Hollywood is constantly searching for its next generation of movie stars, and several actors are entering 2027 with serious momentum.
Some have already delivered acclaimed performances. Others are moving from television and independent cinema into major studio productions, while a few are landing roles in franchises that could introduce them to much larger global audiences.
Not everyone on this list is a newcomer. In fact, several are already familiar names. What they share is a sense that their careers are entering an especially interesting stage.
From David Jonsson and Sophie Thatcher to Ayo Edebiri and Cailee Spaeny, here are 10 rising Hollywood stars worth watching in 2027.
1. David Jonsson
David Jonsson has quickly become one of the most interesting actors of his generation.
Audiences may recognize him from Industry, but his movie career has expanded considerably through performances in films including Rye Lane and Alien: Romulus.
Jonsson's appeal comes partly from his versatility. He can move between romance, drama, science fiction and character-driven storytelling without feeling locked into one type of role.
That flexibility matters in Hollywood, where breakout performers often face the challenge of proving they can exist beyond the project that first made audiences notice them.
As his profile continues to grow, Jonsson looks increasingly capable of moving between prestige projects and larger commercial productions.
Why watch him in 2027: His combination of critical recognition, genre experience and leading-man potential makes his next career moves particularly interesting.
2. Cailee Spaeny
Cailee Spaeny is no longer an unknown name, but her rise has been impressive enough that she remains one of Hollywood's most compelling young performers to follow.
Her performance as Priscilla Presley in Sofia Coppola's Priscilla brought major attention, while Civil War demonstrated that she could hold her own in a very different kind of film.
Then came Alien: Romulus, placing Spaeny at the center of one of cinema's most recognizable science-fiction franchises.
That combination is valuable.
Spaeny has already demonstrated an ability to work in intimate character dramas and large-scale genre movies.
Rather than becoming associated with only one type of character, she is building a filmography that gives her room to move between prestige cinema and mainstream entertainment.
Why watch her in 2027: Spaeny has already crossed the line from promising newcomer to established young star. The next question is how big her career can become.
3. Ayo Edebiri
Ayo Edebiri's rise has been difficult to ignore.
Her work on The Bear helped turn her into an internationally recognized performer, but acting is only one part of her creative identity.
Edebiri has also worked as a writer and voice performer, giving her a broader creative range than many performers at a similar stage in their careers.
Her expanding movie work is especially interesting.
She is among the returning voice cast associated with the sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, currently part of the developing 2027 movie calendar.
That gives her continued exposure to a major animated franchise while her live-action career develops in parallel.
Why watch her in 2027: Edebiri has the talent and versatility to move between television, movies, comedy, drama, animation and potentially filmmaking itself.
4. Sophie Thatcher
If you follow modern horror, Sophie Thatcher is already a name worth knowing.
Her work in Yellowjackets introduced her to a broad audience, while films including The Boogeyman, Heretic and Companion strengthened her association with darker genre storytelling.
But Thatcher's potential goes beyond horror.
She has the kind of screen presence that can work particularly well in psychologically complicated characters, and upcoming projects could allow her to explore new territory.
One project worth watching is Cavendish, a 17th-century action thriller in which Thatcher plays a young bride accused of witchcraft. Erin Kellyman and Joe Alwyn are also attached to the project.
It's exactly the type of role that could let Thatcher combine her established genre strengths with a more expansive dramatic performance.
Why watch her in 2027: Thatcher is developing a recognizable identity without becoming completely trapped by it.
5. Jacob Elordi
Jacob Elordi has come a long way from being primarily associated with young-adult romance.
Euphoria changed perceptions of what he could do dramatically, while films such as Priscilla and Saltburn helped establish him as an actor willing to take darker and more complicated roles.
His career choices suggest an interest in balancing high-profile projects with filmmaker-driven work.
That's important because Elordi already possesses something many emerging actors spend years trying to develop: global name recognition.
The next stage is about longevity.
Can he turn that recognition into a filmography that remains interesting over the next decade?
So far, the trajectory suggests he is trying to do exactly that.
Why watch him in 2027: Elordi is moving beyond “rising star” territory and toward the more difficult challenge of becoming a durable leading actor.
6. Harris Dickinson
Harris Dickinson has quietly built one of the more interesting résumés among his generation of British actors.
Rather than relying on one enormous franchise to establish himself, Dickinson has accumulated experience across independent films, prestige projects and mainstream productions.
Movies such as Triangle of Sadness significantly increased his international visibility, while subsequent roles continued demonstrating his range.
His career is especially interesting because he doesn't fit neatly into one category.
He can play romantic, unsettling, vulnerable or charismatic characters depending on the material.
That versatility makes him an actor directors can potentially use in very different ways.
Why watch him in 2027: Dickinson's steadily expanding filmography could position him for an even bigger leading role.
7. Mikey Madison
Mikey Madison's career changed dramatically with Anora.
Before that breakthrough, audiences may have recognized her from projects such as Better Things, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Scream.
But Anora gave Madison the kind of central performance capable of redefining how the industry sees an actor.
That's often the most fascinating stage of a young performer's career.
After a major breakthrough, the question becomes what comes next.
