There’s something special about a young actor arriving on the scene and taking over. Sometimes, it’s a heart-wrenching moment that leaves your chest thudding. Other times, it’s a flash of charm or wit you can’t anticipate. These breakout roles didn’t just satisfy crowds—They started careers, became ingrained in pop culture, and, in some instances, made history. Here is our countdown of 10 kid performances that illuminated the screen and would not fade from memory.
10. Jacob Tremblay – Room (2015)
It is a rare talent that it takes for a child actor to keep pace with an Oscar-winning performance—and Jacob Tremblay did just that. As Jack, a captive boy living with his mother (Brie Larson), Tremblay portrays wonder, fear, and stubborn resilience. His natural way with words anchors the film, making the tale that much more compelling. Following Room, he was the kid Hollywood phoned up when they required heart and authenticity, from Wonder to Luca.
9. Anna Paquin – The Piano (1993)
Anna Paquin did not merely deliver a strong debut—she broke records. At age 11, Paquin received the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for playing Flora McGrath, the feisty daughter of a mute woman (Holly Hunter). With less reliance on dialogue than might be expected, Paquin added warmth, obstinacy, and depth to her character, demonstrating she was capable of standing up to seasoned actors. It was the beginning of a career that would see her move from independent darlings to True Blood.
8. Lindsay Lohan – The Parent Trap (1998)
Pre-Mean Girls and pre-gossip column fame, Lindsay Lohan was charming audiences as the naughty Hallie and proper Annie in The Parent Trap. Playing two different characters with aplomb—and a fairly believable British accent—Lohan infused infectious energy and keen comedic sense into Disney’s remake. She made twin shenanigans seem like second nature, and viewers fell in love instantly.
7. Alex R. Hibbert – Moonlight (2016)
Alex R. Hibbert plays the youngest Chiron, a reserved boy struggling with identity, fear, and vulnerability, in Moonlight. His screen time lays the emotional groundwork for the rest of the film. Hibbert’s performance is subtle yet searing, particularly when he appears alongside Mahershala Ali. It’s the sort of understated work that lingers with you, even after the credits have long stopped rolling.
6. Alan Kim – Minari (2020)
Alan Kim not only played in Minari—he illuminated the movie. As David Yi, he’s stubborn and curious and sweet, delivering comic relief and emotional resonance to the tale of a Korean-American family attempting to make a life in rural Arkansas. His on-screen relationship with Youn Yuh-jung (who took home an Oscar for her performance) is gold. And yes, his sobbing Critics’ Choice Awards acceptance speech had everyone grabbing for tissues.
5. Sunny Pawar – Lion (2016)
Not knowing much English then, Sunny Pawar won hearts across the globe as the boy Saroo in Lion. Lost as a child in India and later adopted by an Australian family, Saroo’s childhood journey is the film’s pulsing heart. Pawar’s innocence and stoic determination bore the weight of the story and earned him one of the most recognized child actors in recent times.
4. Brooklynn Prince – The Florida Project (2017)
Brooklynn Prince is a whirlwind of energy as Moonee in The Florida Project—wild, hilarious, and heartbreaking in realness. The film’s naturalistic aesthetic requires authenticity, and Prince provides it in each frame. When she’s in mischief or having gentle moments with her on-screen mother, she is magnetic. Her Critics’ Choice Award for Best Young Performer was richly warranted.
3. Henry Thomas – E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Henry Thomas’s Elliott is not simply a boy who becomes friends with an alien—he’s the heart of one of the most cherished films ever created. Performing mostly against a puppet, Thomas’s sincerity and astonishment made the rapport between boy and alien feel genuine. His tearful goodbye to E.T. is one of the most poignant goodbyes in movie history.
2. Saoirse Ronan – Atonement (2007)
At the age of only 13, Saoirse Ronan performed a role as complex as it was haunting. Playing Briony Tallis, the young woman whose error sets in motion a chain of tragic events, Ronan provided a chilling combination of innocence and intensity to the character. Her performance brought her an Oscar nomination—the first of many—and established her as one of the most skilled actors of her generation.
1. Quvenzhané Wallis – Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
Only nine years old, Quvenzhané Wallis shouldered Beasts of the Southern Wild pretty much by herself. In her portrayal of Hushpuppy, she combines strength and curiosity with vulnerability in a manner that is both raw and alien. It’s a breathtaking embodiment of what a fearless first effort truly is, and it earned her the distinction of being the youngest Best Actress Oscar nominee ever.
These performances demonstrate that occasionally the brightest stars are the smallest. Whether they were newbies who amazed us overnight or young performers who achieved long careers, all of these children left an indelible impression on the silver screen.