The 25 Best Actresses Who Are Currently Under 25

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Young actors born this century are quickly becoming the new faces of film and television. These performers have grown from child stars into major forces in the entertainment industry, starring in blockbuster franchises and highly praised dramatic series. They’re also increasingly taking control behind the scenes as producers and are having a significant impact on global pop culture. This collection highlights the most talented and sought-after screen actors under the age of 25.

Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega, only 23, has quickly become a prominent star in horror and thriller films and TV. She’s best known for playing Wednesday Addams in the popular Netflix series ‘Wednesday,’ which will be back for another season. Ortega recently appeared in Tim Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ and the A24 film ‘Death of a Unicorn,’ and she proved she can lead a big franchise with her work in the ‘Scream’ movies. She remains a highly sought-after actress in Hollywood, with several new projects on the way, including ‘Klara and the Sun’.

Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown, age 21, first gained worldwide fame playing Eleven in the hit show ‘Stranger Things’. With the show’s fifth and final season coming in late 2025, Brown is also building a career as a film producer. She recently starred in ‘The Electric State’, a movie based on a graphic novel by the Russo brothers. In addition to acting, she’s created her own successful beauty line, Florence by Mills, and is both the star and a producer of the popular ‘Enola Holmes’ films.

Sadie Sink

Sadie Sink, the 23-year-old actress famous for playing Max in ‘Stranger Things’, is quickly becoming known for her powerful and moving performances. She impressed audiences in the film ‘The Whale’ and starred in the rock opera ‘O’Dessa’. In 2025, she made a successful Broadway debut in ‘John Proctor Is the Villain’. Recently, it’s been reported that she’ll be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the next ‘Spider-Man’ movie. Sink expertly juggles major film projects with demanding stage work.

Isabela Merced

At 24, Isabela Merced is quickly becoming a major star, with significant roles in two popular franchises. She plays Hawkgirl in James Gunn’s ‘Superman,’ marking her debut in the DC Universe, and appears as Dina in the second season of the popular HBO series ‘The Last of Us.’ She also starred in the recent sci-fi horror film ‘Alien: Romulus.’ Merced has successfully moved from her beginnings on Nickelodeon to taking on challenging, action-packed roles in big-budget movies, showcasing her range as an actress.

Rachel Zegler

Rachel Zegler, 24, quickly gained recognition for her role as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’. She’s recently starred in Disney’s live-action ‘Snow White’ and took the lead in ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’. Zegler has also excelled on stage, playing Eva Perón in a West End production of ‘Evita’ and Juliet on Broadway. Known for her strong singing voice, she continues to be a prominent rising star in musical films.

Bella Ramsey

Bella Ramsey, at just 22 years old, has quickly become a celebrated actor. They’re best known for playing Ellie in HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ and, before that, for their powerful portrayal of Lyanna Mormont in ‘Game of Thrones’. Ramsey will be back for the second season of ‘The Last of Us’, continuing the story of this intense, post-apocalyptic world. Their work on the series ‘Time’ proved their talent for bringing depth and realism to challenging roles. Critics and audiences alike praise Ramsey for their ability to make even the most complex characters feel believable and emotionally resonant.

Mckenna Grace

At just 19, Mckenna Grace has already built an impressive career in Hollywood. She’s known for playing Phoebe Spengler in the recent ‘Ghostbusters’ movies, including the 2024 film ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’. She’s also proven her acting skills in dramatic roles, like in the series ‘A Friend of the Family’ and with an Emmy-nominated appearance on ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. Beyond acting, Grace is a talented musician and writer – she even helped write the script for ‘The Bad Seed Returns’. She’s next appearing in the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, ‘Regretting You’.

Ariana Greenblatt

At just 18 years old, Ariana Greenblatt is making a name for herself as a rising star in action films. After starting as a child actor, she’s recently appeared in popular projects like the movie ‘Barbie’ and the video game adaptation ‘Borderlands’. She’s also joined the cast of ‘Now You See Me 3’, officially titled ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’, which is scheduled for release in late 2025. Greenblatt proved she can act alongside established stars like Adam Driver in the sci-fi thriller ’65’, and she’s continuing to land roles in major studio films.

