Alicia Vikander
The Swedish actress is undeniably 2015’s “It” girl, appearing on movie posters, magazine covers and in our hearts with memorable performances in “Ex Machina,” “The Danish Girl” and “Burnt.”
Daisy Ridley
Ridley went from playing small roles on “Mr. Selfridge” and “Youngers” to starring as a lead in the biggest movie of the year — and perhaps the decade. As Rey, Ridley did an amazing job in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” with many praising her display of a strong, independent female character.
John Boyega
Like Ridley, English actor Boyega starred on TV movies and small series, and then was catapulted to stardom when J.J. Abrams cast him as Finn in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Brie Larson
The former child actress graduated from teeny bopper fare to a gripping leading-lady role as a mother suffering unimaginable horrors in “Room.”
Bel Powley
Like our other breakout stars, English actress Powley starred in various TV series and movies before getting her role as Minnie in “The Diary of a Teenage Girl,” for which she received the Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Actress.
Lily James
Best known for her role as Lady Rose Aldridge on “Downton Abbey,” James was destined to play “Cinderella” with grace and heart — and she absolutely slayed that dress-transforming twirl.
Shameik Moore
The rapper showed off his impressive acting skills and pulled at our heartstrings as a modern kid obsessed with the ’90s hip-hop culture in “Dope.”
Rebecca Ferguson
British singer/actress Ferguson showed off an amazing body and the badass moves required of a “Mission Impossible” love interest, but also brought a subtle maturity and mystery to “Rogue Nation.”
Jason Mitchell
Mitchell’s previous roles include uncredited castings in “Texas Killing Fields” and “Broken City,” but caught viewers’ attention when he starred as Eazy-E in “Straight Outta Compton” — one of the most acclaimed movies of the year. His upcoming projects include “Kong: Skull Island,” alongside Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman and John C. Reilly.
Taron Egerton
Egerton, 26, starred as Edward Brittain in “Testament of Youth” before winning a role in “Kingsman: The Secret Service” alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Firth, Mark Hamill and Michael Caine. The Welsh actor will next be seen alongside Hugh Jackman portraying “Eddie the Eagle.”
Mya Taylor
The transgender actress is both heartbreaking and hilarious as a sex worker with aspirations of a stage career in “Tangerine.”
Mark Rylance
Rylance worked on shows including “Great Performances” and TV movie “The Government Inspector,” but 2015 was his year to really break out when he starred opposite Sean Penn in “The Gunman” and with Tom Hanks in “Bridge of Spies.”
Tessa Thompson
Michael B. Jordan‘s love interest in “Creed’ was no ring card girl. Thompson brought sensitivity and conviction to Bianca in Ryan Coogler‘s boxing drama.
Jacob Tremblay
As five-year-old Jack in the harrowing drama “Room,” Tremblay delivers a universe of emotion from the confines of a shack alongside Brie Larson.
Emory Cohen
Cohen had a recurring role on the series “Smash” from 2012 to 2013 after starring in Ryan Gosling’s “The Place Beyond the Pines.” But in 2015, he landed the male lead opposite Saoirse Ronan in the Golden Globe-nominated period drama, “Brooklyn.”
