5 Zendaya Movies You Probably Didn't Know She Starred or Featured In

When people think of Zendaya, most immediately recall her as the stylish, sharp-tongued MJ in Marvel’s Spider-Man trilogy, or the Emmy-winning Rue from Euphoria. But Zendaya’s filmography stretches further than her headline roles. Before and in between her big-name appearances, she's taken on smaller roles, voice work, and indie projects that may have flown under your radar.

Here are 5 Zendaya movies you probably didn’t know she starred or featured in:

1. Smallfoot (2018) – Voice of Meechee

Before the meme made her “Meechee” famous on TikTok, Zendaya voiced the character Meechee in this animated musical comedy. Smallfoot tells the story of a group of yetis discovering the existence of humans, flipping the Bigfoot legend on its head. Zendaya’s character is curious, kind, and plays a major role in challenging the village’s belief system—proof that her presence resonates even in animated form.

2. Frenemies (2012) – Halley Brandon

One of her earlier Disney Channel Original Movies, Frenemies features Zendaya in a dual storyline about friendship and betrayal. Playing Halley Brandon, a tech-savvy teen running a web magazine, Zendaya shares the screen with Shake It Up co-star Bella Thorne. While it may not have had mainstream appeal, it showed early on that Zendaya could carry a narrative with charm and charisma.

3. Zapped (2014) – Zoey Stevens

In this lesser-known Disney Channel feature, Zendaya plays Zoey, a high schooler who gains the ability to control boys with a smartphone app after a tech glitch. It’s goofy, light-hearted, and wildly unrealistic—but it’s a Disney staple that gave Zendaya more screen time as a leading actress long before Hollywood took full notice.

4. Duck Duck Goose (2018) – Voice of Chi

This animated film didn’t get major U.S. attention, but Zendaya lent her voice to Chi, one of the orphaned ducklings taken under the wing (literally) of an irresponsible goose named Peng. It’s a family-friendly international co-production that further proves Zendaya’s versatility and appeal to audiences of all ages—even in projects that flew under the radar.

5. The Greatest Showman (2017) – Anne Wheeler

While you probably know The Greatest Showman as a Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron vehicle, many forget just how pivotal Zendaya’s role was. As Anne Wheeler, a trapeze artist who performs gravity-defying stunts while defying social boundaries, Zendaya delivers one of the film’s most powerful and graceful performances—both emotionally and physically. Her chemistry with Zac Efron in “Rewrite the Stars” is unforgettable, yet surprisingly under-credited in the film’s long-term success.

Zendaya’s filmography is filled with surprises—hidden gems, voice roles, and early projects that laid the foundation for her superstar status. Whether she’s swinging from a trapeze or leading a Disney original, Zendaya brings depth, confidence, and magnetism to every role she touches.