Caleb McLaughlin Movies and TV Shows: Full List & Upcoming

Caleb McLaughlin went from playing Young Simba on Broadway to leading man in Stranger Things — here’s a source-backed guide to his movies, TV shows, and upcoming projects.

Age: 23 (born October 13, 2001) ·
Notable Role: Lucas Sinclair in Stranger Things ·
Years Active: 2012–present ·
Number of Films: 15+ ·
Number of TV Shows: 10+ ·
Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA

Six key facts that define Caleb McLaughlin’s career and background:

What are Caleb McLaughlin’s most famous movies and TV shows?

Stranger Things (2016–present)

• Caleb McLaughlin plays Lucas Sinclair, one of the core kids in Hawkins, Indiana. The series, which premiered on Netflix in 2016, quickly became a global phenomenon Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator).
• According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), his performance as Lucas earned him widespread recognition and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Wikipedia (community encyclopedia).

High Flying Bird (2019)

• In Steven Soderbergh’s iPhone-shot basketball drama, McLaughlin played a supporting role Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator). The film, released on Netflix, explores the business side of professional sports.
• Screen Dollars (entertainment data site) notes that this was his first major film credit Screen Dollars (entertainment data site).

Concrete Cowboy (2020)

• McLaughlin took his first lead role in a feature film as Cole, a teenager sent to live with his estranged father in Philadelphia’s urban horse-riding community Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator).
• Wikipedia (community encyclopedia) describes it as his breakout film performance Wikipedia (community encyclopedia).

The Deliverance (2024)

• In this horror drama directed by Lee Daniels, McLaughlin appeared alongside Andra Day and Glenn Close Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator).
• The film was released on Netflix in August 2024.

Other notable TV appearances

• McLaughlin has guest-starred on Law & Order: SVU (2012), Unforgettable (2013), Forever (2014), Blue Bloods (2015), and Show Me a Hero (2015) IMDb (actor biography).
• He also played Jay-Jay in Shades of Blue (2016) and a young Ricky Bell in the miniseries The New Edition Story (2017) IMDb (actor database).

What are Caleb McLaughlin’s upcoming movies and TV shows?

GOAT (2026)

• McLaughlin is set to voice a lead role in the animated feature GOAT, scheduled for 2026 Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator).
• The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment news) calls it his “most significant film project yet,” noting that it arrives six weeks after the conclusion of Stranger Things The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment news).

Stranger Things 5 (2025)

• The fifth and final season of Stranger Things will bring back McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair. Production began in 2024, and a 2025 release is expected Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator).
• Screen Dollars (entertainment data site) confirms that the show’s run is listed from 2016 to 2025 Screen Dollars (entertainment data site).

Other upcoming projects

• Beyond GOAT and Stranger Things 5, no other projects have been formally announced. Given his rising profile, more announcements are likely in 2025–2026.

What this means: McLaughlin’s next few years will test his ability to transition from ensemble TV star to leading man.

How old is Caleb McLaughlin?

Birth date and age

• Caleb McLaughlin was born on October 13, 2001, making him 23 years old as of 2025 IMDb (actor biography).
• He was born in New York City, New York, USA.

Early life and education

• McLaughlin attended the School of American Ballet and trained in ballet, tap, and jazz IMDb (actor biography).
• He made his Broadway debut at age 10 as Young Simba in The Lion King IMDb (actor biography).

The pattern: his early training in dance and theatre gave him a classical foundation for his on-screen work.

Who is Caleb McLaughlin’s girlfriend?

Relationship status

• Caleb McLaughlin has not publicly disclosed details about his current girlfriend or dating life. He keeps his personal life private.
• No confirmed relationship has been reported as of early 2025.

Past relationships

• He has been linked to actress Cozi Zuehlsdorff in the past, but neither party has confirmed a relationship.
• No other verifiable romantic partners have been reported.

The catch: without official confirmation, any link remains speculative.

Who did Caleb McLaughlin play in Dora?

Clarification: No Dora role

• Caleb McLaughlin has no credited role in the Dora the Explorer franchise — neither in the animated series nor in the live-action film Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019).
• This is a common point of confusion among fans.

Common confusion

• The confusion likely arises because another young actor, Isabela Moner (who played Dora in the live-action film), is sometimes mixed up with McLaughlin in online searches.
• No reliable source lists McLaughlin as part of the Dora cast.

The implication: a simple check of the film’s credits clears up this persistent error.

The timeline shows a steady climb from guest spots to franchise leads.

The verdict: most of what we know about McLaughlin is well-documented; the gaps concern his private life and long-range plans.

Caleb McLaughlin has built a career that spans Broadway, Netflix, and independent film — all before turning 25. For a fan of Stranger Things, the next few years will show whether he can break out of the Hawkins mold and establish himself as a leading man in Hollywood. The choice is already in motion: with GOAT and future projects, he’s betting on variety over repetition.

For a detailed breakdown of every role from Stranger Things to Concrete Cowboy, check out Caleb McLaughlins complete filmography.

Frequently asked questions

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