Top 50 Most Popular Actresses In Their 20s

Saoirse Una Ronan stands out as one of the most talented screen performers of her generation, earning four Academy Award nominations at a remarkably young age.

Remarkably, Ronan received her first Oscar nomination while still in her teens, highlighting her extraordinary talent early in her career.

She has captivated audiences in acclaimed films such as Little Women, Lady Bird, Atonement, Hanna, Brooklyn, and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Beyond her Oscar achievements, Ronan has also been recognized with five British Academy Film Award nominations, demonstrating her consistent critical acclaim.

In 2016, Forbes featured her in two of their 30 Under 30 lists, and in 2020, The New York Times ranked her tenth on their list of the greatest actors of the 21st century.

Florence Pugh has become renowned for her expressive performances, especially her trademark frown in emotionally charged scenes. As one of the most talented young actresses today, she has captivated audiences worldwide with her remarkable skill.

Her breakout role in the 2016 independent drama "Lady Macbeth" earned her a British Independent Film Award, showcasing her ability to convey depth and nuance as a young bride.

Pugh's versatility shines through her varied filmography, including standout roles in "King Lear," "Midsommar," "Fighting with My Family," and "Black Widow." Both critics and fans have praised her impressive range.

Continuing to challenge herself, Florence has delivered memorable performances in diverse projects such as "Don't Worry Darling," "The Wonder," "Little Women," and "A Good Person," solidifying her status as a dynamic force in cinema.

Hailee Steinfeld has earned recognition for her versatility and reliability as a leading talent in mainstream entertainment.

In addition to her accomplished acting career, she is also a successful singer. Steinfeld made her television debut in 2007 with the show "Back to You."

Soon afterward, she began establishing herself in the film industry as well.

Her impressive filmography includes standout roles in acclaimed movies such as "The Edge of Seventeen," "True Grit," and "Begin Again."

Steinfeld also garnered widespread acclaim for her compelling performance in the drama series "Dickinson."

Chloë Grace Moretz has been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry for over fifteen years, captivating audiences with her versatile performances.

Throughout her career, Moretz has earned impressive recognition, winning four MTV Movie & TV Awards, two People's Choice Awards, two Saturn Awards, and two Young Artist Awards.

She has also graced the covers of renowned magazines, including Vogue, Flaunt, and Elle.

Among her notable film appearances are Hugo, If I Stay, Kick-Ass, Kick-Ass 2, The Amityville Horror, The Eye, Dark Shadows, Carrie, and The Equalizer.

Zendaya, known for her striking presence and impressive talent, first gained widespread recognition with her pivotal role in the global blockbuster Spider-Man: No Way Home.

She is an accomplished actress, having earned honors such as a Primetime Emmy Award, a Satellite Award, and a Saturn Award. Zendaya continues to leave her mark on both film and television with her versatile performances.

Some of her most notable credits include Good Luck Charlie, Euphoria, The Greatest Showman, Dune, and Malcolm & Marie. Her recent role in Challengers also garnered significant attention.

Quvenzhané Wallis has been in front of the camera since the age of five, making history as the youngest ever nominee for the Best Actress Academy Award.

Remarkably, she remains the only actor born in the 21st century to receive an Oscar nomination to date. Wallis began her rise to fame when she auditioned at age five and starred as Hushpuppy in the acclaimed drama film Beasts of the Southern Wild.

She also portrayed Annie Bennett in the 2014 adaptation of Annie, a role that earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical).

From the very beginning of her career, Wallis has received widespread recognition, making it likely that she will continue to achieve greater accomplishments in the near future.

Olivia Rodrigo, an avid fan of the Harry Potter film series, rose to prominence with her lead roles in popular television shows like High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and Bizaardvark.

Known for her impressive acting skills and musical talent, Olivia made a remarkable impact with her debut single "Drivers License." Released in 2020, the song shattered numerous records and became one of the highest-selling tracks of 2021.

The overwhelming success of "Drivers License" catapulted Olivia Rodrigo into mainstream stardom, establishing her as a major force in the entertainment industry.

Anya Taylor-Joy stands out as one of the most celebrated actresses of her generation, making a significant mark in her twenties.

After a minor role in Vampire Academy, she quickly rose to fame with her breakout performance in The Witch, capturing audiences and critics alike.

In 2021, Time recognized her influence by including her in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. She has also earned prestigious honors, including a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Anya’s versatility shines through acclaimed roles in both television and film, including projects like The Queen's Gambit, Emma, Thoroughbreds, and Split.

