Best and Worst Child Performances

[stayillogical]

I think an underrated one is Miette in City of Lost Children.

Discuss.

[drudo182]

Honestly, I love Judd Apatow's kids in his films. They come across so natural, like they don't even know they are even making a movie. I love how he puts them in his work.

Kind of random, I know, but I was talking to someone about that the other day.

[Smash Adams]

jzjbRBuz4Fg
I see you there Zooey

[sleepyseanzzz]

the kid from jingle all the way who is also annakin in star wars episode 1, he's terrible. now i feel bad because he was a little kid at the time. the older annakin sucked too.

will smith's son in the pursuit of happiness was great. also, SJ in the movie the blindside (that i just saw and i suggest everyone else goes sees) was pretty funny

[yoyostring]

http://www.spitefulcritic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/littlerascals.jpg

great movie.

[deadkidsean]

The little girl in Jersey Girl. SOOOOOOO good.

[deadkidsean]

The entire child cast of The Children (UK) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1172571/). They did an absolutely incredible job ... really, really haunting, creepy, scary, etc.


http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/images/TheChildren1.jpg

[Momo32T]

So help me god if anyone says the little fat kid with glasses in Jerry Maguire...

The little kid in Love Actually I thought was pretty good. The one who played Liam Neeson’s stepson...yeah.

[deadkidsean]

So help me god if anyone says the little fat kid with glasses in Jerry Maguire...
Lipnicki.

[deadkidsean]

Abby Breslin has been great in Zombieland, Definitely, Maybe, Signs, and Little Miss Sunshine.

[williek311]

http://lukehimself.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/stand-by-me-group.jpg

[Momo32T]

http://steelcloset.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/sandlot.jpg

Whoever didn’t love this movie never had a childhood.

[gusta0117]

the child actors/actresses in Slumdog Millionaire. they made the movie

[Ari Christos]

http://lukehimself.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/stand-by-me-group.jpg

Oh man I came in here to say something totally different, I completely forgot about Stand By Me! Great pick.

http://steelcloset.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/sandlot.jpg

Whoever didn’t love this movie never had a childhood.

This is what I came in here to say haha

[stayillogical]

Everyone should watch Turtles Can Fly. That's the definitive movie about the war in Iraq for me (I haven't seen The Hurt Locker), the kids are heart breaking.

[Prestonxsmith]

Abigail Breslin is adorable and great in everything she is in.

[MADSTA]

http://lukehimself.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/stand-by-me-group.jpg
http://steelcloset.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/sandlot.jpg

YES YES YES YES YES, I immediately thought of these two for best.
the child actors/actresses in Slumdog Millionaire. they made the movie
I don't think they made the movie necessarily, but they were great.

[writeacliche]

Kirsten Dunst in Interview with a Vampire. Such a dark and complex performance from a kid.

http://c.getbackimages.com/uri/w514_h800_cfalse_K0521213722/kirsten-dunst-in-interview-with-the-vampire-/image/4/0/6/9/4069117.jpg

[KevBlu42]

Natalie Portman in The Professional
Anna Paquin in The Piano
Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun

[jared091]

The Olsen Twins were pretty awful

and did anyone mention the Goonies?

[cuzimlefthanded]

Awesome: Dakota Fanning.

Fucking terrible: every Disney child star?

[cirerelleum]

Abigail Breslin is adorable and great in everything she is in.

Her brother is terrible in everything he is in.

[geebee889]

http://www.spitefulcritic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/littlerascals.jpg

great movie.


This is one of my favorites!

[Prestonxsmith]

Her brother is terrible in everything he is in.
Who is her brother?

[cirerelleum]

Who is her brother?
Spencer Breslin. Was in a lot of Disney movies and some others. I cannot stand him. She is good though.

[thursday727]

worst ever
http://cinesofa.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/anakin1.jpg

[Cheshire_Buddha]

Who is her brother?

He was in Santa Clause 2, Santa Clause 3, Harold, The Happening, Zoom, The Shaggy Dog, The Cat in the Hat, The Kid.

[prozacparade]

Christina Ricci was always solid.

[Prestonxsmith]

He was in Santa Clause 2, Santa Clause 3, Harold, The Happening, Zoom, The Shaggy Dog, The Cat in the Hat, The Kid.
I FUCKING HATE THAT KID.

x

[Prestonxsmith]

http://www.product-reviews.net/wp-content/userimages/2007/07/josh-flitter.jpg

Go ahead and hate this kid, but when I saw Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Jr., he was fucking hilarious in his delivery with his lines.

