35 Actors Who Have Given Such Great Performances, People Think We'll Consider Them Some Of The Best Actors Ever Someday

    There is no doubt in my mind that Saoirse Ronan will win an Oscar.

    Nora Dominick
    by Nora Dominick

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which actors are so amazing, they think we'll consider them the very best one day. You know, the next generation of Meryl Streeps, Denzel Washingtons, and Viola Davises, where 20+ years from now, we'll be talking about how incredible they are. So, here are some of the best responses:

    🚨There are obviously some MASSIVE spoilers ahead! 🚨

    1. First, Saoirse Ronan

    A24

    "Saoirse Ronan has been great since day one. She already has four Academy Award nominations, too."

    —travisreinhart

    2. Timothée Chalamet

    Timothee crying in a scene
    Sony Pictures Classics

    "Gotta give it to Timothée. It's become somewhat of a trend to put him down for being overrated, but sometimes someone is popular because they're just genuinely great. Timothée is brilliant, and such a kind and gentle young man. Every person who's ever worked with him says he's a genius, incredibly professional, funny, and just lovely. He's only 26 and has already achieved so much, and it's only up from here, the way I see it. Call Me By Your Name, Dune, Little Women, Hot Summer Nights, Lady Bird, the list just goes on and on. He's incredible, and he'll be a legend someday, I have absolutely no doubt about it."

    —maggawheel

    3. Zendaya

    Zendaya crying and telling her mom she's sorry and will get clean from drugs in Euphoria
    HBO

    "Came here to say Zendaya. She already has so much star power and her career is only just beginning."

    —lizzieannl

    4. Sadie Sink

    Sadie in Stranger Things
    Netflix

    "I feel like after starring in Taylor Swift's All Too Well short film (and Fear Street), everyone really started to pay attention to Sadie's extraordinary talent. Then, with Stranger Things Season 4, she just knocked it out of the park. Her work in 'Dear Billy' is so award-worthy. I feel like long after Stranger Things ends, we'll be talking about Sadie's work on the show and we'll definitely see her in so many more TV shows and movies."

    —jenniferabidor

    5. Florence Pugh

    Florence in a scene saying she's a woman so she can't make her own money
    Sony Pictures Releasing

    "She can literally tackle any genre you put her in. That's the makings of a special actor right there."

    —rosanneschlager

    6. Anya Taylor-Joy

    Anya playing chess in the The Queen's Gambit
    Netflix

    "Absolutely incredible seeing her go from Split to Emma to The Queen's Gambit. Also, her work in The Witch was so good. Her range is incredible."

    —shyraanichole

    7. Michael B. Jordan

    Michael in a scene telling his mom that she was never there for him then saying sorry as she's leaving
    The Weinstein Company / Via youtu.be

    "You can see that star quality from his early roles in The Wire and Friday Night Lights. When he started transitioning into bigger, acclaimed film roles (Creed, Fruitvale Station, Black Panther), it was so well-deserved. He also seems like a genuine, down-to-earth dude. There are few actors who I am more excited to see the careers they’re going to have moving forward."

    —sayhellotojenn

    8. Jung Ho-yeon

    in Squid Games, crying in scene
    Netflix

    "Squid Game was her first ever acting role, so I can only imagine what amazing performances she's going to give us in the years to come. I cannot wait."

    —morganmurrell

    9. Jack Quaid

    Jack in a scene telling someone he will be clinging to them
    Prime Video

    "Jack's just everywhere lately and I love it so much. From The Boys to the newest Scream movie, he's so good in everything he does. His work as Hughie on The Boys is one of my favorite things he's done, as he's able to balance both the humor and heart on a very dark and twisted series. I've honestly loved him since he starred in the little known rom-com Plus One."

    —laurengarafano

    10. Jodie Comer

    Jodie in a scene crying as she says she wakes up bored
    BBC America

    "First bringing to life one of the most complex and intriguing TV show characters of all time: Villanelle in Killing Eve. Then putting out underrated, brilliant performances in Help and The Last Duel. Plus, her comedic work in Free Guy. And now she's taking West End by storm with unanimous glowing reviews for her one-woman play Prima Facie. She keeps upping herself and it won't take long for her career to be launched into the stratosphere at this rate."

    —b4f4f7af09

    11. Paul Dano

    Paul in Batman in prison telling Batman that he inspired him
    Warner Bros

    "He's currently getting a lot of (deserved) buzz for The Batman, but he has been so underrated for so long. By the time he was 23, he was already a major character in two films that were nominated for Best Picture (Little Miss Sunshine and There Will Be Blood), and since then has continued to be one of the best actors around. He often plays incredibly nuanced characters, often dealing with severe mental illness, and portrays them in a realistic yet sensitive way. His portrayal of Brian Wilson in the biopic Love and Mercy is an absolute masterpiece. It's a shame that the Academy has never recognized him or nominated him as Best Actor, but he frequently pops up on the 'biggest snubs' list."

