Mason Thames first emerged on screens in the 2019 Apple TV+ series For All Mankind, playing a young Daniel Stevens. But it was his 2021 leading role in Scott Derrickson’s horror thriller The Black Phone that truly turned him into a breakout star in the horror genre, the moment that put Mason Thames firmly on the map.
Finney Blake: The Role That Defined Him
In The Black Phone, Thames stars as Finney Blake, a shy but clever 13‑year‑old abducted by a sadistic masked killer known as “The Grabber,” played by Ethan Hawke. Locked in a soundproof basement, Finney discovers a disconnected black rotary phone through which the previous victims’ ghosts contact him, guiding him toward escape. Despite being his first film role, Thames delivered an emotionally grounded, believable performance that became the emotional core of the movie and earned widespread critical acclaim.
He even had to learn to use an analog rotary phone—something — something completely foreign to a Gen‑Z teenager—with — with help from his mother, who spray-painted an old phone black to match the prop. His discovery of the dial mechanism became a charming anecdote during production.
Critical Response and Career Impact
Critics praised Thames alongside Madeleine McGraw, noting their maturity and emotional range. Entertainment Weekly described the horror film as “creepy and“creepy, brutally violent,” but highlighted the young actors as “newcomers worth keeping an eye on.” The movie earned around $161 million worldwide against its modest $16–18 million budget. A surprise hit that launched Thames into wider recognition and led to immediate talks of a sequel.
The success of The Black Phone directly influenced Thames’ casting in the 2025 live‑action remake of How to Train Your Dragon (2025). Director Dean DeBlois reportedly saw Thames’ performance on a flight and was so impressed that he arranged a casting session. That spontaneous viewing moment became a major turning point: had Thames not starred in The Black Phone, he might never have become Hiccup.
Mason Thames: Horror Movies to Fantasy
Following his horror debut, Thames starred in the teen comedy Incoming (2024) on Netflix, which attracted over six million viewers, and played Noah in the adventure horror Monster Summer (2024), alongside Mel Gibson. But it was his 2025 role as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III that truly demonstrated his versatility.
Released June 13, 2025, the live‑action How to Train Your Dragon found Thames embodying the awkward, inventive Viking teenager with emotional depth and fan‑favourite charm. Critics praised him for conveying growth, courage, and empathy in scenes with CGI dragon Toothless noting noting his transition from insecure outcast to courageous hero felt authentic and heartfelt.
Sequel on the Way & Industry Recognition
Now aged 17 (born July 10, 2007), Mason Thames is set to reprise his role as Finney in Black Phone 2 (2025), which opens October 17, 2025. The sequel follows Finney and sister Gwen into an Alpine Lake camp, a camp where supernatural ties to their family’s past and The Grabber’s vengeance resurface.
In spring 2025, Forbes included him in its North America 30 Under 30 list, naming him the youngest honoree in the Hollywood & Entertainment category. That accolade reflects how The Black Phone actor paved the way for a remarkable start in film, horror, and beyond.
Why “Mason Thames, the Black Phone Actor” Became a Horror Sensation
- Immense emotional weight in a debut role. Thames carried The Black Phone on his young shoulders, showing nuance, fear, and courage in equal measure.
- Unexpected authenticity. From learning to use a rotary telephone to conveying genuine terror and vulnerability, he impressed in ways beyond his years.
- Industry momentum. The film’s success made studios. That single performance ultimately led to a career‑defining fantasy role.
Today, Mason Thames is no longer known solely as “the Boy from The Black Phone.” He is a rising young lead, ablelead: able to shift from haunted horror to family fantasy, earning praise and roles for his maturity and presence. As Black Phone 2 and more projects roll out, the horror film that made him famous still stands as his defining career moment, the one that transformed a promising young Texan into a breakout star.
