Maya Hawke has built an impressive acting career without relying solely on her famous Hollywood background. The daughter of actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, she grew up around the film industry, but her performances have given audiences plenty of reasons to recognise her as a talent in her own right.
Hawke made her television debut as Jo March in the BBC’s 2017 adaptation of Little Women. She followed that early success with roles in films such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Human Capital and Fear Street Part One: 1994. However, her career reached another level when she joined Netflix’s Stranger Things as Robin Buckley in Season 3. Her sarcastic humour, natural screen presence and memorable friendship with Steve Harrington quickly made her a fan favourite.
Since then, Hawke has continued exploring different genres, from teen comedy and psychological thrillers to Wes Anderson’s distinctive filmmaking style. She has also demonstrated her voice-acting ability as Anxiety in Pixar’s Inside Out 2.
Choosing the best Maya Hawke performances is not simply about picking her most popular projects. Some of her strongest work comes from smaller independent films, while others showcase her ability to make a supporting character memorable.
Here are the 10 best Maya Hawke movies and TV shows, ranked, from her early screen appearances to the performance that made her a household name.
10. Mainstream (2020)
Genre: Comedy-drama
Maya Hawke’s role: Frankie Cabot
Director: Gia Coppola
Mainstream explores the strange relationship between internet fame, social media and personal identity. Directed by Gia Coppola, the film follows Frankie Cabot (Maya Hawke), an aspiring filmmaker whose life changes after she meets an eccentric performer named Link, played by Andrew Garfield.
Frankie becomes fascinated by Link’s unusual personality and sees an opportunity to create something different with him. Alongside her friend Jake (Nat Wolff), she helps build an online presence around Link, whose unpredictable behaviour attracts an increasingly large audience.
At first, the growing popularity seems like a dream come true. But the more attention Link receives, the more complicated the situation becomes. Frankie gradually discovers that the personality attracting millions of viewers may not be the person she thought she knew.
Hawke brings an ambitious but increasingly conflicted quality to Frankie. Her character is caught between creative ambition and the consequences of helping turn someone into an internet sensation. Andrew Garfield’s energetic performance often dominates the film, but Hawke provides an important emotional perspective.
Although Mainstream received a mixed response, it remains an interesting early entry in Maya Hawke’s filmography because it shows her exploring a character navigating ambition, fame and disillusionment.
9. Ladyworld (2018)
Genre: Psychological thriller
Maya Hawke’s role: Romy
Director: Amanda Kramer
Before becoming widely recognised through Stranger Things, Maya Hawke appeared in the independent psychological thriller Ladyworld. The film offers a modern, all-female reimagining of the survival themes associated with William Golding’s Lord of the Flies.
The story follows eight teenage girls who become trapped inside a mansion after an earthquake. With no electricity, limited food and no immediate way to contact the outside world, the group must find a way to survive together.
However, the biggest danger is not necessarily their physical surroundings. As the girls struggle with fear, isolation and uncertainty, their relationships begin to deteriorate. Conflicts emerge, alliances shift and the pressure of their situation gradually exposes the darker sides of human behaviour.
Hawke stars alongside Ariela Barer and Annalise Basso in a film that relies heavily on its ensemble cast. The unsettling atmosphere and psychological tension give the actresses plenty of room to explore how their characters respond to an increasingly desperate situation.
Ladyworld did not receive universally positive reviews, but its unusual premise and performances make it a worthwhile title for viewers interested in Hawke’s earlier work.
It is also a reminder that her career began with a willingness to take on unconventional projects rather than limiting herself to mainstream Hollywood productions.
8. Human Capital (2019)
Genre: Drama / Thriller
Maya Hawke’s role: Shannon Hagel
Director: Marc Meyers
Human Capital brings together an impressive cast, including Liev Schreiber, Marisa Tomei, Peter Sarsgaard and Maya Hawke. Based on Stephen Amidon’s novel, the drama examines how financial ambition and personal decisions can bring two families into a devastating situation.
The story revolves around two families from very different economic backgrounds. Shannon Hagel (Hawke) is a troubled high school student whose relationship with her academically gifted boyfriend, Jamie Manning (Fred Hechinger), becomes increasingly complicated.
Shannon’s father, Drew (Liev Schreiber), works in real estate and hopes to improve his financial position by developing a relationship with Jamie’s wealthy father, Quint Manning (Peter Sarsgaard). What begins as an attempt to secure a better future gradually becomes entangled with a tragic incident.
