The Absolute Best Young Actors of the Past 15 Years Ranked

The film and television industry has seen a massive influx of talent over the last decade and a half, with young actors frequently taking the lead in major franchises and critical darlings. This selection highlights performers who have demonstrated significant range across independent films, streaming series, and global blockbusters. These individuals represent the future of Hollywood, having earned prestigious awards and established massive fanbases through their dedication to the craft.

Jude Hill

Jude Hill gained international recognition for his breakout role in the semi-autobiographical film ‘Belfast’. He portrayed Buddy, a young boy navigating life during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. For his performance, he received a Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer. Since then, he has appeared in projects such as ‘A Haunting in Venice’ alongside Kenneth Branagh. His early career success has established him as a significant young talent in contemporary cinema.

Woody Norman

Woody Norman is an English actor known for his widely praised performance in the 2021 drama ‘C’mon C’mon’. He starred opposite Joaquin Phoenix, playing a young boy who bonds with his uncle during a cross-country trip. Norman received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for this performance. He also appeared in the horror film ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’ and the television series ‘The War of the Worlds’. His work is frequently noted for its naturalism and emotional depth.

Lonnie Chavis

Lonnie Chavis is best known for portraying the young version of Randall Pearson in the hit series ‘This Is Us’. His performance on the show earned him multiple Screen Actors Guild Award nominations as part of the ensemble cast. Beyond television, he took a lead role in the thriller ‘The Water Man’, which was directed by David Oyelowo. He has also made appearances in projects like ‘Magic Camp’ and ‘The 11th Hour’. Chavis continues to be a prominent figure in young Hollywood through his acting and public appearances.

Miles Brown

Miles Brown gained fame for his role as Jack Johnson in the long-running sitcom ‘black-ish’. He starred in the series for eight seasons, earning several NAACP Image Award nominations for his work. In addition to his television success, Brown is a skilled dancer and has appeared on ‘Dancing with the Stars: Juniors’. He provided voice work for the series ‘Arcane’ and appeared in the film ‘Boy Genius’. His career spans across music, dance, and traditional television acting.

Alan Kim

Alan Kim made a significant impact with his film debut in the 2020 drama ‘Minari’. He played David Yi, a young boy moving with his Korean-American family to a farm in Arkansas. Kim won the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer and became one of the youngest BAFTA nominees in history. Following this success, he appeared in the film ‘IF’ and the series ‘Theater Camp’. He is also set to appear in the upcoming project ‘Latchkey Kids’.

Roman Griffin Davis

Roman Griffin Davis is an English actor who rose to fame as the lead in the 2019 film ‘Jojo Rabbit’. His performance as Jojo Betzler earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. He subsequently starred in the dark comedy ‘Silent Night’ alongside Keira Knightley. Davis has been recognized with a Critics’ Choice Award for his breakout work. He continues to select unique roles in independent and international productions.

Mason Thames

Mason Thames reached a wide audience with his starring role in the 2021 horror hit ‘The Black Phone’. He played Finney Shaw, a resourceful teenager who must escape a masked kidnapper. Thames also appeared in the series ‘Walker’ as a younger version of the titular character. He was recently cast as Hiccup in the upcoming live-action adaptation of ‘How to Train Your Dragon’. His recent work demonstrates his ability to lead major studio genre films.

Javon Walton

Javon Walton is widely known for his role as Ashtray in the HBO drama series ‘Euphoria’. He transitioned from a professional boxing and gymnastics background into acting, bringing a physical presence to his roles. Walton has also appeared in the superhero film ‘Samaritan’ alongside Sylvester Stallone. He voiced the character Pugsley Addams in ‘The Addams Family 2’. Additionally, he played a key role in the third season of ‘The Umbrella Academy’.

Iain Armitage

Iain Armitage gained widespread recognition as the lead in the ‘The Big Bang Theory’ spin-off, ‘Young Sheldon’. He portrayed the childhood version of Sheldon Cooper for seven seasons on CBS. Before his sitcom success, he appeared in the HBO series ‘Big Little Lies’ as Ziggy Chapman. Armitage has also contributed his voice to films like ‘PAW Patrol: The Movie’ and ‘Scoob!’. He is frequently cited for his early start as a theater critic on social media.