Nico Parker

At 21, Nico Parker is quickly becoming a well-known actress, especially after her moving role as Sarah Miller in ‘The Last of Us’. She’s now playing Astrid in the live-action version of ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, breathing life into a popular animated character. Parker also earned praise for leading the coming-of-age film ‘Suncoast’, which debuted at Sundance. Before that, she appeared in the live-action ‘Dumbo’ and the sci-fi film ‘Reminiscence’. Her work shows she skillfully balances roles in smaller, personal films with big-budget productions.

Storm Reid

Storm Reid, 22, first became well-known for her role in ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ and has since taken on a variety of acting projects. She’s popular for playing Gia Bennett in the HBO series ‘Euphoria,’ which fans are eagerly awaiting the next season of. Reid also starred in the successful horror film ‘The Nun II,’ proving she can lead a movie, and the thriller ‘Missing,’ where she carried the film with a captivating solo performance. In addition to acting, she’s a producer and currently studies at USC.

Freya Allan

Freya Allan, 24, is an actress who gained international recognition for playing Ciri in the popular fantasy series ‘The Witcher’. She recently starred in the hit movie ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’, showing her talent for action roles. Allan is now filming the fourth season of ‘The Witcher’, where her character will have an even bigger part. She also proved her skills in the horror genre with her performance in the thriller ‘Baghead’. Overall, Freya Allan is becoming a major presence in fantasy and science fiction entertainment.

Alisha Weir

Alisha Weir, a 16-year-old actress from Ireland, is quickly becoming a rising star. She first gained recognition playing Matilda in the movie musical, where she showed off her singing and dancing skills. This year, she surprised audiences with a very different role as a vampire ballerina in the horror comedy ‘Abigail’. Critics have consistently praised her performances, noting her impressive energy and maturity. Weir is also lending her voice to a leading character in the upcoming animated film, ‘The Land of Sometimes’.

Julia Butters

Julia Butters, now 16, quickly became a standout performer in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ while acting alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. She recently appeared with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in the sequel ‘Freakier Friday’ and also had an important part in Steven Spielberg’s personal film, ‘The Fabelmans’. Directors admire her for her mature and confident acting, and she’s successfully moving from playing child characters to teenagers.

Iman Vellani

Iman Vellani, 23, quickly gained popularity playing Kamala Khan in the Disney+ series ‘Ms. Marvel’. She returned to the role in the movie ‘The Marvels’, establishing herself as a key part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Vellani is also lending her voice to the animated series ‘Marvel Zombies’, continuing as Kamala Khan. Beloved by fans for her authentic excitement and extensive comic book knowledge, she’s expected to take on a leading role in the potential ‘Young Avengers’ project.

Angourie Rice

Angourie Rice, 24, is a rising actress who’s appeared in films and TV shows in both Australia and the United States. She recently starred as Cady Heron in the 2024 ‘Mean Girls’ movie musical, offering a new interpretation of the popular character. Many also know her as Betty Brant from the ‘Spider-Man’ films and for her role in the series ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’. She first gained recognition for her work in ‘The Nice Guys’ with Ryan Gosling, and continues to move between big-budget films and more intimate, character-focused projects.

Lola Tung

Lola Tung quickly became well-known for playing Belly in the popular Amazon Prime series, ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty.’ Now 23, she’s the star of the show, which is currently filming its third season. Recently, she also made her Broadway debut in the acclaimed musical ‘Hadestown,’ proving her skills as an actress. Audiences connect with her realistic portrayal of teenage love and growing up, and she’s quickly becoming a prominent young star in the young adult entertainment world.

