Best Actresses Under 25

There’s a huge wave of young talent redefining film and TV right now, and many of these actresses already have standout roles across hit series, indies, and big franchises. Below is a curated look at who’s working, what they’ve done, and where you’ve likely seen them. You’ll find leads from streaming breakouts, scene stealers from major blockbusters, and fast-rising performers carrying acclaimed dramas. Each entry highlights credits and milestones to help you track their work and discover what to watch next.

Jenna Ortega

Ortega leads Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ and previously appeared in ‘You’, ‘Scream’, and ‘The Fallout’. She began in Disney projects before moving into darker roles and genre hits. She has hosted major award shows and frequently serves as a producer on select projects. Her bilingual background has also led to roles in both English and Spanish-language productions.

Millie Bobby Brown

Brown broke out as Eleven in ‘Stranger Things’ and has starred in ‘Enola Holmes’ and Legendary’s Monsterverse entries. She launched a production company that develops features and series with her in lead roles. She has published a novel tie-in and fronted global brand campaigns. Her film slate includes action and fantasy titles alongside continuing franchise work.

Bella Ramsey

Ramsey earned wide recognition for ‘The Last of Us’ and first drew notice in ‘Game of Thrones’. They have led family films and voiced characters in animated projects. Stage credits and radio dramas round out their work beyond screen roles. Ramsey is also involved in audiobook narration and charity initiatives.

Sadie Sink

Sink is known for ‘Stranger Things’ and appeared in ‘The Whale’ and ‘Fear Street’. She began on Broadway in ‘Annie’ before moving to TV and film. Music video appearances expanded her profile between seasons of her series. She continues to balance independent dramas with genre projects.

Emma Myers

Myers co-stars in ‘Wednesday’ and appeared in ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’. Earlier roles include family films and TV guest spots. She trains in combat and physical performance for action scenes. International press tours have helped grow her audience across Europe and Latin America.

Freya Allan

Allan is a lead in ‘The Witcher’ and has starred in science-fiction and thriller features. She trained at arts academies in the UK and worked in shorts before landing series roles. Period dramas and action titles both feature in her credits. She regularly appears at European festivals promoting new releases.

Rachel Zegler

Zegler debuted on screen with ‘West Side Story’ and went on to lead ‘The Hunger Games’ prequel and ‘Shazam!’. She began by posting vocal performances online that led to open auditions. Musical training supports her crossover work in stage and film. She records cast albums and participates in soundtrack projects.

Isabela Merced

Merced has starred in ‘Dora and the Lost City of Gold’, ‘Instant Family’, and ‘Rosaline’. She records Spanish and English music and performs original songs for soundtracks. Action and romantic comedy roles show her range across genres. She frequently collaborates with major studios on franchise titles.

Angourie Rice

Rice appeared in ‘Spider-Man’ films, led ‘Mare of Easttown’ scenes, and starred in ‘Honor Society’ and ‘The Nice Guys’. She started in Australian productions before moving to Hollywood projects. Audiobook narration and podcasts feature her voice work. She continues to alternate between teen leads and adult ensemble dramas.

Iman Vellani

Vellani headlines ‘Ms. Marvel’ and appears in related Marvel films. She is also a comics writer with credited issues in the same universe. Festival shorts preceded her studio debut. She actively engages with fan communities through convention panels.

Xochitl Gomez

Gomez starred in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ and earlier led ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’. She trains in martial arts that inform her stunt work. Bilingual interviews and outreach have expanded her presence in Latin America. She supports youth arts programs through appearances and workshops.

Mckenna Grace

Grace has led ‘Ghostbusters’ installments and starred in ‘Gifted’, ‘I, Tonya’, and ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. She writes and releases original music and has earned award nominations for acting and songwriting. She often plays younger versions of lead characters in major films. Voice acting includes roles in animated features and series.

Storm Reid

Reid’s credits include ‘Euphoria’, ‘A Wrinkle in Time’, and ‘Missing’. She founded a production company focusing on youth-driven stories. She studies at a major university while working on film and TV. Advocacy and hosting duties complement her on-screen roles.

Marsai Martin

Martin starred in ‘Black-ish’ and led ‘Little’, becoming one of the youngest executive producers on a studio film. She runs a production banner developing family and coming-of-age projects. Brand partnerships and voice roles broaden her portfolio. She has collected multiple NAACP Image Awards for her work.

Sophia Lillis

Lillis is known for ‘It’, ‘Sharp Objects’, and ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’. Indie dramas and festival titles sit alongside high-profile genre films. She trained in New York theater programs before her breakout. Photography and visual arts projects appear in her off-screen work.

Auli’i Cravalho

Cravalho voiced the title role in ‘Moana’ and starred in ‘Rise’ and ‘The Power’. She performs live with orchestras for concert versions of animated scores. Stage appearances include regional and Broadway-adjacent productions. She supports Pacific Islander representation through advocacy and events.

Lola Tung

Tung leads ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ and participates in its music-driven marketing. She studies acting while filming the series. Brand ambassadorships and fashion week appearances have followed her success. She engages in book club events connected to the show’s source material.

