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Mikey Madison Movies and TV Shows – Complete Filmography Guide

Noah Campbell Murphy • 2026-04-11 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

Mikey Madison has built one of the more distinctive careers in contemporary American cinema, progressing from teenage television roles in the late 2010s to an Academy Award-winning lead performance in 2024. Her filmography spans independent drama, horror franchises, and prestige projects from established directors. This overview covers every confirmed screen role across movies, television, and voice work, organized chronologically with details on each project.

Born March 25, 1999, in Los Angeles, Madison launched her career in short films before transitioning to feature productions. Over the following decade, she accumulated credits in films alongside major Hollywood talent, appeared in multiple television series, and eventually earned industry recognition that placed her among the most discussed young actresses of her generation. The breadth of her work—from Quentin Tarantino’s ensemble to Sean Baker’s intimate character studies—reflects a deliberate approach to genre and tone.

What Movies Has Mikey Madison Starred In?

Madison’s feature film career began modestly but accelerated rapidly. Her film debut came in Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey (2017), a drama filmed in 2014 where she played the titular character. The film drew modest attention with a 33% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Subsequent supporting roles in Nostalgia (2018) and Monster (2018) followed, with the latter pairing her with established talent in an ensemble format.

Breakthrough at the Quentin Tarantino Film

Her most visible early role arrived in 2019 with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino’s ninth feature. Madison portrayed Susan “Sadie” Atkins, a member of the Manson Family, in the ensemble led by Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. The film received substantial awards recognition and exposed her work to a much wider audience.

Horror Success with the Scream Franchise

Madison took on one of her most demanding roles in Scream (2022), the fifth installment in the horror franchise. As Amber Freeman, the antagonist of the film, she delivered a performance critics singled out for praise. The film achieved commercial success alongside her standout contribution, earning a 76% Rotten Tomatoes score. This role proved instrumental in attracting director Sean Baker’s attention for what would become her career-defining project.

The Anora Role That Defined Her Career

In 2024, Madison starred as the titular character in Anora, directed by Sean Baker. Her portrayal of Anora “Ani” Mikheeva—a stripper and sex worker navigating a complicated relationship—garnered widespread critical acclaim. The film holds a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score and won the Palme d’Or at Cannes. Madison received the Academy Award for Best Actress, marking her first Oscar win. Baker reportedly wrote the role specifically for her after observing her performances in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Scream.

Preparation Details

Madison studied Russian language to prepare for the role and performed several of her own stunts in Anora, contributing to the film’s naturalistic tone.

Voice Work and Independent Films

Madison’s voice acting includes a brief appearance as Candi the Barista in The Addams Family (2019). Independent projects such as It Takes Three (2021) and All Souls (2023) rounded out her output during this period, with the latter scoring 73% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Year Title Role Reception
2017 Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey Liza 33% RT
2018 Nostalgia Kathleen 38% RT
2018 Monster Alexandra Floyd
2019 Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Susan “Sadie” Atkins
2019 The Addams Family Candi the Barista (Voice) 46% RT
2021 It Takes Three Kat Walker 67% RT
2022 Scream Amber Freeman 76% RT
2023 All Souls River 73% RT
2024 Anora Anora “Ani” Mikheeva 93% RT, Oscar win

What TV Shows Is Mikey Madison Known For?

Madison’s television career began with guest appearances before she secured a multi-season role in a high-profile series. Her most sustained television work came through recurring and main cast positions across cable and streaming platforms.

Better Things: Her Defining TV Role

From 2016 through 2022, Madison portrayed Maxine “Max” Fox in Better Things, the FX comedy-drama series created by Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon. As the sullen teenage character at the center of the show’s family dynamics, she appeared in every season across its five-season run. The series received consistent critical praise and established her as a reliable television performer before her film career gained momentum.

Supporting TV Roles and Guest Appearances

Earlier television work included a recurring appearance as Young Maddie in Imposters, a Bravo series that aired between 2017 and 2018. She appeared in two episodes of that program. An uncredited appearance in All Rise marked another early credit. In 2024, she played Judith Weinstein in the Apple TV+ miniseries Lady in the Lake, positioning her within a prestige limited series environment.

