Few actresses capture the essence of the “girl next door” ingénue quite like Kirsten Dunst — and few transition so seamlessly between unforgettable movie roles and effortlessly chic red carpet moments. Throughout her career, Dunst’s fashion sense, particularly her love for classic designer heels, has mirrored her evolution from child star to celebrated leading lady.
While many know Kirsten Dunst for iconic roles like Mary Jane Watson in the early 2000s Spider-Man franchise or the eternally youthful Claudia in Interview with the Vampire, her timeless personal style — often featuring Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, and Chanel — has made her a quiet fashion icon in her own right.
Stepping Out in Style: Kirsten Dunst’s Most Memorable Movie Premiere Looks
Throughout her illustrious career, Kirsten Dunst has graced numerous red carpets, captivating audiences with her impeccable fashion choices. Here are some of her most unforgettable movie premiere ensembles:
Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte at the Venice Film Festival
- Event: 73rd Venice International Film Festival
- Outfit: Kirsten Dunst showcased her affinity for Rodarte by donning a delicate chiffon dress, exuding ethereal elegance.
- Footwear: She complemented the look with matching Rodarte heels, completing the ensemble with a touch of sophistication.
- Read more: Kirsten Dunst Represents Rodarte at Venice Film Festival
Kirsten Dunst in Gucci at ‘The Beguiled’ Cannes Photo Call
- Event: 70th Cannes Film Festival
- Outfit: For the photo call of “The Beguiled,” Kirsten wore a whimsical white eyelet dress by Loewe, capturing the essence of summer elegance.
- Footwear: She paired the dress with black Gucci ‘Allie’ sandals, adding a modern twist to the classic look.
- See more: Kirsten Dunst Promotes ‘The Beguiled’ at Cannes in Gucci ‘Allie’ Sandals
Kirsten Dunst in Christian Dior at the 2017 Oscars
- Event: 89th Academy Awards
- Outfit: Kirsten dazzled in a custom black Christian Dior couture gown, embodying timeless Hollywood glamour.
- Footwear: She completed the ensemble with classic Christian Lacroix pumps, adding a refined touch to her red carpet appearance.
- Discover more: Kirsten Dunst’s Dior Gown at the Oscars
Kirsten Dunst in Proenza Schouler at the ‘Upside Down’ Premiere
- Event: ‘Upside Down’ Los Angeles Premiere
- Outfit: The actress opted for a sleek black wool-crepe sleeveless dress from Proenza Schouler’s Fall 2013 collection, showcasing her minimalist chic style.
- Footwear: She paired the dress with bi-color pumps from the same brand, enhancing the modern aesthetic.
- Explore her look: Kirsten Dunst Stuns in Proenza Schouler at ‘Upside Down’ Premiere
Kirsten Dunst in Julie de Libran at the Critics’ Choice Awards
- Event: 27th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards
- Outfit: Kirsten embraced a modest look with a periwinkle gown from Julie de Libran’s Spring 2022 Couture collection, featuring puff sleeves and bejeweled brooches.
- Footwear: She added a touch of sparkle with Roger Vivier Flower Strass Buckle pumps, handcrafted in luxurious silk satin.
- See her ensemble: Kirsten Dunst Turns Heads in Loose Blue Gown and Roger Vivier Heels
Kirsten Dunst was first nominated for an Academy Award at the 94th Annual Academy Awards in 2022 for her role in “The Power of the Dog”. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
Kirsten Dunst stunned at the 94th Oscars on March 27, 2022, wearing a vintage strapless Christian Lacroix gown and matching diamond jewelry (Credit: Mark Von Holden / A.M.P.A.S.)
Today, we’re looking back at Dunst’s most celebrated films — and the unforgettable moments in fashion and footwear that helped shape her public persona both on and off the screen.
Like any acting career, Dunst has had her fair share of great films and ones that have flopped (namely, Kaena: The Prophecy).
Kirsten Dunst: From Child Star to Acclaimed Actress—A Look at Some Memorable Roles
However, we won’t look into Dunst’s feature film flops today. Instead, we will celebrate her successes with a list of some of Kirsten Dunst’s best films.
9. Midnight Special (2016): Kirsten Dunst Shines in a Riveting Sci-Fi Thriller
Midnight Special is one of Kirsten Dunst’s more recent films. The actress was 34 at the time of the film’s release.
