Young Actresses and Actors Who Were Everywhere in the 2010s

The 2010s was a decade defined by the rise of a new generation of talent that successfully transitioned from child stardom to leading roles or debuted with performances that shook the industry. From the dominance of young adult franchises like ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘Divergent’ to the explosion of streaming hits like ‘Stranger Things’, these performers were omnipresent on both the big and small screens. Many of these actors earned their first major accolades during this era, solidifying their status as the new faces of Hollywood while commanding significant box office draw. This era saw the bridge between traditional broadcast television stars and the new wave of international icons born from viral digital platforms and prestige cable dramas.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence became a household name in the early 2010s after starring as Katniss Everdeen in ‘The Hunger Games’ (2012). Her career trajectory soared further with her performance in ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ (2012), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. She was a recurring presence in the ‘X-Men’ franchise as Mystique, starting with ‘X-Men: First Class’ (2011). Throughout the decade, Lawrence remained one of the highest-paid actresses in the world, appearing in diverse projects like ‘American Hustle’ (2013) and ‘Joy’ (2015).

Shailene Woodley

Shailene Woodley gained significant attention for her role in the ABC Family series ‘The Secret Life of the American Teenager’ (2008–2013). She successfully transitioned to film with a critically acclaimed performance in ‘The Descendants’ (2011) alongside George Clooney. Woodley became a staple of the young adult genre by leading the ‘Divergent’ series as Tris Prior starting in 2014. That same year, she starred in the massive emotional hit ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ (2014), based on the novel by John Green.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone rose to prominence with the teen comedy ‘Easy A’ (2010), which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. She solidified her A-list status by playing Gwen Stacy in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ (2012) and its 2014 sequel. Her versatility was on full display in ‘The Help’ (2011) and the critically acclaimed ‘Birdman’ (2014). The decade culminated in her winning an Academy Award for her leading role in the musical ‘La La Land’ (2016).

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan established herself as one of the most talented young actresses of her generation with a series of powerful performances in the 2010s. She starred in the action-thriller ‘Hanna’ (2011) and the period drama ‘Brooklyn’ (2015), the latter of which earned her an Oscar nomination. Her collaboration with director Greta Gerwig in ‘Lady Bird’ (2017) became a cultural touchstone and garnered further award recognition. She ended the decade with another acclaimed performance as Jo March in ‘Little Women’ (2019).

Josh Hutcherson

Josh Hutcherson spent much of the 2010s in the global spotlight as Peeta Mellark in ‘The Hunger Games’ film series. Before the franchise began, he appeared in the award-winning film ‘The Kids Are All Right’ (2010). He also starred in the adventure film ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’ (2012), which was a significant box office success. Later in the decade, he moved into television production and starring roles, such as in the Hulu series ‘Future Man’ (2017–2020).

Liam Hemsworth

Liam Hemsworth gained early 2010s fame for his role in the romantic drama ‘The Last Song’ (2010), where he starred opposite Miley Cyrus. He reached international superstardom playing Gale Hawthorne in all four installments of ‘The Hunger Games’ (2012–2015). Hemsworth also appeared in high-profile action films like ‘The Expendables 2’ (2012) and ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ (2016). His presence was frequent in both blockbuster cinema and high-profile tabloid media throughout the decade.

Tom Holland

Tom Holland made a major impact early in the decade with his harrowing performance in the disaster drama ‘The Impossible’ (2012). His career reached new heights when he was cast as Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, debuting in ‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016). He headlined his own solo films starting with ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017) and appeared in the record-breaking ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018). Holland’s youthful energy and gymnastic ability made him a definitive version of the character for a new generation.

Zendaya

Zendaya began the 2010s as a Disney Channel star on the sitcom ‘Shake It Up’ (2010–2013). She successfully pivoted to film with a supporting role in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017) and the musical ‘The Greatest Showman’ (2017). Her career reached a turning point when she took the lead role in the HBO drama ‘Euphoria’ (2019–Present). This performance earned her significant critical praise and made her the youngest winner of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown became a global phenomenon almost overnight for her portrayal of Eleven in the Netflix series ‘Stranger Things’ (2016–Present). Her performance as the telekinetic youth earned her multiple Emmy nominations at a very young age. Outside of the series, she made her feature film debut in ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ (2019). Brown was also noted for her fashion influence and became the youngest person ever to be included in the Time 100 list of most influential people.