Hawke’s performance is particularly important because Shannon is not an easy character to understand. She is rebellious, emotionally complicated and often caught between her own desires and the expectations placed on her.
The film’s interconnected storytelling allows the cast to explore how seemingly ordinary decisions can have serious consequences. While the critical response was mixed, the performances and suspenseful narrative make Human Capital one of the more interesting dramatic entries in Maya Hawke’s movie career.
7. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
Genre: Comedy-drama
Maya Hawke’s role: Flowerchild
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Being part of a Quentin Tarantino film is a notable achievement for any young actor, and Maya Hawke got that opportunity with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Set in Los Angeles in 1969, the film follows Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), a television actor struggling to maintain his career, and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). As Hollywood changes around them, their lives become connected to the world of actress Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) and the events surrounding the Manson Family.
Hawke appears as Flowerchild, a member of the Manson Family. Although her role is relatively small compared with the film’s leading characters, it places her inside one of the story’s most unsettling sequences.
The film uses an alternative-history approach to its portrayal of the period, blending real historical figures with fictional characters. Hawke’s appearance adds another connection to the ensemble of performers who bring Tarantino’s version of late-1960s Hollywood to life.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was a major commercial and critical success. It earned more than $377 million worldwide and received 10 Academy Award nominations, winning two, including Best Supporting Actor for Brad Pitt.
Hawke does not have extensive screen time, but the film remains an important early credit in her career and one of the most recognisable titles in her filmography.
6. Fear Street Part One: 1994 (2021)
Genre: Horror / Slasher
Maya Hawke’s role: Heather Watkins
Director: Leigh Janiak
Maya Hawke’s appearance in Fear Street Part One: 1994 is brief, but it is one of the film’s most memorable early sequences.
Based on R.L. Stine’s popular book series, the Netflix horror film takes place in Shadyside, a town haunted by a history of brutal killings. When a group of teenagers accidentally encounters an ancient evil, they find themselves caught in a terrifying chain of events.
Hawke plays Heather Watkins, a bookstore employee whose ordinary shift turns into a nightmare. Her character becomes the target of a violent attack after her friend goes on a killing spree, setting the tone for the film’s bloody and unpredictable story.
Although Heather is not the central character, Hawke makes an impression during her limited screen time. Her appearance also helps establish the danger that surrounds Shadyside and the supernatural curse affecting the town.
The first instalment was followed by Fear Street Part Two: 1978 and Fear Street Part Three: 1666, forming a connected horror trilogy that moves across different periods in the town’s history.
For fans of Maya Hawke horror movies, Fear Street Part One: 1994 is an entertaining choice, particularly for viewers who enjoy supernatural mysteries, slasher sequences and nostalgic 1990s horror references.
5. The Good Lord Bird (2020)
Genre: Historical drama
Maya Hawke’s role: Annie Brown
Based on: James McBride’s novel
The Good Lord Bird gave Maya Hawke an opportunity to share the screen with her father, Ethan Hawke, in a historical drama built around one of the most significant figures in American abolitionist history.
The Showtime miniseries follows John Brown, the abolitionist leader who fought against slavery in the years leading up to the American Civil War. The story is narrated through the experiences of Henry “Onion” Shackleford, an enslaved boy who becomes involved with Brown and his group of abolitionist supporters.
Ethan Hawke plays John Brown, while Maya portrays his daughter Annie Brown. Her character develops a friendship with Onion as the group moves towards the historical raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859.
The miniseries combines historical events with dramatic storytelling, exploring the personalities and beliefs of the people involved in the fight against slavery. It also gives Maya the opportunity to demonstrate her ability to work in a more serious period drama.
One of the interesting aspects of the production was the collaboration between father and daughter. Maya previously spoke positively about working with Ethan, describing him as an important teacher and adviser in her life.
For viewers interested in Maya Hawke and Ethan Hawke movies and TV shows, The Good Lord Bird is a particularly meaningful project. It is also one of her more substantial television performances outside Stranger Things.
4. Little Women (2017 Miniseries)
Genre: Historical drama
Maya Hawke’s role: Jo March
Based on: Louisa May Alcott’s novel
Maya Hawke made her screen debut in the BBC’s 2017 adaptation of Little Women, taking on one of the most recognisable characters in American literature: Jo March.
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, the miniseries follows the four March sisters as they grow up during the American Civil War. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy experience love, disappointment, family struggles and personal ambitions as they gradually discover what kind of lives they want to lead.
