Top 10 Most Incredible Movie Young to Old Castings

"Now and Then" (1995)
This coming of age film is well-loved for its portrayal of adolescent female friendship. Scenes of the protagonists as grown-ups bookend ones of them as teens, as they remember an important summer. Both the younger and older casts were played by great actresses. Gabby Hoffman and Demi Moore, Christina Ricci and Rosie O'Donnell, Ashleigh Aston Moore and Rita Wilson, and Thora Birch and Melanie Griffith are all perfectly matched. The adults actually reportedly screened footage of their younger counterparts to help them perform in a way that would match, which definitely paid off. With such an amazing ensemble, it's impossible to choose just one duo. They all do such a great job that following the characters between time periods is easy.

“Hocus Pocus 2” (2022)
Actresses Taylor Paige Henderson, Juju Brener, and Nina Kitchen probably weren’t even born yet when we met the Sanderson Sisters in the first “Hocus Pocus”. That’s wild to think about, considering their characterizations in the sequel are absolutely spot-on. The young trio perfect the postures, hand gestures, and vocal qualities of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. You instantly recognize Winifred’s unique movements, Sarah’s wide-eyed vapid look, and Mary’s one-sided smile. They commit as fully to the hilariously over-the-top witches as the more seasoned actresses, and the result is truly magical.

"Men in Black 3" (2012)
Before “Men in Black 3”, Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin were both in “In the Valley of Elah” and “No Country for Old Men”. Brolin had fun impersonating Jones’ taciturn manner and punchy speech patterns, which eventually landed him the role as the young incarnation of Jones’ character in “MiB3.” When confronted with portraying the iconic Agent K, Brolin wanted to make sure his acting was more than comic mimicry. After working at it relentlessly, he perfected Agent K’s smile, vocal pattern, and facial expressions. Considering how intimidating Jones can seem on screen, matching his energy while still holding your own is no small feat! But if you ask us, Brolin nailed it.

"The Age of Adaline" (2015)
Anthony Ingruber and Harrison Ford pair up to play the past and present versions of William Jones in this timeless love story. In a flashback, the young Jones calls out from a distance when arriving to help the protagonist, Adaline. The voice fully sounds like it belongs to Ford, but nope, it’s Ingruber! Funnily enough, the latter actor had already perfected his impersonation of the former’s Han Solo on YouTube before landing this part. Plus, the two look alike, with Ingruber’s perfect half-smile and cock of the head further adding to the illusion. You know how de-aging technology was used on Ford for 2023’s “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”? Well, if you said they'd done the same for this film, we'd believe it.

“13 Going on 30” (2004)
Talk about a picture perfect match! This pairing had us checking to see whether the actresses are related. Alexandra Kyle and Judy Greer both completely channel Lucy Wyman’s queen bee energy that is so necessary to counteract Jenna’s youthful naiveté. At both ages, the mean girl is defined by the same syrupy fakeness, eye rolls, and head tilts. Plus, the actresses also have strikingly similar facial features. The resemblance is so uncanny that it apparently even surprised Greer’s mom! However, Greer herself reportedly said that Kyle was much prettier than she was as a teen. Still, looking at pictures of these two side-by-side, it’s easy to forget they’re different people.

“The Adam Project” (2022)
When actors playing the same character at different ages are in scenes together, the casting has to work for it to be believable. Luckily, Walker Scobell is so good at his job that he sometimes seems more like Ryan Reynolds than Reynolds himself! In this time-traveling adventure, the two Adams join forces to save their future. Just as the characters work together, so too did the actors. Indeed, they would reportedly work out line readings via FaceTime, and their collaborative efforts yielded stellar results. The young star’s fast-paced insults and comic delivery completely capture Reynolds’ pacing and charisma. The fact that Scobell was already a huge Deadpool superfan when he joined the film probably helped matters, too!

“Beaches” (1988)
A dramedy, “Beaches” traces the unlikely friendship of the charismatic C.C. and the more reserved Hillary. The pair meet as children and move in and out of each other’s lives as they age. Mayim Bialik was applauded for her portrayal of a young C.C., who’s played by Bette Middler as an adult, and it’s well earned. There’s some physical resemblance between the two. However, Bialik’s full commitment to the loud brash character is what cinches the connection, with both actresses demanding attention and commanding the screen. It’s no wonder the movie ended up being a launching pad for Bialik’s career! We might never have gotten to know her as Blossom on the sitcom of the same name were it not for this performance.

"Contact" (1997)
The focus of this science fiction drama is adult Ellie’s quest to make contact with alien life. This older version of the character is played by Jodie Foster with her usual stunning skill. But we also see Ellie’s childhood, which provides insight into her character, as her early relationship with her father is essential to the climax of the film. These emotional moments are portrayed beautifully by Jena Malone. Not only that, it’s extremely clever physical casting. The actresses share many features, which becomes apparent in the scene where Ellie is transported through wormholes. The older voice and face briefly morph into the younger version, and it feels seamless.

"Evening" (2007)
When Mamie Gummer auditioned for Lajos Koltai, the director of “Evening,” he knew she’d be the perfect Lila Wittenborn. He didn’t even know Meryl Streep was her mom! Gummer was able to shine onscreen as the society woman set to marry a man she didn’t love. It just so happened that there was a scene with an older version of Lila. Who better than Streep for the role? The renowned actress signed on for the project, and honestly, there was no better choice for the part. The real-life mother-daughter duo obviously share a striking physical resemblance, as well as a certain energy and essence. So watching them as two versions of the same fictional character seems like the most natural thing in the world.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Ever Anderson Is Just as Fierce & Protective as Her Older Counterpart

Troy Gentile Fully Commits to Jack Black’s Quirky Charm

Stellan Skarsgård & Josh Dylan Have the Same Charming Twinkle in Their Eyes

The Energy Jack Dylan Grazer & James Ransone Bring to Eddie Is Spot-On

Maybe Thanos Used the Time Stone to Get the Young Zoe Saldaña?

"The Godfather" (1972) &”The Godfather Part II” (1974)
Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando were the first two actors to win separate Oscars for playing one character, though Brando refused the award. In other words, their portrayals of Vito Corleone are legendary – and for good reason. Although the older version of the character was introduced first, it seems like a natural progression from the younger. Brando created the famous persona, while De Niro took that role and removed the heavy burdens of a full mafia don. He incorporated the physical ticks of Brando’s Corleone, but made them lighter and faster. In De Niro’s portrayal, it’s easy to see the beginning of what Vito Corleone would one day become.