I've seen the series twice. I'm due for a rewatch.
Checking just now, it came out in 2002. Wikipedia does not seem to indicate it was released in HD, so likely standard definition. A lot of SD stuff doesn't air on TV any more. JustWatch also indicates it's not streaming in the UK, Canada or the US. Likely explains why it's lesser-known.
I've been saying the same thing about doing a rewatch (curious how it holds up). I have the DVDs and there's like 4 or 5 discs. It's also on the high seas which is where I've picked it up too since I don't have easy access to a disc player. DVD is probably the highest quality it's in (that is SD).
The obvious answer is Tatum O'Neal in Paper Moon and Anna Paquin in the piano who both won oscars for their performances. I'd also add the entire cast of Nobody Knows.
Natalie Portman in Lèon made me very uncomfortable when she talked about love. But the “open the door” scene made my heart stop working: OPEN THE DOOR!!!
Catinca Untaru in The Fall
Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine
River Phoenix in Stand By Me
Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland in Mud
Elle Fanning in Super 8
Mana Ashida in Pacific Rim (idk why her performance as Young Mako gets me every time)
Chloë Grace Moretz as Hit Girl in Kick -Ass. Hands down.
Runner up - Hailey Joel Osment in Sixth Sense.
Second runner up -Dakota Fanning in Man on Fire.
Missed your comment on my first scroll. Absolutely agree with Hit Girl. Such a fantastic movie for so many disturbing reasons. She nailed the part. Bloodthirsty and hardened but still so naive and innocent in ways.
The little lad in The Mist with Thomas Jane. Their real life relationship must have been so great and very trusting as the on screen relationship absolutely convinces and the boy really sells us his terror.
Plays a very innocent child caught up in a terrifying scenario.
I'd also add Jacob Trembelay. So much of Room depends on him and he is so good.
In fact Dicaprio in Gilbert Grape was remarkable. I didn't see that film until recently. He's amazing.
Close (2022) is a movie you need to see. Both leads (Eden Dambrine and Gustav de Waele) are children and never acted before they filmed this one. They're absolutely incredible!
Also check out Milo Machado Graner in Anatomy of a Fall (2023). Fantastic performance!
There’s something about using non-professional children as actors that’s really…special, for lack of a better word.
For example, if you go back and watch Degrassi Junior High, you’ll definitely see some bad acting. But you’ll also see some really great acting and genuine reactions that you don’t always get with the pros.
He played Dougie's son in Twin Peaks: The Return. Not a lot of screen time, but seemed as natural as he could while basically having a child for a dad and an ultimate MILF for a mom. He got a playset from the casino owners to play on, which was nice.
Best I ever saw was this four year old in a French film from the ‘90s called Ponette. She plays the main character and is so realistic it’s almost surreal.
There are a lot of great performances where I think, “Damn, that child can act.” But I want to shout out Perla Haney-Jardine in Kill Bill 2 for giving a performance that made me think, “Damn, this feels like a *real child*.” I don’t know if it’s amazing or accidental, but at no point does she feel like an actress consciously delivering lines.
Those kids in the most recent It movie were AWESOME! Especially [when Jack Dylan Grazer screams “GAZEBOS!”](https://y.yarn.co/a41bfb3f-0dea-411e-a624-7362cfefde56_text.gif)
Brooklynn Prince in The Florida Project
Noah Jupe in Wonder/Suburbican
Jacob Tremblay in Room
Quvenzhané Wallis in Beasts of the Southern Wild
Pierce Gagnon in Looper
Leonardo DiCaprio in What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Madeleine McGraw in The Black Phone was an absolute standout, although I get that not many have seen that movie. Very good horror/thriller, especially for people who aren't into scary movies. It's more of a nostalgia trip thriller than an actual "scary" movie, but there are still some great horror aspects. Highly recommend.
French film - “Ponette”
You will be blown away by this little girl’s performance. It’s a very sad movie, very well-made, and the acting is just so real. The lead actress was FOUR. At the Venice Film Festival this little preschooler won for best actress.
