Liam Aiken, now that’s a name to remember when talking about child actors who truly stood out in the late ‘90s. Even before turning ten, Liam Aiken had already made a big splash, sharing the screen with Hollywood heavyweights like Ed Harris, Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Kim Basinger, and Parker Posey—and somehow managing to steal scenes from every single one of them. Born in New York City, Liam Aiken showed early promise, making his Broadway debut at just seven years old in the acclaimed 1997 production of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. In that role, he played one of the two sons left behind by Janet McTeer’s emotionally torn Nora, and it was clear right then that Liam Aiken had something special.
From there, things really started picking up for Liam Aiken. He took on a small but unforgettable part as the quiet, long-suffering son of Parker Posey’s sharp-witted character in the quirky indie gem Henry Fool (1997). That same year, audiences saw him again in a brief but charming cameo as Paul Rudd’s student in The Object of My Affection (1998), a sweet romantic comedy that gave Liam Aiken another chance to shine. Then came Stepmom (1998), where he played the clever and sensitive child caught between Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon’s characters. His performance was widely praised—especially how he balanced being an adorable kid with portraying deep emotional turmoil over his mother’s illness. Still, despite Liam Aiken’s strong showing, the film itself—a typical “disease-of-the-week” drama—didn’t resonate much with critics or viewers.
Liam Aiken kept working steadily, delivering another solid performance as Emanuele, the son of Kim Basinger’s character Kuki, in I Dreamed of Africa (2000)—a film that, while visually grand, didn’t win many fans with its storytelling. Around the same time, he appeared in The Rising Place, a World War II-era drama filmed in 1999, and later in Sweet November (2001), the remake of the classic tearjerker starring Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron. Throughout all these roles, Liam Aiken proved again and again that he wasn’t just another cute face—he had depth, timing, and a natural talent that made people pay attention. And honestly, when you think back on standout young performers from that era, Liam Aiken definitely comes to mind.
So, when it comes to Liam Aiken’s filmography, things get pretty interesting. Liam Aiken has been in quite a few movies over the years, and if you look at the ratings, there’s a clear standout. The highest rated movie featuring Liam Aiken is The Bloodhound, which came out in 2020. Fans and critics alike seem to really appreciate that one—definitely a strong point in Liam Aiken’s career. On the flip side, not every project turned out as well. The lowest rated film associated with Liam Aiken is The Emoji Movie from 2017. Yeah, that one didn’t do so great with audiences or reviewers. So overall, while Liam Aiken has had some solid performances, especially in more indie or lesser-known films like The Bloodhound, he’s also been part of projects that just didn’t hit the mark—like The Emoji Movie. Still, it’s all part of the journey for any actor, right? Liam Aiken continues to build his body of work, and fans are definitely watching to see what he does next.