Jack Champion

Jack Champion is best known for his role as Spider in the blockbuster ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’. He spent several years filming the sequels to the original ‘Avatar’ film. Champion also appeared in the horror sequel ‘Scream VI’ as Ethan Landry. His filmography includes an appearance in ‘Avengers: Endgame’. He continues to work on the upcoming ‘Avatar’ installments while pursuing other film projects.

Walker Scobell

Walker Scobell made his professional acting debut in the Netflix film ‘The Adam Project’. He played the younger version of Ryan Reynolds’ character, receiving praise for his comedic timing. Scobell was later cast as the lead character, Percy Jackson, in the Disney+ series ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’. He also starred in the action-comedy ‘Secret Headquarters’ with Owen Wilson. His rapid ascent is linked to his leading roles in high-profile streaming content.

Percy Hynes White

Percy Hynes White is a Canadian actor who gained international fame for his role as Xavier Thorpe in ‘Wednesday’. He previously starred in the Marvel-themed series ‘The Gifted’ as Andy Strucker. White has appeared in several independent films, including ‘Edge of Winter’ and ‘Our House’. He began his career with roles in ‘Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb’ and ‘Between’. He remains a recurring figure in supernatural and young adult television dramas.

Fred Hechinger

Fred Hechinger has become a prominent character actor through roles in ‘The White Lotus’ and ‘The Pale Blue Eye’. He appeared in the ‘Fear Street’ trilogy on Netflix, playing multiple characters across different timelines. Hechinger also took part in the biographical series ‘Pam & Tommy’ and the film ‘News of the World’. He is slated to appear in the high-profile sequel ‘Gladiator II’. His diverse filmography showcases a range between intense drama and dark comedy.

Chosen Jacobs

Chosen Jacobs is recognized for playing Mike Hanlon in the 2017 film adaptation of ‘It’ and its sequel. He also starred in the Disney+ musical ‘Sneakerella’, where he played the lead role of El. Jacobs was a series regular in the ‘Hawaii Five-0’ reboot and appeared in the series ‘Castle Rock’. He is a singer and songwriter, often contributing to the soundtracks of his projects. His career balances major horror franchises with musical theater-inspired roles.

Wyatt Oleff

Wyatt Oleff gained fame for his role as Stanley Uris in the ‘It’ film franchise. He also played the young Peter Quill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’. Oleff starred in the Netflix series ‘I Am Not Okay with This’ as Stanley Barber. He recently appeared in the Apple TV+ series ‘City on Fire’. His work often centers on coming-of-age stories and genre-bending television.

Jacob Bertrand

Jacob Bertrand is widely known for his role as Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz in the Netflix series ‘Cobra Kai’. He began his career as a child actor in ‘Kirby Buckets’ and the movie ‘The Swap’. Bertrand has also provided voice work for animated series like ‘Bubble Guppies’ and ‘Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’. In ‘Cobra Kai’, his character’s physical and emotional transformation became a central plot point. He continues to be a main cast member of the successful ‘Karate Kid’ spin-off.

Tanner Buchanan

Tanner Buchanan stars as Robby Keene in the hit series ‘Cobra Kai’. Prior to this, he had a recurring role in ‘Designated Survivor’ as Leo Kirkman. He also played Mason Kendall in the series ‘Game Shakers’ and appeared in ‘Girl Meets World’. Buchanan took a lead role in the 2021 romantic comedy ‘He’s All That’. He is trained in various martial arts, which he utilizes for his action-heavy television roles.

Xolo Mariduena

Xolo Maridueña is the lead star of the DC Studios film ‘Blue Beetle’, playing the character Jaime Reyes. He is also well known for his portrayal of Miguel Diaz in the series ‘Cobra Kai’. Before his breakout in action roles, he was a series regular on the drama ‘Parenthood’ for several seasons. Maridueña has voiced characters in animated projects like ‘Victor and Valentino’ and ‘The Boys Presents: Diabolical’. He is recognized as the first actor to lead a Latino-fronted superhero film in the DC Universe.

Marcel Ruiz

Marcel Ruiz gained popularity for his role as Alex Alvarez in the critically acclaimed reboot of ‘One Day at a Time’. He starred in the inspirational true-story film ‘Breakthrough’ in 2019. Ruiz has also made guest appearances in series such as ‘Snowfall’. He is active in the fashion industry and has been featured in various high-profile campaigns. His work on ‘One Day at a Time’ earned him an Imagen Award for Best Young Actor.

