10 Must-Watch McKenna Grace Movies And Shows: From Ghostbusters To Her Shocking 2025 Thrillers

McKenna Grace has cemented her status as one of Hollywood's most versatile and in-demand young actresses, transitioning seamlessly from blockbuster franchises to critically acclaimed, complex television dramas. As of December 2025, her career trajectory is accelerating, marked by major box office success and a slate of highly anticipated projects that promise to showcase her dramatic range even further.

This comprehensive guide dives into the essential McKenna Grace movies and shows you need to watch, focusing on her most recent work, her pivotal roles that defined her career, and the exciting new films scheduled for 2025, ensuring you have the most current and fresh look at her impressive filmography.

McKenna Grace: Full Biography and Career Milestones

McKenna Grace is an American actress, singer, producer, and writer whose career began before she was even ten years old. Her ability to portray characters with emotional depth and maturity has made her a standout performer in the industry.

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• Full Name: Mckenna Grace
• Born: June 25, 2006, in Grapevine, Texas, U.S.
• Profession: Actress, Singer, Producer, Writer
• Career Start: Began acting professionally at age five. Her early roles included appearances in *The Young and the Restless* (2013–2015) and *The Vampire Diaries* (2015).
• Breakthrough Role: Her performance as the intellectually gifted Mary Adler in the 2017 film *Gifted*, alongside Chris Evans, earned her widespread critical praise.
• Key Nominations: Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Esther Keyes in *The Handmaid's Tale* (2021).
• Musical Career: Grace is also a singer and songwriter, having released several songs, including "Haunted House" for *Ghostbusters: Afterlife* and "Casualty."

The Blockbuster Era: Ghostbusters and Franchise Anchors

Grace has become the new face of a major cinematic franchise, proving her box office appeal while simultaneously anchoring significant roles in other massive universes. Her portrayal of a brilliant, science-minded protagonist has resonated with a new generation of filmgoers.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) and Afterlife (2021)

The most current and high-profile entries in her filmography are the *Ghostbusters* sequels. Grace stars as Phoebe Spengler, the granddaughter of original Ghostbuster Egon Spengler, in both *Ghostbusters: Afterlife* (2021) and the 2024 follow-up, *Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire*.

• Role: Phoebe Spengler is the scientific heart of the new team, a brilliant, awkward teenager who inherits her grandfather's ghost-busting legacy.
• Significance: In *Frozen Empire*, Phoebe's role is central, as she is the one who "bridges casts" and discovers the crucial connection to the new threat, the ancient entity known as Garraka. Her performance was praised for tying the emotional and scientific elements of the film together.

Key Franchise Roles: Captain Marvel and I, Tonya

Before becoming Phoebe Spengler, Grace was already a fixture in major films, often playing the younger versions of iconic characters, a testament to her ability to capture an adult star's essence.

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• Captain Marvel (2019): She portrayed the 13-year-old version of Carol Danvers, the titular character, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film.
• I, Tonya (2017): Grace played the younger version of Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding, showcasing her ability to handle dark and complex biographical material.
• PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023): She lent her voice talents to the character Skye, the brave Cockapoo pilot, proving her versatility in animation.

Emmy-Nominated Performances: The Handmaid's Tale and A Friend of the Family

While her film roles bring her to a global audience, Grace’s television work is where she demonstrates her profound dramatic capability, tackling heavy, real-world, and dystopian themes with maturity far beyond her years. These roles are essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand her topical authority.

The Handmaid's Tale: Esther Keyes

Grace’s portrayal of Esther Keyes in Seasons 4 and 5 of Hulu’s *The Handmaid's Tale* earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

• Character Arc: Esther Keyes is a young, abused wife in the dystopian world of Gilead. Grace's performance captured the character’s sharp, confident, and ultimately traumatized nature, often clashing with June (Elisabeth Moss).
• Critical Acclaim: The role was a shocking debut for her, showcasing her ability to handle intense, adult themes and earning her one of the highest honors in television.

A Friend of the Family: Jan Broberg

In the 2022 Peacock true-crime miniseries *A Friend of the Family*, Grace took on the emotionally demanding role of Jan Broberg, a young girl who was kidnapped multiple times by family friend Robert "B" Berchtold.

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• The Challenge: Playing a real-life victim of a harrowing crime required immense preparation and emotional depth. Grace shared the role with actress Hendrix Yancey, portraying the older version of Jan Broberg.
• Impact: The series, based on the real-life events documented in the film *Abducted in Plain Sight*, was a critical success, highlighting Grace’s fearless approach to difficult material.

Upcoming and New McKenna Grace Movies for 2025 and Beyond

McKenna Grace’s schedule for 2025 is packed with new projects that will further solidify her status as a leading actress, moving away from "younger versions" to starring roles.

The upcoming slate features several highly anticipated films, many of which lean into the thriller and dramatic genres, demonstrating a purposeful shift in her career focus.

• Anniversary (2025): This thriller stars Grace alongside Zoey Deutch and Kyle Chandler. The plot centers on a family celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary amidst a global event, promising high-stakes drama.
• Regretting You (2025): Based on the novel by Colleen Hoover, this film is a major romantic drama/thriller project directed by Josh Boone, where Grace stars as a lead character.
• The Nowhere Game (TBA): A mysterious project currently in development, listed among her upcoming credits, suggesting another foray into a high-concept film.
• WHAT WE HIDE (2025): A thriller project where Grace is set to star alongside Dacre Montgomery, indicating her continued interest in emotionally intense and suspenseful material.

These new roles, particularly *Anniversary* and *Regretting You*, are poised to be major talking points in 2025, continuing the momentum she established with her powerful performances as Phoebe Spengler and Esther Keyes. Her evolution from a talented child star in films like *Mr. Church* and TV shows like *Designated Survivor* to a powerhouse dramatic actress is a rare and exciting career path to watch.