[dissident]

Honestly, I love Judd Apatow's kids in his films. They come across so natural, like they don't even know they are even making a movie. I love how he puts them in his work.



you serious, clark? his older daughter was atrocious in knocked up. the scene talking about googling murder is fucking awful and she comes across so awkward.

[dissident]

jingle all the way was on today and it should be noted jake lloyd is not just terrible in episode 1. he literally can't deliver one single line naturally.

[WhiteLies.]

Best:
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/01/12/pan_070112051733649_wideweb__300x30 8.jpg

[timb89]

http://steelcloset.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/sandlot.jpg

Whoever didn’t love this movie never had a childhood.

amazing movie!

[timb89]

worst ever
http://cinesofa.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/anakin1.jpg

cant really recall this being horrible tough i would add that harry potter child cast gets worse as they get older.

[timb89]

you serious, clark? his older daughter was atrocious in knocked up. the scene talking about googling murder is fucking awful and she comes across so awkward.

yeah but the curly haired one is adorable.

[thursday727]

Everything Kenan Thompson has been in (except Fat Albert)
I don't know why he isn't considered an icon of our generation , almost everything he's been in has been a classic with kids that grew up in the 90's.

[dissident]

who?

[thursday727]

who?
seriously?
Mighty Ducks 2 , Heavyweights , All That , Kenan & Kel , Good Burger , SNL.

[cirerelleum]

Your thinking of Kenan Thompson. He and Kel Mitchel are not the same person.

[thursday727]

Your thinking of Kenan Thompson. He and Kel Mitchel are not the same person.
My bad, that's why it's not good to post inebriated.

[dissident]

you must be fucking wasted if you think he belongs with the best child performers.

[thursday727]

you must be fucking wasted if you think he belongs with the best child performers.
haha i'l let you know when i sober up.

[Sventhegreat]

Abby Breslin has been great in Zombieland, Definitely, Maybe, Signs, and Little Miss Sunshine.

She was on my campus the other day filming a new movie. Doubt that the movie that was filming here will be any good though.

[Chris Fallon]

The kids in The Butterfly Effect piss me off so much. I hate that movie for many reasons, but those kids are a major part of why I didn't enjoy the film.

[Smeee]

http://i47.tinypic.com/es0whs.jpg

[bard]

i can't really think of actual examples other than on californication but, i HATE when kid characters are overly smart and observational as a kid. like, you're a kid. why are you so smart? or know when to say something that is years ahead of your time?

idk, i just hate how a lot of movies/tv shows try to make kids smarter than they have to be. just make them normal.

dakota fanning is the worst at this.

[Wake Up]

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/01/12/pan_070112051733649_wideweb__300x30 8.jpg

yes

[Deadbolt23]

Gotta agree with the Stand By Me cast. Sincerely.

[And Hours Pass]

http://lukehimself.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/stand-by-me-group.jpg

http://steelcloset.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/sandlot.jpg

Whoever didn’t love this movie never had a childhood.

Two of my favorite movies next to each other. What were the chances of that...

[MADSTA]

Gotta agree with the Stand By Me cast. Sincerely.
Well played.
The kids in The Butterfly Effect piss me off so much. I hate that movie for many reasons, but those kids are a major part of why I didn't enjoy the film.
Really? I like the kid that plays young Tommy.
http://i47.tinypic.com/es0whs.jpg
Love this scene.



I hate this child though:
http://images.fandango.com/r78.7/ImageRenderer/250/375/nox.jpg/p498000/images/masterrepository/performer%20images/p498000/madisonpettis1.jpg

[Khaos]

Saw The Day The Earth Stood Still last night. Was really impressed with the little boy's performance.

[Chris Fallon]

Will Smith's kid can act, especially next to Keanu. No, but for real, the kid is fantastic is Pursuit of Happyness.

[Max_123]

anything with Dakota Fanning, Abigail and Spencer Breslin is usually good

[cirerelleum]

anything with Dakota Fanning and Abigail Breslin is usually good


fixed.

[WhoSaidThat?]

http://208.131.143.232/i/2/3/4/0/2.jpg

Guy on the far right. Always cracked me up.


http://jakerake.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/blank_check_film.jpg

Fuck this kid.

[mikebup777]

i can't really think of actual examples other than on californication but, i HATE when kid characters are overly smart and observational as a kid. like, you're a kid. why are you so smart? or know when to say something that is years ahead of your time?

idk, i just hate how a lot of movies/tv shows try to make kids smarter than they have to be. just make them normal.

dakota fanning is the worst at this.
Dakota Fanning pisses me off.