Jo is the most independent and outspoken of the sisters. She dreams of becoming a writer and refuses to accept the traditional expectations placed on women during her time. Her determination and stubbornness often bring her into conflict with the people around her, but they also make her one of the story’s most memorable characters.
Hawke’s performance helped introduce her to television audiences. She captured Jo’s rebellious personality while bringing enough warmth to make the character’s emotional struggles believable.
The miniseries also featured established performers such as Emily Watson, Angela Lansbury and Michael Gambon. Sharing the screen with such an experienced cast made Hawke’s debut particularly noteworthy.
Her connection to the character was personal, too. Hawke has spoken about how Jo inspired her during her childhood, particularly when she was dealing with dyslexia and trying to find confidence in her own ambitions.
For anyone exploring Maya Hawke’s first acting role, Little Women is an essential starting point.
3. Asteroid City (2023)
Genre: Comedy-drama / Science fiction
Maya Hawke’s role: June Douglas
Director: Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City is one of the most visually distinctive films in Maya Hawke’s career. Featuring a large ensemble cast, the 2023 comedy-drama combines science fiction, theatrical storytelling and Anderson’s familiar visual style.
The film is set in a fictional desert town where a group of families, students and visitors gather for a Junior Stargazer convention. Their plans take an unexpected turn after an extraordinary encounter with an extraterrestrial visitor.
The story centres on Augie Steenbeck (Jason Schwartzman), a war photographer travelling with his children. As the events unfold, the film also explores the relationship between the fictional town and a theatrical production based on its story.
Hawke plays June Douglas, a schoolteacher who attends the convention and develops a romantic connection with a singing cowboy. Her character is part of the film’s wider collection of unusual personalities, each contributing to the strange atmosphere of Asteroid City.
The supporting cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Adrien Brody and Bryan Cranston, among others.
Hawke’s role is not the central focus, but she fits comfortably into Anderson’s carefully arranged ensemble. The film’s striking cinematography, symmetrical compositions and unconventional narrative structure make it a distinctive viewing experience.
Asteroid City is worth watching for fans who want to see Maya Hawke in an ensemble film that is very different from her work in mainstream teen dramas and science fiction television.
2. Do Revenge (2022)
Genre: Teen comedy / Black comedy
Maya Hawke’s role: Eleanor Levetan
Co-star: Camila Mendes
Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Do Revenge is one of Maya Hawke’s most entertaining leading performances. The Netflix black comedy pairs her with Camila Mendes in a story about two high school students who decide to take revenge on the people who have made their lives miserable.
Mendes plays Drea, a once-popular student whose social position collapses after an intimate video is leaked by her boyfriend. Hawke plays Eleanor, a seemingly awkward new student who has her own history with bullying and humiliation.
The two girls strike a deal: each will help the other get revenge on the person responsible for her problems. Their plan initially appears straightforward, but the situation becomes increasingly complicated as their friendship develops and their secrets begin to surface.
Hawke brings a mixture of awkward charm, sarcasm and emotional vulnerability to Eleanor. Mendes provides an equally compelling performance as Drea, and the chemistry between the two actors is one of the film’s strongest elements.
Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson draws inspiration from classic teen films such as Heathers and Mean Girls, while the central revenge arrangement also recalls Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train.
What makes Do Revenge stand out is the way it balances colourful high-school comedy with darker ideas about social status, manipulation and betrayal. The story has plenty of twists, and the two leads make the increasingly complicated friendship entertaining to follow.
For viewers searching for Maya Hawke Netflix movies, Do Revenge is one of the strongest recommendations. It gives her a substantial role and showcases the comic timing that later became an important part of her popularity as Robin Buckley.
1. Stranger Things (2019–2025)
Genre: Science fiction / Horror / Drama
Maya Hawke’s role: Robin Buckley
Platform: Netflix
There is little doubt that Stranger Things remains the defining television role of Maya Hawke’s career. Her introduction as Robin Buckley in Season 3 transformed her into one of the series’ most popular performers and helped establish her as a recognisable face in modern television.
Created by the Duffer Brothers, the Netflix series follows a group of young friends in Hawkins, Indiana, as they uncover supernatural threats connected to a mysterious alternate dimension known as the Upside Down.
