Finding the perfect child actor for a feature-length film in Hollywood isn't always easy. Younger performers sometimes struggle to convey the complex breadth of emotions that many adults can realistically exhibit. That being said, some child actors stand above the rest. They have successfully captured audiences' hearts with breathtaking and surprisingly mature performances. Unfortunately, some of them are woefully underrated.
Some current younger actors, like Shahadi Wright Joseph in Lion King (2019), show extraordinary talent but aren't widely recognized despite appearing in high-profile projects. Other actors, like Anna Chlumsky in My Girl, thrived in roles as child actors, but have since become less prominent in their older years. Whether they are currently underappreciated or have all but disappeared from Hollywood's gaze, these actors deserve to be spotlighted for their uncontestable talent.
10 Keith L. Williams
Keith L. Williams is an up-and-coming actor with a knack for comedy. But despite appearing in feature-length films such as Secret Headquarters and Seth Rogan's Good Boys, he is still largely unrecognized. Williams has impeccable comedic timing, something that is especially prevalent in his role as Lucas in Good Boys. As Lucas, Williams plays a straight-laced persona which is elevated by his acting.
When Lucas has a pair of teenage girls' ecstasy in his possession, he tells them matter-of-factly that he intends to give the drugs to firefighters. He then shouts "Get help!" at them. This role is made hilarious thanks to Williams' performance, and he should be appreciated for his talents.
9 Alan S. Kim
Although he is only 11 years old, Alan S. Kim already has an impressive acting career under his belt. Even so, his main performances have yet to be acknowledged by audiences for the most part.
Kim's portrayal as David in the award-winning 2020 drama Minari is his most notable. In this flick, Kim plays the protagonist's son, who is innocent and sometimes mischievous. Kim shines in Minari through his realistic facial expressions and body language. Even though Kim was less than 10 when he played David, he captures the essence of childhood and portrays it authentically. Although he won a Critics' Choice Award for his role in 2021, Kim's talents deserve to be elevated in the public eye.
8 Storm Reid
Storm Reid has appeared in numerous high-budget productions since her career began, including Euphoria and 12 Years a Slave. But more often than not her name is not recognized.
Reid's incredible talent is extremely versatile, which is key for an actor. She can modify her performance to the themes each film creates. In Disney's A Wrinkle in Time, she balances light-hearted moments with heart-breaking drama in her role as Meg. She can also harness darker and more mature performances, like Sister Debra in The Nun II. No matter the part, Storm perfectly matches the energy and tone of whatever project she stars in, and she should be celebrated for that accomplishment.
7 Anna Sophia Robb
Nostalgia fans remember Anna Sophia Robb from her starring roles in Soul Surfer and Because of Winn-Dixie. Although these films are widely considered classics, the leading lady isn't as prominent a star as she used to be.
Anna Sophia Robb saw some of her best performances as a child, specifically in content geared towards children and families. She embodies the adventurous spirit of Leslie in Bridge to Terabithia. Furthermore, she shows variety in her acting by nailing the bratty personality of Violet Beaureguarde in Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. While she has appeared in other productions like Hulu's The Act, Anna Sophia Robb deserves to have the same spotlight she had during her younger years.
6 Shahadi Wright Joseph
Shahadi Wright Joseph already has an impressive slate of films under her belt, including Jordan Peele's Us. Even though she has proven she is a skilled actor, she isn't yet widely known to the public.
Her talents, particularly as Umbrae in the horror-thriller Us cement her as a performer with a diverse range of skills. She can adapt to different projects geared towards varying audiences, which is no easy feat. Her onscreen talents also translate to voice acting, as she provides the voiceover for young Nala in Disney's The Lion King (2019.) While she is likely to continue her impressive career as a young adult, she should be given more of an opportunity for audiences to know her by name.
5 Bailee Madison
Bailee Madison is most remembered for her quirky roles in comedy and family films. While she rarely had a starring role in these productions, she always brings plenty of charisma that's worthy of more praise.
She showcases her talents through her first prominent feature, Bridge to Terabithia, where she plays May Belle Aarons. Her comedic delivery is top-notch, yet she is also able to capture the drama behind a broken family. Moreover, her role as Maggie in the Adam Sandler comedy Just Go With It propels the film's comedy with her witty delivery. Although Bailee Madison has appeared in other productions in her older years, she should be given the chance to shine the same way she did as a child actor.
4 Anna Chlumsky
Anna Chlumsky's most famous role is also the role that helped her rise to fame. While she captured the hearts of audiences as Vada in My Girl, she also has impressive roles in future projects that should be spotlit.
Since My Girl, Chlumsky has more or less shifted into the realm of TV, where she thrives in programs like Veep and Law and Order: SVU. Her performance as Amy Brookheimer in Veep is particularly memorable. She plays the character as an unapologetically high-strung woman who can barely tolerate her incompetent colleagues. Chlumsky is incredibly engaging to watch, and she deserves to have more movies with the same prominence as the one that launched her career.
3 Josh Hutchinson
Josh Hutchinson has been in countless classic movies, and he is a treat in every one of them. Although he is a main sticking point in flicks like Bridge to Terabithia, Zuthura, and more, his career as a child has always outshone his accomplishments as an adult actor.
Hutchinson's most well-known adult role is likely Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games series. Since this franchise, however, he hasn't quite continued to keep the same momentum going with audiences. He is undoubtedly worthy of more praise, especially since he has been able to harness complex emotions and portrayals even as a child. With some new projects in the works, hopefully, Hutchinson will launch back into the spotlight the same way he was in his childhood.
2 Roman Griffin Davis
Perhaps best known for his starring role in the satire Jojo Rabbit, Roman Griffin Davis has launched his career with plenty of promise. Since his breakout performance, however, he hasn't quite been able to cement himself as a well-known name in Hollywood.
Although Davis is only 16 years old, his work as Jojo in Taika Watiti's award-winning film should be more than enough to open up more opportunities for him. His comedic timing in Jojo Rabbit is impeccable, and he holds his own against a cast of impressive adult actors. Not only that, but Davis can play a convincing child who has just lost his mother to Nazis, which is undoubtedly a very difficult feat to portray realistically in film. Wherever his career goes, it's clear Davis needs more time in the limelight.
1 Daveigh Chase
There was a time when Daveigh Chase felt like she was in nearly every movie. From dynamic voice acting to a chilling performance in The Ring, it seems like the sky was the limit for her. Unfortunately, Chase's career has somewhat plateaued over the years.
Chase is best known for supplying famous voices to characters like Lilo from Lilo & Stitch, as well as the English dub for Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away. Her most iconic role is hands down Samara Morgan in The Ring. With a terrifying maturity, Chase gave millions of people nightmares with her convincing performance. While this may be her top role to date, she deserves more chances to show her skills.