Ep 16. 2018's Top Stars and Breakout Stars
- December 4, 2018
IMDbrief is a short-form series that delivers all the latest news and information about movies, television shows, and celebrities in bite-sized pieces. In season 1 episode 16, the show takes a look back at the biggest stars and breakout stars of 2018.
The episode begins with a rundown of the top 10 stars on IMDb's STARmeter, a list that ranks celebrities based on their popularity on the site. At number 10 is Saoirse Ronan, who had a breakout year with her roles in Lady Bird and On Chesil Beach. At number 9 is Dwayne Johnson, who starred in multiple blockbuster films like Rampage and Skyscraper. At number 8 is Emilia Clarke, who continued to win fans with her role on Game of Thrones and her work in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Hugh Jackman comes in at number 7, thanks to his acclaimed performance in The Greatest Showman. Gal Gadot takes the 6th spot, receiving recognition for her standout role as Wonder Woman. Topping off the top 5 are Tom Hardy for Venom, Johnny Depp for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Robert Downey Jr. for Avengers: Infinity War, Margot Robbie for I, Tonya, and, unsurprisingly, The Rock for his continued box office success.
The episode then shifts its focus to the breakout stars of 2018. These are actors who rose to prominence in the past year and made a notable impact in their roles. First up is Letitia Wright, who played Shuri in Black Panther and made audiences fall in love with her witty and smart character. Then there's Awkwafina, who had memorable performances in both Ocean's 8 and Crazy Rich Asians. John David Washington, son of Denzel, made his mark with his lead role in Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman. Rami Malek proved his worth as an actor with his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. And finally, Yalitza Aparicio, a schoolteacher from Mexico, stunned audiences with her powerful debut in Alfonso Cuarón's Roma.
The episode touches on the importance of representation in Hollywood and how diversity is becoming more prevalent onscreen. This can be seen in the rise of actors like Aparicio, who are breaking boundaries and bringing new stories to light.
The episode also highlights the top 10 breakout TV stars of 2018, including Jodie Comer from Killing Eve, Noah Centineo from To All the Boys I've Loved Before and Sierra Burgess Is a Loser, and Florence Pugh from The Little Drummer Girl.
Lastly, the episode wraps up with a look ahead to 2019 and the projects that are already generating buzz, such as Jordan Peele's Us, Captain Marvel, and the live-action remake of The Lion King.
Overall, IMDbrief season 1 episode 16 provides a comprehensive rundown of the top stars and breakout stars of 2018, showcasing the talent that dominated the year and hinting at what's to come in the future of entertainment.