15 Child Actors who Absolutely Nailed their Roles
Some adorable, pint-sized artists have managed to steal the spotlight from their adult co-stars and have rightfully earned the praises they deserved.
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It’s near impossible to forget child stars like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone , Mckenna Grace in Gifted , and the very adorable Brooklynn Prince from The Florida Project . Child actors have time and again proven to be equally good, if not better than their adult co-stars—sometimes even stealing the limelight from A-Listers. Here's looking at you, Mr. Osment. While some child actors, like Scarlett Johansson and Chritian Bale, have gone on to be successful film stars as adults, some like Mara Wilson chose very different paths. Check out these 15 iconic child actors whose outstanding work can never be forgotten.
1. Kiernan Shipka in Mad Men
At the beginning of the show, she was just like any other kid trying to absorb her parents’ love-hate relationship. Eventually, she grows into a teenager that we all could relate to. Thank you, @sallydraperandco, for sharing this iconic scene.
2. Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone
This post by @homealone1992 has made us all nostalgic for this all-time favorite film. Macaulay Culkin convincingly played an ignored, overlooked child, and this plight with his parents made him very endearing for the audience. Needless to say, his courage alone made him every kid’s hero.
3. Haley Joel Osment in Sixth Sense
Osment emerged as one of the breakout stars from his generation. His earnest acting of a haunted boy won him a million hearts and an Oscar nomination. @emilyosmentlove shared this terrific picture of little Haley!
5. Mckenna Grace in Gifted
@the_prefect_reviews, we couldn’t agree more! Well, we love Mckenna Grace in all her movies, but this one took the cake for us. We completely adored her innocence, as she craved for a normal childhood without the guidance of her parents.
6. Dakota Fanning in I am Sam
Sean Penn convincingly plays the role of a father with an intellectual disability, but Lucy (Dakota Fanning), at the tender age of 7, won hearts as a daughter who takes care of her father. @movieaday2020, this sure is the best scene from the movie.
7. Quvenzhané Wallis in Beasts of the Southern Wild
While we felt the anger, happiness, and fear in her eyes, Quvenzhané was all of six years old when they began shooting. @iamrhonamitra is right! Let’s watch it all over again.
8. Jacob Tremblay in Room
Jack didn’t have a role that people could relate to. But seeing him astonished at normal situations and unable to face anyone but his mum sure had our hearts ache a little. @cinemafilmsart posted a still of Jacob watering a plant.
9. Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun
Thanks for the insight, @movieskaleidoscope! Being cast at the age of 11, Bale, with full conviction, played the role of an English boy who becomes a prisoner of the Japanese. His yearning to see his parents had us reaching out for tissues.
10. Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine
Ahhh, this grandfather and granddaughter duo makes for one of the best duos in movie history. Remember how she loved mimicking expressions of beauty pageant contestants and delivered those hyperactive fits? @the.filmstudent, thanks for pulling out our favorite clip from the film.
11. Millie Brown in Stranger Things
Eleven says it all with just that one look! Those intense scenes where she uses her psychokinetic and telepathic abilities always had us floored. We weren’t surprised to see the actor grace the big screen as well.
12. Jack Grazer in It
Warner Bros’ horror blockbuster saw Jack Grazer playing Eddie, the germaphobe. We absolutely loved how his character developed from a fragile boy to the strongest of all the Losers. @qt.grxzer, we love the Losers, too.
13. Marsai Martin in Black-ish
We absolutely adored her as the sassy elder twin who indulges in mischievous antics. And that’s not all. The talented artist has already bagged the title of executive producer. Don’t believe us? Check out @rodinphotography’s detailed post.
14. River Phoenix in Stand by Me
The movie unfolds a beautiful story about four boys who decide to go on a hike in search of a guy that went missing. The young artist’s work appealed to the audience and was unforgettable. Check out the comments on @retro_vibez’s post, and you’ll know.
15. Brooklyn Prince in The Florida Project
Darla and Alfalfa were #RelationshipGoals for every ‘90s kid. We adored the 5-year old who effortlessly delivered the adult-spun ironies. This cute clip by @tel.evison makes us want to watch it all over again!