David Mazouz

David Mazouz is best known for his portrayal of a young Bruce Wayne in the series ‘Gotham’. He starred in the show for five seasons, depicting the character’s journey toward becoming Batman. Before ‘Gotham’, he played the lead role in the series ‘Touch’ alongside Kiefer Sutherland. Mazouz has also appeared in horror films such as ‘The Darkness’ and ‘Incarnate’. His career is defined by his long-term commitment to complex television dramas.

Joshua Bassett

Joshua Bassett rose to fame as Ricky Bowen in ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’. He is a singer-songwriter who has released multiple EPs and performed on global tours. Bassett has appeared in television shows such as ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Stuck in the Middle’. He provided voice work for the animated film ‘Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again’. His public profile is often highlighted by his dual success in the music and acting industries.

Gabriel LaBelle

Gabriel LaBelle had a breakout year in 2022 as the lead in ‘The Fabelmans’. He played Sammy Fabelman, a young aspiring filmmaker in a role based on the life of Steven Spielberg. For this performance, he won the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer. LaBelle also appeared in the series ‘American Gigolo’ and the film ‘Snack Shack’. His work in ‘The Fabelmans’ established him as a significant rising talent in dramatic cinema.

Dominic Sessa

Dominic Sessa made his acting debut in the 2023 film ‘The Holdovers’, directed by Alexander Payne. He played Angus Tully, a troubled student stuck at a boarding school over the holidays. Sessa was discovered by the film’s casting directors while he was a student at Deerfield Academy. He received several nominations for his debut, including a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He has since been cast in high-profile projects such as ‘Now You See Me 3’.

Cooper Hoffman

Cooper Hoffman made his film debut as the lead in ‘Licorice Pizza’. He played Gary Valentine, a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. He is the son of the late Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hoffman followed his debut with a role in the film ‘Wildcat’, directed by Ethan Hawke. He is also set to appear in the biographical film ‘Saturday Night’ as Dick Ebersol.

Joe Locke

Joe Locke is an actor from the Isle of Man who debuted as Charlie Spring in the series ‘Heartstopper’. The role brought him immediate international fame and led to a leading role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series ‘Agatha All Along’. Locke made his professional stage debut in ‘The Seagull’ at the Harold Pinter Theatre. He also performed in the Broadway revival of ‘Sweeney Todd’ as Tobias Ragg. He is recognized as a prominent young figure in contemporary media representation.

Kit Connor

Kit Connor gained global recognition for his role as Nick Nelson in the series ‘Heartstopper’. He began his career as a child actor in films like ‘Get Santa’ and ‘Rocketman’, where he played a young Elton John. Connor provided the voice for Pantalaimon in the series ‘His Dark Materials’. He recently made his Broadway debut in a production of ‘Romeo + Juliet’. His work has earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Performance.

Gaten Matarazzo

Gaten Matarazzo is best known for his role as Dustin Henderson in the series ‘Stranger Things’. He has been a core cast member of the show since its inception in 2016. Matarazzo has a strong background in musical theater, having performed in Broadway productions of ‘Les Miśerables’ and ‘Dear Evan Hansen’. He also hosted the Netflix prank show ‘Prank Encounters’. His career continues to span across high-concept television and live theater.

Caleb McLaughlin

Caleb McLaughlin rose to fame playing Lucas Sinclair in the global phenomenon ‘Stranger Things’. He has appeared in films such as ‘Concrete Cowboy’ alongside Idris Elba. McLaughlin began his professional career on Broadway playing Young Simba in ‘The Lion King’. He is also a voice actor, contributing to projects like ‘The Boys Presents: Diabolical’. He has received several NAACP Image Awards for his work on television.

Noah Schnapp

Noah Schnapp is widely recognized for his portrayal of Will Byers in ‘Stranger Things’. He also voiced Charlie Brown in ‘The Peanuts Movie’ and starred in the historical drama film ‘Waiting for Anya’. Schnapp won a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the ensemble of ‘Stranger Things’. He has successfully balanced his acting career with entrepreneurial ventures and higher education. His character’s emotional arc in later seasons of the show received significant critical attention.

