Hollywood has long had its crop of cute faces and breakout stars, but this new generation is something else. Rather than pursuing superhero franchises or cookie-cut fame, they’re taking risks, splurging on blockbuster credentials while also achieving indie street cred, and demonstrating they’ve got the sort of screen presence you simply can’t learn. They’re not waiting for stardom to be handed to them; they’re redefining it on their own terms. Here are 10 of the sharpest young faces redefining what it is to be a film star in today’s era.
10. Bella Ramsey
Bella Ramsey initially swiped scenes playing Lyanna Mormont on Game of Thrones, but their career took off with HBO’s The Last of Us. Applying raw authenticity and charisma to Ellie, Ramsey demonstrated that they could carry a behemoth show and win people over around the globe. With additional projects already underway, they’re only just beginning.
9. Jacob Elordi
Jacob Elordi’s career could have stalled at Netflix rom-com heartthrob (The Kissing Booth), but instead, he’s reinvented himself as one of Hollywood’s most intriguing young actors. He’s chilling in Saltburn, complex in Euphoria, and already catching the eye of auteurs like Sofia Coppola and Guillermo del Toro. Elordi has the looks of a classic star but the instincts of a character actor or a rare combination.
8. Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney is everywhere, and it’s no coincidence. She’s racked up over 50 credits before her late 20s, from Euphoria and The White Lotus to producing her own passion projects. She’s also getting into genre pictures like Immaculate and cult classics like Barbarella. Hustle, talent, and business acumen have made her one of the most sought-after names of her generation.
7. Glen Powell
After years of struggling, Glen Powell is now out of nowhere Hollywood’s man. He won over fans in Top Gun: Maverick, captured hearts in the rom-com Anyone But You, and co-wrote the buzzed-about Hit Man. Powell’s blend of charm and versatility has endeared him to both action films and comedies—and he’s showing he’s got creative muscle behind the camera, as well.
6. Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega is Gen Z’s queen of dark allure. She transitioned from Disney parts to horror staple (Scream, X) before becoming an international breakout as Wednesday Addams on Netflix’s Wednesday. And now, she’s starring in Beetlejuice and demonstrating that she can lead franchises as easily as indie films. Ortega’s building a career that’s half spooky, half sharp, and half wildly relatable.
5. Anya Taylor-Joy
Anya Taylor-Joy has founded her career on parts that are as bold as they are unforgettable. From The Witch to The Queen’s Gambit, she’s proved she can dominate both small and large screens. Her stint in Furiosa demonstrated she can headline a big-budget blockbuster, and she’s continuing with genre-defying roles that directors and viewers can’t resist.
4. Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh does everything: indie dramas, psychological horror, and Marvel action. She stunned critics in Lady Macbeth and Midsommar, was nominated for an Oscar for Little Women, and was a fan favorite playing Yelena in the MCU. With Oppenheimer, Dune: Part Two, and her increasing number of leads, Pugh has established herself as both an artist and box office gold.
3. Austin Butler
Austin Butler’s Oscar-nominated turn as Elvis propelled him into A-list status at once. He’s since played meaty roles in Dune: Part Two and ventures with acclaimed filmmakers, exhibiting range and intensity. With classic leading man looks and contemporary toughness, Butler is the kind of actor Hollywood hasn’t seen in years.
2. Zendaya
Zendaya is in a league of her own. She’s single-handedly carried Euphoria, starred in Spider-Man and Dune, and emerged as a worldwide fashion and cultural sensation. Off-screen, she’s producing, commanding endorsement contracts, and rewriting the playbook on what it means to be a relatable yet untouchable star. The studios regard her as a guaranteed blockbuster-maker, and the fans can’t get enough.
1. Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet is now the face of the new Hollywood. With Call Me By Your Name, he cemented himself as a serious actor; with Wonka and Dune: Part Two, he showed he can star in billion-dollar blockbusters. Directors trust him, the audience loves him, and his Bob Dylan biopic is already one of the most highly anticipated films in development. Chalamet is a generational talent who’s just as comfortable in arthouse films and international blockbusters.
These performers aren’t the future; they’re the future. They’re fearless, eclectic, and making decisions that keep Hollywood exciting. Whether you’re a fan of indie drama, big-budget blockbusters, or a touch of both, this generation is keeping the big screen charged.