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Kristen Stewart exploded to stardom when she portrayed Bella Swan in the highly successful fantasy vampire series Twilight. However, Stewart was an actress long before she appeared as Bella. Born in 1990, she started acting when she was just a child and starred alongside famous names, such as Jodie Foster and Sharon Stone.
Once she became a celebrity thanks to her role in Twilight, Stewart took it upon herself to appear in many challenging productions and independent movies. She proved she was a versatile actress. Her latest work, Spencer, sees Stewart become someone completely different once again: Princess Diana. Those who will enjoy Stewart's performances shouldn't miss out on checking out some of her best previous movies.
10 The Yellow Handkerchief (2008): 6.7
Surprisingly, one of Kristen Stewart's best-rated movies is also one of her most obscure ones. The Yellow Handkerchief is a road trip about three strangers who have seemingly one thing in common - they're all lonely - but eventually grow closer.
Kristen Stewart plays Martine, a fifteen-year-old girl who managed to escape her problematic family. Heavy roles are nothing new in Stewart's filmography but The Yellow Handkerchief still manages to come across as a feel-good movie thanks to the way its story evolves.
9 Clouds Of Sils Maria (2014): 6.7
The world of movies likes to reflect itself. Clouds of Sils Maria is a good example of this. Julianne Binoche shines as Maria Enders, an established actress who's preparing for a new role, in a remake of a movie she appeared in years ago. Kristen Stewart then plays Maria's assistant Valentine, and even though it might originally look like Valentine won't do anything worth remembering, it eventually turns out there's more to the mild girl than meets the eye.
The movie is full of strong acting performances, other than Binoche and Stewart, it also gives Chloë Grace-Moretz the opportunity to shine as a spoiled young starlet. Those viewers who enjoy movies about other movies and stars should try out this independent jewel because it has a lot to offer.
8 Spencer (2021): 6.8
As her latest movie, it's possible the rating of Spencer will yet change, either for the better or for the worse. What won't change is the fact that this biopic is worth seeing. Especially for all people who enjoy stories about the British royal family.
Despite not being British, Stewart gives a solid performance as Princess Diana. It helps that Spencer has a talented supporting cast as well, such as Timothy Spall, Sean Harris, or Sally Hawkins. If anybody wants to see Kristen Stewart in a role hugely different from her previous work, Spencer is a good movie for it.
7 Adventureland (2009): 6.8
Nostalgia is powerful and the 1980s are a popular target for it. This movie creates the unique atmosphere of this time. It takes place in 1987 in an amusement park where the student James (Jesse Eisenberg) starts working.
If anyone's looking for a perfect summer pic, Adventureland will provide just that. Kristen Stewart appears in the leading supporting role as Em, the girl James falls for. But if anybody expects a usual romantic comedy, they'll be disappointed since Adventureland is much more complicated and surprising, both of these things in a good way!
6 Panic Room (2002): 6.8
Not every actress is lucky enough to work with the likes of David Fincher or Jodi Foster early in their career. Stewart had the opportunity in this thrilling drama about a woman and a daughter who face the home invasion of three men. To escape them, they hide in a panic room but the fight is far from over.
Kristen Stewart is still a child in the movie but doesn't disappoint and it's easy to fear for her character Sarah since she needs medication that might just be outside of reach. The movie's atmosphere, as well as strong performances of all actors, make Panic Room a must-watch, especially for fans of thriller dramas.
5 Camp X-Ray (2014): 6.9
Kristen Stewart is no stranger to drama movies, but she appears in war movies less often. As such, Camp X-Ray is an interesting piece that stands out even in Stewart's rich acting portfolio. She stars as Cole, a young soldier who ends up in Guantanamo because of her assignment and befriends one of the prisoners there.
The movie doesn't spare its heroes and isn't afraid to show that being in Guantanamo is no cakewalk for either the prisoners or the guards. Stewart as well as the actors involved all give solid performances and the topic of the movie itself is enough to draw many viewers in.
4 Welcome To The Rileys (2010): 7.0
An interesting idea in a movie is to take two completely different characters and bring them together. Welcome to the Rileys does just that as Doug Riley, played by James Gandolfini, begins helping a young woman Mallory (Stewart) who lost her way.
Anybody who enjoys intelligent dramas with excellent acting performances should give this movie a chance. Initially, the relationship between Doug and Mallory seems strange but the movie doesn't take the direction some viewers might expect and it's captivating to watch.
3 Speak (2004): 7.2
One of Stewart's earliest leading roles and the ultimate proof Hollywood should watch out for her is this independent drama. Kristen Stewart shines as Melinda Sordino, a girl who went through something bad, a serious trauma, and she's now learning how to deal with it after coming back to school.
Playing such a heavy role isn't easy but at only 14 years old, Stewart gives an excellent performance that emphasizes the gravity of the situation Melinda is facing. The movie is a deeply intimate drama that can make the audience think.
2 Still Alice (2014): 7.5
Kristen Stewart manages to draw attention to her performance even when she's not portraying the leading role. The titular Alice, played by Julianne Moore, is a linguistics professor whose life changes when she's diagnosed with an early onset of Alzheimer's Disease.
Stewart shines at Alice's younger, more rebellious daughter who wants to be an actress and clashes with her mother because Alice doesn't take her daughter's dream seriously. Stewart's character Lydia changes in the face of her mother's disease and becomes more sympathetic. But even before that happens, it's easy to understand where she's coming from.
1 Into The Wild (2007): 8.1
Some of the best movies are inspired by true events. And they don't necessarily need to have a happy ending. Into the Wild chronicles the story of a young man who decides to live in wild nature. On his journey, he meets a lot of interesting people.
Emile Hirsch shone in the leading role but Kristen Stewart's brief appearance as Tracy Tatro is still memorable. Stewart's Tracy is a teenage girl who propositions the main hero Chris but he rejects her because she's too young.