Elsie Fisher

Fisher earned acclaim for ‘Eighth Grade’ and went on to roles in ‘Castle Rock’ and ‘My Best Friend’s Exorcism’. Voice credits include ‘Despicable Me’ films. They perform in indie features and festival shorts. Writing and podcast appearances broaden their creative output.

Olivia Rodrigo

Rodrigo starred in ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ before focusing on a chart-topping music career. She has contributed songs to her show’s soundtrack and special performances. Acting credits also include Disney Channel appearances. She continues to balance recording schedules with selective screen projects.

Dafne Keen

Keen broke out in ‘Logan’ and led ‘His Dark Materials’. She performs in English and Spanish and has stage experience. Action training supports her stunt-heavy roles. International press tours have built strong followings in Europe and the Americas.

Millicent Simmonds

Simmonds starred in ‘A Quiet Place’ films and advocates for authentic Deaf representation. She uses American Sign Language on set and works with interpreters and accessibility teams. Her roles have influenced captioning and inclusivity practices in productions. She mentors young Deaf actors through workshops.

Ever Anderson

Anderson portrayed young Natasha in ‘Black Widow’ and led ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’. Modeling and fashion editorials preceded her film roles. She studies multiple languages and performs stunts appropriate to her age. She continues to book fantasy and adventure projects.

Ariana Greenblatt

Greenblatt appeared in ‘Barbie’, ‘65’, and ‘Avengers: Infinity War’. She started on family television before landing action and comedy films. Dance training contributes to her movement work on set. Voice roles include animated features and specials.

Raffey Cassidy

Cassidy’s credits include ‘Vox Lux’, ‘Tomorrowland’, and ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’. She began as a child actor in UK productions. Festival appearances at Venice and Cannes have featured her films. She often gravitates to auteur-driven projects with challenging material.

Cailey Fleming

Fleming is known for ‘The Walking Dead’, ‘Star Wars’ appearances, and family comedies. She began acting at a young age with commercial work. Conventions and fan events form a significant part of her public schedule. She balances school with location shoots.

Peyton Elizabeth Lee

Lee leads ‘Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.’ and previously starred in ‘Andi Mack’. She studies performing arts alongside active filming. Guest roles across Disney series widened her audience. She participates in charity telethons and youth mentorship programs.

Lexi Underwood

Underwood co-starred in ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ and has since led social drama features. She records music and performs on stage. Producing credits include projects centered on contemporary issues. She collaborates with nonprofits on voter and youth engagement.

Alisha Weir

Weir led ‘Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical’ and has appeared in horror and drama films. She trained in singing and dancing for stage and screen. Irish television and theater credits preceded her international debut. She continues to audition for musical and thriller roles.

Julia Butters

Butters drew attention in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ and went on to star in family and drama films. She started in network comedies before moving to features. Festival juries and filmmaker labs have highlighted her performances. She maintains a steady mix of TV guest roles and movies.

Madeleine McGraw

McGraw is known for ‘The Black Phone’ and recurring roles in family series. Voice credits include animated shows and games. She frequently works alongside her sister in separate projects. Commercials and print work marked her early career.

Violet McGraw

McGraw appeared in ‘M3GAN’ and has credits in streaming thrillers and family films. She began in advertisements before landing recurring TV roles. Dance and gymnastics inform her on-camera movement. She attends fan conventions with co-stars from her franchises.

Kyliegh Curran

Curran starred in ‘Doctor Sleep’ and has led mystery series for streaming platforms. She trained at performing arts schools and regional theaters. She participates in literacy campaigns and school visits. Her résumé includes dramatic features and family adventure titles.

Momona Tamada

Tamada appeared in ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’, ‘Secret Headquarters’, and ‘The Boys’. She has a background in competitive dance. She often films in Canada and the United States. Brand partnerships center on fashion and lifestyle for young audiences.

Trinity Bliss

Bliss plays a key member of the family ensemble in ‘Avatar’ sequels and performs original music. She began with TV guest roles and voice parts. Motion-capture work features heavily in her recent credits. She balances film production with schooling on set.

Abby Ryder Fortson

Fortson led ‘Are You There God It’s Me, Margaret’ and earlier appeared in superhero and comedy films. She started with commercials and recurring TV roles. Audiobook narration and stage readings showcase her voice work. She continues to choose literary adaptations and family dramas.

Park Ji-hu

Park led ‘All of Us Are Dead’ and starred in indie dramas from Korea’s festival circuit. She won newcomer prizes at major Asian film awards. She appears in both streaming series and theatrical releases. Fashion editorials and brand events accompany her screen work.

Roh Jeong-eui

Roh is known for ‘Our Beloved Summer’ and ‘Badland Hunters’ and began as a child actress. She has hosted variety segments and music shows. Film roles range from melodrama to action. She maintains a strong presence in Korean advertising campaigns.

Teagan Croft

Croft starred in ‘Titans’ and led survival and biographical dramas from Australia. She began in local theater before moving to international TV. She participates in ocean conservation initiatives linked to her film subjects. Voice and short-form projects round out her credits.

Alyla Browne

Browne portrayed younger versions of lead characters in ‘Furiosa’ and appeared in Australian features and series. She trains in dialects and stunt basics suitable for youth performers. Casting directors frequently book her for period and action projects. Schooling is coordinated with productions across Australia and the United States.

Share your picks for who else belongs on this list in the comments!