Zendaya has built a film career that moves comfortably between blockbuster franchises, science fiction, drama, and character-driven stories. For viewers searching for Zendaya movies in order, her filmography offers an interesting look at how her roles have changed over time. She first became widely known through television before making a stronger transition into feature films. Since then, she has appeared in major productions such as Spider-Man, The Greatest Showman, Dune, and Challengers.
This guide follows her major movie roles in release order, making it easier to explore her career from her early film appearances to her more recent work.
For reliable information about Zendaya’s movies and complete filmography, readers can refer to trusted entertainment sources such as IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes. These sources provide detailed information about her film roles, credits, movie releases, and career history, making them useful references for anyone exploring Zendaya’s work in films such as Spider-Man, Dune, The Greatest Showman, and Challengers.
Zendaya Movies in Release Order
1. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Zendaya joined the Marvel universe with Spider-Man: Homecoming. She played Michelle, a student at Peter Parker’s school.
The role introduced her to a huge international movie audience. Although her character initially appeared mysterious and reserved, later films gave the character greater importance.
2. The Greatest Showman (2017)
Later the same year, Zendaya appeared in The Greatest Showman. She played Anne Wheeler, a trapeze artist and performer.
The musical gave Zendaya an opportunity to combine acting with singing and performance. Her character’s relationship with Phillip Carlyle also became an important part of the story.
3. Smallfoot (2018)
Smallfoot marked Zendaya’s move into animated filmmaking. She provided the voice of Meechee, a young yeti who becomes involved in the discovery of humans.
The family-friendly animated adventure offered a different kind of role from her live-action work.
4. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Zendaya returned as MJ in Spider-Man: Far From Home. The sequel expanded her character’s relationship with Peter Parker.
Her performance also helped make MJ an important emotional part of the Spider-Man story. The film combined superhero action with a coming-of-age storyline.
5. Malcolm & Marie (2021)
Malcolm & Marie presented a very different side of Zendaya’s acting.
The black-and-white drama focuses heavily on conversations between two characters over the course of one evening. Zendaya plays Marie, while the story examines relationships, creativity, frustration, and personal conflict.
The film is particularly notable because Zendaya takes a much more central role than in her earlier blockbuster appearances.
6. Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)
Zendaya provided the voice of Lola Bunny in Space Jam: A New Legacy.
The film combines live-action performers with animated characters and follows a new basketball-centered adventure. It gave Zendaya another opportunity to work in a family-oriented production.
7. Dune (2021)
Zendaya joined the world of science fiction with Dune, playing Chani.
Her screen time in the first film was relatively limited, but the character became much more important in the continuation of the story.
The movie introduced audiences to the vast world of Arrakis and the political and personal conflicts surrounding Paul Atreides.
8. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Zendaya returned as MJ in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The film brought together different elements of Spider-Man’s cinematic history while continuing Peter Parker and MJ’s story. Her character also faced some of the most emotional moments in the trilogy.
For many viewers, the movie represented a major turning point in the Spider-Man storyline.
9. Dune: Part Two (2024)
Zendaya’s role expanded significantly in Dune: Part Two.
Chani becomes more involved in Paul’s journey as the story develops. Her relationship with him becomes central to the emotional side of the film.
The sequel also gives audiences a much broader view of the desert communities and their struggle against outside forces.
10. Challengers (2024)
Challengers placed Zendaya at the center of a completely different type of story.
She plays Tashi Duncan, a former tennis player who becomes involved in a complicated relationship with two men connected to her past.
The sports drama explores ambition, relationships, competition, and the pressure surrounding professional success. It also demonstrated Zendaya’s ability to lead a film outside the major franchise system.
Why Zendaya’s Filmography Stands Out
Looking at Zendaya movies in order reveals how varied her career has become.
Her early movie roles connected her with large family and franchise audiences. Later projects allowed her to take on more mature and demanding characters.
There is also a noticeable change in the scale of her roles. In some early films, she supported a larger ensemble. In later projects, she became one of the central characters driving the story.
That progression makes her filmography interesting even for viewers who have already seen her biggest movies.
Zendaya’s Movie Career at a Glance
| Movie | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Spider-Man: Homecoming | 2017 | Michelle |
| The Greatest Showman | 2017 | Anne Wheeler |
| Smallfoot | 2018 | Meechee |
| Spider-Man: Far From Home | 2019 | MJ |
| Malcolm & Marie | 2021 | Marie |
| Space Jam: A New Legacy | 2021 | Lola Bunny |
| Dune | 2021 | Chani |
| Spider-Man: No Way Home | 2021 | MJ |
| Dune: Part Two | 2024 | Chani |
| Challengers | 2024 | Tashi Duncan |
What Is the Best Way to Watch Zendaya’s Movies?
There are two simple approaches.
Release order is useful for viewers who want to see how her career developed. It shows the progression from supporting roles to major leading performances.
Franchise order can work better for viewers mainly interested in particular series. For example, the Spider-Man films can be watched together, while Dune and Dune: Part Two form another connected story.
For a complete career overview, however, release order provides the clearest picture.
Final Thoughts
Zendaya’s filmography shows a steady move from youthful ensemble roles toward major dramatic and franchise performances. Her movies cover superhero adventures, musicals, animation, science fiction, relationship dramas, and sports stories.
For anyone exploring Zendaya movies in order, starting with Spider-Man: Homecoming and moving through her later projects provides a straightforward way to follow that journey. Her film career continues to expand, making her movie list one worth revisiting as new projects arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many movies has Zendaya appeared in?
Her feature-film credits include live-action, animated, franchise, and dramatic projects. The exact number depends on whether voice roles and other film credits are included.
What was Zendaya’s first major movie?
Spider-Man: Homecoming was her first major feature-film role, released in 2017.
Which Spider-Man movies feature Zendaya?
She appears as MJ in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Which Dune movies feature Zendaya?
Zendaya plays Chani in both Dune and Dune: Part Two.
What is Zendaya’s role in Challengers?
She plays Tashi Duncan, a former tennis player whose personal and professional relationships drive much of the story.





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