20 young actors who are taking over Hollywood

Rachel Zegler beat out thousands to debut as Maria in West Side Story, showcasing a voice that instantly cemented her status as a musical theater darling. She continued to shine in The Hunger Games prequel, proving she can lead gritty action films just as well as musicals. 

Caleb McLaughlin began as the pragmatic Lucas in Stranger Things but has since evolved into a serious actor, snatching roles in Concrete Cowboy and The Book of Clarence. He has steadily built a resume that showcases his dramatic chops and leading-man potential. 

Elle Fanning stepped out of the shadow of being a child star to deliver a career-defining performance as Catherine the Great in The Great. She has been in the industry for years but manages to keep her performances fresh, funny, and surprisingly edgy. Talk about Hollywood royalty!

Olivia Rodrigo transitioned from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series to becoming a global pop sensation with "Drivers License." But don't forget, her acting roots run deep. She captures the angst and messy emotions of growing up better than almost anyone else in the game, and she is the soundtrack to our collective emotional breakdowns.

Asher Angel charmed audiences on the Disney Channel’s Andi Mack before shouting the magic word in the Shazam! franchise. He has successfully bridged the gap between teen heartthrob and superhero action star with surprising ease. 

Millie Bobby Brown became a global phenomenon as Eleven in Stranger Things, proving she could say more with a stare than most actors can with a monologue. She expanded her empire with Enola Holmes, showing she can carry a franchise as a producer and star. 

Hunter Schafer made a dazzling acting debut in Euphoria, bringing depth and vulnerability to the role of Jules that resonated with millions. She has since stepped into the blockbuster world with The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, proving she can handle massive franchises as well. 

Yara Shahidi grew up on screen as Zoey Johnson in Black-ish before leading her own spinoff, Grown-ish, with effortless charm and wit. She balances her acting career with serious activism and education, redefining what it means to be a young star today. She’s so accomplished, it’s honestly a little unfair.

Noah Schnapp delivered one of the most emotional performances in Stranger Things as Will Byers, anchoring the show’s supernatural mystery. He has managed to balance global fame with being a regular student and entrepreneur, launching his own business ventures while balancing an unbelievable amount of fame. 

Sadie Sink joined the Stranger Things crew as Max and immediately became a fan favorite, but her performance in The Whale proved she is a dramatic powerhouse. She brings an intensity to her roles that feels raw and incredibly authentic. 

Marsai Martin didn’t just steal scenes as Diane on Black-ish; she made history as the youngest executive producer in Hollywood with the film Little. She has cracked the code on being a mogul before she could even legally rent a car, which is wildly impressive. She’s definitely making the rest of us look a little lazy.

Jacob Elordi skyrocketed to fame as the brooding bad boy in The Kissing Booth and Euphoria, but quickly proved his acting chops in Saltburn and Priscilla. He has mastered the art of playing complex, often troubled characters that you can’t help but watch. Plus, he makes being heartbroken look frustratingly good.

Mckenna Grace has been working non-stop since she was a toddler, delivering powerhouse performances in Gifted and Ghostbusters: Afterlife. She has a unique ability to play younger versions of major actresses while also carving out her own distinct path in music and film. 

Tom Holland flipped his way into our hearts as the MCU’s Spider-Man, bringing a youthful energy that revitalized the web-slinger for a new era. Beyond the mask, he has branched out into darker roles, such as The Crowded Room and Cherry, showcasing his expansive range. 

August Maturo gained a loyal following as the adorable little brother on Girl Meets World, but he has since tackled darker, more mature roles in films like The Nun. He has grown from a sitcom kid into a versatile actor capable of handling legitimate horror and drama. Now, we're just waiting to see which genre he decides to conquer next.

Ariana Greenblatt stole the show as the sassy daughter in Barbie and held her own in the galaxy far, far away in Ahsoka, proving she’s a force to be reckoned with. She has quickly transitioned from child actor to blockbuster staple with an energy that demands attention on screen. 

Timothée Chalamet became an overnight sensation with Call Me by Your Name and solidified his A-list status by leading the massive Dune franchise. He has a knack for picking roles that are both artsy and commercially successful, making him the internet's favorite leading man. 

Iain Armitage charmed the world as the pint-sized genius in Young Sheldon, carrying a network sitcom on his shoulders for years. He managed to make a younger version of an iconic character entirely his own while growing up right before our eyes. 

Zendaya has been on the rise since her days on the Disney Channel, starring in Shake It Up, before defining a generation on HBO’s Euphoria. She seamlessly pivoted to film with Dune and Challengers, becoming a fashion icon and serious dramatic actress in the process. 

Roman Griffin Davis burst onto the scene with a Golden Globe-nominated performance in Jojo Rabbit, showing incredible range for someone so young. He brought such heart and humor to a difficult topic that he immediately marked himself as a serious talent to watch.