Her extraordinary lead performance in Netflix’s The Queen's Gambit earned global admiration, contributing to the series’ impressive eleven Emmy Award wins.

Dakota Fanning first rose to prominence for her unforgettable portrayal of Lucy Dawson in the acclaimed drama film I Am Sam.

Her remarkable performance at just eight years old earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination, making her the youngest nominee in SAG history to that point.

Throughout her career, she has starred in a number of popular films and series, including Ocean's 8, The Alienist, and Charlotte's Web.

Mary Elle Fanning is a talented young actress who has consistently impressed audiences with her performances.

She began her acting career by portraying the younger version of her sister Dakota Fanning’s character in the drama film I Am Sam.

While Elle appeared in several films as a child, she truly distinguished herself after starring in the science-fiction drama Super 8.

Her role in Super 8 earned her the Spotlight Award at the Hollywood Film Festival, highlighting her rising stardom.

Keke Palmer began her career at a young age as a child artist, demonstrating a natural talent likely influenced by her parents, both professional actors.

From the age of five, she showcased her singing abilities in her church choir. Her breakthrough role came with the film Barbershop 2: Back in Business.

Impressed by her performance, producers encouraged her family to relocate to California, paving the way for Keke to appear in popular TV series like Cold Case, ER, Law & Order: SVU, and Second Time Around.

She also starred in the television movie Knights of the South Bronx. Her standout role in Akeelah and the Bee brought her widespread recognition and critical acclaim.

Throughout her career, Keke Palmer has received numerous prestigious honors, including the NAACP Image Awards, Chicago Film Critics Association Award, Black Reel Awards, and BET Awards, among others.

Bella Ramsey began acting at just four years old, initially as a hobby. They quickly captured attention with their commanding performance as Lyanna Mormont in the immensely popular series Game of Thrones, leaving a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.

Ramsey also starred as Mildred Hubble in the 2017 TV series The Worst Witch. Currently, they are acclaimed for their portrayal of Ellie in HBO's highly praised drama series The Last of Us.

In addition, Bella earned a Critics' Choice Movie Award nomination for Best Young Performer for their role in the 2022 historical comedy film Catherine Called Birdy, further showcasing their remarkable talent and versatility.

Thomasin McKenzie, the talented daughter of actress Miranda Harcourt, is a standout Kiwi actress who began making a mark in the film industry during her teenage years.

Her early appearance in The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies was brief, but her breakthrough came with a critically acclaimed performance in the drama Leave No Trace, which brought her significant attention.

She went on to earn further acclaim, starring in notable films such as Jojo Rabbit, The King, and True History of the Kelly Gang, solidifying her reputation as a rising star.

Recently, Thomasin has captivated audiences with her portrayal of the title character in Eileen and as a co-lead in the psychological horror film Last Night in Soho.

Jenna Ortega launched her acting career as a child, gaining early recognition for her role as Annie in the supernatural horror film Insidious: Chapter 2.

She also appeared as Mary Ann in the direct-to-video movie The Little Rascals Save the Day, showcasing her versatility from a young age.

Ortega earned widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Young Jane in the comedy-drama series Jane the Virgin. Her charismatic performance as Harley Diaz in Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle earned her the Imagen Award for Best Young Actor on Television in 2018.

She has continued to build her impressive resume with roles in projects such as The Babysitter: Killer Queen, You, and The Fallout.

Most notably, Jenna Ortega’s standout performance as Wednesday Addams in the Netflix horror-comedy series Wednesday earned her nominations at both the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Amandla Stenberg made her film debut in the 2011 action-thriller Colombiana. She rose to prominence shortly thereafter for her memorable role as Rue in the blockbuster hit The Hunger Games.

Stenberg's versatility extends to television, where she has appeared in series like Sleepy Hollow and Mr. Robinson, further showcasing her diverse acting talent.

Her notable film credits include leading roles in Everything, Everything and The Hate U Give. For her outstanding performance in The Hate U Give, Stenberg received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture.

Kiernan Shipka, though still in her 20s, has already established herself as a standout talent in television. She is best known for her roles in acclaimed series like Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Mad Men, Feud: Bette and Joan, and Riverdale.

On the big screen, Shipka has showcased her versatility in films such as Carriers, Flowers in the Attic, The Blackcoat's Daughter, and The Silence, among others.

Margaret Constance "Maisie" Williams, known to audiences worldwide as Maisie Williams, rose to international stardom for her iconic portrayal of Arya Stark in the acclaimed series Game of Thrones. Her performance combined innocence with fierce determination, resonating with viewers across the globe.