    —goldenrazzmatazz

    12. Jonathan Bailey

    Jonathon in Bridgerton telling his love interest that she is the bane of his existence
    Netflix

    "His work as Anthony Bridgerton is phenomenal and I can't wait to see everything he continues to do."

    —sofiaberdein

    13. Tom Holland

    Tom as Spider-Man
    Sony / Marvel

    "I know many people think that he’s overrated but hear me out. Tom has shown so much versatility in his acting. He can do emotional, hilarious, and badass roles. From The Impossible to Marvel to The Devil All the Time, all of his roles continue to impress me. He’s such a fantastic actor and I’m excited to see what he does in the future. I’m hoping we see him in more romance because we’ve only got a little bit of it."

    —peynor

    14. Annie Murphy

    Annie in Kevin Can F**k Himself drunk in the bathtub
    AMC

    "She deserves it just from Schitt's Creek alone. Alexis could have been an annoying two-dimensional character, but instead, she was charming and deep. And then when you add in Annie's work in Kevin Can F**k Himself, it just proves that she's super talented and could someday win an Oscar to go along with her Emmy."

    —shauna_malwae-tweep

    15. Lupita Nyong'o

    Lupita in a scene saying that a baby girl came back to a little monster
    Universal Pictures / Via youtu.be

    "She is absolutely phenomenal, and she even won an Oscar for her first ever film appearance. She’s not going anywhere any time soon."

    —spenceyprep

    16. Joe Locke

    Joe in Heartstopper ranting abou how he shouldn't have kissed his friend
    Netflix

    "He was absolutely phenomenal as Charlie Spring in Heartstopper, especially since it was his first acting gig. He perfectly showed both the happy/joyous and sad/heartbreaking sides of Charlie's story and personality, and it felt like he stepped directly out of the comics. Also, he helped showcase amazing representation when it comes to the sad experiences that LGBTQ+ people face. All around amazing performance and I can't wait to see his career take off."

    —ria624

    17. Elizabeth Olsen

    Facebook Watch

    "Honestly, I think we are already seeing the makings of one of the best actors with Elizabeth Olsen's recent performances. WandaVision allowed more people to realize just how super talented she is, but since her first role in Martha, Marcy, May, Marlene in 2011, she's been proving the incredible range she has. I mean, Sorry For Your Loss really should've earned her an Emmy nominations, but I know we'll see her win an Emmy and/or an Oscar someday." 

    —noradominick

    18. Lyric Ross

    Lyric in This is Us talking to her dad in the car
    NBC

    "Lyric is one of those actors who’s just so naturally talented that everything they do seems effortless. Most of her scenes on This Is Us are opposite Sterling K. Brown and Susan Kelechi Watson — two legends in their own right — but she’s completely holding her own...and has been since she was 14! Her subtle facial expressions and voice inflictions make her character, Deja, feel especially real and human, which is soooo hard to do on screen, especially given the heavy and oftentimes heartbreaking material she’s had to work with. Lyric is the ultimate breath of fresh air in Hollywood right now, and I’m already a fan for life."

    —spenceralthouse

    19. Pedro Pascal

    Pedro in the Madalorian
    Lucasfilm / Disney+

    "To me, Pedro was probably the only good thing about both The Bubble AND The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. He has just nothing but genuine charm in everything he does. His work in Narcos, Game of Thrones, and The Mandalorian just prove he can do it all, and I can't wait to continue to talk about how great he is."

    —larryfitzmaurice

    20. Robert Pattinson

    Robert in a scene yelling
    A24 / Via youtu.be

    "Between Good Time, The Batman, The Lighthouse, The King, and The Lost City of Z, he shows immense range. One of the finest actors ever."

    —niallh459ac7a2b

    21. Sydney Sweeney

    Sydney in Euphoria crying and yelling in the girls bathroom saying sh'es never been happier
    HBO

    "Her character’s storyline in Euphoria was a mess in Season 2, but Sydney gave one of the best performances on the show. Her performances in The White Lotus, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Sharp Objects show she has a lot of range beyond playing Cassie. I particularly was impressed with her small role in Sharp Objects, where she took a character who existed for like a page and a half in Gillian Flynn’s book and gave her so much depth and nuance. She seems to be savvy with picking her roles and I’m excited to see what she does next."

    —sayhellotojenn


    22. Eva Green

    Eva in Penny Dreadful
    Showtime

    "Just watch her in Penny Dreadful. She is beyond phenomenal and super underrated still."

    —savannahg4e56476eb

    23. Noah Jupe

    Noah in a scene with someone's hand over his mouth as he cries and screams
    Paramount Pictures / Via youtu.be

    "Noah is still very young but I’m excited to see where he goes. I think he’s going to be great."

