Some child actors make you smile. Very few make you forget you’re watching a performance at all. Jacob Tremblay is one of the rare ones.
If you’ve just finished a movie he was in and want more, or you’re picking a family movie night, this guide covers every major Jacob Tremblay film, what each one is about, and which to watch first. His work ranges from heartbreaking drama to raunchy comedy, so it helps to know what you’re getting into.
Who Is Jacob Tremblay?
Jacob Tremblay was born on October 5, 2006, in Vancouver, Canada. He started acting as a young child and landed his first major film role before he was ten. Since then he has worked with Oscar-winning actors and directors across drama, horror, comedy and animation.
What sets him apart is his emotional honesty. Directors and co-stars have often talked about how natural he seems on screen, and audiences clearly agree.
Room (2015): The Jacob Tremblay Film That Started It All
If you only watch one Jacob Tremblay film, make it Room. He plays Jack, a five-year-old boy who has spent his entire life inside a single locked room with his mother, played by Brie Larson. The film follows their escape and the difficult adjustment to the outside world.
It’s an intense story, but it’s told with tenderness rather than shock value. Tremblay’s performance earned him a Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer, and the film received several Oscar nominations. Larson won Best Actress for her role.
Best for: Adults and older teens who want a powerful, emotional drama.
Wonder (2017): The Best Jacob Tremblay Movie for Families
In Wonder, Tremblay plays Auggie Pullman, a boy with a facial difference who starts attending a mainstream school for the first time. Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson play his parents.
The film is based on R.J. Palacio’s bestselling novel, and it works because it doesn’t treat Auggie as a symbol. He’s funny, stubborn, scared and brave, like any kid. Many schools and families use the film to start conversations about kindness and empathy.
Best for: Families with children around 8 and up. Keep tissues nearby.
Jacob Tremblay Movies in Order
Here’s a quick reference for his major screen work, so you can pick and choose:
| Year | Film | His Role | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Room | Jack | Drama |
| 2016 | Before I Wake | Cody | Supernatural horror |
| 2017 | The Book of Henry | Peter | Drama |
| 2017 | Wonder | Auggie Pullman | Family drama |
| 2018 | The Predator | Rory McKenna | Sci-fi action |
| 2019 | Good Boys | Max | Comedy |
| 2019 | Doctor Sleep | Baseball Boy | Horror |
| 2023 | The Little Mermaid | Flounder (voice) | Musical fantasy |
Lesser-Known Jacob Tremblay Movies Worth a Look
Before I Wake (2016)
This supernatural thriller follows a foster child whose dreams, and nightmares, come to life. It’s more atmospheric than gory, and Tremblay carries the emotional core.
The Book of Henry (2017)
A family drama with an unusual plot and mixed critical reception. It’s a divisive film, but Tremblay’s performance as a sensitive younger brother is one of its strengths.
The Predator (2018)
Here he plays a gifted boy who ends up in the middle of a sci-fi action story. It’s a very different tone from his earlier work, and it showed he could handle big-budget genre films.
Good Boys (2019): His Comedy Breakout
Good Boys is an R-rated comedy about three sixth graders on a chaotic adventure. It’s crude, but it’s also surprisingly sweet about friendship and growing up.
This one is not a family movie despite the young cast. It’s worth watching mainly to see his comedic range, which is a big shift from Room and Wonder.
Best for: Adults who want a laugh. Skip it for young kids.
The Little Mermaid (2023): A Voice Role as Flounder
In Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid, Tremblay voiced Flounder, Ariel’s loyal fish friend. It’s a voice-only role, so you won’t see his face, but it introduced him to a new generation of younger fans. If your kids know him only as Flounder, Wonder is a good next step once they’re old enough.
Which Jacob Tremblay Film Should You Watch First?
The right pick depends on who’s watching:
- For a heartfelt drama: Room
- For a family movie night: Wonder
- For a laugh with adult friends: Good Boys
- For a spooky evening: Before I Wake
- For younger kids: The Little Mermaid
Watching them in release order also shows how much he grew as an actor, from a wide-eyed child in Room to a confident comedic performer in Good Boys.
What’s Next for Jacob Tremblay? Recent and Upcoming Films
Tremblay is now 19, and his recent choices show him moving away from child roles toward more serious material. He returned to live-action with mature roles in two biographical crime films, Sovereign (2025) and Unabomber (2026). Sovereign also earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination, and he starred opposite Nick Offerman in it.
The biggest new release is Unabomber, a Netflix thriller. It stars Russell Crowe, Jacob Tremblay, Annabelle Wallis and Shailene Woodley, and its release date was September 25, 2026. Tremblay plays a young Ted Kaczynski. It’s a dark, adult story, so it’s a long way from Wonder. If you’ve only seen him in family films, expect a very different performance.
He also has animation on the way. He voices Curtis Mehlberg in Wildwood, a stop-motion fantasy from Laika. This is a good pick for anyone who enjoyed his voice work as Flounder. Release dates for animated films often shift, so check the studio’s official page or a streaming tracker for the latest timing.
Taken together, these projects suggest a career that is still growing. The boy from Room is now taking on roles that ask much more of him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jacob Tremblay’s most famous film?
Room (2015) is his breakout and most critically acclaimed film. Wonder (2017) is probably his most popular with general and family audiences.
Is Jacob Tremblay in any Disney movies?
Yes. He voiced Flounder in the 2023 live-action The Little Mermaid.
Which Jacob Tremblay movies are suitable for kids?
Wonder is the best family choice. The Little Mermaid also works for younger children. Room, Before I Wake, The Predator and Good Boys are better for older audiences because of mature themes, scary scenes or strong language.
Did Jacob Tremblay win an award for Room?
He won a Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer for Room, and the film itself was nominated for several Academy Awards.
Where can I stream Jacob Tremblay movies?
Availability changes by country and by month, so check a streaming search tool like JustWatch to see where each title is currently available.
Final Thoughts
A Jacob Tremblay film is rarely just entertainment. Whether he’s making you cry in Room, cheering for Auggie in Wonder or laughing in Good Boys, his performances tend to stay with you. He has already built an impressive body of work, and he’s still young enough that there’s plenty more to come.
Ready to start? Pick a film from the list above, and tell us in the comments which Jacob Tremblay movie is your favorite. If you enjoyed this guide, check out our other lists of family movies and emotional dramas for your next watch.