I hate this child though:
http://images.fandango.com/r78.7/ImageRenderer/250/375/nox.jpg/p498000/images/masterrepository/performer%20images/p498000/madisonpettis1.jpg
So does she.

[doyouhas?]

http://www.wildaboutmovies.com/images_6/LeePaceTheFallMovie.jpg
The Fall

Possibly the best performance by a child I've ever seen.

[MADSTA]

Most bests:
http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/39481.jpg

[eraserhead]

Worst: Kid from Bridge to Terabithia, 1985 version

qIj4ekcONqg

[Deadbolt23]

Most bests:
http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/39481.jpg

Great shout.

[MADSTA]

Worst: Kid from Bridge to Terabithia, 1985 version

qIj4ekcONqg
Blinky McStarington.

[Chris Fallon]

http://jakerake.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/blank_check_film.jpg

Fuck this kid.
Hahahaha Yes! That kid was a twat from the very beginning when he was the "new kid" on Family Ties.

That reminds me: generally, the worst and most obnoxious child actors come in the form of the new baby on any sitcom. I'll cut Olivia from the Cosby Show and Nicky from Fresh Prince some slack because they were actually amusing... but the others all sucked balls.

[WhoSaidThat?]

Hahahaha Yes! That kid was a twat from the very beginning when he was the "new kid" on Family Ties.
Apparently he got a DUI or something in '06.

[KoolAidMatt]

http://upload.moldova.org/movie/actors/a/angus_t_jones/thumbnails/tn2_angus_t_jones_3.jpg

[deadkidsean]

Hopefully that's for worst. Two and a Half Men is literally every single thing that is wrong with television.

[KoolAidMatt]

Hopefully that's for worst. Two and a Half Men is literally every single thing that is wrong with television.

I know I was shocked to find out that the show is in it's seventh season! I don't know what people find so appealing about it.

[deadkidsean]

I know I was shocked to find out that the show is in it's seventh season! I don't know what people find so appealing about it.
American's are wildly fucking stupid, haha. But you probably already knew that.

[WhiteLies.]

Worst:
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/ap/d13e0fda-2cb4-4750-830e-437cdf4cc39a.hmedium.jpg
I love Californication, but the girl who plays Becca annoys the hell out of me.

yes
Under best, I hope. I forgot to note it before

[Alaina <3]

I agree with whoever said the Olsen twins. Everything they've ever been in is a pile of steaming dog shit. And the fact that they have a clothing line at Wal-Mart makes me hate them even more.

[dissident]

when hank called becca a little shit on californication i did a fist pump. i hate that little cunt.

[tyramail]

the little boy in the road was excellent. i also loved christina ricci in the addams family and thora birch. i really disliked those twins in 7th heaven, worst child acting i think i've ever seen.

[anthonydarko]

I know it's been said but fuck this kid:
http://destroyerbeat.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/35587532.jpg
Granted, Episode I wasn't that great of a movie but along with Jar Jar Binks, this kid was one of THE worst parts of that movie.

[KellyGleason]

the little boy in the road was excellent. i also loved christina ricci in the addams family and thora birch. i really disliked those twins in 7th heaven, worst child acting i think i've ever seen.Agreed on this. I always questioned if they had a disability of some sort.

[tyramail]

Agreed on this. I always questioned if they had a disability of some sort.
me too! i always felt bad about thinking it too haha. it seemed like they either had a disability, or were trying so so hard to remember and deliver their lines.

[WhoSaidThat?]

Most bests:
http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/39481.jpg
Dear God, I fucking love Malcolm in the Middle. Wish the other six seasons would be released on fucking DVD already.

[needles & pins]

http://www.peterboroughartscinema.co.uk/therightone.jpg

[anthonydarko]

http://jakerake.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/blank_check_film.jpg

Fuck this kid.
That kid is now a fugitive.

[Cliff Diver]

NZQsq-YLHhU&feature=related

Ronnie from Role Models is full of win

[Andy K]

WORST:
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/Image/dylan-cole-sprouse.jpg

I can't belive these guys haven't been mentioned, they are horrible.

[dissident]

who are they?

[MADSTA]

Consider yourself lucky that you don't know.

[chasingjamie]

the fat redhead that's in the sandlot, the big green, heavyweights, and son-in-law is so funny. but one of the worst is that kid that played DJ on roseanne. he got better as he got older but in the beginning it was pretty bad.