Finn Wolfhard

Finn Wolfhard rose to fame as Mike Wheeler in the hit supernatural series ‘Stranger Things’ (2016–Present). He expanded his presence in the horror genre by playing Richie Tozier in the blockbuster adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘It’ (2017) and its 2019 sequel. Wolfhard also lent his voice to ‘The Addams Family’ (2019) and appeared in the drama ‘The Goldfinch’ (2019). His work across major franchises made him one of the most recognizable young faces of the late 2010s.

Chloë Grace Moretz

Chloe Grace Moretz started the decade strong with her breakout role as Hit-Girl in ‘Kick-Ass’ (2010). She followed this with a string of leading roles in films like ‘Let Me In’ (2010), ‘Hugo’ (2011), and the remake of ‘Carrie’ (2013). Moretz also starred in the young adult sci-fi film ‘The 5th Wave’ (2016) and the comedy ‘Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising’ (2016). She was consistently one of the busiest young actresses, appearing in multiple films nearly every year of the decade.

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld received an Academy Award nomination at age 14 for her debut role in ‘True Grit’ (2010). She went on to star in ‘Ender’s Game’ (2013) and joined the popular musical franchise ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ (2015). Her leading role in ‘The Edge of Seventeen’ (2016) earned her critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination. Steinfeld ended the decade by starring in the ‘Transformers’ spin-off ‘Bumblebee’ (2018) and voicing Gwen Stacy in ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018).

Elle Fanning

Elle Fanning gained widespread recognition for her role in the science fiction film ‘Super 8’ (2011). She took on the iconic role of Princess Aurora in Disney’s live-action ‘Maleficent’ (2014) and returned for the 2019 sequel. Fanning worked with renowned directors in films like ‘The Neon Demon’ (2016) and ‘The Beguiled’ (2017). By the end of the decade, she was a regular fixture at major film festivals and was cast in the lead role for the series ‘The Great’ (2020–2023).

Dakota Fanning

Dakota Fanning continued her transition from child star to adult actress with roles in ‘The Twilight Saga: Eclipse’ (2010) and its subsequent sequels as Jane. She played Cherie Currie in the biographical film ‘The Runaways’ (2010) alongside Kristen Stewart. Fanning also appeared in independent films like ‘Night Moves’ (2013) and ‘American Pastoral’ (2016). In 2018, she joined the ensemble cast of ‘Ocean’s 8’ and starred in the period drama series ‘The Alienist’ (2018–2020).

Nicholas Hoult

Nicholas Hoult transitioned from his teen role in ‘Skins’ to major Hollywood blockbusters starting with ‘X-Men: First Class’ (2011) as Beast. He starred in the romantic zombie comedy ‘Warm Bodies’ (2013) and the fantasy epic ‘Jack the Giant Slayer’ (2013). Hoult played a memorable role as Nux in the critically acclaimed ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015). He concluded the decade with roles in period pieces such as ‘The Favourite’ (2018) and ‘Tolkien’ (2019).

Ansel Elgort

Ansel Elgort became a major teen heartthrob after starring in ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ (2014). Prior to that, he appeared in the ‘Divergent’ series (2014–2016) as Caleb Prior. His popularity grew further when he played the lead in the stylish action film ‘Baby Driver’ (2017), which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Elgort’s presence in both romantic dramas and high-octane thrillers made him a prominent figure in 2010s cinema.

Dylan O’Brien

Dylan O’Brien gained a massive following as Stiles Stilinski in the MTV series ‘Teen Wolf’ (2011–2017). He successfully transitioned to the big screen as the lead in ‘The Maze Runner’ (2014) and its two sequels. O’Brien also appeared in the comedy ‘The Internship’ (2013) and the action film ‘American Assassin’ (2017). Despite a serious injury on set during the decade, he remained one of the most popular young stars of the era.

Tyler Posey

Tyler Posey was the face of supernatural teen drama in the 2010s as the lead character Scott McCall in ‘Teen Wolf’ (2011–2017). Throughout the show’s six-season run, he became a regular fixture at fan conventions and teen-oriented awards shows. He also appeared in films such as ‘White Frog’ (2012) and the horror movie ‘Truth or Dare’ (2018). Posey’s work during this decade cemented him as a prominent figure in the youth-oriented television landscape.

Nina Dobrev

Nina Dobrev was everywhere in the early to mid-2010s due to her dual roles as Elena Gilbert and Katherine Pierce in ‘The Vampire Diaries’ (2009–2017). Her performance in the hit CW series made her a central figure in the teen drama genre. She appeared in films such as ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ (2012) and ‘Let’s Be Cops’ (2014). After leaving the series in 2015, she starred in ‘XXX: Return of Xander Cage’ (2017) and the remake of ‘Flatliners’ (2017).