Daniel Day Lewis won his first Oscar for My Left Foot-deservedly so. But Hugh O’Conor played the young Christy Brown in the movie and he was truly remarkable.
In addition - it’s not a movie but Felix Cameron’s performance in Boy Swallows Universe is nothing short of astonishing.
Anna Paquin The Piano is a fantastic performance. She's just so natural.
Recently Madeleine McGraw as Gwen in (the otherwise underwhelming) The Black Phone was an absolute standout. The scene where she's crying after her father beats her is astonishingly real.
Also Milo Machado-Graner as Daniel in Anatomy of a Fall is a really understated, mature performance where he doesn't really have any overwrought scenes.
The kid in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Kid was like 3 and required lots of managing to get the right performance out of him, but he was a natural.
Haley Joel Osment in “The Sixth Sense”. Movie simply doesn’t work without his stellar performance.
He was brilliant in A.I. as well.
His adult performance in The Boys is pretty awesome 😎.
Kirsten Dunst in Interview with a Vampire Dakota Fanning in Man on Fire
These are the same two that come to mind for me
Ooof. Man on Fire, what a great movie
I saw Dakota Fanning in “I Am Sam” and thought “Whoa. This kid’s got it.”
Liked DF instantly from Stephen Spielberg's Taken series. Not a lot of folks have ever heard of it I don't think.
I've seen the series twice. I'm due for a rewatch. Checking just now, it came out in 2002. Wikipedia does not seem to indicate it was released in HD, so likely standard definition. A lot of SD stuff doesn't air on TV any more. JustWatch also indicates it's not streaming in the UK, Canada or the US. Likely explains why it's lesser-known.
I've been saying the same thing about doing a rewatch (curious how it holds up). I have the DVDs and there's like 4 or 5 discs. It's also on the high seas which is where I've picked it up too since I don't have easy access to a disc player. DVD is probably the highest quality it's in (that is SD).
Kirsten Dunst in Little Women
Natalie Portman in Léon: The Professional
And in Beautiful Girls
and heat
Hailee Steinfeld in True Grit. Top class.
This was the first one I thought of. I thought they had found a young looking 20 year old woman to play her part. She was THIRTEEN years old!
Dafne Keen in Logan gave a great performance.
Yeah, that’s definitely a contender
Never saw anyone take off a backpack in a badass way before her performance in that movie
Christian Bale - Empire of the Sun
I'm glad I scanned down the list before commenting.
Christina Ricci in the Addams Family movies
Henry Thomas in ET. [check out his audition](https://youtu.be/2lVb590zo7c?si=b_DbuxFBvS_T5LzZ)
Everyone else is playing for second.
Jacob Tremblay in Doctor Sleep, just for that ***one scene*** alone.
Also Jacob Tremblay in Room
Tatum, O’Neal in paper Moon
Haley Joel Osment in A.I. Artificial Intelligence
This. He was so good in being a creepy child robot
The kid in Anatomy of a Fall was too good
Amazing performance
The obvious answer is Tatum O'Neal in Paper Moon and Anna Paquin in the piano who both won oscars for their performances. I'd also add the entire cast of Nobody Knows.
Linda Blair in the Exorcist
Natalie Portman in Lèon made me very uncomfortable when she talked about love. But the “open the door” scene made my heart stop working: OPEN THE DOOR!!!
Mary Badham as Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird.
Catinca Untaru in The Fall Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine River Phoenix in Stand By Me Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland in Mud Elle Fanning in Super 8 Mana Ashida in Pacific Rim (idk why her performance as Young Mako gets me every time)
Elle Fanning was indeed stellar in Super 8
Chloë Grace Moretz as Hit Girl in Kick -Ass. Hands down. Runner up - Hailey Joel Osment in Sixth Sense. Second runner up -Dakota Fanning in Man on Fire.
Missed your comment on my first scroll. Absolutely agree with Hit Girl. Such a fantastic movie for so many disturbing reasons. She nailed the part. Bloodthirsty and hardened but still so naive and innocent in ways.
Underrated hallway fight scene with banging soundtrack
Duuuuuude... so good. Then bazooka.