Corey Mylchreest

Corey Mylchreest achieved breakout success in 2023 for his role as King George III in ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’. The prequel series showcased his range in a leading romantic and dramatic role. Before this, he had a minor role in the series ‘The Sandman’. Mylchreest is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. His performance in the ‘Bridgerton’ universe established him as a new leading man in television.

Hero Fiennes Tiffin

Hero Fiennes Tiffin is best known for his lead role as Hardin Scott in the ‘After’ film franchise. He first gained attention playing the young Tom Riddle in ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’. Tiffin has also starred in the action film ‘The Woman King’ as Santo Ferreira. He has a successful career in modeling, working with several luxury fashion brands. His work in romantic dramas has garnered him a massive international following.

Ross Lynch

Ross Lynch first became a household name on the series ‘Austin & Ally’. He later transitioned to more mature roles, notably playing Jeffrey Dahmer in the film ‘My Friend Dahmer’. Lynch starred as Harvey Kinkle in the series ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’. He is also a founding member of the bands R5 and The Driver Era. His career is marked by a shift from teen stardom to edgy dramatic roles and music.

Nick Robinson

Nick Robinson gained prominence with the lead role in the coming-of-age film ‘Love, Simon’. He previously starred in the blockbuster ‘Jurassic World’ and the independent hit ‘The Kings of Summer’. Robinson took a lead role in the limited series ‘Maid’, receiving critical acclaim for his performance. He has also appeared on Broadway in the stage adaptation of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. His filmography consistently features a mix of high-budget hits and intimate dramas.

Shameik Moore

Shameik Moore provided the voice for Miles Morales in the Academy Award-winning ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’. He broke out in the live-action independent film ‘Dope’ in 2015. Moore was a series regular in the musical drama ‘The Get Down’ as Shaolin Fantastic. He also starred in the series ‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga’ as Raekwon. His career highlights his versatility in both voice acting and live-action dramatic roles.

Justice Smith

Justice Smith starred in the blockbuster ‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu’ as Tim Goodman. He has played major roles in ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ and ‘Jurassic World Dominion’. Smith received critical praise for his performance in the film ‘I Saw the TV Glow’. He also led the cast of the series ‘The Get Down’ and appeared in ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’. He is known for selecting diverse roles in both big-budget franchises and indie films.

Archie Madekwe

Archie Madekwe starred as the lead in the 2023 film ‘Gran Turismo’, based on a true story. He gained significant attention for his role in ‘Saltburn’ as the character Farleigh Start. Madekwe also appeared in the horror film ‘Midsommar’ and the series ‘See’. He has a background in theater and attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. His recent roles have solidified his status as a rising star in major cinematic productions.

Leo Woodall

Leo Woodall rose to international fame with his role in the second season of ‘The White Lotus’. He further cemented his stardom by playing the lead, Dexter Mayhew, in the series ‘One Day’. Woodall also appeared in the series ‘Vampire Academy’ and the film ‘Cherry’. He is set to star in several upcoming prestige dramas and film projects. His performances are often noted for their charm and emotional complexity.

Noah Centineo

Noah Centineo became a sensation with his role in ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’. He continued to star in sequels and other films like ‘Sierra Burgess Is a Loser’ and ‘The Perfect Date’. Centineo moved into the superhero genre with a role as Atom Smasher in ‘Black Adam’. He also leads the espionage series ‘The Recruit’. His career has evolved from playing romantic leads to taking on action-oriented roles.

Finn Wolfhard

Finn Wolfhard gained global fame as Mike Wheeler in the series ‘Stranger Things’. He expanded his film career with roles in the horror hits ‘It’ and ‘It Chapter Two’. Wolfhard starred in the legacy sequel ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ and ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’. He is also a director, having helmed the feature film ‘Hell of a Summer’. His work across acting, directing, and music has made him a versatile figure in entertainment.

Alex Wolff

Alex Wolff received widespread acclaim for his intense performance in the horror film ‘Hereditary’. He previously starred in ‘The Naked Brothers Band’ on television with his brother, Nat Wolff. His recent filmography includes roles in ‘Pig’, ‘Old’, and ‘Oppenheimer’. Wolff is also a director and writer, having created the film ‘The Cat and the Moon’. He is recognized for his commitment to challenging roles in independent cinema.