Victoria Justice

Victoria Justice was a cornerstone of Nickelodeon’s programming in the early 2010s, starring in the musical sitcom ‘Victorious’ (2010–2013). Her role as Tori Vega launched a music career and led to numerous guest appearances across the network. She starred in the teen comedy ‘Fun Size’ (2012) and the MTV thriller series ‘Eye Candy’ (2015). Justice also took on the role of Janet Weiss in the television tribute ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again’ (2016).

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez began the decade concluding her lead role on the Disney Channel’s ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ (2007–2012). She intentionally shifted her image with a role in the controversial film ‘Spring Breakers’ (2012). Throughout the 2010s, she balanced a massive pop music career with film roles in ‘Getaway’ (2013) and ‘The Fundamentals of Caring’ (2016). Gomez also served as an executive producer on the popular Netflix series ’13 Reasons Why’ (2017–2020).

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato was a prominent figure in early 2010s youth culture, starring in the Disney Channel movie ‘Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam’ (2010). She continued her television presence with the sitcom ‘Sonny with a Chance’ (2009–2011) before focusing on her music career. Lovato served as a judge on the American version of ‘The X Factor’ (2012–2013), further increasing her public visibility. While her music took center stage, her early decade roles established her as a major young star of the period.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus ended her era-defining run as ‘Hannah Montana’ in 2011, transitioning into a high-profile solo career. In 2010, she starred in the Nicholas Sparks adaptation ‘The Last Song’, which was a commercial success. She appeared in the films ‘LOL’ (2012) and ‘So Undercover’ (2012) as she sought to move away from her child star persona. Cyrus remained a constant subject of media attention throughout the 2010s due to her musical reinventions and cultural influence.

Zac Efron

Zac Efron successfully moved past his ‘High School Musical’ fame with a variety of roles throughout the 2010s. He starred in the romantic drama ‘Charlie St. Cloud’ (2010) and the comedy hit ‘Neighbors’ (2014) alongside Seth Rogen. Efron showed his range in the gritty drama ‘The Paperboy’ (2012) and the musical blockbuster ‘The Greatest Showman’ (2017). He ended the decade with a transformative performance as Ted Bundy in ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’ (2019).

Miles Teller

Miles Teller emerged as a standout talent with his role in the independent drama ‘The Spectacular Now’ (2013). He gained widespread acclaim for his intense performance as a jazz drummer in the Academy Award-winning ‘Whiplash’ (2014). Teller was a major part of the ‘Divergent’ series (2014–2016) and starred in the superhero film ‘Fantastic Four’ (2015). He also appeared in ‘War Dogs’ (2016) and the firefighting drama ‘Only the Brave’ (2017).

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan transitioned from television roles to film stardom with his powerful performance in ‘Fruitvale Station’ (2013). He took over the ‘Rocky’ legacy by starring as Adonis Creed in ‘Creed’ (2015) and its 2018 sequel. Jordan reached a new level of global fame playing the antagonist Erik Killmonger in ‘Black Panther’ (2018). Throughout the late 2010s, he was recognized as one of the most influential and bankable young leading men in the industry.

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie had a breakout year in 2013 with her role as Naomi Lapaglia in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. She became a central figure in the DC Extended Universe after debuting as Harley Quinn in ‘Suicide Squad’ (2016). Her performance as Tonya Harding in ‘I, Tonya’ (2017) earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Robbie remained incredibly prolific, appearing in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ (2019) and ‘Bombshell’ (2019) to close out the decade.

Timothée Chalamet

Timothée Chalamet became the breakout star of the late 2010s following his performance in ‘Call Me by Your Name’ (2017). This role made him the third-youngest nominee for the Academy Award for Best Actor. He followed this success with supporting roles in ‘Lady Bird’ (2017) and a leading role in the drama ‘Beautiful Boy’ (2018). By 2019, he was headlining major productions like Netflix’s ‘The King’ (2019) and Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’ (2019).

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy gained immediate critical attention for her debut film role in the horror movie ‘The Witch’ (2015). She solidified her status as a “scream queen” and rising star with her role in M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Split’ (2016). She continued to work in the genre with ‘Thoroughbreds’ (2017) and the sequel ‘Glass’ (2019). Taylor-Joy also appeared in the BBC series ‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013–2022) starting in its fifth season, which aired in 2019.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson spent the early 2010s in supporting roles in films like ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ (2010) and ’21 Jump Street’ (2012). Her career reached a pinnacle with her performance in ‘Room’ (2015), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. She transitioned into blockbusters with ‘Kong: Skull Island’ (2017) and as the titular character in ‘Captain Marvel’ (2019). Larson also appeared in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019), making her one of the most recognizable stars of the late decade.