Williams’s remarkable work on Game of Thrones earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, recognizing her significant impact on the show’s success.

Building on her breakout role, Maisie Williams has appeared in a range of television and film projects, including Doctor Who, Cyberbully, iBoy, The Falling, and The New Mutants, demonstrating her versatility as an actress.

Eliza Jane Scanlen is an exceptionally talented actress who remains somewhat underrated, in our view.

She began her career on the television series Home and Away, but truly captured critical attention with her powerful role in the film Babyteeth.

Scanlen's impressive portrayal in the HBO miniseries Sharp Objects earned her significant acclaim and demonstrated her remarkable range.

Additionally, she delivered a standout performance in Greta Gerwig's acclaimed period drama Little Women, proving her remarkable acting abilities once again.

Ariel Winter rose to prominence with her role as Alex Dunphy in the hit ABC comedy series Modern Family. Her television debut came earlier, in 2005, with the show Listen Up!

During her tenure on Modern Family, she and her co-stars received four Screen Actors Guild Awards for "Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series."

In addition to her television success, Ariel has appeared in feature films such as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Speed Racer, and Duress, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

Dove Cameron gained widespread recognition for her dual role as the title characters in the Disney Channel comedy series "Liv and Maddie." Her versatility shines not only as an actress but also as a gifted and accomplished vocalist.

Her outstanding performance in "Liv and Maddie" earned her the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming, underscoring her remarkable acting talent at a young age.

In addition to her television success, Dove has starred as a lead in Disney's popular "Descendants" film series, captivating audiences worldwide with her dynamic roles.

She further expanded her film career by acting alongside Jennifer Aniston in the Netflix movie "Dumplin'," continuing to showcase her wide-ranging abilities on screen.

Madison Nicole Ziegler was first noticed in a reality show called Dance Moms. She has appeared in advertisements, feature films, concerts, television shows, and on magazine covers since the start of her career.

The young celeb was included on Time magazine's list of the "30 most influential teens" for three consecutive years between 2015 to 2017.

She has been featured in movies and television shows such as West Side Story, The Book of Henry, The Fallout, Drop Dead Diva, and Dancing with the Stars, to name a few.

In 2023, Ziegler was included on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Hollywood & Entertainment category.

Sydney Sweeney made her screen debut in the 2009 feature film ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction. She has only shot to fame in recent years.

One of the prettiest and boldest young performers to make it to our list, she started grabbing eyeballs after having appeared in shows such as The Handmaid's Tale, Everything Sucks!, Sharp Objects, and Euphoria.

The actress was even seen playing a minor role in director Quentin Tarantino's well-received period drama Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Not many readers would be aware of the fact that Joey Lynn King has been acting since she was just 4 years old.

The young actress first made an appearance on the popular television show The Suite Life of Zack & Cody in 2006.

She shot to fame after playing a significant role in feature films such as Ramona and Beezus and The Kissing Booth.

For her adroit performance in the drama series The Act, she was nominated for both a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

The beautiful Bella Thorne was first seen playing an uncredited role in the 2003 feature film Stuck on You.

However, a well-known face today, she has been a part of some extremely popular feature films such as Blended, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip, Amityville: The Awakening, and the Babysitter franchise.

The talented star has been a recipient of an Imagen Award, a Shorty Award, a Teen Choice Award, and three Young Artist Awards, respectively.

Haley Lu Richardson's early television roles were in shows such as Shake It Up and Ravenswood. But, she was first seen in the TV movie Christmas Twister.

She was praised for her performance in motion pictures such as The Edge of Seventeen, Support the Girls, and Split.

Furthermore, the actress was nominated for the Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Actress for her outstanding performance in the acclaimed feature film Columbus.

Sadie Elizabeth Sink may have been working in the entertainment industry for over fifteen years now, but she has only found fame in recent years.

The actress, who was first seen making an appearance on the television show Tweenies, shot to fame after having played the role of Max Mayfield in the popular Netflix series Stranger Things.

Furthermore, she even featured as Ziggy Berman in the Netflix horror film trilogy, Fear Street.

Lili Pauline Reinhart was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She is best known for playing the role of Betty Cooper on The CW teen drama series Riverdale.

The actress has made an appearance in television shows such as Surviving Jack and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

She has, so far, been seen in motion pictures such as Chemical Hearts, Hustlers, The Good Neighbor, and The Kings of Summer, to name a few.