Jacob Tremblay

Jacob Tremblay had a massive breakout role at age nine in the film ‘Room’. He followed this with a lead role in ‘Wonder’, playing Auggie Pullman. Tremblay has provided voices for ‘Luca’, ‘The Little Mermaid’, and ‘Orion and the Dark’. He also starred in the R-rated comedy ‘Good Boys’. Despite his young age, he has already earned numerous awards, including a Critics’ Choice Movie Award.

Asa Butterfield

Asa Butterfield began his career as a child actor in ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’. He worked with Martin Scorsese in ‘Hugo’ and starred in the sci-fi film ‘Ender’s Game’. He gained a new level of fame playing Otis Milburn in the series ‘Sex Education’. Butterfield has consistently worked in both film and television for nearly two decades. His longevity in the industry makes him one of the most experienced actors of his age group.

Jack Dylan Grazer

Jack Dylan Grazer broke out as Eddie Kaspbrak in the ‘It’ film series. He went on to play Freddy Freeman in the films ‘Shazam!’ and ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’. Grazer also starred in the series ‘We Are Who We Are’ on HBO. He provided the voice of Alberto in the animated film ‘Luca’. His energetic performances have made him a standout in both franchise films and prestige television.

Tye Sheridan

Tye Sheridan debuted in ‘The Tree of Life’ before starring in the acclaimed film ‘Mud’. He gained mainstream fame playing Cyclops in the ‘X-Men’ film series. Sheridan led the blockbuster ‘Ready Player One’ as Wade Watts. He also appeared in ‘The Tender Bar’ and ‘The Card Counter’. His career is characterized by a balance between massive studio tentpoles and prestigious indie dramas.

Jharrel Jerome

Jharrel Jerome first gained attention for his role in the Academy Award-winning film ‘Moonlight’. He won an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Korey Wise in the limited series ‘When They See Us’. Jerome starred in the surrealist series ‘I’m a Virgo’, created by Boots Riley. He is also a musician and has released several hip-hop projects. He is the first Afro-Latino to win an acting Emmy for a lead role.

Kodi Smit-McPhee

Kodi Smit-McPhee received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in ‘The Power of the Dog’. He began his career with roles in ‘The Road’ and ‘Let Me In’. Smit-McPhee played Nightcrawler in the ‘X-Men’ film franchise. He also appeared in the films ‘Elvis’ and ‘Alpha’. He is widely praised for his unique screen presence and ability to play complex, introverted characters.

Lucas Hedges

Lucas Hedges earned an Academy Award nomination for his breakout role in ‘Manchester by the Sea’. He followed this success with performances in ‘Lady Bird’, ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’, and ‘Boy Erased’. Hedges has worked with esteemed directors like Wes Anderson in ‘Moonrise Kingdom’. He also appeared on Broadway in ‘The Waverly Gallery’. His filmography is dominated by critically acclaimed and award-winning dramatic features.

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi rose to prominence in the film series ‘The Kissing Booth’. He achieved critical acclaim for his role as Nate Jacobs in the series ‘Euphoria’. Elordi portrayed Elvis Presley in ‘Priscilla’ and starred in the psychological thriller ‘Saltburn’. He has been cast as the lead in an upcoming ‘Frankenstein’ adaptation. His transition from teen idol to prestige cinema actor has been marked by high-profile collaborations.

Paul Mescal

Paul Mescal became an international star following his role in the limited series ‘Normal People’. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance in ‘Aftersun’. Mescal has starred in films such as ‘All of Us Strangers’ and ‘The Lost Daughter’. He leads the major blockbuster sequel ‘Gladiator II’ directed by Ridley Scott. His work is frequently characterized by deep emotional vulnerability and critical acclaim.

Timothée Chalamet

Timothée Chalamet is one of the most celebrated actors of his generation, earning an Oscar nomination for ‘Call Me by Your Name’. He has led major franchises including the ‘Dune’ series and the musical hit ‘Wonka’. His filmography includes roles in ‘Little Women’, ‘Bones and All’, and ‘Lady Bird’. Chalamet is known for his collaborations with auteur directors such as Denis Villeneuve and Greta Gerwig. He continues to dominate both the box office and the awards circuit with his diverse performances.

Please share your own favorite young male actors from this list or those you feel were missed in the comments.