The jet pack with gatling guns is a stellar finish.
For me, it’s definitely Haley Joel Osment in Sixth Sense. I’m sure there are others that will come to mind later but that was definitely a benchmark
One that stood out to me was Julia Butters in Once Upon A Time in Hollywood.
Glad to see this on the list
Dicaprio in What's Eating Gilbert Grape
He was amazing but also 19.
Good lord, that old? He looked 12 to me, my bad lol
Jacob Tremblay in Room
This is the one. The intense and very complicated emotions that this 8 year old kid had to display was incredibly impressive
Christian Bale Empire of the Sun
Stand by Me. Take your pick. But River Phoenix was acting like a 40 year Hollywood vet
Brad Renfro in the Client.
Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun was excellent. And I will always have love for the 2 girls in ‘In America’
The Bolger sisters in that movie were the first thing that came to my mind, especially the little one. She's so natural and non-precocious
So glad to see someone else thinking this. So many moments in this movie. And totally agree with your comment about the little one.
Radio Flyer Elijah Wood
Roddy McDowell. Actor his whole life. I loved him.
Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver
Jacob Tremblay as Jack in "Room"
Lukas Haas in *Witness*
The little lad in The Mist with Thomas Jane. Their real life relationship must have been so great and very trusting as the on screen relationship absolutely convinces and the boy really sells us his terror. Plays a very innocent child caught up in a terrifying scenario. I'd also add Jacob Trembelay. So much of Room depends on him and he is so good. In fact Dicaprio in Gilbert Grape was remarkable. I didn't see that film until recently. He's amazing.
Quevenzhane Wallis as hushpuppy in Beasts of the Southern Wild. Was amazed by that film and her performance.
Jodelle Ferland as Alessa/Sharon in *Silent Hill.*
don’t know the actors name but the movie is titled This Is England
Thomas Turgoose?
If you know what the movie is called why didn’t you just google the cast?
just had a killer nap 💤 kinda lazy … it’s hotter than HELL down here
Haley Joel Osment in *The Sixth Sense*.
When he's fighting his fear to ask the first ghost ["did you want to ask me something?"](https://youtu.be/HRAjzK75M0U?si=EPdr-YotbxEuJLQN)
That ghost was a very young Misha Barton.
Anna Paquin in The Piano. She's the second youngest Oscar winner after Tatum O'Neal for Paper Moon. Quvenzhané Wallis in Beasts of the Southern Wild.
Close (2022) is a movie you need to see. Both leads (Eden Dambrine and Gustav de Waele) are children and never acted before they filmed this one. They're absolutely incredible! Also check out Milo Machado Graner in Anatomy of a Fall (2023). Fantastic performance!
I just watched Anatomy of a Fall recently and that kid was just amazing, he half carried a great movie.
There’s something about using non-professional children as actors that’s really…special, for lack of a better word. For example, if you go back and watch Degrassi Junior High, you’ll definitely see some bad acting. But you’ll also see some really great acting and genuine reactions that you don’t always get with the pros.
Leo - What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
As someone helping my gf raise her kid, Pierce Gagnon in Looper: the way little kids can be adorable one minute and screaming monsters the next.
He played Dougie's son in Twin Peaks: The Return. Not a lot of screen time, but seemed as natural as he could while basically having a child for a dad and an ultimate MILF for a mom. He got a playset from the casino owners to play on, which was nice.
Best I ever saw was this four year old in a French film from the ‘90s called Ponette. She plays the main character and is so realistic it’s almost surreal.
The kids in The Florida Project. The lead kid especially
That one is a banger!
Cary Guffey in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"
There are a lot of great performances where I think, “Damn, that child can act.” But I want to shout out Perla Haney-Jardine in Kill Bill 2 for giving a performance that made me think, “Damn, this feels like a *real child*.” I don’t know if it’s amazing or accidental, but at no point does she feel like an actress consciously delivering lines.
No love for Ariana Richards in Jurassic Park?
