Here's An Update On 21 Female Stars From '90s And '00s Kids Movies

I vividly remember weeping to Bridge to Terabithia in the movie theater, and you're telling me that was 16 years ago?!

1. Jenna Boyd in 2002:

Gregg Deguire / WireImage

Her movie: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 

Jenna Boyd now:

Variety / Penske Media via Getty Images

What she's up to now: Jenna starred on the Netflix series Atypical from 2017–2021 and appeared in Machine Gun Kelly's film Good Mourning last year. 

2. Alexa PenaVega in 2001:

Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic, Inc

Her movies: The Spy Kids franchise, Sleepover

Alexa PenaVega now:

Nbc / Nathan Congleton / NBC via Getty Images

What she's up to now: Since her Spy Kids days, Alexa has continued to act — most recently, she's been in several Hallmark movies including A Paris Proposal and Never Too Late to Celebrate. She's been married to Big Time Rush's Carlos PenaVega since 2014, and they have three kids together. 

3. Kyla Pratt in 2001:

Steve Granitz / WireImage

Her movies: The Dr. Dolittle franchise

Kyla Pratt now:

Paul Archuleta / Getty Images

What she's up to now: Of course, Kyla also voiced Penny Proud on The Proud Family — a role which she's reprised on the recent Disney+ reboot, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. She also starred on the recent Fox sitcom, Call Me Kat. 

4. Madison Pettis in 2007:

John Sciulli / WireImage

Her movies: The Game Plan, Mostly Ghostly

Madison Pettis now:

Axelle / FilmMagic

What she's up to now: Aside from her movie roles, Madison also starred on the Disney Channel show Cory in the House. More recently, she starred in the movies American Pie Presents: Girls' Rule, He's All That, and Margaux. 

5. Taylor Dooley in 2005:

L. Cohen / WireImage

Her movie: The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 

Taylor Dooley now:

Ryan Green/NETFLIX

What she's up to now: As seen in the photo above, Taylor recently returned to the role of Lavagirl (this time as a parent) in the 2020 Netflix spinoff movie We Can Be Heroes. 

6. Georgie Henley in 2005:

Chris Jackson / Getty Images

Her movies: The Chronicles of Narnia franchise

Georgie Henley now:

Dave Benett / Sama Kai/Dave Benett/Getty Images

What she's up to now: After Narnia, Georgie went on to star on the Starz series The Spanish Princess. Even more recently, she played the role of Pensy on Netflix's series The Diplomat, which came out earlier this year.

7. AnnaSophia Robb in 2005:

Theo Wargo / Getty Images

Her movies: Because of Winn-Dixie, Samantha: An American Girl Holiday, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Bridge to Terabithia, Race to Witch Mountain

AnnaSophia Robb now:

Taylor Hill / WireImage

What she's up to now: After her child star days, AnnaSophia starred on the Sex and the City prequel series The Carrie Diaries as a young Carrie Bradshaw. More recently, she's acted on shows like The Act, Little Fires Everywhere, Dr. Death, and Ziwe. She also starred in Ed Sheeran's "Shivers" music video in 2021. 

8. Taylor Momsen in 2000:

New York Daily News Archive / NY Daily News via Getty Images

Her movies: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, Hansel & Gretel

Taylor Momsen now:

Tim Mosenfelder / WireImage

What she's up to now: Of course, after her childhood roles, Taylor largely became known for her role as Jenny Humphrey on Gossip Girl. When Taylor left the show, she pivoted to a music career. She's been the lead singer of the band The Pretty Reckless since 2009. She recently reunited with her onscreen brother Penn Badgley on his podcast, Podcrushed.

9. Rachel Covey in 2007:

Mark Sullivan / WireImage

Her movies: Enchanted

Rachel Covey now:

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images for Disney

What she's up to now: While Rachel didn't reprise her role as Morgan in the 2022 Enchanted sequel Disenchanted, she did make a cameo as someone from Monrolasia and attended the film's premiere. She now works as a playwright and composer.

10. Joey King in 2010:

Patrick Mcmullan / Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Her movies: Ramona and Beezus

Joey King now:

Stefanie Keenan / Getty Images for Neiman Marcus

What she's up to now: Joey went on to star in projects like The Kissing Booth trilogy and Hulu's The Act, which earned her an Emmy and Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of Gypsy Rose Blanchard. Joey also starred in the film Bullet Train and will star in the upcoming films A Family Affair and The Uglies. 

11. Bailee Madison in 2007:

Stephen Shugerman / Getty Images

Her movie: Bridge to Terabithia

Bailee Madison now:

Michael Buckner / Variety via Getty Images

What she's up to now: In addition to her movie career, Bailee appeared as young Snow White on Once Upon a Time and on Wizards of Waverly Place. More recently, she's been on The Fosters, The Hardy Boys, and Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.