Kirsten Dunst as Sarah Tomlin in the 2016 American science fiction film Midnight Special (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Though Midnight Special did not receive any awards from the Academy or the Golden Globes, the high-stakes sci-fi film garnered generally positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.
To explore how her role in this film compares to her other performances, check out our analysis of her transformation in “Midnight Special” and its impact on her career.
For a look at her striking fashion choices during the film’s promotional events, don’t miss our coverage of Kirsten Dunst’s chic appearances at the 2016 Berlin Film Festival. Additionally, we delve into how her childhood roles shaped her career trajectory in our feature on Kirsten Dunst’s early breakout in Jumanji.
8. Wag the Dog (1997): Kirsten Dunst’s Witty Turn in a Political Comedy Classic
Barry Levinson directed Wag the Dog, a political satire and black comedy best known for its accidental future predictions, reminiscent of The Simpsons.
Dustin Hoffman as Stanley Motss and Kirsten Dunst as Tracy Lime in the 1997 American political satire black comedy film Wag the Dog (Credit: New Line Cinema)
Only 15 at Wag the Dog’s release, Kirsten Dunst plays Tracy Lime, a young actress hired to play an Albanian refugee. Dunst shows off her funny bone in this role, showing moviegoers that she had perfect comedic timing, even as a teenager.
7. Anastasia (1997): Kirsten Dunst Brings Life to a ’90s Animated Favorite
One of the only animated films (and the only musical) on the list of Kirsten Dunst’s best movies, Don Bluth and Gary Goldman’s 1997 film, Anastasia, captured the hearts of ’90s kids everywhere.
Kirsten Dunst provided the speaking voice for young Anastasia in the 1997 American animated musical drama film Anastasia (Credit: Fox Family Films)
Kirsten Dunst, who was fifteen at the time of the film’s release, provides the voice for Young Anastasia, while Meg Ryan voices the character as an adult.
6. Spider-Man (2002): Redefining the Superhero Genre with Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane
Kirsten Dunst helped redefine the superhero genre with her portrayal of Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man (2002), a role that remains one of her most iconic.
Kirsten Dunst became famous for her role as Mary Jane Watson in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man (2002) and its sequels Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man 3 (2007) (Credit: WENN / Columbia Pictures)
According to an interview with Reuters, Dunst didn’t decide to audition for Spider-Man until she discovered that Tobey Maguire had been cast.
She admired his work in Wonder Boys and Cider House Rules, and thought that his presence would be more like an “independent film”. We’re so glad Dunst decided to audition, and so are critics.
5. Little Women (1994): Kirsten Dunst Captures Amy March’s Spirit in This Beloved Adaptation
Just three years after her initial film debut, Kirsten Dunst appeared in Gillian Armstrong’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women.
Kirsten Dunst as Amy March in the 1994 American coming-of-age historical drama film Little Women (Credit: Columbia Pictures)
Dunst’s portrayal of Amy March was remarkable considering the actress was only twelve years old at the time of release, as she was every bit as headstrong, quick-witted, and charming as viewers expected Amy to be.
Though Florence Pugh’s version of Amy March in the most recent adaptation of Little Women is one of our favorites, Dunst’s portrayal of the character adds a certain element of innocence and sass that is hard to replicate.
4. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): A Thought-Provoking Love Story with a Twist
This cult classic film has been a repeat favorite for romance lovers and film geeks everywhere. Set in a world not too unlike our own, two lovers (Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet) have their memories erased after a difficult breakup to forget about one another and move on.
Kirsten Dunst as Lacuna receptionist Mary Svevo in the 2004 American science fiction romantic comedy-drama film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Credit: Focus Features)
Though Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet may be the first performers that come to mind when thinking about Michael Gondry’s 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Kirsten Dunst has a memorable and important role as Lacuna employee Mary Svevo.
3. Spider-Man 2 (2004): A Bigger, Better Sequel with Iconic Performances
2004 was a good year for Kirsten Dunst, as the then 22-year-old actress was featured in three films released that year: Spider-Man 2, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Wimbledon (a film not featured on this list).
Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson and Daniel Gillies as John Jameson in the 2004 American superhero film Spider-Man 2 (Credit: Columbia Pictures)
Producers suspected that Spider-Man 2 would be a hit, and two spinoff video games — a console version geared to older players and a kid-friendly PC version — were produced. Kirsten Dunst reprises her role as the voice of Mary Jane Watson in both.
