At just 15, Ariana Greenblatt held her own opposite Adam Driver in a survival thriller (65) and stole scenes from Margot Robbie in one of last year’s biggest blockbusters. (Barbie). Few actors her age command a screen like this. Ariana Greenblatt does.
Before turning 16, Greenblatt had already appeared in a Marvel film, a sci-fi survival drama, and an Oscar-nominated cultural juggernaut. Her performances in 65 and Barbie proved she could anchor serious stories and deliver sharp, memorable lines.
What makes her rise stand out is her ability to bridge her child-like innocence and bring on intensity, rare for actors her age. This is a look at how she got here, the roles that defined her, and what’s next as she moves from talented child star to genre lead.
Early Start: How Ariana Greenblatt Broke Into Hollywood
First roles:
- Stuck in the Middle (Disney Channel, 2016–2018) – Sophie Diaz
It was the warm-up for what would become a fast-moving career. - Daddy’s Home 2 (2017) – Adriana
She held her own in a star-heavy ensemble, showing early signs of her confidence and timing.
Training:
Started at age six with a foundation in dance and improv—skills that made her comfortable performing in front of both live audiences and cameras.
Breakthrough:
Cast as young Gamora in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), her first major blockbuster. It was a brief but crucial role. Playing the younger version of Zoe Saldaña’s character, she delivered one of the film’s most emotional scenes with Josh Brolin’s Thanos.
Key trait:
Directors and crew repeatedly noted her focus and emotional precision on set—rare in such a young actor. This was the moment the industry started paying attention to her not just as a child actor, but as someone with real craft.
The Turning Point: 65 and Barbie in 2023
65 (2023) – Sci-Fi Survival Heroine
In 65, Greenblatt played Koa, a young girl stranded on prehistoric Earth alongside a wounded pilot (Adam Driver). It’s a stripped-down survival thriller with minimal dialogue. That meant Greenblatt had to communicate fear, trust, and resilience.
She carried much of the film’s emotional weight, often opposite Driver alone. Reviews were mixed on the film itself, but critics consistently singled her out. Reviewers have called her performance saying that “Greenblatt, despite having little to no dialogue, can convey exactly what her character is thinking…”
It was a rare genre lead for a teen girl, and she made it look effortless.
Barbie (2023) – The Voice of Gen Alpha Truth
Then came Barbie, one of the biggest cultural moments of the year. In Greta Gerwig’s just-released film, Greenblatt plays Sasha, an angsty Gen Z tween who lost interest in Barbies long ago. “She is a very layered girl,” Greenblatt says of her character.
She’s the anchor of the film – It’s as simple as that.
This double punch—headlining a sci-fi film and delivering a cultural zinger in the year’s most talked-about movie changed her career.
Ariana Greenblatt’s Most Essential Roles (Ranked by Impact)
1. Koa in 65 (2023) – The Sci-Fi Breakout
Greenblatt’s performance in 65 showed she could hold a film on her shoulders. Koa wasn’t a sidekick or comic relief—she was the heart of the story. This role announced her as a serious actor with range.
- Streaming: Netflix (U.S.)
- Awards: Buzz for Best Young Performer at critics’ circles
2. Young Sasha in Barbie (2023) – Cultural Lightning Rod
In Barbie, Sasha, played by Ariana Greenblat, is the sharp, skeptical Gen Z tween who first challenges Barbie’s perfect pink world. As Gloria’s daughter, she delivers the film’s most cutting truths about beauty standards and consumer culture, becoming a catalyst for Barbie’s awakening and a bridge between fantasy and the real world.
- Impact: The confrontation scene has been widely shared and quoted in coverage about feminism, teen identity, and the film’s themes
- Legacy: Cemented her pop-culture footprint
3. Young Gamora in Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
This role launched her onto the global stage. The scene where young Gamora meets Thanos isn’t long, but it’s emotionally loaded. Greenblatt worked closely with Zoe Saldaña to match mannerisms, proving her dedication at just 10 years old.
- Franchise: Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Fun fact: She learned Gamora’s posture and tone directly from Saldaña during rehearsals.
4. Sophie in Stuck in the Middle (2016–2018)
In Stuck in the Middle, Ariana Greenblatt played Daphne Diaz. Working in a hectic Disney ensemble taught Greenblatt real on-set skills. She learned how to respond mid-scene, time her comedy when dozens of things were happening around her, and hold her own in a cast full of stronger, older characters.
Impact: Built on-camera confidence and comfort with large, fast-moving sets.
Legacy: Established her comedy chops and reliability across multi-episode arcs.
5. Julia in The One and Only Ivan (2020)
In a more under-the-radar role, Greenblatt played Julia, the daughter of Geor, gen The One and Only Ivan. Julia is a budding artist who befriends Ivan, the gorilla, through her drawings. It showcased her ability to bring warmth and humor through voice acting—something not every young actor can do well.
What’s Next for Ariana Greenblatt? (2025 and Beyond)
Greenblatt is leaning into ambitious projects — she’s committed to Borderlands, where she plays Tiny Tina, and is exploring further opportunities in genre films.
In interviews, she’s spoken about choosing roles of substance, saying she seeks parts where “girls get to be brave, not just sweet.” She’s also publicly cited Natalie Portman as an inspiration, referencing Portman’s early bold work and naming her as a figure she admires.
She’s already proved she can hold her own, and now the question isn’t if she’ll lead, but how far she’ll take it.
Why Ariana Greenblatt Stands Out Among Young Actresses
1. Range
She’s moved from Disney sitcoms to Marvel drama to sci-fi survival to sharp satire—all before finishing high school. Each role feels different, and none of them relies on the same tricks.
2. Work Ethic
On 65, she trained for her own stunts and spent long hours shooting complex sequences with little dialogue. Directors describe her as focused and unusually self-assured on set.
3. Career Choices
She hasn’t chased tabloid fame or messy headlines. Her team and family seem focused on building a career with staying power, not just spotlight moments.
4. Representation
Greenblatt is one of the few Latina actresses leading major genre films at her age. Her visibility matters—not just because of her background, but because she’s doing it in spaces where young women of color are often underrepresented.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How old is Ariana Greenblatt?
Born in 2007, she is 18 years old as of 2025.
Q. Is Ariana Greenblatt in Barbie and 65?
Yes. She played Sasha in Barbie (2023) and Koa in 65 (2023), two standout performances that defined her breakout year.
Q. Was Ariana Greenblatt in Marvel movies?
Yes. She played young Gamora in Avengers: Infinity War (2018).
Q. What is Ariana Greenblatt’s ethnicity?
She is of Latina (Puerto Rican and Cuban) and Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
The Bottom Line
Hollywood’s full of talented kids. But the list of those who leap from Disney sitcoms to fronting sci-fi blockbusters before they’ve even gotten a license? That’s short — and Ariana Greenblatt is on it.
She’s built a résumé that’s smart, strategic, and genre-defining. If the past few years are a preview, the next decade might belong to her.