Alicia Vikander

Alicia Vikander gained international recognition for her roles in ‘A Royal Affair’ (2012) and ‘Anna Karenina’ (2012). Her career exploded in 2015 with her performance as an android in ‘Ex Machina’ and her Oscar-winning role in ‘The Danish Girl’. She continued to headline major films such as ‘The Light Between Oceans’ (2016) and took over the role of Lara Croft in the ‘Tomb Raider’ (2018) reboot. Vikander was frequently cited as one of the busiest and most talented actresses of the mid-2010s.

Sophie Turner

Sophie Turner rose to fame as Sansa Stark in the HBO fantasy epic ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019). Her journey on the show spanned nearly the entire decade and made her a global star. She expanded into film by playing the young Jean Grey in the ‘X-Men’ franchise, appearing in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ (2016). Turner eventually headlined her own blockbuster with the release of ‘Dark Phoenix’ (2019).

Maisie Williams

Maisie Williams debuted as Arya Stark in ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019) at the age of 12. Her character became one of the most popular in the series, earning her multiple award nominations. During the show’s run, she also appeared in several episodes of ‘Doctor Who’ in 2015. Williams explored independent film with projects like ‘The Falling’ (2014) and ‘iBoy’ (2017). She was a constant figure in pop culture discussions throughout the 2010s due to her iconic television role.

Kit Harington

Kit Harington became an international heartthrob and leading man as Jon Snow in ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019). His work on the series led to film opportunities such as the lead role in the historical disaster movie ‘Pompeii’ (2014). He also provided the voice for Eret in ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ (2014) and its 2019 sequel. Harington’s presence was a staple of the decade’s television landscape, culminating in a Golden Globe nomination for the show’s final season.

Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke achieved global stardom playing Daenerys Targaryen in ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019). She was nominated for several Emmy Awards for her portrayal of the Mother of Dragons. Clarke also sought success in film franchises, playing Sarah Connor in ‘Terminator Genisys’ (2015) and Qi’ra in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ (2018). Her performance in the romantic drama ‘Me Before You’ (2016) showed her range beyond the fantasy genre.

Cole Sprouse

Cole Sprouse made a significant comeback to acting in the late 2010s with his role as Jughead Jones on ‘Riverdale’ (2017–2023). Before this, he was widely known for his childhood role on Disney Channel’s ‘The Suite Life on Deck’ (2008–2011). His return to television was met with massive social media popularity and a new dedicated fanbase. In 2019, he starred in the romantic drama film ‘Five Feet Apart’, which was a commercial success.

Ross Lynch

Ross Lynch was a primary star for the Disney Channel during the 2010s, headlining the series ‘Austin & Ally’ (2011–2016). He gained further fame starring in the ‘Teen Beach Movie’ (2013) and its 2015 sequel. Lynch shifted toward more mature roles toward the end of the decade, playing Jeffrey Dahmer in ‘My Friend Dahmer’ (2017). He also joined the cast of the Netflix series ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ (2018–2020) as Harvey Kinkle.

Kiernan Shipka

Kiernan Shipka began the decade as a young child on the critically acclaimed series ‘Mad Men’ (2007–2015). As her character Sally Draper grew up on screen, Shipka received praise for her sophisticated performance. She transitioned to lead roles in films like ‘The Blackcoat’s Daughter’ (2015). Shipka ended the decade starring as the titular character in the Netflix series ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ (2018–2020).

Jacob Tremblay

Jacob Tremblay delivered a breakout performance at age nine in the drama ‘Room’ (2015) alongside Brie Larson. His performance earned him a Critics’ Choice Movie Award and a SAG Award nomination. He continued to find success with a leading role in the hit film ‘Wonder’ (2017). Tremblay also appeared in the horror film ‘Before I Wake’ (2016) and the comedy ‘Good Boys’ (2019).

Lucas Hedges

Lucas Hedges became a prominent young dramatic actor after his Oscar-nominated turn in ‘Manchester by the Sea’ (2016). He followed this with significant roles in two of 2017’s most acclaimed films, ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’. In 2018, he starred in the dramas ‘Boy Erased’ and ‘Ben Is Back’. Hedges was frequently recognized for his ability to handle complex and emotional subject matter during the late 2010s.

