(El Salvador) Absolutely stunning film. All the child actors are simply excellent, but Carlos Padilla, the 11-year-old main character, delivers an Oscar-deserving performance. The script is so compelling--most likely because writer Oscar Torres based it on his own life story. Direction is masterful, cinematography gorgeous.

(Canada) Beautiful, unique, overlooked film. Classic case of a first-timer, Robert Joamie (plays the main character for half the story), being absolutely stunning, winning awards, and then not doing another film. Somehow, these are the most authentic performances, yet you wish there was more. For the record, a number of Native communities were closely involved with production. Not to be missed!

(India) The extraordinary thing about this film by the brilliant Mira Nair is that the children starring in the main roles weren't only non-actors--they were actual street kids. One might think that would make it easy for them to “play” street kids--but their performances are so emotive and passionate it's undeniable that Nair tapped into exceptional talent in these kids (especially Shafiq Syed).

(England) One of Danny Boyle's best films, in my opinion. Truly clever and satisfying screenplay with such innovative and imaginative direction and cinematography. Alex Etel is brilliant in his first film...and oh, does he have some stellar quotes. "God does NOT rob banks." Buy this one for sure.

(Canada) Unfortunately, Joseph Ashton went on to have an incredibly lame teen acting TV career, which makes this his tour de force. While this is lighter in tone than some of the others (although in real life, most Indian boarding schools were even more hellish than this portrayal), it has wonderful depth and a ton of substance, capturing the beauty of a unique Appalachian culture and family.

(Chile) Set in the days right before the US-backed General Pinochet's 1973 bloody coup, this film shows you Chile through the eyes of children. This is a story about an unlikely friendship between two boys from very different social standings--one is white and rich; the other is from a lower-class family.

(Australia) Kodi Smit-McPhee is THE BOMB. The kid is incredible (and unbelievably cute) in this moving film about philosopher Raimond Gaita's childhood. Eric Bana plays his father (in a stunning performance), a Romanian farmer trying to eke out a living for his son and wayward wife (Franka Potente). Very tragic yet redemptive.

(India) Sarala, the girl who plays the main character Chuyia, is from Sri Lanka and thus, amazingly learned her lines in Hindi phonetically. She completely captures the character's odd mix of childlike innocence and old woman weariness. Beautifully shot, as Deepa Mehta's films always are. (And not as depressing as her other films!) Cheaper 1-disc also available.

(Afghanistan) ALL the kids in this film should be applauded. Some of the more minor roles were still immensely challenging. You've probably heard about the controversy over the filming--even more reason to respect the job that these 'nonprofessionals' did. A beautiful adaptation.

(Czech Republic) 6 year-old Andrei Chalimon's first film--he won the 1997 Young Artist Award for his performance that delivered the 1997 Best Foreign Film Oscar to the filmmakers. The tagline says it all: "The perfect grouch has met his match. A five-year-old boy named Kolya." A buddy movie of the best kind.

(France) Nina Kervel-Bey stars in her first film as a 9-year-old girl from a privileged Parisian family. As her parents get more involved in the 70's leftist movement, her life is thrown into turmoil. Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.

(China) In his first and only film, Liu Xiaochun plays a 13-year-old violin prodigy from a small village who is sent to the city by his father in hopes of developing a musical career. This multi-layered film is about music, adolescence, father-son relationships, friendship, and Chinese society.

(Afghanistan) This Golden Globe winner (Best Foreign Film) cleaned up numerous awards. Marina Golbahari, the 12-year-old girl who plays the main character, was previously a beggar hired off the streets by director Sadiq Barmak. Her excellent performance earned her numerous awards.

(Brazil) First-time actor Michel Joelsas plays an adolescent boy whose parents "go on vacation" to evade the government's crackdown on leftists (in the 70’s). He's stuck in the Jewish Sao Paulo community of his grandfather whom he hardly knows, counting the days till the World Cup for which his dad promised they'd return to watch. Newcomer Daniela Piepszyk as his neighbor/friend is also excellent.

(Spain) A moving story of friendship between two adolescent boys. This was lead actor Juan José Ballesta's first film (he had been on one TV show prior); he was 12 at the time and picked up 3 major awards, including the prestigious Goya Award for Best Actor. This was also supporting actor Pablo Galán's (age 13) first film.

(Sweden)This charming Oscar-nominated film from the late 80s won a Golden Globe and a score of other awards. In his first film, Anton Glanzelius plays a 12-year-old boy who goes through a personal crisis when he loses his dog shortly after the death of his parents. This DVD is pretty pricey, so I'd recommended renting it.

(Russia) Nadezhda Mikhalkova, the daughter of the director, in her first film, plays his daughter in this film and was quite the scene-stealer. Won the 1994 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.

(UK) This isn't my favorite film by any measure, and Freddie Highmore did have some previous acting experience. But his first big-role performance (at age 11) is so incredible that I simply have to give him some mad Bomb List props. Johnny Depp is always great, but I'd have to say that this is Freddie's movie.

(China/UK) Yes, Christian Bale was good as a kid in one of his first films (for the record, this was an adolescent Ben Stiller's first film). Not at the top of my list, but this was one of the standouts of the 80's, and is a good picture of the clash of Western colonialism in Asia.

(UK) Also slightly off-topic. Michael Apted's unparalleled documentary series was filmed every seven years, beginning with a group of 7-year-olds from different British societies—the entirety of the footage is them and their world (no adults allowed). The first one, at least, is definitely worth renting via Netflix. These kids are fascinating characters as well.