    —maddyg2819

    24. Hailee Steinfeld

    Hailee in Dickenson crying as she fights with her father
    Apple TV+

    "She is still one of the youngest actors ever to be nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars for her work in True Grit in 2010, and that was legit the start of her career. Since then she's proven that she can tackle any genre with her roles in Pitch Perfect 2, The Edge of Seventeen, Dickinson, Hawkeye, Arcane, etc., and she's only 25 years old. I think her career is gonna continue to grow and I can't wait to see it happen."

    —kaylaharrington

    25. Daniel Kaluuya

    Daniel's character in Get Out being hypnotized
    Universal Pictures / Via youtu.be

    Suggested by: echo91

    26. Lili Reinhart

    Lilli crying as Betty in Riverdale
    The CW

    "Riverdale is absolutely ridiculous, but she manages to take those dumpster fire scripts and act the hell out of them no matter how wild her storylines are. I honestly think she's far outgrown the show at this point and she's been a standout in the few other things I've seen her in, even if they were small parts. There's no doubt in my mind she could carry a leading role with the right material to really use those acting chops and become one of the best in the business."

    —katcloud

    27. Edvin Ryding

    Edvin in a scene saying someone is no longer part of his family
    Netflix

    "Edvin in Young Royals is unmatched."

    —ehatps

    28. Sebastian Stan

    Sebastian crying in a scene
    Marvel / Disney+

    "I have been watching Sebastian since seeing him in The Covenant. Not the best movie at all, but he carried that movie (the best he could) and at the time, he was not yet well known. Every time I see him, whether on the big screen or small screen, he delivers. He is truly a versatile actor who pulls you in with every performance. Facial expressions, mannerisms, speaking all of it. That scene in the Falcon and the Winter Soldier when he realized he was free from the programming, brought me to tears and he didn’t even really speak in that scene. His performance in Fresh? I have no words, but pure perfection."

    —estefaniadiva

    29. Lily James

    Lily playing Pamela Anderson
    Hulu

    "There are so many I want to say! But for now, I'm going to say Lily James. She played Cinderella and Pamela Anderson! That takes some mad talent! She was so believable as the ingenue princess who was innocent, loving, and kind. And she's great at playing one of the biggest icons as she takes on Pamela's facial expressions and voice. She's phenomenal."

    —sammachado

    30. David Dawson

    Alfred in the Last Kingdom
    Netflix

    "David Dawson, the true star (IMHO) of The Last Kingdom and the best actor many people have never heard of. I've never seen a bad performance from this guy, but his performance in The Last Kingdom redefined for me what it means to be a good actor. He was also in Ripper Street, and the second time I watched the show I was surprised to find out he has much less screen time than I remembered because he maximized what screen time he did have. He's in an upcoming movie with Harry Styles and Emma Corrin, and I hope it boosts his profile. It's what he deserves."

    —icannotlivewithoutcoffee

    31. LaKeith Stanfield

    LaKeith in a scene saying a badge is scarier than a gun
    Warner Bros

    "Absolutely brilliant in everything he's in."

    —bundtcake12

    32. James McAvoy

    James in Split acting out the character's different personalities
    Universal Pictures / Via youtu.be

    "I think James McAvoy is incredibly overlooked when we talk about today’s talent. His performance in Split sold me. I loved him since the early 2000s, but his work in Split, The Last Station, Atonement, Penelope, Starter for 10, and so on all showcase his range and a natural presence on camera. His most current turn in Cyrano on the West End made me so jealous of anyone who saw it. It sounded amazing!"

    —mirthprovoking

    33. Connor Swindells

    Connor in Sex Education getting broken up with by his boyfriend
    Netflix

    "I'm gonna say Connor, specifically because of Sex Education. That show is filled with great performances, but I think his portrayal of Adam Groff really stood out to me. He brings humor and pathos to a complicated character. He does a fantastic job, and I think he's going to go far."

    —unrepentant_cow

    34. Summer Bishil

    Summer in a scene talking about the unfairness of being a loud, pissed off woman
    SYFY

    "Watch her in the episode 'All that Hard, Glossy Armor' from The Magicians. There is this one scene where she gives off a performance that is both tragically beautifully and is just filled with such raw, unfettered rage until she lets it all out and just screams. It was such a powerful scene that I still think about even though the episode aired in 2019. I think if given the chance and with the right roles, she'll go really far."

    —nameless_demon

    35. And finally, Adam Driver

    Adam in the Marriage Story arguing with his wife
    Netflix

    "Adam Driver in Marriage Story was beyond phenomenal. He's funny, dramatic, and, not to mention, hot as hell. He's a Best Actor winner in the making!"

    —ventihaver

    We can't fit everyone into one post, so which other actors have given such great performances already, you think we'll consider them some of the best ever someday? Tell us in the comments below!

    Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.