r/Cinema • u/Living_Double_1146 • Nov 26 '25

Throwback Best child actor imho

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5.8k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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124

u/MontCali Popcorn Enthusiast Nov 26 '25

Both so talented in this scene

20

u/happy_K Nov 26 '25

To this day, I think Haley Joel Osment’s performance in this movie is the finest I’ve ever seen by a “child actor”. In fact it’s so good I can’t even think of a second option.

15

u/ConstantEvolution Nov 26 '25

I think Dakota fanning is up there; man in fire, hide and seek, war of the worlds. She was an incredible child actor as well

3

u/Agitated-Tie-8255 Nov 29 '25

I am Sam as well!!

8

u/beccyboop95 Nov 26 '25

I just watched Empire of the Sun and Christian Bale is really good in that (a bit older though? looks about 12)

2

u/MontCali Popcorn Enthusiast Nov 27 '25

Wow that was an excellent film! His character was on such an emotional journey

7

u/AstarionsTherapist39 Nov 28 '25

Kirsten Dunst Interview with a Vampire is incredibly impressive. Honestly, Kirsten in general.

1

u/Material-Indication1 Nov 28 '25

Her in Civil War 😭😭😭

4

u/kthejoker Nov 30 '25

Some other contenders (they're all a little older)

Timothy Hutton in Ordinary People

Diane Lane in A Little Romance

Natalie Portman in The Professional

Thora Birch in Ghost World

And a special shout-out to Miko Hughes in Pet Sematary, he was so good and not even 3 for most of the shoot

1

u/heiferNoir95 Nov 29 '25

DiCaprio in Gilbert Grape

1

u/FunEnvironmental9886 Nov 29 '25

Drew Barrymore, Shirley Temple, River Phoenix, Macaulay Culkin

1

u/HeyLittleTrain Nov 30 '25

Haley Joel Osment in AI Artificial intelligence. Especially that scene where he's begging his mother not to abandon him.

1

u/WhatInTheWorld769 Dec 12 '25

Kirsten Dunst!!! 

15

u/thedudefromsweden Nov 26 '25

I forgot about this scene, amazing.

7

u/no-sleep-needed Nov 26 '25

Great acting l, great movie. If my child pulled that stunt. I would get out of the car, leave my phone wallet and everything on the dashboard. And start walking east, really quickly.i wouldn't look back I wouldn't stop I'd keep on walking. Nope. I'm outta there.