SNL Hosting Appearance

In March 2025, Madison hosted Saturday Night Live, appearing alongside musical guest Morgan Wallen. This marked her first appearance as host rather than guest on the long-running sketch series.

Year Title Role Notes
2016–2022 Better Things Maxine “Max” Fox Main cast; FX
2017–2018 Imposters Young Maddie 2 episodes; Bravo
2024 Lady in the Lake Judith Weinstein Miniseries; Apple TV+
2025 Saturday Night Live Herself (host) Episode: “Mikey Madison/Morgan Wallen”

How Did Mikey Madison Build Her Career?

Madison entered the entertainment industry through short films in 2013, debuting in Retirement and Pani’s Box before appearing in Bound for Greatness in 2014. These early projects reflected the typical starting point for performers from the Los Angeles area, combining educational shorts with independent creative exercises.

Transition from Short Films to Features

Her first feature role came through Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey, filmed in 2014 but released in 2017. This period of waiting between production and release is not uncommon for independent features and gave Madison time to develop her craft before her work reached audiences. Following this debut, she accumulated television credits rapidly, securing the role in Better Things by 2016.

The Tarantino Effect on Her Career Trajectory

Being cast in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood represented a significant leap in both profile and creative scope. Working under Tarantino’s direction alongside DiCaprio and Pitt introduced her to major production standards and international film audiences. This exposure played a direct role in her subsequent casting, as Sean Baker reportedly took note of her performance during this period.

Genre Versatility as a Career Strategy

Madison’s filmography demonstrates deliberate variety across genres. The horror of Scream sits alongside the period drama of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the intimate realism of Anora, and the family animation of The Addams Family. Critics have noted this range as a defining feature of her career development, suggesting a preference for challenging material over formulaic typecasting.

Director Connections

Madison has worked with multiple auteur directors—Quentin Tarantino, Sean Baker, and the collective directing team behind Scream (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett)—suggesting strong relationships with filmmakers who emphasize performer input.

What Upcoming Projects Does Mikey Madison Have?

Madison’s post-Anora schedule reflects her elevated industry standing. Multiple confirmed projects position her in high-profile productions through 2026 and beyond.

Confirmed Feature Films

The Social Reckoning (2026) casts Madison as Frances Haugen, the Meta whistleblower. The film, described as a sequel to The Social Network, is currently in post-production with a planned release of October 9, 2026. She also stars in The Masque of the Red Death, an A24 production currently in filming stages. Her involvement was reported in June 2025. Additionally, she joined the cast of Reptilia, directed by Alejandro Landes, in May 2025.

Negotiations and Unconfirmed Reports

Reports from April 2025 indicated that Madison was in negotiations for Star Wars: Starfighter before she ultimately declined over compensation. No further involvement with that project has been confirmed. Search results do not indicate any confirmed participation in the series Legion or other widely speculated roles.

Project Status Disclaimer

Filmmaking schedules frequently shift. Dates and involvement for forthcoming projects should be treated as accurate at the time of reporting but remain subject to change by studios or production companies.

Mikey Madison’s Career Timeline

The following chronological overview traces her progression from early short films through her most recent work, highlighting the major milestones in her development as a screen performer.

  1. 2013–2014: Short film debut in Retirement, Pani’s Box, and Bound for Greatness.
  2. 2016: Cast as Maxine “Max” Fox in FX series Better Things.
  3. 2017: Feature film debut in Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey; guest role in Imposters.
  4. 2019: Breakout supporting role in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
  5. 2021: Appears in It Takes Three and additional uncredited work.
  6. 2022: Standout antagonist role as Amber Freeman in Scream.
  7. 2023: Leads as River in All Souls.
  8. 2024: Starred in Anora and Lady in the Lake; wins Academy Award for Best Actress.
  9. 2025: Hosts Saturday Night Live; cast in Reptilia and The Masque of the Red Death.
  10. 2026: The Social Reckoning scheduled for release.