[chasingjamie]

WORST:
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/Image/dylan-cole-sprouse.jpg

I can't belive these guys haven't been mentioned, they are horrible.

agreed, but they were cute and funny in big daddy. i mean, they wipe their own ass.

[dissident]

agreed, but they were cute and funny in big daddy. i mean, they wipe their own ass.
ah, that's who they are. yeah they were awful in that movie.

[Thug_Nasty]

WORST:
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/Image/dylan-cole-sprouse.jpg

I can't belive these guys haven't been mentioned, they are horrible.

funny in big daddy; annoying little douchebags in everything else.

[dissident]

i didn't know they were in anything else.

[Ben09]

Saoirse Ronan

[yoyostring]

i liked Hayden in Remember the Titians

[Thug_Nasty]

i didn't know they were in anything else.

disney channel actors. relentlessly annoying if you ask me

[dissident]

oh. i'm an adult therefore i do not watch the disney channel

[MADSTA]

i liked Hayden in Remember the Titians
Another good one.

[cshadows2887]

Off the top of my head:
Kristen Stewart in Speak

But on another day it could easily be:
Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver
Ivana Baquero in Pan's Labyrinth
Linda Blair in The Exorcist
Christina Ricci in Addams Family Values
Saorirse Ronan (sp?) in Atonement
Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34th Street

And if we included animated children, Boo from Monsters, Inc.

[neo506]

Ponette. All the kids but esp the lead girl. So so good

[yoyostring]

Off the top of my head:
Kristen Stewart in Speak

But on another day it could easily be:
Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver
Ivana Baquero in Pan's Labyrinth
Linda Blair in The Exorcist
Christina Ricci in Addams Family Values
Saorirse Ronan (sp?) in Atonement
Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34th Street

And if we included animated children, Boo from Monsters, Inc.

yes.

[MADSTA]

Because I'm watching Jeux D'Enfants in french class, Thibault Verhaeghe.

[stayillogical]

I prefer the older Julien. :inlove:

[Viva Sonata]

The two little girls in Premonition were fucking awful

[MADSTA]

I prefer the older Julien. :inlove:
Well that's kind of a given. But I didn't really notice the last two times I watched it that the kid is really good. The scene where he's talking to himself saying "If I can jump two, my mom will get better." is so sad.

[derekmoyer4]

Awesome: Dakota Fanning.

Fucking terrible: every Disney child star?
well said, well said.

Best:
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/01/12/pan_070112051733649_wideweb__300x30 8.jpg
great choice. i could not agree more.

[SkyHeldUpByStar]

Jake Lloyd is the worst. Hit the noooooose.

I really like these two:

http://www.cinemapolis.org/pics/pics2/son%20of%20rambow.jpg

Bill Milner and Will Poulter from Son of Rambow. Bill Milner also gave a good performance in Is Anybody There?

[SkyHeldUpByStar]

Oh and Anton Yelchin was a good actor when he was a kid:

http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/6900000/Anton-Yelchin-as-Bobby-hearts-in-atlantis-6909425-675-1050.jpg

[Recovery Room]

http://images.allmoviephoto.com/2000_Billy_Elliot/jamie_bell_billy_elliot_003.jpg

http://pabuc.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/empire-of-the-sun_779812i.jpg

[cuzimlefthanded]

http://images.allmoviephoto.com/2000_Billy_Elliot/jamie_bell_billy_elliot_003.jpg

http://pabuc.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/empire-of-the-sun_779812i.jpg
Great movie, great performance.

Also....
0auwpvAU2YA

[WhoSaidThat?]

http://www.daemonstv.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/ot513a_302b-7d90571a-t3.jpg

I have a love/hate relationship with his character Jamie. Well, l/h with the whole show, to be fair.

Also, shame on this entire thread (myself included) for leaving out Macaulay Culkin.

[cshadows2887]

well said, well said.

Whoah. Step back. Kurt Russell was a Disney child star.

[derekmoyer4]

Whoah. Step back. Kurt Russell was a Disney child star.
lol. i will step back, as i can see that i was mistaken.

[cshadows2887]

lol. i will step back, as i can see that i was mistaken.

Haha. Doesn't it suck that he completely spoils that generalization though? How did such an unquestionable badass come from the House of Mouse?

[derekmoyer4]

Haha. Doesn't it suck that he completely spoils that generalization though? How did such an unquestionable badass come from the House of Mouse?
it does suck, but i commend his awareness. and i have no idea, but nonetheless, he did it.

[batmannj]

in terms of worst child performances, Dakota Fanning in "War of the Worlds" was absolutely dreadful