10 Child Actors Who Outshone Their Adult Co-stars Easily

1. The Beastmaster (1982) – Joshua Milrad

Even in the midst of supernatural elements, ferocious beasts, and the epic sword-and-sorcery, young Joshua Milrad managed to steal the spotlight in the cult classic, The Beastmaster. Milrad portrayed the young Dar, displaying a poise and connection with the animals that the adult cast could not muster. Not bad for a kid who spent most of the film draped in a loincloth.

Notably, the film holds a 52% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has garnered a cult following, but Milrad's performance is a definite highlight. Sadly, a career in Hollywood didn't happen for him even after such a brilliant performance.

2. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore's performance as Gertie, the precocious younger sister in E.T., is so remarkable that even after all these years ET still enjoys its cult status. Drew's character innocent, playful interaction with the alien E.T. contrasted beautifully with the more mature, worried expressions of her adult co-stars. Barrymore effortlessly carried the emotional weight of the film on her tiny shoulders, making the audience laugh, cry, and cheer in turn.

The film currently holds a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and bagged nine Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.

3. Pan's Labyrinth (2006) – Ivana Baquero

Ivana Baquero's performance in Guillermo del Toro's Spanish-language dark fantasy Pan's Labyrinth was, in a word, enchanting. As Ofelia, she navigated a world of monstrous creatures and violent men with an unnerving maturity, upstaging her seasoned adult co-stars. The film went on to win three Academy Awards and holds a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The success of the film and Baquero's performance led to an increase in international roles for Spanish actors.

4. Little Miss Sunshine (2006) – Abigail Breslin

Abigail Breslin, as Olive Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine, managed to outshine an ensemble cast that included Steve Carell, Toni Collette, and Alan Arkin. Her endearing portrayal of the plucky, unpretentious Olive, on her quest to compete in a beauty pageant, was a show-stealer. The film, which received a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, won two Academy Awards, and Breslin herself was nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

5. Hugo (2011) – Asa Butterfield

In Martin Scorsese's Hugo, Asa Butterfield played the titular character with a level of emotional depth rarely seen in young actors. Despite sharing screen time with established actors like Ben Kingsley and Sacha Baron Cohen, Butterfield's performance was the heart of the film. Hugo boasts a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, winning five. Yet, it was Butterfield's nuanced performance that captivated audiences worldwide.

6. Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) – Quvenzhané Wallis

At just six years old, Quvenzhané Wallis captivated audiences as Hushpuppy in Beasts of the Southern Wild, a tale of survival and resilience set in a Louisiana bayou community. Wallis's performance as the imaginative and fiercely independent girl, facing down both her father's failing health and rising floodwaters, was extraordinary. Her display of fortitude and spirit in the midst of a catastrophe was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

The film was well-received by critics, holding an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and Wallis became the youngest actress ever to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress – a feat she absolutely deserved.

7. Room (2015) – Jacob Tremblay

Room is a harrowing tale of a mother and son held captive in a small room for several years. As Jack, the five-year-old boy who has never seen the outside world, Jacob Tremblay delivers a compelling performance. Through his eyes, we see the room not as a prison, but as the whole world. Tremblay's acting, which had to convey the terror, confusion, and eventually joy of a world expanding beyond comprehension, was lauded by critics.

The film currently boasts a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and Brie Larson won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Jack's mother.

8. A Monster Calls (2016) – Lewis MacDougall

Lewis MacDougall's portrayal of Conor in A Monster Calls was a masterclass in vulnerability. The plot revolves around Conor, a boy who summons a tree monster as he struggles with his mother's terminal illness and bullying at school. MacDougall's haunting performance managed to steal the limelight from the monster itself, and he masterfully navigated the realms of fantasy and heartbreaking reality, giving the audience a cathartic journey.

The film maintains a solid 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics especially praised MacDougall's emotionally charged performance.

9. The Florida Project (2017) – Brooklynn Prince

The Florida Project tells a story through the eyes of Moonee, a six-year-old girl living in a motel in the shadow of Disney World. Brooklynn Prince's performance as Moonee was lauded for its authenticity and vivaciousness, capturing the wonder and resilience of childhood in the face of poverty. Her sunny and mischievous character stole every scene, even upstaging Willem Dafoe, a seasoned actor. The film has a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and Prince won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer.

10. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) – Julian Dennison

Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a charming adventure comedy-drama that centers on a defiant city kid Ricky (played by Julian Dennison) who gets a fresh start in the New Zealand countryside. He quickly finds himself at home with his new foster family: the loving Aunt Bella, the grumpy Uncle Hec, and dog Tupac. When a tragedy strikes that threatens to ship Ricky to another home, he and Hec go on the run in the bush. Dennison's performance is delightful and heartfelt, outshining his adult co-star Sam Neill.

The film holds a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was a box-office success, largely thanks to Dennison's charming performance.