While there are many famous actors with new films coming out in 2025, the most exciting films to watch will be those featuring upcoming actors who are making their mark in film and television. However few of these artists are new to the industry, In recent years, they have been notable for their work on unique projects that have catapulted them to greater fame and demand. Addressing all genres and niches of cinema, these actors demonstrated their flexibility and interest in working in different areas and will be seen in new innovative works.
There are many exciting films coming out and TV shows returning in 2025 that will showcase the skills of new talent rather than retreading the skills of actors who have been seen many times before. While casting a well-known actor is a great way to attract audiences, viewers are also interested in seeing new faces that will surprise them. These artists may not be universally known today, but it won't be long before many of them become household names.
7
Eiza González
Known for The Ministry of War Ungentlemanly (2024) and 3 Body Problem (2024–)
The Ungentlemanly Ministry of War is far from the only action film that Eiza González has lent her skills to in recent years. Before his latest contribution to the film industry, González starred Baby Driver and anchored the hit Netflix sci-fi series 3Body Problem. As one of the best sci-fi TV shows of 2024, 3Body Problem did much to showcase González's skills in a new genre and demonstrate that she can fit into any narrative.
Fortunately, audiences won't have to wait long to see more of González on screen, as she is attached to two films set for release in 2024, Ashes and Fountain of Youth.
Fortunately, audiences won't have to wait long to see more of González on screen, as she is attached to two films set for release in 2024, Ashes and Fountain of Youth. As González's star continues to rise, viewers will notice that the actress has been a prominent figure in the film industry for many years, but is finally being cast in more prominent roles. With any luck, 3Body Problem seasons 2 and 3 will see more of González and continue his success in film and TV (via Netflix).
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
|
The Ungentlemanly Ministry of War (2024) |
68% |
92% |
6
Megan Stalter
Known for Hacks (2021–) and Cora Bora (2023)
Megan Stalter continued to assert her comedic genius in Hacks season 3, and although the series has realized its value more with each season, the actress has the talent to lead her own show. Luckily, Stalter was recently chosen to lead the upcoming TV series Too muchco-created by Lena Dunham. This is exciting news and will help Stalter be recognized as one of the leading voices of the next generation of comedy.
In 2023, one of his recent forays into cinema premiered, the comedy Cora Borawhich allowed Stalter to shine in a leadership role. It will be interesting to see how she balances future film roles with the TV shows she's a part of, but it's no exaggeration to say that film and television need all the Stalter they can get. However Too much There is no confirmed release date yet, Hopefully, 2025 will be when audiences see Stalter shine in the new show.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
|
Hacks (2021–) |
99% |
90% |
5
Leo Woodall
Known for One Day (2024) and The White Lotus (2021–)
Oscillating easily between charming romantic protagonist and reserved antagonist, Leo Woodall has demonstrated both skills in his latest TV shows, One day and The White Lotus. THE One day The TV show's best quotes allowed audiences to fall in love with Woodall's Dexter, even when the character was making all the wrong choices. However It was enjoyable to see Woodall take on so many romantic roles, it will be even more interesting to see him return to the dark and mysterious archetype he played The White Lotus.
Unsurprisingly, Woodall will play one of Bridget's love interests, playing the talented and well-established Renée Zellweger.
Woodall's next project will introduce him to a rather large audience, as he is appearing in the blockbuster rom-com franchise Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones: crazy about the boy. Unsurprisingly, Woodall will play one of Bridget's love interests, playing the talented and well-established Renée Zellweger. Hopefully, the fame he's likely to achieve with this new film will be boosted by additional projects like Nomadic and Nurembergtwo upcoming films that Woodall has been confirmed to be a part of.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
|
One Day (2024) |
92% |
86% |
4
Monica Barbaro
3
Known for A Complete Unknown (2024) and Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Viewers who have been to the cinema recently will recognize Monica Barbaro for her captivating performance as Joan Baez in the recent Bob Dylan biopic, A complete stranger. Barbaro stars alongside Timothée Chalamet's Dylan and stands out as the well-known musical figure Baez. Before that, she was on record Top Gun: Maverick and starred in the TV series Fubar as Emma alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. Although two of these roles gave her a boost in terms of action, A complete stranger will put her in the conversation for more challenging roles.
Fubar season 2 will be one of Barbaro's most watched projects in 2025, but it remains to be seen whether its performance in A complete stranger will be highlighted during awards season. As A complete stranger leaves theaters and becomes available on streaming in the coming months, even more viewers will have the opportunity to see Barbarian disappear into Baez. If his singing voice is any indication, Barbarian should be cast in musical films in the future.
A Complete Unknown is a biographical film that follows a young Bob Dylan as he integrates into New York and catches the attention of the region's folk singers, eventually propelling him to stardom.
- Release date
-
December 25, 2024
- Cast
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Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Nick Offerman, Boyd Holbrook, PJ Byrne, Scoot McNairy, Dan Fogler, Will Harrison, Charlie Tahan, Jon Gennari, Norbert Leo Butz
- Studio(s)
-
Searchlight Pictures, The Picture Company, Automatik Entertainment
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
|
A Complete Stranger (2024) |
79% |
96% |
2
Cole School
Known for Difficult People (2015–2017) and Oh, Mary (2024–)
Although Cole Escola has been memorable in every on-screen project he has lent his skills to, His most notable work to date was the play Oh, Mary, which has been making waves since its transfer to Broadway after a critically acclaimed off-Broadway run. One of the most talked about pieces of the year, Oh, Mary established Escola as a comedic and creative visionary. Although live theater is not as accessible as film and television, anyone who has the opportunity to watch Oh, Mary I should look for him for his writing and for Escola’s phenomenal performance.
