10 Child Actors Who Outperformed Their Adult Co-Stars Easily

Here are ten child actors who upstaged their adult co-stars with such panache, it's almost embarrassing.

Just remember, no matter how good you are at your job, there's always a 10-year-old out there ready to outperform you!

1. Dakota Fanning in 'I Am Sam' (2001)

Kicking off our list is none other than Dakota Fanning, who at the tender age of seven, delivered a performance in 'I Am Sam' so moving, it could make a statue cry. Acting alongside the magnificent Sean Penn, Fanning wasn't daunted. Oh no, she brought her A-game and displayed an emotional depth that had us reaching for tissues. And did I mention that she was only SEVEN? It takes most of us that long to learn how to tie our shoes, let alone deliver a performance that could humble Meryl Streep.

2. Henry Thomas in 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982)

Okay, raise your hand if you still can't think of 'E.T. phone home' without a lump in your throat? That's what I thought. Henry Thomas, our number two pick, was only 10 when he breathed life into Elliot, giving us one of cinema's most enduring characters. Sharing screen time with a strange-looking alien puppet, Thomas managed to make us believe in intergalactic friendships. Spielberg, take a bow, but the standing ovation goes to young Mr. Thomas.

3. Natalie Portman in 'Leon: The Professional' (1994)

At just 12 years old, Natalie Portman stepped into the gritty world of assassins and corruption in 'Leon: The Professional' and walked out leaving a trail of blown minds. Portman's mature portrayal of Mathilda, a precocious child thrown into the dark underbelly of New York City, was downright bone-chilling. Jean Reno and Gary Oldman were fantastic, sure, but it was Natalie who caught our eyes, and hearts, with a performance way beyond her years.

4. Haley Joel Osment in 'The Sixth Sense' (1999)

Our next stop on this child prodigy express is 'I see dead people' boy – Haley Joel Osment. Osment's breakout role in 'The Sixth Sense' earned him an Oscar nomination, and quite rightly so. Bruce Willis may have been the big name, but it was Osment who truly stunned audiences with his captivating performance. Spoiler alert – Willis was dead all along, but Osment's career was anything but!

5. Macaulay Culkin in 'Home Alone ' (1990)

Rounding up the first half of our list is the holiday season staple, 'Home Alone'. Culkin's delightful portrayal of the mischievous yet resourceful Kevin McCallister still brings joy to our hearts every Christmas. While Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern provided ample comic relief as the bumbling burglars, it was Culkin's charm and clever antics that truly won the day. Sorry, adults, but this was Culkin's playground, and you were just living in it!

6. Abigail Breslin in 'Little Miss Sunshine' (2006)

Hopping onto the list at number six is the dazzling Abigail Breslin, who taught us there's no problem that a vibrant dance routine can't fix. As the quirky Olive Hoover in 'Little Miss Sunshine', she drove (quite literally in a bright yellow VW van) her family and the audience to fits of laughter and tears. The ensemble cast was great, but Breslin stole the show. Even Alan Arkin's deadpan humor and Greg Kinnear's frustrating optimism had nothing on Breslin's infectious charm.

7. Quvenzhané Wallis in 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' (2012)

Here's a trivia question – who's the youngest actress ever to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Actress? If you said Quvenzhané Wallis, give yourself a pat on the back! At the ripe old age of 9, Wallis delivered a spellbinding performance in 'Beasts of the Southern Wild'. Her Hushpuppy was raw, powerful, and full of life, outshining even the fantastical beasts that roamed the Bathtub. Wallis, you're a beast!

8. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint in 'Harry Potter ' Series (2001-2011)

Okay, okay, we cheated a bit here, but can you blame us? The golden trio of the magical world, Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint, grew up before our eyes, bringing J.K. Rowling's vision to life. From the first "You're a wizard, Harry" to the final battle of Hogwarts, these youngsters held their own against an ensemble of Britain's finest actors. Magic? More like pure talent!

9. Chloe Grace Moretz in 'Kick-Ass' (2010)

Don't be fooled by the angelic face. Chloe Grace Moretz, at 13, served us a plate of vigilante justice as Hit-Girl in 'Kick-Ass'. A purple wig, a colorful vocabulary, and a killer instinct – Moretz's Hit-Girl was a character to remember. Aaron Johnson and Nicholas Cage were in the mix, but it was Moretz who, quite literally, kicked ass and took names!

10. Jacob Tremblay in 'Room' (2015)

Last but certainly not least, Jacob Tremblay's performance in 'Room' was a gut punch that left audiences breathless. As Jack, a young boy born and raised in captivity, Tremblay navigated a range of emotions that many adult actors struggle with. Tremblay's chemistry with Brie Larson was heart-wrenching and beautiful. Larson won an Oscar for her role, but many agree that Tremblay deserved one too.