Robin first appears in Season 3 as Steve Harrington’s co-worker at the Scoops Ahoy ice cream shop inside Starcourt Mall. Their early interactions are filled with sarcasm and playful arguments, but the pair eventually become partners in investigating a secret Russian operation beneath the shopping centre.
One of the most memorable aspects of Robin’s introduction is her friendship with Steve, played by Joe Keery. Their relationship develops into one of the show’s most entertaining friendships, with the two characters regularly supporting each other through dangerous situations.
Robin also becomes an important representation of LGBTQ+ characters in the series. Her coming-out conversation with Steve is one of the defining emotional moments of Season 3, and the character continues to develop beyond that single storyline.
In Season 4, Robin becomes more involved in the group’s investigation of Vecna and the supernatural events threatening Hawkins. Her intelligence, curiosity and willingness to take risks make her an important member of the team.
The fifth and final season, released across three volumes in November and December 2025, brought Robin back for the series’ concluding battle. Netflix’s official character guide describes her as preparing for the final fight and becoming part of the community-wide effort to confront Vecna.
Hawke’s performance works because Robin is more than the sarcastic friend who delivers funny lines. She is intelligent, anxious, brave and sometimes socially awkward, making her one of the series’ more recognisable characters.
While Hawke has appeared in several acclaimed films, Robin Buckley in Stranger Things remains her most widely recognised role and the strongest reason to put the Netflix series at the top of this ranking.
Other Maya Hawke Movies and Projects Worth Watching
The 10 titles above represent the ranking in this list, but they do not cover every notable project in Hawke’s career.
She has also appeared in Bradley Cooper’s Maestro (2023), playing Jamie Bernstein, the daughter of composer Leonard Bernstein. In Pixar’s Inside Out 2 (2024), she voices Anxiety, one of the new emotions introduced as Riley enters adolescence.
Hawke has also continued taking on new projects. Netflix announced in June 2026 that she would star as investigator Judy Luptack in its adaptation of The God of the Woods, based on Liz Moore’s bestselling novel. The series follows an investigation into the disappearance of a teenage girl from a summer camp in the Adirondacks. Netflix reported that filming had begun, although it had not announced a release date at the time of its update.
These projects show that Hawke’s career is moving beyond the character that first made her famous. She has worked across independent cinema, major studio productions, animation and television, building a varied body of work.
Final Thoughts: Which Maya Hawke Performance Should You Watch First?
Maya Hawke’s career is an interesting mix of independent films, major Hollywood productions and popular streaming television. Stranger Things made her a household name, but projects such as Do Revenge, Little Women and Asteroid City show that she has more to offer than one breakout character.
If you enjoy comedy, Do Revenge is an excellent starting point. For viewers who prefer psychological stories, Human Capital and Ladyworld offer something different. Meanwhile, Little Women is essential for anyone interested in seeing where Hawke’s acting career began.
Ultimately, Robin Buckley remains her most memorable performance so far, but her filmography suggests that her most interesting roles may still be ahead of her.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maya Hawke
1. What is Maya Hawke’s most famous role?
Maya Hawke is best known for playing Robin Buckley in Netflix’s Stranger Things. She joined the series in Season 3 and quickly became a fan favourite through her humour, intelligence and friendship with Steve Harrington.
2. What are the best Maya Hawke movies?
Some of the best Maya Hawke movies include Do Revenge, Asteroid City, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Fear Street Part One: 1994, Human Capital and Mainstream.
3. What was Maya Hawke’s first acting role?
Maya Hawke made her screen debut as Jo March in the BBC’s 2017 television adaptation of Little Women.
4. Is Maya Hawke related to Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman?
Yes. Maya Hawke is the daughter of actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. She also worked alongside her father in the historical miniseries The Good Lord Bird.
5. Is Maya Hawke in Do Revenge?
Yes. Maya Hawke plays Eleanor Levetan in Netflix’s 2022 black comedy Do Revenge. She stars opposite Camila Mendes, who plays Drea.
6. Does Maya Hawke appear in Fear Street?
Yes. Hawke plays Heather Watkins in Fear Street Part One: 1994, the first instalment of Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy.
7. What character does Maya Hawke play in Inside Out 2?
Maya Hawke voices Anxiety in Pixar’s Inside Out 2. The character is one of the new emotions introduced as Riley grows older.
8. What is Maya Hawke’s latest Netflix project?
Netflix announced The God of the Woods, a series starring Maya Hawke as investigator Judy Luptack. Filming began in 2026, and Netflix had not announced a release date in its June 2026 update.
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