Frock Flicks Guide to Costume Designer Joanna Johnston – Frock Flicks

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Costume designer Joanna Johnston has been the creative force behind an absurdly high number of my favorite films from my childhood, but she’s also continued a noteworthy career into the 21st century! So today, let’s take a look at her historical films!

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) — You might not think of Who Framed Roger Rabbit as a frock flick, but there’s actually a pretty high number of really good 1940s outfits intermixed between the cartoon shenanigans!

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Anthony Powell, Indiana Jones and the LastCrusade (1989) — Co-designed with Anthony Powell. My favorite of all the Indiana films, and I will, in fact, die on that hill.

Back to the Future Part III (1990)

Back to the Future Part III (1990) — Not my favorite of the Back to the Future offerings, but I can’t deny that the 1880s costumes in this film are stellar.

Far and Away (1992)

Far and Away (1992) — I remember being kind of obsessed with this film when I was a young teen, but I have forgotten a large part of it — however, Nicole Kidman looks great in just about anything and I loved her curly-hair era best.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Forrest Gump (1994) — Who can forget Sally Field as Forrest Gump’s mother? Her 1940s prim and proper frocks were offset by the things she was willing to do to get others to treat Forrest like a human being.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Saving Private Ryan (1998) — War is hell! And this film pretty much is all about that. No real frocks to be seen, just a lot of tattered uniforms. But they’re well done!

Valkyrie (2008)

2008 Valkyrie — The aesthetics in this film are fabulous. I love the jewel tone palette (all of my favorite colors), but the accessories are all on point.

War Horse (2011)

War Horse (2011) — I wasn’t really interested in this film until I started looking at the movie stills. The costumes are pretty spectacularly made. Look at the details on their cuffs!

Lincoln (2012)

Lincoln (2012) — One of us should get around to writing about this film at some point, if only because Sally Field’s outfits are worth every inch of screen time they’re given.

Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)

Jack the Giant Slayer (2013) — C’mon, you know why I included this photo on this list. Wimples are my weakness! Even though the film is very much a fantasy with fantasy costuming tropes galore, the extras are costumed beautifully as medieval peasants.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015) — This film is a visual feast for the eyes if you’re at all into mid-1960s haute couture.

The BFG (2016)

The BFG (2016) — Another largely fantasy film, based on Roald Dahl’s book. But it’s set in the 1940s and so it goes on this list.

Allied (2016)

Allied (2016) — Every costume I’ve seen out of this film is beautifully tailored and styled.

The Witches (2020)

The Witches (2020) — I haven’t seen this adaptation yet (the 1990s version was what I grew up with) but it’s yet another 1960s film that looks like it has wonderful, if not fanciful, costumes.

Pinocchio (2022)

Pinocchio (2022) — Yet another live action remake of a classic Disney cartoon that no one asked for, but I’ll throw it in here because it technically counts as a frock flick.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) — I could have SWORN I wrote a post about this film. Like, I can picture it clearly in my head! But alas, I apparently hallucinated it! This installment of the Indiana Jones franchise is set in the Swinging Sixties, but Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s outfits have more of a bohemian flare to them.

What film with costumes by Joanna Johnston is your favorite? Share it with us in the comments!

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Tags: 1860s 1870s 1880s 1890s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s adapted from books Allied (2016) Back to the Future III (1990) Far and Away (1992) inspired by a true story Joanna Johnston Lincoln (2012) men in uniform playing fast & loose with history Valkyrie (2008) Victorian War Horse (2011) World War II

1 thought on “Frock Flicks Guide to Costume Designer Joanna Johnston”

Erin H. says:

May 22, 2026 at 6:37 am

Roger Rabbit is one of those movies that really piqued my attention with its costumes, even as a kid, so excellent job there. I haven’t seen most of the war movies or fantastical movies here, but I really liked Lincoln too. I need to rewatch it.

And I didn’t like The BFG at all, but I loved Penelope Wilton as the Queen, she looked great.

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