Isabela Merced is one of the most beautiful and promising actresses to make it to our list today.

Even though she is in her early 20s, she has gone on to participate in some well-known features such as Transformers: The Last Knight, Instant Family, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, Sweet Girl, and Dora and the Lost City of Gold.

When it comes to her television appearances, Isabela has been a part of shows such as 100 Things to Do Before High School and Growing Up Fisher.

Natalia Dyer shot to fame after having played the significant role of Nancy Wheeler in the Netflix science fiction-horror series Stranger Things.

The actress made her screen debut in 2009 by appearing in Hannah Montana: The Movie.

She has also been a part of projects such as The Greening of Whitney Brown, I Believe in Unicorns, and Velvet Buzzsaw, to name a few.

The charming Sophie Turner made her screen debut in the renowned television show Game of Thrones.

For her excellent character projection in the same, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2019.

The actress has also been seen in motion pictures such as Another Me, The Thirteenth Tale, and Barely Lethal, to name a few.

Sabrina Carpenter is a singer and writer who made her television debut on the show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

However, her significant recurring role as the young Chloe Goodwin in The Goodwin Games is what brought her both critical acclaim.

Having said that, she gained further recognition after having featured in shows and feature films such as Girl Meets World, Adventures in Babysitting, Horns, The Short History of the Long Road, Emergency, The Hate U Give, and Clouds, to name a few.

Storm Reid made her television debut with a film called A Cross to Bear in 2012. However, she came into the limelight after appearing in movies such as 12 Years a Slave, Sleight, and A Wrinkle in Time.

The young actor, whose career launched at the tender age of 3, has always sought to be a leading actress in the industry.

She can also be seen marking her presence in popular shows such as When They See Us, Euphoria, and The Last of Us.

Reid delivered a convincing performance in the 2023 mystery thriller film Missing.

Mackenzie Christine Foy first gained attention after playing the role of Renesmee Cullen in the 2012 film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.

She soon started to make her charming presence felt in other projects.

For her performance in the aforementioned film though, she was nominated for the Best Supporting Young Actress in a Feature Film.

That said, she went on to win the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor for her performance in director Christopher Nolan's cult science fiction film Interstellar.

Sophia Lillis was first seen on the reality television series The Real Housewives of New York City in 2012. She rose to prominence after playing a key role in It and its sequel, It: Chapter Two.

She has also been a part of television shows such as I Am Not Okay with This and Sharp Objects.

The actress has also been seen in feature films such as Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase and Uncle Frank, among others.

Maya Hawke is another competent and relatively new screen performer to make it to our list.

Not many of our readers would be aware of the fact that she is the daughter of distinguished film stars Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke.

It is not surprising then that she resembles her mother almost completely.

She made her awaited screen debut as Jo March in the BBC adaptation of Little Women.

Furthermore, she was seen playing Robin in the third season of the science fiction Netflix series Stranger Things.

Peyton Roi List began her career as a child model and made her big-screen debut with 27 Dresses.

She did not take a long time to attract the attention of the viewers. Sooner than later, she started to gain recognition for portraying the character of Holly Hills in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series.

Furthermore, her performance in the Disney drama series Jessie brought her critical acclaim.

Kiersey Clemons made her screen debut on the television show Shake It Up in 2010. She did not take a lot of time to start making her presence felt in the movies.

Pretty soon, she was seen performing in motion pictures such as Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, Flatliners, Scoob!, Hearts Beat Loud, and Sweetheart, to name a few.

However, it would be safe to say that her breakout role was in the feature film Dope.

Halle Bailey is an actress, singer, and songwriter who began her career as a child actor by appearing in Disney series and films such as Joyful Noise, Let It Shine, Austin & Ally, Tyler Perry's House of Payne, etc.

She and her sister Chloe worked as a duo and made YouTube covers of hit songs. Halle learned how to write music from her father at the tender age of 5 and used to harmonize with her sister while playing in their kitchen.

Watching YouTube tutorials, the talented sisters learned all that they wished to and, ultimately, began making music on their channel from the age of 11.

After getting the necessary exposure through the Disney series, the Bailey sisters launched their music career and were eventually nominated for five Grammys in 2019.

That said, Halle never neglected her acting career and, in fact, shot to fame in 2023 with her portrayal of Ariel in Disney's musical fantasy film The Little Mermaid.

Kathryn Newton made her screen debut by appearing on the show All My Children in 2002. She has been a part of quite a few popular television shows so far.