After Oh, Mary complete its run, it will be worth keeping an eye on whatever the School does next.
However, in terms of film and TV, School can be seen in many minor and recurring roles in comedic television of Difficult people and Research Group for the short-lived HBO series The girls on the bus. A large part of his appeal is his undeniable presence and his willingness to go the extra mile to make his characters unique and memorable. After Oh, Mary complete its run, it will be worth keeping an eye on whatever the School does next.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
|
Difficult People (2015–2017) |
96% |
85% |
1
David Jonsson
Known for Alien: Romulus (2024) and Rye Lane (2023)
David Jonsson starred in the lesser-known 2023 romantic comedy Rye Streetwhich immediately endeared him to all viewers and critics. However, sweet Dom is far from the only character archetype he's taken on. Not very different Alien: Romulus, he plays Andy, the latest in the long line of androids that populate the Foreigner franchise. While being part of a popular franchise isn't the only way for actors to distinguish themselves, it's been effective for Jonsson so far.
Also featured in the TV series Industry and Murder is easyJonsson has been slowly exiting the British market and gaining international fame. Jonsson has been featured prominently in almost every project he's been a part of, and there's little reason to believe that will change as his career explodes. With a background in theater acting and an interest in writing and being behind the camera, Jonsson will be a name to watch in all aspects of film, television and theater productions.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
|
Foreigner: Rômulo (2024) |
80% |
85% |
Kate O'Brian
Known for Twisters (2024) and Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
2024 was the year of Katy O'Brian; with his outstanding performances in Love is bleeding and Twisted, O'Brian became known to both critics and the public. With a background in professional bodybuilding, O'Brian was the perfect choice for Love is bleeding and has been leveraged for many action-oriented projects such as The Mandalorian and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. However, in Love is bleedingO'Brian managed to exercise a more complex emotional side to her performances as an actress.
For now the most exciting news in terms of O'Brian's upcoming performances will be his work on the highly anticipated Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
Although its role Twisted was smaller, showed how well O'Brian can build chemistry with a set cast and allowed the actor to try out a new genre. There are ways that Twisted is preparing a sequel, but the future of the franchise and O'Brian's place in it are still up in the air. For now the most exciting news in terms of O'Brian's upcoming performances will be his work on the highly anticipated Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
| Title | Rotten Tomatoes critic score | Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
| Twisted (2024) | 75% | 90% |
Drew Starkey
Known for Queer (2024) and Outer Banks (2020–)
Depending on how viewers know Drew Starkey, perceptions of his performances vary greatly. For fans of External BanksStarkey's Rafe has been a tricky character to follow throughout the Netflix teen drama's seasons. However, for those who were introduced to Starkey through his performance in Luca Guadagnino's 2024 film QueerIt's not hard to see why it's being discussed more widely. However Queer was not an overwhelming critical or box office success, Starkey's performance was appreciated.
Early in his career, Starkey was firmly in the teen drama genre, appearing in films such as The hate you give and With love, Simon. However, as he ages into more nuanced roles and projects, Starkey has proven his staying power as an actor. In terms of film roles, there hasn't been much news about Starkey's future. However, Queer becoming more widely available helped the film and allowed critics and viewers to see how well Starkey could play a veteran actor like Daniel Craig.
| Title | Rotten Tomatoes critic score | Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
| Queer (2024) | 77% | 58% |
Mikey Madison
Known for Anora (2024) and Better Things (2016–2022)
The name on everyone's lips in the Best Actress conversation for the 2025 awards season was Mikey Madison. Sean Baker's latest film, anorastars Madison as the titular Anora, and although the film itself stirred up some controversy, Madison herself was only universally praised. From his first acting experiences in the TV series Better thingsMadison developed a skill that translates into the more mature and demanding work she takes on today.
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Whatever comes next for Madison must somehow expand her work in anora and allow her to break out of the archetype that playing this character created for her. If Madison is recognized in the upcoming awards season, as many predict she will be, it will set her career on a new path and open doors for collaborations with actors and directors of all types. Madison has already been nominated for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes, heralding an exciting 2025 for the actor.
| Title | Rotten Tomatoes critic score | Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
| Anora (2024) | 95% | 90% |
Geraldine Viswanathan
Known for Drive-Away Dolls (2024) and Miracle Workers (2019–2023)
The campy, polarizing comedy of 2024 Travel dolls saw Geraldine Viswanathan continue to shine in offbeat comedies. In recent years, Viswanathan has been a vital part of the anthology series Miracle Workers alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi. No matter the strange scenario and unbelievable circumstances Miracle Workers put Viswanathan, she always rose to the challenge and enticed the audience with her scene-stealing performances. His chemistry with his co-stars is part of Viswanathan's appeal, but she is equally attractive in her own right.
It would be easy to mistake Viswanathan for the straight man in many of her comedic projects, but it quickly becomes clear that she can have just as many hilarious moments with a silly or serious character. One of Viswanathan's next projects will be Marvel Rays, which will be his introduction to the MCU. While it's fun to see Viswanathan in a fast-paced action film, it's unlikely that audiences have seen the last of his comedic work across a variety of genres.
From director Ethan Coen comes Drive-Away Dolls, a comedic road show film starring two best friends who go on a road trip that goes hilariously wrong. After Jamie's recent breakup and her friend Marian's inflexibility reaches a fever pitch, the two decide to hit the road to Florida – until they accidentally run into a group of bumbling criminals.
- Release date
-
February 23, 2024
- Director
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Ethan Coen
- Writers
-
Ethan Coen, Tricia Cooke
- Studio(s)
-
Films with working titles
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
|
Drive-Away Dolls (2024) |
63% |
36% |