Confirmed Information and Remaining Uncertainties

Established Unconfirmed or Unclear
Born March 25, 1999, Los Angeles Extent of involvement in Star Wars: Starfighter beyond negotiations
Oscar win for Best Actress (2025 ceremony) Specific release date for The Masque of the Red Death
Role written for her in Anora by Sean Baker Any further roles in Legion or related series
Main role in Better Things across all five seasons Complete cast details for Reptilia
Confirmed cast in The Social Reckoning (2026) Potential involvement in projects beyond those publicly announced

The Significance of Madison’s Career Arc

Madison’s trajectory from independent shorts to an Oscar win within roughly a decade illustrates a specific type of contemporary Hollywood success story. Unlike performers who achieve early fame through franchise work, she built her reputation through television, supporting film roles, and ultimately a bold lead performance in an independent production. This path aligns with a broader industry trend toward platform diversification, where performers move fluidly between prestige television, franchise cinema, and independent film.

Her work in Anora drew particular attention for its unflinching portrayal and physical demands, with critics highlighting her ability to carry a film centered on a complex, under-represented character. The decision by Baker to write the role for her—rather than casting through conventional channels—signaled a degree of creative trust that remains relatively uncommon in major award-circuit films.

Her continued casting in A24 productions and high-profile projects suggests that her post-Anora career will likely remain in the prestige independent space, though her involvement in projects like The Social Reckoning indicates willingness to engage with larger-scale material as well. For more on how actors transition between franchises and independent cinema, see The Last Kingdom Cast for a broader look at ensemble casting in different production environments.

Sources and Critical Reception

Madison’s filmography has been documented across several authoritative sources, including Wikipedia, Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, and Ultimate Movie Rankings. Critical responses to her performances have been consistently positive, particularly for her work in Scream and Anora.

Madison brings a chilling intensity to the role of Amber Freeman, transforming what could have been a stock horror antagonist into a layered and unpredictable presence. Critics and audiences alike noted her ability to shift between charm and menace within the same scene.

Rotten Tomatoes editorial consensus, Scream (2022)

Her transformation into Anora is the kind of commitment that defines breakthrough performances—physically demanding, emotionally raw, and entirely without artifice. The role demanded everything, and Madison delivered.

Critical reception, Anora (2024)

Additional reporting from TV Guide and industry trade publications confirms casting details for upcoming projects. For those interested in exploring other long-running television projects that launched young performers, the Sabrina the Teenage Witch guide offers context on similar career pathways in family television programming.

Summary

Mikey Madison’s career encompasses nine feature films, multiple television series, and an Oscar-winning lead performance within approximately a decade of her screen debut. Her work spans independent drama, horror, voice animation, and prestige television, with roles alongside Tarantino and Baker marking the extremes of her creative range. Upcoming projects including The Social Reckoning, The Masque of the Red Death, and Reptilia indicate continued momentum following her breakthrough year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mikey Madison famous for?

Madison is best known for her role as Anora in the 2024 film Anora, which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. She is also recognized for her performance as Amber Freeman in Scream (2022) and her multi-season role as Maxine Fox in the FX series Better Things.

How old is Mikey Madison?

Madison was born on March 25, 1999, making her 26 years old as of 2025.

Has Mikey Madison won any awards?

She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2025 for her performance in Anora. The film also won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Is Mikey Madison in the TV series Better Things?

Yes. She played Maxine “Max” Fox in all five seasons of Better Things, which aired on FX from 2016 to 2022.

What was Mikey Madison’s role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?

Madison portrayed Susan “Sadie” Atkins, a member of the Manson Family, in Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt.

What upcoming movies does Mikey Madison have?

Confirmed upcoming projects include The Social Reckoning (2026), The Masque of the Red Death (A24, in filming), and Reptilia (cast May 2025).

Did Mikey Madison perform her own stunts in Anora?

Yes. She performed several of her own stunts in Anora and also studied Russian to prepare for the role of Anora “Ani” Mikheeva.


Noah Campbell Murphy

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Noah Campbell Murphy

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