Worst2First: The Breakout Film Stars of 2018

Worst2First: 

The Breakout Film Stars of 2018

2018 has been an important year for the inclusion of minorities in cinema, providing some of the best performances of the entire year.  There's been several outstanding performances by first-time film actors (they might already be known for their roles in television and theater, or music), and here are my personal favorites - those to look out for in the future.

Here are my personal top ten Breakout Film Stars of 2018, worst2first (not based off their overall talent, but on their performances this year).

**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**

#10

Zazie Beetz

 It's no small feat to go toe-to-toe against both Ryan Reynolds and Josh Brolin and still maintain a strong screen presence, but that's exactly what "Atlanta" star Zazie Beetz did in this year's big-budget hit "Deadpool 2."  As the fierce femme fatale Domino (whose superpower is luck, no matter what Deadpool says), Beetz dominated the screen and stole the show from her more seasoned co-stars, and she's looking to have another great year with appearances in the highly anticipated "Joker" film as well as reprising her role as Domino in "X-Force."

#9

 Henry Golding

 For someone who's never acted before, Henry Golding has had quite an amazing year.  He co-starred with Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick in the psychological thriller "A Simple Favor," and made a name for himself as the leading man in the hit comedy "Crazy Rich Asians."  He's going to be starring in the two sequels, and will undoubtedly garner many more roles in the future.

#8

 Cynthia Erivo

 Already having earned a Tony, a Grammy, and an Emmy, Cynthia Erivo is only one award shy of the coveted EGOT title, and if you base her performances in the critically acclaimed films "Bad Times at the El Royale" and "Widows" this year, it won't be long before this triple threat walks home with an Oscar as well.  It could possibly happen in 2019 for her, as she's set to star as Harriet Tubman in the self-titled biopic "Harriet."

#7

 Elsie Fisher

Having voiced the character of Agnes in the first two "Despicable Me" films, Elsie Fisher emerged to live action in the stellar film "Eighth Grade," which earned the young up-and-coming actress a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. 

#6

 Letitia Wright & Danai Gurira

Both women are known for their roles on television (Letitita Wright in "Black Mirror" and Danai Gurira as Michonne on "The Walking Dead"), but this year both women emerged as big-screen warriors in the critically acclaimed film "Black Panther," as well as "Avengers: Infinity War."   These two stars will co-star again in the upcoming "Avengers: Endgame" as well as the "Black Panther" sequel.

#5

 Awkwafina

 Comedienne and singer Awkwafina has had a great year in movies.  She co-starred with the likes of Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway in the all-female version of "Ocean's 8," and broke out as the scene-stealing Goh Peik Lin in the breakout hit "Crazy Rich Asians."  She's on tap for the lead role in the upcoming female reboot of "21 Jump Street," and looks to only shine brighter in 2019.

#4

 Constance Wu 

Best known for her role on the hit television series "Fresh Off the Boat," Constance Wu blew up the big screen in the critically acclaimed comedy "Crazy Rich Asians," to which she earned her first Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical. 

#3

 John David Washington

In many instances, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  That's true in the case of John David Washington, the son of Oscar winner Denzel Washington, as he hit the big screen in a big way tackling the lead role of Ron Stallworth in Spike Lee's picture "BlacKkKlansman," earning himself a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award nominations, and undoubtedly will also earn an Academy Award nomination for his work as well.

#2

 Rami Malek

Best known for his role in the hit series "Mr. Robot," Rami Malek crushed expectations by appearing as the famed musician Freddie Mercury in the biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody," which has become the highest-grossing biopic of all time, earning over $608 million dollars globally and rising.  The young star has earned a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Critics Choice awards nominations, and currently is the front-runner for the coveted Academy Award.

#1

 Lady Gaga

Already an international superstar for well over a decade, Lady Gaga hit the big screen in the Bradley Cooper-directed "A Star is Born," and her career has again been reborn because of it.  Her performance was so moving and powerful she earned Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award nominations, and will undoubtedly earn an Academy Award nomination too - and is the front runner to win that as well.