Hollywood’s old guard — think Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt — may still reign as Hollywood’s royalty, but a new wave of talent is emerging to give them a run for their money. The showbiz publication The Hollywood Reporter has anointed 10 actors as Tinseltown’s new A-list. Read on to find out who they are.

Timothée Chalamet
The poster boy for sensitive Gen Z charm, Timothée Chalamet is redefining what a Hollywood leading man looks like. A theatre kid turned movie star, he’s delicate yet magnetic, dreamy yet grounded. Since Call Me by Your Name shot him to superstardom, he’s moved effortlessly between prestige and pop, fronting blockbusters like Wonka and Dune while headlining indie standouts such as Bones and All.

His recent roles have further cemented his status as an exceptional talent. His turn as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown showcased both his acting and musical chops, while playing the self-centred, volatile anti-hero Marty Mauser in Marty Supreme allowed him to stretch his dramatic range. Offscreen, his red-carpet flair and gender-fluid fashion sense make him a photographer’s dream. Minor missteps aside (see: his much-criticised comments about opera and ballet), Chalamet has sailed gracefully to the top of the A-list, becoming Hollywood’s favourite modern muse.

Paul Mescal
The Irish actor first came into the international limelight with a BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated turn in the acclaimed series Normal People, co-starring Daisy Edgar-Jones.

Since then, he has flexed his acting chops in the meaty roles he has taken on, from his Oscar-nominated performance as a depressed dad in Aftersun to his much-lauded turn as Stanley Kowalski in a West End revival of A Streetcar Named Desire, which garnered him a Laurence Olivier Award.

Where his acting style is concerned, comparisons with Marlon Brando are rife — thanks to his mix of soulful vulnerability and intensity. While Mescal has yet to prove he has the commercial appeal of Brando, the Irish actor has already taken on some projects that have made waves at the box office, such as headlining 2024’s Gladiator II.

But indie film fans need not fear. He hasn’t forgotten his roots, most recently starring in Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet. He will also be starring in Richard Linklater’s ambitious film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Merrily We Roll Along, which is being filmed over 20 years, with its first segment shot in 2019.

Jacob Elordi
In 2023, the chronically online crowd were fawning over the newest ‘babygirl’. That babygirl was, well, not a girl — it was Jacob Elordi. The internet crowned him an ‘unproblematic fave’ as he defies ‘toxic masculinity’ stereotypes by exhibiting impeccable manners and a gentle demeanour. Charming but self-effacing, he’s Hollywood’s new gentleman rebel, and the industry can’t get enough.

From starring as a tall, hot jock in The Kissing Booth and its sequels to starring as a tall, hot aristocratic dude (see where we’re going with this?) in Saltburn, Elordi has played his fair share of heartthrobs. But he isn’t a vain actor obsessed with forging a sex symbol status. More recently, he went ugly, donning heavy prosthetics to play the title character in Frankenstein, horror auteur Guillermo del Toro’s film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel.

As of now, the charismatic Australian remains much in demand with directors (and fashion houses). He has eschewed superhero and blockbuster films in favour of indie projects that flaunt his thespian range, including 2026’s Wuthering Heights, for which he reunites with Saltburn director Emerald Fennell.

Sydney Sweeney
Few young stars play the Hollywood game as well as Sydney Sweeney. From her breakout turns in Euphoria and The White Lotus to leading box-office hits like Anyone but You, she has proven that tenacity, diligence, and business savvy can outshine nepotism in Hollywood. The Spokane-born actor moved to Los Angeles at 13, determined to make it — and she did.

Sweeney spent years clawing her way up Hollywood, taking bit parts to build her portfolio. Now, with her own production company (Fifty-Fifty Films), she’s calling her own shots. Even the critical and box-office misfire Madame Web couldn’t dull her momentum — she spun that misstep into new studio deals and more creative control. Most recently, she bounced back from a string of lukewarmly received films with a lead role in the positively received psychological thriller The Housemaid.

Offscreen, she has built an empire of brand partnerships with Armani Beauty, Miu Miu, and Ford. Whether she’s headlining movies, producing new projects behind the scenes, or securing endorsements, Sweeney has shown that she’s the definition of a self-made A-lister.

Glen Powell
He’s got the grin, the guns, and the charisma of a classic movie hero. But his success story took time. After years of grinding away in small roles, Glen Powell (the oldest actor on this list) finally soared into the stratosphere with Top Gun: Maverick, then sealed his leading-man status with Hit Man and Twisters. The internet has dubbed him ‘The Capybara’ for his unflappable, easy-going charm that makes him the ultimate chill A-ister.

Powell’s not just about laidback vibes, though. He further established himself as an actor star in Edgar Wright’s The Running Man, the second film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel of the same name, proving he can be intense when the role calls for it.

And behind the performances lies serious hustle. Powell co-wrote Hit Man, proving he’s not just a pretty face with a six-pack, but also a creative force with solid comic timing and a sharp sense of self-awareness. Whether he’s playing a gun-slinging hero, a romantic lead, or both at once, Powell brings an old-school confidence that feels refreshingly unpretentious.

Funny, confident, and endlessly likeable, Powell is the rare actor who can headline a rom-com or an action flick with equal ease. Hollywood’s new golden boy? Very possibly.

Zendaya
Few stars embody multi-hyphenate like Zendaya. From Disney Channel beginnings to global icon, she’s conquered TV (Euphoria), film (Dune: Part One and Two), music, fashion, and beyond — all while keeping her image polished and purposeful. Her Emmy-winning turn as Rue in Euphoria has proved her acting chops, and her effortless grace has made her the face of luxury brands worldwide. In recent years, she has continued to take on roles that stretch her dramatic range, such as Tashi in Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers. 

Text: Raymond Tan, Lestari Hairul
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