Does the actor pursue another challenging independent film? A major studio production? A franchise? Something completely unexpected?
Madison now has considerably more freedom to shape those choices.
Why watch her in 2027: Her post-breakthrough career decisions could establish what kind of Hollywood star she wants to become.
8. Charles Melton
Charles Melton has already demonstrated how dramatically an actor's career perception can change after one powerful role.
Many viewers initially knew him primarily from Riverdale. His performance in May December, however, showed a much broader dramatic range.
Since then, his film career has continued expanding.
One confirmed project for 2027 is Netflix's Saturn Return, directed by Greg Kwedar. Melton stars alongside Rachel Brosnahan and Will Poulter in a Chicago-set story following characters across roughly a decade of adulthood. Netflix has confirmed the film for 2027.
That's exactly the kind of character-focused project that could further demonstrate Melton's dramatic abilities.
Why watch him in 2027: Melton has already delivered the performance that changed the conversation around him. Now he has the opportunity to build on it.
9. Sophie Wilde
Sophie Wilde made an immediate impression on international audiences through the Australian horror hit Talk to Me.
A breakout horror performance can sometimes become limiting, but it can also give an actor the visibility needed to pursue very different opportunities.
Wilde has continued expanding her résumé rather than simply repeating the same role.
Her natural screen presence and ability to carry emotionally intense material make her especially interesting for both genre movies and more traditional dramas.
Hollywood increasingly operates internationally, with actors moving between Australian, British, American and streaming productions more easily than in previous generations.
Wilde is well positioned to benefit from that environment.
Why watch her in 2027: Talk to Me introduced her globally, but her longer-term potential extends well beyond horror.
10. Damson Idris
Damson Idris has been building toward movie-star territory for several years.
His acclaimed work in Snowfall demonstrated his ability to anchor a long-running television drama, while increasingly prominent film roles have expanded his international profile.
Looking ahead, Idris is part of the impressive ensemble assembled for Children of Blood and Bone, the adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi's fantasy novel.
The cast also includes Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Tosin Cole, Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, Lashana Lynch, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Regina King. The movie is currently scheduled as part of the 2027 theatrical calendar.
Being part of an ambitious fantasy production with that level of talent could introduce Idris to another large audience.
Why watch him in 2027: Idris has television credibility, increasing movie visibility and the potential to become a major Hollywood leading man.
What Makes a Hollywood Star in 2027?
The definition of a movie star is changing.
A decade ago, an actor's rise might have depended heavily on landing a major theatrical franchise.
Today, careers can develop very differently.
A performer might become famous through a streaming series, move into an independent film, voice an animated character and then appear in a major theatrical blockbuster.
Social media visibility also doesn't necessarily equal genuine star power.
What matters more over the long term is whether audiences become interested in an actor regardless of the project.
That's why the performers on this list are worth following.
Many have already demonstrated that they can attract attention without relying entirely on one franchise or character.
Horror Is Creating a New Generation of Stars
Another interesting Hollywood trend is the role horror has played in launching and strengthening young careers.
Sophie Thatcher and Sophie Wilde are obvious examples.
Modern horror frequently gives younger performers more substantial material than conventional studio movies. Instead of appearing only as supporting characters, they may be asked to carry an entire film emotionally.
Successful horror movies can also reach enormous audiences relative to their budgets.
That combination has turned the genre into an important proving ground for emerging talent.
Streaming and Television Still Matter
The traditional divide between television stars and movie stars has also weakened considerably.
Ayo Edebiri, Charles Melton, Jacob Elordi and Damson Idris all benefited from major television roles before expanding further into film.
Audiences increasingly follow actors across formats rather than viewing television as a lesser destination.
Netflix is also continuing to build movie projects around recognizable performers. Charles Melton's upcoming Saturn Return, for example, places him alongside Rachel Brosnahan and Will Poulter in a film Netflix has already confirmed for 2027.
For emerging actors, that means there are more paths toward global recognition than ever before.
Who Could Have the Biggest 2027?
It's impossible to predict exactly which performer will have the biggest year.
A surprise independent movie can suddenly create an awards contender. A streaming series can become a global phenomenon within days. A supporting character in a blockbuster can unexpectedly become the audience favorite.
That's what makes following rising stars interesting.
Among this group, David Jonsson, Cailee Spaeny, Sophie Thatcher and Charles Melton are particularly fascinating because their recent work has demonstrated significant range.
Ayo Edebiri may have the broadest creative possibilities because her career already stretches beyond conventional acting.
Meanwhile, performers such as Jacob Elordi and Damson Idris appear increasingly positioned for major leading roles.
Final Thoughts
Hollywood's next generation isn't coming from one place.
Some stars are emerging from prestige television.
Others are breaking through in horror movies, independent cinema, streaming productions or established franchises.
The 10 stars we're watching heading into 2027 are:
- David Jonsson
- Cailee Spaeny
- Ayo Edebiri
- Sophie Thatcher
- Jacob Elordi
- Harris Dickinson
- Mikey Madison
- Charles Melton
- Sophie Wilde
- Damson Idris
Some are already famous. Others are still moving toward wider mainstream recognition.
But all ten have one thing in common: their next few projects could be even more interesting than the performances that first made audiences notice them.
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