You probably recognize her face, even if you can’t quite place the name at first. Ariana Greenblatt is everywhere lately. From the neon-soaked chaos of Borderlands to the emotional weight of Ahsoka, she’s become the go-to person for directors who need a young actor who doesn't actually act like a "child star."
It’s a weird transition to make. Most kids who start on Disney Channel—remember Stuck in the Middle?—stay in that lane forever. Or they have a very public, very messy "rebellion" phase. Ariana? She just quietly started working with Greta Gerwig and Marvel.
From Daphne Diaz to the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Honestly, the range is a bit ridiculous. Most people don’t realize she was the one playing Young Gamora in Avengers: Infinity War. That was back in 2018. She had to sit through hours of green makeup just to give us that heartbreaking scene with Thanos on Vormir. "What did it cost?" "Everything."
That wasn't just a lucky break. It was a signal.
Before the blockbusters, she was Daphne Diaz. If you had a younger sibling or a kid in the house between 2016 and 2018, you know the show. She played the youngest of seven siblings. It was classic Disney—high energy, slightly over-the-top, very bright. But even then, there was a certain "sharpness" to her timing that most kids her age lacked.
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Breaking the Disney Mold
- A Bad Moms Christmas (2017): Her first real film role.
- Love and Monsters (2020): She played Minnow, a survivalist kid in a world full of giant bugs. It’s a sleeper hit. You should watch it.
- In the Heights (2021): A quick but memorable turn as Young Nina.
The 2023 Explosion: Barbie and Ahsoka
If 2018 was the spark, 2023 was the forest fire. Ariana Greenblatt movies and tv shows suddenly became the most searched thing on IMDb because she appeared in two of the biggest cultural touchstones of the year.
First, there was Barbie. She played Sasha, the cynical, "I'm too cool for dolls" teenager. It’s a tough role because, let’s be real, Sasha is kind of a brat at the start. But Greenblatt managed to make her human. When she finally reconciles with her mom (America Ferrera) and helps save Barbieland, you actually care. She held her own in scenes with Margot Robbie. That’s not easy.
Then came Ahsoka.
Star Wars fans are notoriously hard to please. Casting a live-action version of a beloved animated character like Young Ahsoka Tano was a massive risk. People were ready to hate it. Instead, they were floored. Ariana captured the exact posture and cadence of the character from The Clone Wars. She didn't just play a younger version of Rosario Dawson; she played the history of the character. The "Shadow Warrior" episode is basically a masterclass in how to handle a legacy role.
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Why 2024 and 2025 Changed Everything
By the time Borderlands rolled around in August 2024, the hype was massive. She played Tiny Tina. Now, if you’ve played the games, you know Tina is "unhinged" would be an understatement. She’s a 13-year-old demolition expert who talks to crumpets.
The movie itself? Critics weren't kind. It got hit with some pretty rough reviews. But almost every single review—even the ones that gave it an F—said the same thing: Ariana Greenblatt was the best part. She brought a weird, feral energy that actually felt like the game.
Recent Projects and What's Coming Next
Right now, in early 2026, we’re seeing the fallout of her massive 2025. Last year was huge for her with the release of Now You See Me: Now You Don't (the third one in the heist franchise). She played June Rouclere, joining the cast alongside legends like Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson. The film did $240 million worldwide, and once again, she wasn't just "the kid." She was a core member of the ensemble.
Then there’s Fear Street: Prom Queen. Netflix knows what they’re doing. Taking the Fear Street hype and dropping Greenblatt into the lead as Christy Renault was a move that basically guaranteed a high "Trending" spot.
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The "Secret" Voice Acting Career
It’s not just live-action. She’s been building a voice acting resume that most veterans would envy.
- The Boss Baby: Family Business: She voiced Tabitha Templeton.
- Scoob!: She was Young Velma.
- Secret Level (2024): She voiced Ana Spelunky in the "Spelunky" episode of this anthology series.
She has this raspy, distinct voice that works perfectly for animation. It’s another layer to her career that keeps her working even when she’s not on a physical set.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Success
People think she’s an overnight sensation. She’s not. She’s been working since she was six or seven years old. By the time she got to Barbie, she already had a decade of experience.
There’s also this misconception that she only plays "tough" kids. While she definitely leans into the "feral survivalist" vibe (see 65 with Adam Driver), she has a lot of dramatic depth. If you look at her performance in Awake or even the smaller moments in The One and Only Ivan, you see someone who knows how to use silence.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Industry Watchers
If you’re trying to keep up with her trajectory, don't just wait for the big trailers.
- Watch the Indies: Keep an eye out for her upcoming project Somedays. It's rumored to be a much smaller, character-driven story that might finally land her some serious awards buzz.
- Track the Voice Work: Her involvement in Secret Level shows she's moving into more "adult" or "prestige" animation, not just kids' movies.
- Look for the "Young Version" Roles: She’s likely done with these now that she’s an established lead, but her work as Young Ahsoka and Young Gamora are essentially the blueprints for how to do those roles correctly.
The reality is that Ariana Greenblatt is currently the blueprint for a successful transition from child actor to serious Hollywood player. She’s picking projects based on directors (Fleischer, Gerwig, Roth, Filoni) rather than just paychecks. That’s how you build a 40-year career instead of a 5-year trend. Stay tuned for her 2026 slate; word is she's looking to produce her own content soon.