Bailee Madisonis one ofthose young actorsthat everyone probably remembers seeing in one production or another. And it makes sense: she’s been in the industry for many years — almost her entire life. Madison landed her first acting role only two weeks after she was born, in an Office Depot commercial, and kept on starring in other commercials throughout the years. Even though these first roles were not of her choosing due to her young age, Madison eventually decided to pursue an acting career, and by 2006, she made her feature film debut in Todd Robinson’sLonely Hearts, alongside John Travolta, James Gandolfini, and Salma Hayek. The following year, she played a supporting role inBridge to Terabithia, which helped her break into the limelight and launched a brilliant career that is still on the rise to this day.
Over the years, Madison’s great acting skills could be appreciated in the many roles she played, not only in movies but also on TV. She appeared in major TV shows such asHouse,Law & Order: Special Victims UnitandWizards of Waverly Place, to name just a few, and in 2010 she established herself as a solid lead actress in the filmDon’t Be Afraid of the Dark, her first leading role. And, although most of the projects in which she has been involved are aimed at children or family audiences, Madison has managed to excel in projects of every genre. In recent years, she has ventured into darker roles, which undoubtedly forecast a bright future in the industry. Here is a look back at the best movies and TV shows featuring this great actress.
10Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
Don’t Be Afraid of the Darkis one of the most important films in Madison’s career, as it solidified her as a leading actress at a very young age. This 2010 production that marked Troy Nixey’s directorial debut waswritten by Guillermo del Toroalong with Matthew Robbins, and served as a remake of the 1973 film of the same name. Starring Madison alongside Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce,Don’t Be Afraid of the Darkfollows Sally, an eight-year-old girl who moves in with her father and his girlfriend to an old, luxurious mansion, not knowing that it is home to evil entities wishing to take over her. Although the film was met with mixed reviews, the performances of the lead actors were praised, with Madison earning a Fangoria Chainsaw Awards nomination for Best Actress.
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9Parental Guidance
Parental Guidancehit theaters in 2012, and despite being a critically panned film, it became a box-office hit with a very good audience reception. This film, directed by Andy Fickman, stars Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei and Tom Everett Scott, and follows Artie and Diane Decker, an elderly couple entrusted with the care of their grandchildren after their daughter Alice has to leave town for work. This task may not be easy for them, as they hardly ever spend time with the kids, and they are raised in a completely different way from the one they adopted with their daughter as she was growing up. In this production, Madison plays Harper Simmons, one of Alice’s children.
8Just Go With It
Just likeParental Guide, the 2011 filmJust Go With Itwas poorly reviewed, but became a blockbuster, garnering $214 million worldwide. It was also the first film co-starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, the popular duo that headlinesMurder Mysteryandits upcoming sequel. This Dennis Dugan film follows Danny, a womanizing man who feigns being in an unhappy marriage in order to get dates but not commit too much. However, he gets caught up in his lies once he meets Palmer, a young woman who immediately sweeps him off his feet. In order to pursue a relationship with her and reassure her that he’s about to split up, Dennis enlists the help of his friend and assistant Katherine to pose as his soon-to-be ex-partner, but things don’t turn out quite the way he expects.Just Go With Italso stars Nicole Kidman, Nick Swardson and Brooklyn Decker. In the film, Madison plays Maggie Murphy, Katherine’s oldest daughter.
The role of Isabelle Cahill in the 2009 filmBrothersearned Madison two nominations for Best Young Actress at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards and the Saturn Awards. This Jim Sheridan film stars Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Natalie Portman, and follows Tommy, the irresponsible brother of Captain Sam Cahill, who is left in charge of his wife and daughters after Sam is presumed dead in combat. The consequences of this decision completely shake the foundations of this family and awaken unexpected feelings, although things get complicated when Sam comes home alive, struggling with the aftermath of his time in Afghanistan as he tries to readjust to his family.
6Play Dead
Play Deadis, so far, the latest film in which Madison has been involved, co-starring alongside Jerry O’Connell. It is directed by Patrick Lussier and premiered in December 2022. This production follows Chloe, a criminology student who fakes her own death to break into a local morgue and steal evidence that connects her brother to a crime. Once inside, she soon realizes that the coroner in charge of the facility is using the place as a cover to run a dark and twisted business, something that puts her own life at risk.
5Trophy Wife
Trophy Wifeis a sitcom created and produced by Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins that aired on ABC for just one season. This 2013 show follows Kate, an attractive and partying young woman who decides to settle down and marry a man older than her named Pete. The only problem is that Kate must deal with this man’s two ex-wives and his three children, who are certain that she is nothing but a trophy wife and are unwilling to welcome her into the family. Malin Akerman stars in this production alongside Bradley Whitford, Marcia Gay Harden and Michaela Watkins. InTrophy Wife, Bailee Madison plays Hillary, Pete’s oldest daughter, even though in the pilot episode this role was played by Gianna LePera.
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4Good Witch
The 2008 filmThe Good Witchkicked off a hit franchise comprising seven films andGood Witch, a 2015 TV show that served as a sequel to the story. In this production, that aired for seven seasons, Catherine Bell plays Cassie Nightingale, a witch who has just moved to Middleton with her teenage daughter, who shares her gifts. Initially, these ladies try to keep their gifts a secret, but things get complicated with the arrival of their new neighbors, the Radfords. In this production, Madison plays Grace, the main character’s daughter. She was part of the show’s main cast until its fifth season, when her character left town to go to college, and only reprised her role in a cameo during the show’s final season.
3Bridge to Terabithia
Bridge to Terabithiawas one of the first films to earn Madison accolades as an actress, and for her role as May Belle Aarons, the lead character’s younger sister, she was nominated for Best Performance in a Feature Film Young Actress Age Ten or Younger at the Young Artist Awards. This 2007 film based on Katherine Paterson’s novel of the same name stars Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb. It follows Jess and Leslie, two best friends who create the imaginary world of Terabithia as an escape from their complicated, humdrum lives. But this secret world brimming with magical creatures must soon face an enormous tragedy. Joining Hutcherson, Robb and Madison in the cast are Zooey Deschanel, Robert Patrick and Kate Butler.Bridge to Terabithiabecame a box-office hit and earned rave reviews, winning five Young Artist Awards.
2Once Upon a Time
Once Upon a Timeis an ABC TV show that aired for seven seasons, from 2011 to 2018. It is set in the seaside town of Storybrooke, whose inhabitants are enchanted fairy tale characters with their memories stolen by the Evil Queen Regina. These characters' only hope is Emma, a young magic-less woman who has no idea that she belongs to the kingdom as the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. This production earned rave reviews and became a hit that led to the development of the spin-offOnce Upon a Time in Wonderlandin 2013. The original show starred Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, Josh Dallas and Robert Carlyle. In it, Madison played a small role as Young Snow White for four episodes.
1Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin
Heading this ranking is one of Bailee Madison’s most recent projects and, undoubtedly, one of her most popular so far,Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. This 2022 production is part of thePretty Little Liarsfranchiseand the brainchild of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring. Starring Madison alongside Chandler Kinney, Zaria, Malia Pyles and Maia Reficco, the show introduces five Millwood teenagers who are threatened by an unknown stalker who goes by “A” that aims to make them pay for the sins that their mothers committed over 20 years ago.Pretty Little Liars: Original Sinrestored the success that thePretty Little Liarsfranchise had lost after some of its productions failed to perform as expected, and weeks after its premiere it was renewed fora second seasontitledPretty Little Liars: Summer School. In the show, Madison plays Imogen Adams, a leading character who is dealing with a teenage pregnancy.
