30 Exciting Actresses Under 30

One of the joys of cinema is being able to watch a new star rise, and, conversely, to revisit the early work of some of today's major actors. I've attempted to craft of a list of the 30 young actresses (I'm taking "under 30" to mean 29 years old and younger) whose potential most excite me. Based on what they've done so far, they all look to have bright futures ahead of them. I've listed them in an approximate order, with their ages and what I consider their best/most illuminating performance as well.

30. Amanda Seyfried (25) - Chloe (2009)

29. Nicole Beharie (26) - American Violet (2009)

28. Zoe Kazan (28) - Meek's Cutoff (2010)

27. Bailee Madison (12) - Brothers (2009)

26. Shailene Woodley (19) - The Descendants (2011)

25. Felicity Jones (27) - Like Crazy (2011)

24. Rooney Mara (25) - Dare (2009)

23. Yaya DaCosta (29) - The Kids Are All Right (2010)

22. Emily Browning (22) - Sleeping Beauty (2011)

21. Shareeka Epps (22) - Half Nelson (2006)

20. Melonie Diaz (27) - A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)

19. Ellie Kendrick (21) - The Diary of Anne Frank (2009)

18. Jennifer Lawrence (21) - The Burning Plain (2008)

17. Abbie Cornish (29) - Bright Star (2009)

16. Abigail Breslin (15) - Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

15. Kristen Stewart (21) - Adventureland (2009)

14. Dakota Fanning (17) - The Runaways (2010)

13. Ellen Page (24) - Juno (2007)

12. Keira Knightley (26) - Atonement (2007)

11. Hayley Atwell (29) - The Pillars of the Earth (2010)

10. Mia Wasikowska (22) - In Treatment (2008)

9. Alison Pill (25) - Milk (2008)

8. Elle Fanning (13) - Super 8 (2011)

7. Anna Kendrick (26) - Up in the Air (2009)

6. Melanie Laurent (28) - Beginners (2011)

5. Anne Hathaway (28) - Rachel Getting Married (2008)

4. Emma Stone (22) - Easy A (2010)

3. Evan Rachel Wood (24) - Mildred Pierce (2011)

2. Saoirse Ronan (17) - The Lovely Bones (2009)

1. Carey Mulligan (26) - An Education (2009)

Close, but no cigar: Nina Arianda (27), Greta Gerwig (28), Selena Gomez (19), Mila Kunis (28), Blake Lively (24), Emmy Rossum (25), Gabourey Sidibe (28), Hailee Steinfeld (14)