2. Hidden Figures (2016): Kirsten Dunst Tackles a Complex Role in a Groundbreaking Drama
Every white A-list actress has played a racist at least once, and Kirsten Dunst plays her racist-turned-reformed in Theodore Melfi’s Hidden Figures.
Hidden Figures actresses Kirsten Dunst, Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson, and Janelle Monáe celebrate their Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Expo Hall on January 29, 2017, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
The film stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe as characters who struggle with racism and segregation in the workplace. Kirsten Dunst has a supporting role as a racist supervisor at NASA.
Unsurprisingly, viewers were taken by the cast’s tour de force performances and the gripping story, which was topical for modern audiences. Hidden Figures was nominated for three Academy Awards, including the Award for Best Picture.
1. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1997): Studio Ghibli’s Enchanting Tale Featuring Kirsten Dunst
While the placement of Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service, initially released in 1989 and later dubbed with Kirsten Dunst’s voice in 1997, might be surprising to some (not to us, though), the film has earned the number one spot on the list of Kirsten Dunst’s best movies.
Dunst, who was 15 at the time, serves as the voice of the titular character, Kiki.
Kirsten Dunst voices a young witch, Kiki, who moves to a new town in the 1989 Japanese animated film Kiki’s Delivery Service (Credit: Toei Company)
Kirsten Dunst’s performance as the voice of Kiki is genuinely outstanding. Still, the rating of Kiki’s Delivery Service can mainly be attributed to director Hayao Miyazaki and his production company, Studio Ghibli.
At the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, 2024, Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons coordinated in classic black-and-white elegance at the Dolby Theatre, with Dunst stunning in a minimalist white Gucci gown and Plemons looking sharp in a timeless black tuxedo (Credit: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S.)
Whether on the red carpet or attending press events, Dunst’s fashion choices reflect her unique blend of elegance and individuality.
One such instance was during the promotional tour for Midnight Special, where she showcased her impeccable style in a striking lime green dress paired with chic Manolo Blahnik sandals.
Kirsten Dunst Wears Lime Green Dress and Manolo Blahnik Sandals to Promote Midnight Special
Kirsten Dunst’s natural beauty shines through as she opts for a minimal makeup look during a panel discussion: “Apple Store Presents Meet the Filmmaker: ‘Midnight Special'” on March 7, 2016, at the SoHo Apple Store in New York City (Credit: WENN)
In March 2016, Kirsten Dunst was busy promoting her American science fiction film Midnight Special. The then-33-year-old actress arrived at the Apple Store in Soho for a panel discussion of the sci-fi movie.
Kirsten looked ready for spring in a lime-green-and-black dress.
Kirsten Dunst wears a lime-green-and-black dress during an Apple Store event (Credit: WENN)
The patterned dress featured ruffled, detailed quarter sleeves and a cinched waist, highlighting her figure. She skipped the jewelry and accessorized with only a pair of black “Lauratopri” sandals by Manolo Blahnik.
Kirsten Dunst radiates in a lime-green patterned dress paired with chic black ankle-strap sandals during her appearance at an Apple Store event to promote Midnight Special (Credit: WENN)
Known for her crooked smile, the popular actress sported minimal makeup and wore her blonde tresses down, tucked behind her ears, and parted on the side.
Kirsten Dunst elegantly showcases her feet in stylish black ankle-strap sandals (Credit: WENN)
Kirsten Dunst Impresses in Tweed Dress at AOL Build Interview
The next day, Kirsten was spotted wearing the same heels while leaving her hotel in New York City for an interview at AOL Build.
Kirsten Dunst exudes sophisticated charm in a tweed dress paired with chic black ankle-strap sandals, completing her polished look with sunglasses during her AOL Build interview on March 8, 2016, in New York City (Credit: WENN)
She teamed the Manolo Blahnik sandals with a tweed dress, a midnight blue chiffon blouse detail, and a leather belt. The Fargo actress kept her accessories simple with sunglasses and a Louis Vuitton “Vivienne” bag over her shoulder.
Kirsten Dunst steps out in stylish black ankle-strap sandals (Credit: WENN)
The “Lauratopri” sandals from the popular Spanish shoe designer are black suede and feature open toes, wide toe bands, buckled ankle straps, and about four-inch heels.
You can order these sandals in many different versions at Nordstrom and Farfetch.
Manolo Blahnik “Lauratopri” Ankle-Strap Sandals, $745