The young actress has been seen in television projects such as Gary Unmarried, Big Little Lies, The Society, Halt and Catch Fire, and Supernatural, to name a few.

She has also been a part of feature films such as Bad Teacher, Paranormal Activity 4, Blockers, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, among others.

The supremely talented Emma Mackey is one of the most charming young ladies to make it to our story today.

She grew up in France and moved to London where she happened to make her stage debut.

The actress shot to fame after having portrayed the feisty Maeve Wiley on the show Sex Education.

For her performance in the same, she earned a BAFTA Television Award nomination for Best Female Comedy Performance.

The French-British actress has also been seen in movies such as Emily and Death on the Nile.

Zoey Deutch is the daughter of filmmaker Howard Deutch and actress and director Lea Thompson.

She rose to prominence after having starred in feature films such as Everybody Wants Some!! and Set It Up.

The actress also had a decent role to play in the Netflix comedy series The Politician.

That said, one can also find her in projects such as Beautiful Creatures and Vampire Academy.

Yet another talented but underrepresented young face to make it to our list is Nicola Peltz.

The actress made her screen debut by playing a role in the 2006 feature film Deck the Halls. She rose to fame after having featured in the popular television series Bates Motel.

Nicola has been a part of movie projects such as Transformers: Age of Extinction, Harold, The Last Airbender, and Affluenza, to name a few.

Camila Mendes is an actor and singer who made her big debut by playing the role of Veronica Lodge on the CW teen drama series Riverdale.

For her commendable performance in the same, she ended up winning the Teen Choice Award for Choice Scene Stealer in the year 2017.

The actress has also appeared in motion pictures such as The New Romantic, The Perfect Date, Dangerous Lies, and Palm Springs.

Sasha Bianca Lane made her screen debut by playing a decent role in the Andrea Arnold directorial venture American Honey. She was born in Houston, Texas, but grew up in Dallas.

She played a significant role in the Disney+ streaming television series Loki, which is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The girl has also been seen in motion pictures such as Hearts Beat Loud, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, and Hellboy, to name a few.

Leah Lewis has to be among the most underrated young actresses working in Hollywood today.

She won critical acclaim for her outstanding portrayal of Ellie Chu in the 2020 Netflix coming-of-age drama film The Half of It.

She was also seen playing a decent role in the CW series adaptation of Nancy Drew.

Lewis has been featured in movies such as How to Deter a Robber and Fred 3: Camp Fred, thus far.

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan rose to fame after having played one of the central characters in the Netflix teen comedy series Never Have I Ever. Out of over 15,000 candidates who auditioned for the role, Mindy Kaling decided to go ahead with her in 2019.

One can say that the character that she plays on the show is at least loosely based on Kaling's personal life. That being said, both the show and Maitreyi's performance opened to positive reviews. 

Thanks to the series, the young actress was also chosen to voice the main protagonist in the Pixar film Turning Red.

Lily-Rose Melody Depp may not have been a part of a lot many television and film projects so far, but she has managed to make a name for herself in the entertainment industry.

First things first, she is the daughter of Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp and singer Vanessa Paradis; something that will always fetch her unwanted attention.

That said, she's been a part of motion pictures such as The Dancer, Planetarium, A Faithful Man, and The King, to name a few.

Of late, she has been seen participating in the HBO drama series The Idol.

Liana Daine Liberato made her screen debut on the television show The Inside. She is known to have portrayed the younger version of the female lead in the film The Best of Me.

The actress has so far been seen in motion pictures such as Trust, The Last Sin Eater, and The Expatriate.

For her performance in the Hulu series Light as a Feather, she ended up receiving two nominations; one for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series and another for Outstanding Principal Performance in a Daytime Program.

Madison Lintz may not exactly be very experienced when it comes to her cinematic undertakings, but she has managed to make a name for herself by playing the role of Sophia Peletier in the amazingly popular AMC post-apocalyptic television drama series, The Walking Dead.

Also, her character projection as Madeline "Maddie" Bosch in the Amazon series Bosch brought her further fame.

That said, she can also be seen making her presence felt on television shows such as Nashville and It's Supernatural.

Skai Jackson had already made headlines when she was named as Times' "One of the Most Influential Teens" in 2016.

Famous for playing Zuri Ross in the much-liked Disney sitcom Jessie, she has also been seen appearing in shows and movies such as Marvel Rising: Initiation, K. C. Undercover, Bunk'd, and The Rebound. She continues to act and her net worth is calculated to be over $500,000.