India Ria Amarteifio

At just 24 years old, India Amarteifio has gained international acclaim for playing the lead role in the Netflix series ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’. Critics and viewers have praised her moving performance and the strong connection she shared on screen with her co-star, Corey Mylchreest. Before ‘Bridgerton’, she appeared in popular British shows like ‘Sex Education’ and ‘Doctor Who’. Currently, Amarteifio is filming new movies, including the thriller ‘Into the Deep’, and her success in the ‘Bridgerton’ prequel has established her as a rising dramatic actress.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

I first really noticed Maitreyi Ramakrishnan when she starred in ‘Never Have I Ever’ on Netflix – she was fantastic! She totally carried that show for four seasons, and everyone loved her timing and how real she felt. It’s been cool to see her move into voice work too, like with ‘My Little Pony: Make Your Mark’ and the upcoming ‘Slumfire’. I recently saw she was in ‘The Netherfield Girls’, which is a modern take on ‘Pride and Prejudice’, and it’s great to see her continuing to take on interesting roles. Plus, she’s a really strong voice for getting more diverse representation in Hollywood, which I really admire.

Sophia Lillis

I’ve been a fan of Sophia Lillis ever since she played Beverly Marsh in ‘It’ – she was amazing! She’s really versatile, and I’ve enjoyed seeing her in everything from Wes Anderson’s ‘Asteroid City’ to the more independent film ‘The Adults’. I especially loved her as the lead in the Netflix series ‘I Am Not Okay with This’ and ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’. She has such a unique look and way of acting, and it’s clear she’s drawn to interesting and unusual roles, which is great to see.

Marsai Martin

Marsai Martin, now 21, is a rising star in Hollywood. She made history as the youngest person to executive produce a film, ‘Little,’ and is widely recognized for her role as Diane Johnson on the hit TV show ‘Black-ish,’ for which she’s received several NAACP Image Awards. Through her production company, Genius Entertainment, Martin continues to create new projects, including the film ‘G20’, and recently lent her voice to ‘PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie’. She successfully combines acting with a growing role behind the camera.

Emily Carey

Emily Carey, 22, is quickly becoming a rising star thanks to roles in popular series like HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon’, where she played young Alicent Hightower, and the recent Netflix adaptation of ‘Geek Girl’ as Harriet Manners. Before this, she played younger versions of iconic characters like Wonder Woman and Lara Croft. Carey’s talent for showing both vulnerability and strength has consistently landed her roles in major fantasy and drama productions, and she’s establishing herself as a leading actress in both British and American television.

Xochitl Gomez

Xochitl Gomez quickly became well-known for her role as America Chavez in the movie ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’. The 19-year-old actress is expected to play a significant part in future Marvel films. She also recently won season 32 of ‘Dancing with the Stars’, demonstrating both her talent and energy. Before that, she was a star on the Netflix series ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’, playing Dawn Schafer. Currently, she’s filming the sci-fi thriller ‘Ursa Major’ with Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

Bailey Bass

Bailey Bass, a 22-year-old actress, is a key member of the cast in James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ films, playing the character Tsireya. She’ll be back for the next movie, ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash,’ which is expected in late 2025. Bass also played Claudia in the first season of AMC’s ‘Interview with the Vampire.’ Her roles require a lot of physically demanding work, including performance capture technology, and she’s expected to be a significant part of the ‘Avatar’ story for many years.

Whitney Peak

Whitney Peak is a 22-year-old actress who gained popularity playing Zoya Lott in the new ‘Gossip Girl’ series on HBO Max. She broadened her audience with a leading role in the sequel ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ and has also appeared in ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ on Netflix and the film ‘Molly’s Game’. As a Chanel brand ambassador, Peak is also making a name for herself in fashion. She continues to work on both TV shows and movies.

Chloe Coleman

Chloe Coleman is a rising star who, at just 17, has already worked with many famous actors. You might recognize her from recent films like ‘My Spy: The Eternal City’ with Dave Bautista, ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,’ and even ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’ She also appeared in the sci-fi thriller ’65’ and the HBO hit series ‘Big Little Lies.’ Coleman is frequently cast as a clever and capable young character in big-budget movies.

Share your favorite performances from these actresses and who you think we missed in the comments.

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2025-12-18 20:18