Plenty of Hollywood greats have been on the scene for years, like Meryl Streep or Robert De Niro. However, some of the industry’s best and brightest talent comes from the young stars who lead the silver screen today. They prove that age is no barrier to excelling at your craft as they build their careers, consistently put out impressive performances, and grow their Star power as a result.
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Florence Pugh
Warner Bros. PicturesSince her breakthrough performance in Lady Macbeth, Florence Pugh has established herself as one of the industry’s most versatile and reliable young actors. From intense dramatic performances in Midsommar and Don’t Worry Darling to blockbusters like Black Widow and the upcoming Dune sequel, Pugh is a chameleon who can nail any genre. She received her first Oscar nomination at age 24 for Little Women, and we can guarantee it won’t be her last.
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Jenna Ortega
NetflixNetflix series Wednesday became an unexpected pop culture hit, and as a result, so did its titular star, Jenna Ortega. While Ortega perfectly embodies the dark and offbeat nature of the character, she began acting long before and started on the Disney Channel. Over the past few years, Ortega has cemented herself as Gen Z’s scream queen, starring in Ti West’s X and the new Scream films. To add to her spooky repertoire, she will also star in the upcoming Beetlejuice sequel.
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Austin Butler
Warner Bros. PicturesAustin Butler got his start on various Nickelodeon and Disney television shows, like many others. Later in his twenties, Butler nabbed impressive supportive roles in films like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood . However, it was his turn as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic that made him a star. Nominated for an Oscar for his show-stopping and moving performance, the actor’s career is only set to get bigger as he plays the villain in the highly anticipated Dune sequel.
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Zendaya
HBOThe multi-talented Zendaya is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars at just 26 years old. Initially starting on the Disney Channel, Zendaya rose to mainstream prominence with roles in the new Spider-Man trilogy and The Greatest Showman. It was her gritty and mature performance as a drug addict in HBO’s Euphoria that led her to critical acclaim and two Emmy wins. With films set to release this year from directors Denis Villeneuve and Luca Guadigino, Zendaya continues to push her career to new heights.
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Timothée Chalamet
Warner Bros. Pictures, LegendaryTimothée Chalamet may be a Hollywood heartthrob, but there’s a reason he’s being cast in some of the biggest films and working with the biggest directors. Chalamet first made waves with his vulnerable performance in Call Me By Your Name, which earned him an Oscar nomination. Since then, he has built up an incredible filmography, compiled of arthouse films and blockbusters, and continues to win and be nominated for many awards due to his raw talent.
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Storm Reid
Sony PicturesAt just 19 years old, Storm Reid has almost 30 acting credits to her name. From supporting roles in acclaimed TV shows like Euphoria, When They See Us, and The Last of Us to appearances in films like The Invisible Man and The Suicidė Squad, Reid has covered an impressive amount of ground. Most recently, the actress further pushed her dramatic chops in the lead role of tech-set thriller Missing, proving that she’s got what it takes to headline more films.
Barry Keoghan
Marvel Studios, DisneyBarry Keoghan first made waves in 2017 for two very different roles, the first as a gentle young man in Dunkirk and the second as a psychopathic teenager in The Killing of the Sacred Deer. Since then, Keoghan has continued to star in independent films and blockbusters from the likes of Marvel and DC. The actor received his first Oscar nomination for his devastating performance in The Banshees of Inisherin , holding his own against veterans like Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.
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Anya Taylor-Joy
Searchlight PicturesUnique and commanding, viewers haven’t been able to take their eyes off of Anya Taylor-Joy since her breakout role in 2015’s The Witch. She’s truly one of those actors that has something so singular about them and is the highlight of any project she’s part of. In a career full of incredible roles ranging from horror final girls to Princess Peach herself, Taylor-Joy’s most notable role to date is her award-winning performance in The Queen’s Gambit, which cemented her as a force to be reckoned with.
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Millie Bobby Brown
NetflixOf all the young actors working right now, no one’s face has been printed onto merchandise quite as much as Millie Bobby Brown’s. The actress found worldwide fame after playing Eleven in Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things. The iconic role has given Brown the chance to showcase her dramatic range, and as a result, the actress has earned some fun roles in the Enola Holmes and Godzilla films. With Brown being so young, she still has so much more to offer as her career grows.
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Tom Holland
Sony Pictures EntertainmentAs cinema’s current Spider-Man, Tom Holland’s profile has skyrocketed since slipping into the super suit. However, the British actor has exhibited his range and talent far beyond Peter Parker. Alongside maintaining his action movie star status with films like Uncharted, Holland also has an impressive number of dramatic roles under his belt, including The Devil All the Time and Cherry. His gritty streak continues with the upcoming crime series The Crowded Room.
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Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Searchlight PicturesKelvin Harrison Jr. initially garnered attention with a string of standout performances in independent films such as Waves, It Comes At Night, and Luce. Since then, Harrison Jr. has played several historical figures in The Trial of the Chicago 7, Elvis and Chevalier, the latter for which he has received unanimous praise. The actor is only set to become more prominent to mainstream audiences and will voice Scar in a prequel to 2019’s The Lion King.
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Bella Ramsey
HBOBella Ramsey first burst onto our screens as the fierce and headstrong Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones. Thanks to their small but scene-stealing impact, they booked more film and television roles, but the actor’s real breakout came from starring in HBO’s post-apocalyptic series The Last Of Us. Based on the hit video game, the series stars Ramsey as the lead character Ellie, whose powerful and charismatic performance proves that this is just the beginning for them.
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Letitia Wright
Marvel Studios, DisneyAs the new Black Panther herself, Letitia Wright has taken Hollywood by storm. First rising to fame after her performance as Shuri in the first Black Panther, Wright had a much larger role in the sequel and could carry the film effortlessly. Along with her Marvel work, the actress continues to star in independent films like The Silent Twins and has received awards acclaim for her work in drama and limited series such as Black Mirror and Small Axe.
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Rachel Zegler
20th Century Studios, Amblin EntertainmentRachel Zegler was just 17 years old when she was chosen from an open casting call by Steven Spielberg to play the role of Maria in the West Side Story remake. Thanks to her performance which showcased both her acting abilities and vocals, Zegler has since been cast in several blockbusters. She played the goddess Anthea in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, is the female lead in the Hunger Games prequel, and will star as Snow White in Disney’s live-action remake.
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