You’ve probably seen her face—or heard her voice—in at least three different massive franchises without even realizing it. Madeleine McGraw is everywhere. At just 17 years old, she’s already navigated the treacherous waters of the MCU, Pixar, and the high-stakes world of Blumhouse horror. Honestly, most child actors struggle to make the jump into "teen" stardom, but McGraw is basically skipping the awkward phase and moving straight into executive producer credits.
It's wild to think her career started with a heavy hitter like American Sniper back in 2014. She played Bradley Cooper’s daughter, McKenna. Most kids that age are just trying to learn to tie their shoes; she was on a Clint Eastwood set.
The Horror Breakout: The Black Phone and Beyond
If you’re a horror fan, you know Gwen Blake. In 2021, The Black Phone became a sleeper hit, but Madeleine McGraw was the secret weapon. While Mason Thames was trapped in a basement, McGraw was swearing like a sailor and praying to Jesus in one of the most authentic performances from a kid in years. She brought this gritty, foul-mouthed realism to Gwen that made the supernatural elements feel grounded.
She just reprised that role in Black Phone 2, which hit theaters in late 2025 and is now tearing up the charts on Peacock as of January 2026. The sequel actually shifts a lot of the focus onto her character’s psychic visions.
She’s mentioned in recent interviews that filming the sequel was a totally different beast. Because the "Grabber" (Ethan Hawke) is... well, back in a complicated way, she actually got to do most of her own stunts this time around. She told Rue Morgue that she loved the gross-out prosthetics, even if they were "disgusting" to see sitting on the lunch tables.
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Why the "Scream Queen" Label Actually Fits
It isn't just one movie. Look at her resume:
- Outcast (2016-2018): She played Amber Barnes in this Robert Kirkman possession drama. It was dark, moody, and definitely not "Disney Channel" material.
- The Mandela Effect (2019): A sci-fi thriller that played with reality.
- The Harbinger (2022): Also known as The Curse of Rosalie. She played the lead, a creepy kid who might be bringing a plague to town.
- The Curse of the Necklace (2024): A project where she finally teamed up with her sister, Violet McGraw (the star of M3GAN).
People call her a "Scream Queen," and honestly, she’s earned it. She has this way of looking terrified while still looking like she’s about to punch the monster in the face.
The Disney and Pixar Side You Might Have Missed
It's not all blood and ghosts. Madeleine McGraw is a huge part of the Disney machine. If you have kids—or if you're just a Pixar adult—you've heard her as Bonnie in Toy Story 4. She replaced Emily Hahn for the 2019 film, giving Bonnie that soft, imaginative voice that drove the whole "Forky" plotline.
Then there's Secrets of Sulphur Springs. For three seasons, she played Zoey Campbell. It was a time-travel mystery that felt like "Stranger Things" for the Disney Channel crowd. She’s often said that working on that show was her favorite experience because she got to work with kids her own age, specifically her on-screen twin Landon Gordon.
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The MCU Connection
She’s technically in the Marvel Cinematic Universe too. She played Young Hope van Dyne in Ant-Man and the Wasp and later voiced the same character in the What If...? animated series.
Interestingly, she’s been very vocal lately about wanting to play a live-action Spider-Gwen. Given her stunt training in Black Phone 2, it’s not a stretch. She told Den of Geek in October 2025 that it's her "literal dream role."
A Career Built on Range
Most people get stuck in one lane. Madeleine doesn't. She’s been in Pacific Rim Uprising (as young Amara) and Cars 3 (voicing Maddy McGear). She even popped up in Bones and Criminal Minds early on.
What's really impressive is her move into the business side. She’s currently an executive producer on upcoming projects like High Stakes Holiday and SuperUnknown. That’s a massive move for a 17-year-old. She isn't just waiting for the phone to ring; she's making the movies happen.
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What to Watch Next: A Quick Roadmap
If you want to see the best of Madeleine McGraw movies and tv shows, start with The Black Phone. It’s her best performance to date. If you want something lighter, Secrets of Sulphur Springs is genuinely good mystery television, even for adults.
For the hardcore fans, keep an eye out for Captain Tsunami, which has been making the festival rounds. It’s a bit of a departure from her horror roots.
Pro Tip for Collectors: She’s recently been honored at CinemaCon as a "Rising Star" and has an Astra Award nomination for Black Phone 2. If you're looking for the next big Hollywood A-lister to track, she’s the one. Her ability to pivot between voice acting, indie horror, and big-budget blockbusters is rare.
Keep an eye on Peacock this month to catch the Black Phone 2 streaming debut. It’s the perfect way to see how much she’s grown as an actor since the first film. Whether she ends up in a Spider-Man suit or continues producing her own horror flicks, the "McGraw era" is clearly just getting started.