Rising Stars: Top 20 Young Actresses

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - June 30th 2025, 23:50 GMT+2

Cropped About — About this gallery:

For this gallery, we decided to focus on actresses who are under 30 and over 18 years old. There might be some brilliant 29-year-old actresses we've decided to leave out, as in a few months they wouldn't qualify for our list.

Remember, this list is subjective. If you think we missed an important young actress, leave us a comment! | © Universal Pictures

Cropped Emma Myers — 20. Emma Myers

Emma Myers brought a lovable charm to her role as Enid in *Wednesday*, balancing out the darkness with her bubbly personality. Her delightful energy is the perfect contrast to Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday, she proved herself as the lead in *A Good Girl's Guide to Murder* and she’s definitely an actress we can’t wait to see more of in the future. | © Netflix

Cropped Sophia Lillis — 19. Sophia Lillis

Sophia Lillis has a knack for picking roles that bring a mix of mystery and charm. Whether she’s facing down a terrifying clown in It or discovering her powers in *I Am Not Okay With This*, Sophia’s natural and grounded performances are always a highlight. | © Warner Bros.

Cropped Mckenna Grace — 18. Mckenna Grace

Mckenna Grace may be young, but she’s got a filmography that rivals many veterans. From *The Handmaid’s Tale* to *Ghostbusters: Afterlife*, Mckenna consistently delivers heartfelt, mature performances – plus, she’s basically Hollywood’s go-to for playing younger versions of famous actresses, which says a lot. | © Hulu

Rachel senott — 17. Rachel Sennott

Rachel Sennott is making a name for herself in the indie comedy scene with her quick wit and relatable awkwardness. In *Shiva Baby*, she made us laugh and cringe in equal measure, and she’s clearly on her way to becoming a staple in offbeat, character-driven films. | © LevelFilm

Cropped Hunter Schafer — 16. Hunter Schafer

Hunter Schafer’s portrayal of Jules in *Euphoria* is raw, real, and emotionally powerful. She brings a nuanced complexity to the character, and her background as an artist and activist only adds depth to her performances, making her one of the most intriguing young talents today. Her performances in *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* as well as *Cuckoo* were also met with praise. | © HBO

Cropped Pom Klementieff — 15. Pom Klementieff

Pom Klementieff brings a unique charm to every role she takes on, most notably as the endearing Mantis in the *Guardians of the Galaxy* franchise. Her quirky humor and heart have added a refreshing layer to the Marvel Universe, proving she’s got star power with a playful twist. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Millie Bobby Brown — 14. Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown became a household name with her portrayal of Eleven in *Stranger Things*, and she hasn’t stopped wowing us since. Her ability to convey so much emotion – often without even saying a word – is what makes Millie one of the most talented young actresses out there. Plus, she’s pretty great at fighting demogorgons. | © Netflix

Cropped Sydney Sweeney — 13. Sydney Sweeney

Sydney Sweeney has been everywhere lately, and for good reason – whether she’s navigating the murky waters of adolescence in *Euphoria* or unraveling relationships in *The White Lotus*, her emotionally charged performances prove she’s not afraid to dive into the complexities of flawed, fascinating characters. | © HBO

Cropped Mackenzie Foy — 12. Mackenzie Foy

Mackenzie Foy started young as Renesmee in *Twilight*, but she’s since grown into a versatile actress, capable of playing everything from a cosmic traveler in *Interstellar* to a brave heroine in *The Nutcracker and the Four Realms*. With her delicate yet determined performances, she makes fantasy feel real. | © Walt Disney Pictures

Cropped Isabela Merced — 11. Isabela Merced

Isabela Merced shines in every role, whether she's navigating the jungle as *Dora* or taking on action-packed adventures in *Sicario: Day of the Soldado*. Her vibrant energy and versatility make her a joy to watch, and it's clear she’s only just getting started. Lately, she was the heart of HBO's second season of *The Last of Us*, completely stealing the show. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Kiernan Shipka — 10. Kiernan Shipka

Kiernan Shipka has been in the spotlight since *Mad Men*, and she’s proven she can handle everything from 1960s period drama to teenage witchery in *Chilling Adventures of Sabrina*. She brings spunk, charm, and a touch of darkness to her roles, which we absolutely adore. | © Amazon Studios

Cropped Sophie Turner — 9. Sophie Turner

Sophie Turner will forever be the Queen in the North in our hearts. Her journey from naive Sansa Stark to a powerful ruler on *Game of Thrones* showcased her impressive growth as an actress, and she continues to impress with her compelling screen presence and strength. | © HBO

Cropped Chloë Grace Moretz — 8. Chloë Grace Moretz

Chloë Grace Moretz has been kicking butt since she was a kid in *Kick-Ass*, and she’s continued to choose bold and challenging roles ever since. Whether it’s drama, horror, or comedy, Chloë has a way of commanding attention and bringing nuance to even the wildest characters. | © Columbia Pictures

Cropped Sadie Sink — 7. Sadie Sink

Sadie Sink took *Stranger Things* by storm and somehow managed to steal the show in a series full of scene-stealers. Her performance as Max has been raw, powerful, and a reminder that when Sadie steps into a role, you better have a box of tissues handy. Extra shoutout for her performance in Taylor Swift's short film All Too Well. | © Netflix

Cropped Elle Fanning — 6. Elle Fanning

Elle Fanning has been gracing our screens since childhood, and she's grown into an actress with impeccable range. From indie darling roles to playing Catherine the Great in *The Great*, Elle brings a sense of wonder and depth to everything she does – while making it look effortless. | © A24

Cropped Jenna Ortega — 5. Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega’s deadpan humor and haunting stare in *Wednesday* turned a quirky teen character into a cultural phenomenon. Whether she’s in a comedy, horror, or supernatural drama, Jenna knows how to captivate an audience and keep us coming back for more – no wonder everyone’s practicing their spooky dances. | © Netflix

Cropped Zendaya — 4. Zendaya

Zendaya is the epitome of a multi-talented star – one minute she’s navigating teenage heartbreak in *Euphoria*, and the next, she’s swinging through skyscrapers with Spider-Man. Her charisma and authenticity make her one of the most captivating young actresses of our time, and let’s face it, we’d watch her read a phone book. | © Warner Bros

Cropped Mia Goth — 3. Mia Goth

Mia Goth has become the queen of indie horror, and let’s just say she’s not afraid to get weird (in the best possible way). From X to *Pearl*, her fearless dedication to the craft has everyone talking, and honestly, no one does unsettling intensity quite like Mia. | © A24

Cropped Florence Pugh — 2. Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh is a powerhouse who can effortlessly switch from a fierce warrior in *Dune* to a heartbroken girlfriend in a cult (*Midsommar*, anyone?). With her raw emotion and that unforgettable voice, Florence knows how to make audiences laugh, cry, and question their life choices – all in the same scene. | © Warner Bros

Cropped Anya Taylor Joy — 1. Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy has an uncanny ability to draw us into any world, whether it’s a 1960s chessboard or a gothic manor. Her hypnotic stare and ethereal charm made *The Queen's Gambit* a global obsession, and let's be honest – she made chess look cooler than it ever had any right to be. | © Netflix

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In recent years, Hollywood has seen an incredible surge of talented young actresses who are not only redefining what it means to be a star but also taking on powerful roles that push boundaries and break stereotypes. These rising stars are capturing audiences worldwide with their captivating performances, unique charisma, and undeniable skill.

From leading blockbuster franchises to showcasing their talents in critically acclaimed dramas, these young actresses are making their mark on the entertainment industry. Join us as we celebrate the top 20 young actresses who are destined to shape the future of film and television.