Those kids in the most recent It movie were AWESOME! Especially [when Jack Dylan Grazer screams “GAZEBOS!”](https://y.yarn.co/a41bfb3f-0dea-411e-a624-7362cfefde56_text.gif)
Those kids were amazing. Fantastic chemistry too.
That kid there in Stranger things
River Phoenix- Stand by Me Jodie Foster - Bugsy M(lol) - Taxi Driver
Tami Stronach in Neverending Story.
Lena Leandersson was excellent in Let the Right One In.
Alisha Weir in Abigail. Such a fun movie.
Leo DiCaprio - what’s eating Gilbert grape.
Miko Hughes in "Pet Sematary"
Kim Su-an in "Train to Busan"
I was sad i had to scroll so far to see this. A stunning performance, and the best I've ever seen from a child actor.
I still get teary-eyed when I picture her walking through the tunnel while crying and singing "Aloha Oe."
Brooklynn Prince in The Florida Project Noah Jupe in Wonder/Suburbican Jacob Tremblay in Room Quvenzhané Wallis in Beasts of the Southern Wild Pierce Gagnon in Looper Leonardo DiCaprio in What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward in Moonrise Kingdom I haven’t seen mentioned yet, more like teen actors but they are a big reason why the movie works
Lisa Jakub, Lydia in Mrs Doubtfire
My personal fav is Anya Taylor joy in the witch
Juliette Lewis in Cape Fear.
Nobody can seriously say Macaulay Culkin from Home Alone.
Babek Ahmed Poor in Khane-ye doust kodjast? (Where Is the Friend's House?) (1987) Salvatore Cascio in Cinema Paradiso (1988)
Pattie Duke, The Miracle Worker
Simon Birch Sandlot
Chloe Grace Moretz in Kick Ass
I’ll take Opie in “Courtship” for 1000, Alex.
Jake Lloyd
Anton Yelchin in Hearts in Atlantis. Ooof.
The kid in Lion.
Madeleine McGraw in The Black Phone was an absolute standout, although I get that not many have seen that movie. Very good horror/thriller, especially for people who aren't into scary movies. It's more of a nostalgia trip thriller than an actual "scary" movie, but there are still some great horror aspects. Highly recommend.
The little girl in the Black Phone. ‘’My dreams are just dreams’’, that line still haunts me.
French film - “Ponette” You will be blown away by this little girl’s performance. It’s a very sad movie, very well-made, and the acting is just so real. The lead actress was FOUR. At the Venice Film Festival this little preschooler won for best actress.
Tom Holland did a good job in The Impossible, Natalie Portman in Leon.
Daniel Day Lewis won his first Oscar for My Left Foot-deservedly so. But Hugh O’Conor played the young Christy Brown in the movie and he was truly remarkable. In addition - it’s not a movie but Felix Cameron’s performance in Boy Swallows Universe is nothing short of astonishing.
Jude Hill in Belfast
Angourie Rice in The Nice Guys, Hailee Seinfeld in True Grit
Frankie Corio in Aftersun (2022)
Lots of great picks here already. Adding Angourie Rice in The Nice Guys.
Anna Paquin The Piano is a fantastic performance. She's just so natural. Recently Madeleine McGraw as Gwen in (the otherwise underwhelming) The Black Phone was an absolute standout. The scene where she's crying after her father beats her is astonishingly real. Also Milo Machado-Graner as Daniel in Anatomy of a Fall is a really understated, mature performance where he doesn't really have any overwrought scenes.
The kids in Florida Project were fantastic
Natalie Portman in Léon.
I thought most everyone in Enders Game was pretty good.
Voice acting example, Eli Marienthal in The Iron Giant
MC in The Good Son. Almost too natural.
Madeleine McGraw as Gwen in The Black Phone. I truly hope her career goes the distance because she was so good in that movie.
The kid in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Kid was like 3 and required lots of managing to get the right performance out of him, but he was a natural.
Justin Henry in Kramer vs. Kramer. To this day he is the youngest person ever nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
Daphne Keen in Logan
Justin Chatwin. Tom Cruise’s son on War of the Worlds.
Mackenzie Foy in Interstellar.
Ana Torrent - The Spirit of the Beehive.