12. Dakota Fanning in 2006:

Patrick Mcmullan / Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Her movies: The Cat in the Hat, Charlotte's Web

Dakota Fanning now:

Ronda Churchill / AFP via Getty Images

What she's up to now: After her time as a child star, Dakota starred in projects like The Twilight saga, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and The Alienist. Even more recently, she's starred in The Equalizer 3 and the upcoming The Watchers. 

13. Anna Chlumsky in 1991:

Mediapunch / MediaPunch via Getty Images

Her movies: My Girl and My Girl 2. 

Anna Chlumsky now:

John Lamparski / Getty Images

What she's up to now: Of course, Anna played the role of Amy Brookheimer on Veep which earned her six Emmy nominations. More recently, she starred in Inventing Anna and the slasher film They/Them. 

14. Keke Palmer in 2005:

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

Her movies: Akeelah and the Bee

Keke Palmer now:

Taylor Hill / WireImage

What she's up to now: What ISN'T Keke up to now? Of course, she eventually had her own Nickelodeon series, True Jackson, VP as well as a music career. She has recently starred in movies like Hustlers, Alice, and Nope and TV series like Human Resources and The Afterparty. Keke also does a lot of work as a host, and I'm honestly still thinking about her viral "Sorry to this man" moment. 

15. Mara Wilson in 1995:

Barry King / Getty Images

Her movies: Mrs. Doubtfire, Miracle on 34th Street, Matilda, A Simple Wish

Mara Wilson now:

Alberto E. Rodriguez / FilmMagic

What she's up to now: As an adult, Mara has largely left the acting spotlight, but she did appear on Broad City and BoJack Horseman as well as several web series. She is also a writer who has been extremely outspoken about her experiences as a child actor (and particularly the negative side of child stardom), and published a memoir in 2016.

16. Michelle Trachtenberg in 1996:

Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Her movies: Harriet the Spy, Richie Rich's Christmas Wish, Inspector Gadget

Michelle Trachtenberg now:

Gilbert Flores / WWD via Getty Images

What she's up to now: After her child star days, Michelle starred as the villainous Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl — and then made a splash in the reboot by reprising the role. She also starred in teen movies like 17 Again and Ice Princess and the series Guidance. More recently, she also hosted the show Meet, Marry, Murder. 

17. Vanessa Chester in 1997:

Ron Galella, Ltd. / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Her movies: Harriet the Spy, A Little Princess

Vanessa Chester now:

David Livingston / Getty Images

What she's up to now: Though it wasn't a kids' movie, Vanessa also starred in The Lost World: Jurassic Park. After her early roles in films, Vanessa appeared on several TV shows like Malcolm in the Middle, The West Wing, Veronica Mars, and How I Met Your Mother. She recently detailed her experience as a working actor in support of the SAG strike in a piece for Vulture.

18. Thora Birch in 1992:

Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Her movies: Hocus Pocus, Now and Then, Monkey Trouble

Thora Birch now:

Steve Granitz / FilmMagic

What she's up to now: After her early roles, Thora notably starred in American Beauty. More recently, she's appeared in The Last Black Man in San Francisco, The Walking Dead, and The Gabby Petito Story, which she also directed. 

19. Emily Browning in 2003:

Amy Graves / WireImage

Her movies: A Series of Unfortunate Events

Emily Browning now:

Don Arnold / WireImage

What she's up to now: Emily has acted a bunch since her Lemony Snicket days. Most recently, she's been in the shows Class of '07 and American Horror Stories. She also had a recurring role on The Affair. 

20. Raven-Symoné in 2001:

Steve Granitz / WireImage

Her movies: The Little Rascals, Dr. Dolittle, Dr. Dolittle 2, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

Raven-Symoné now:

Gilbert Flores / Variety via Getty Images

What she's up to now: We all know Raven also had a massive Disney career, starring on That's So Raven and The Cheetah Girls franchise as well as a music career. She currently stars on the spinoff show Raven's Home, for which she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy. She also hosts The Best Podcast Ever with her wife Miranda Maday.

21. Finally, Abigail Breslin in 2003:

Amanda Edwards / Getty Images

Her movies: The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, The Ultimate Gift, Air Buddies, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Abigail Breslin now:

Steve Granitz / FilmMagic

What she's up to now: Abigail worked significantly as a child actor in non kids' movies as well, like My Sister's Keeper, Little Miss Sunshine, Zombieland, and Definitely, Maybe. She also had an iconic role on Scream Queens. More recently, she's been in Stillwater and Miranda's Victim.