Ezra Miller

Ezra Miller gained critical attention for his chilling performance in ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ (2011). He followed this with a popular role in the adaptation of ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ (2012). Miller joined the ‘Wizarding World’ franchise as Credence Barebone in ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ (2016). He also debuted as Barry Allen, also known as The Flash, in the DC Extended Universe with a cameo in ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016).

Logan Lerman

Logan Lerman began the decade starring as the titular character in ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief’ (2010). He earned significant praise for his lead role in the coming-of-age film ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ (2012). Lerman also appeared in the epic ‘Noah’ (2014) and the war drama ‘Fury’ (2014) alongside Brad Pitt. He concluded the 2010s by starring in the Amazon Prime series ‘Hunters’ (2020–2023), which began production in 2019.

Lily Collins

Lily Collins rose to fame with her role in the action film ‘Abduction’ (2011) and as Snow White in ‘Mirror Mirror’ (2012). She headlined the young adult adaptation ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’ (2013). Collins received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in ‘Rules Don’t Apply’ (2016). She also starred in the Netflix film ‘To the Bone’ (2017) and played Fantine in the BBC miniseries ‘Les Misérables’ (2018–2019).

Sam Claflin

Sam Claflin gained early 2010s visibility with roles in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ (2011) and ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ (2012). He reached global fame playing Finnick Odair in ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ (2013) and its sequels. Claflin starred in the romantic drama ‘Me Before You’ (2016) which became a major box office hit. He also appeared in ‘Their Finest’ (2016) and joined the cast of ‘Peaky Blinders’ in 2019.

Theo James

Theo James became a major star in the 2010s by playing the character Four in the ‘Divergent’ series (2014–2016). Prior to this, he had a memorable guest role on the first season of ‘Downton Abbey’ (2010). James also starred in the ‘Underworld’ franchise, appearing in ‘Underworld: Awakening’ (2012) and ‘Underworld: Blood Wars’ (2016). His role in the ‘Divergent’ franchise made him one of the decade’s most prominent young adult film leads.

Zoey Deutch

Zoey Deutch began her career with roles on the Disney Channel and the CW’s ‘Ringer’ (2011–2012). She starred in the film ‘Vampire Academy’ (2014) and the Richard Linklater comedy ‘Everybody Wants Some!!’ (2016). Deutch earned critical praise for her roles in independent films like ‘Flower’ (2017) and the Netflix rom-com ‘Set It Up’ (2018). By the end of the decade, she was a regular in high-profile projects such as ‘Zombieland: Double Tap’ (2019).

Joey King

Joey King started the 2010s as a child actress in ‘Ramona and Beezus’ (2010). She appeared in major films like ‘The Conjuring’ (2013) and ‘White House Down’ (2013). King achieved a new level of fame with the Netflix romantic comedy ‘The Kissing Booth’ (2018). She also received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her transformative role as Gypsy Rose Blanchard in the limited series ‘The Act’ (2019).

Bailee Madison

Bailee Madison was a prolific young actress throughout the 2010s, starting with her role in ‘Just Go with It’ (2011). She played a recurring young Snow White on the series ‘Once Upon a Time’ (2012–2016). Madison also starred in the family drama series ‘The Fosters’ (2013–2018) and ‘Good Witch’ (2015–2021). Her frequent appearances across television and film made her one of the most recognizable young performers of the decade.

Bella Thorne

Bella Thorne rose to prominence as CeCe Jones on the Disney Channel series ‘Shake It Up’ (2010–2013). She transitioned to film with roles in ‘Blended’ (2014) and as the antagonist in ‘The DUFF’ (2015). Thorne starred in the Freeform series ‘Famous in Love’ (2017–2018) and the horror film ‘The Babysitter’ (2017). She was a constant figure in the media due to her extensive filmography and massive social media presence throughout the decade.

Rowan Blanchard

Rowan Blanchard became a teen star as the lead character Riley Matthews in ‘Girl Meets World’ (2014–2017). Following the show’s conclusion, she appeared in the sci-fi film ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ (2018). Blanchard also had a recurring role in the series ‘The Goldbergs’ (2017–2018) and joined the cast of ‘Snowpiercer’ (2020–2024) in 2019. She was widely recognized in the late 2010s for her activism and influence among Gen Z audiences.

Which of these actors or actresses defined your favorite movies and shows of the 2010s? Share your thoughts in the comments.