wild (2007)

Though her role in *Into the Wild* is brief, Stewart leaves an impression. Playing a young singer with a crush on the film’s protagonist, she delivers a performance filled with youthful longing and tenderness. It’s one of those small but meaningful roles where you see glimpses of the emotional depth she would tap into in later films. A quiet standout in an already powerful film.

| © Paramount Vantage

Cropped The Runaways — 9. The Runaways (2010)

Kristen Stewart channels pure rockstar energy as Joan Jett in *The Runaways*. She nails the attitude, the swagger, and the iconic growl. It’s one of those roles where you can tell she’s having fun, and her commitment to embodying Jett’s rebellious spirit shines through. The film itself may not have rocked the box office, but Stewart absolutely nails her performance as the punk legend.

| © Apparition

Cropped Adventureland — 8. Adventureland (2009)

*Adventureland* shows Stewart in her element—relaxed, natural, and authentic. Her chemistry with Jesse Eisenberg makes this nostalgic coming-of-age movie work. Stewart’s character, Em, is brooding yet soft, and it’s a role that allows her to show her more understated side. She’s not out to prove anything here; she’s just being, and it totally works for the film’s low-key vibe.

| © Miramax

Cropped Seberg — 7. Seberg (2019)

Playing Jean Seberg, Stewart perfectly captures the paranoia and internal struggles of the actress under FBI surveillance. It’s a challenging role, and Stewart brings an intense vulnerability to the screen, showing Seberg’s unraveling with a quiet desperation. The film itself might falter in places, but Stewart is in top form, proving once again that she can handle deeply emotional, complex characters.

| © Amazon Studios

Cropped Camp X Ray — 6. Camp X-Ray (2014)

As a guard at Guantánamo Bay, Stewart gives one of her most emotionally charged performances. Her portrayal of a soldier who develops a bond with a detainee is both heartfelt and conflicted. The movie’s heavy themes could easily overwhelm the actor, but Stewart carries the weight with impressive skill. It’s a subtle but intense performance that shows off her ability to navigate complex, morally ambiguous characters.

| © IFC Films

Cropped Love Lies Bleeding — 5. Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

*Love Lies Bleeding* is a bloody, intense, and frankly wild ride, and Stewart shines in the role of Lou, a gym manager entangled in a violent love story. Her performance is raw and visceral—she embraces the grit of the character without holding back. It’s Stewart at her most daring, and the result is captivating. Her chemistry with Katy O’Brian is electric, and the whole film pulses with the kind of chaotic energy that only Stewart can balance.

| © A24

Cropped Still Alice — 4. Still Alice (2014)

In *Still Alice*, Stewart plays the supportive daughter to Julianne Moore’s character, and while the focus isn’t on her, she holds her own. Stewart plays Lydia with a real sense of vulnerability and warmth. She doesn’t overshadow the main storyline, but her understated performance adds layers to the family dynamic, making the heartbreaking story even more affecting. You see the growth in her acting here—quiet but impactful.

| © Sony Pictures Classics

Cropped Personal Shopper — 3. Personal Shopper (2016)

In *Personal Shopper*, Stewart balances grief and the supernatural with a kind of quiet intensity. Her character is lost, not just in the world but within herself, and Stewart conveys that beautifully with her understated, almost haunted performance. She doesn’t go for big, dramatic moments—instead, it’s her silences and small gestures that carry the emotional weight. It’s spooky, it’s subtle, and Stewart pulls it off with ease.

| © IFC Films

Cropped Clouds of Sils Maria — 2. Clouds of Sils Maria (2014)

Playing a personal assistant might sound mundane, but Stewart turns it into something extraordinary. Her chemistry with Juliette Binoche is electric, and her performance is all about subtlety. She conveys so much through pauses and glances, making you wonder what’s really going on in her character’s head. No wonder she snagged that César Award—it’s a masterclass in “less is more.”

| © IFC Films

Cropped Spencer — 1. Spencer (2021)

Stewart’s transformation into Princess Diana is nothing short of a masterclass. She channels the late royal’s grace, anxiety, and quiet defiance with incredible depth. It’s not just about nailing the accent or mannerisms—it’s about embodying Diana’s inner turmoil. With every strained smile and haunting glance, Stewart makes you feel the weight of royal life. She got the nods from critics and award shows for a reason!

| © Neon

1-21

Kristen Stewart’s filmography is as diverse as it is impressive. From her early days as a child actor in Panic Room to her critically acclaimed transformation into Princess Diana in Spencer, Stewart has evolved into one of the most interesting and daring performers of her generation. Whether she’s diving into the supernatural world of Twilight or taking on emotionally complex indie roles like Personal Shopper and Clouds of Sils Maria, her performances continue to captivate both fans and critics alike.

In this ranking of her top 20 movie roles, we’re diving deep into her best performances, focusing on the depth of her acting, the critical reception, and how she’s grown over the years. From blockbusters to indie gems, these are Kristen Stewart’s most memorable roles, ranked from worst to best. Let’s see where your favorites fall!