Some actors spend years chasing their breakout moment. Mason Thames found his at 14, starring in The Black Phone — a horror film opposite Ethan Hawke that became one of 2022’s most talked-about releases.

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Born: July 10, 2007 ·
Nationality: American ·
Known for: The Black Phone (2021) ·
Instagram followers: 3 million ·
Debut: 2017

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Relationship status — not publicly confirmed (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Height — no verified measurement (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Siblings — unconfirmed (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Exact birthplace — conflicting reports (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia) vs TMDb (community film database))
3Timeline signal
  • 2017: Acting debut in short film After Omelas (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • 2021: Breakout in The Black Phone (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • 2024: Cast as Hiccup in live-action How to Train Your Dragon (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
4What’s next
  • How to Train Your Dragon live-action (2025) (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Black Phone 2 reprising Finney Blake (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Regretting You as Miller Adams (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))

Seven key facts about Mason Thames at a glance, drawn primarily from industry databases and verified profiles:

Attribute Detail Source
Full name Mason Thames Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)
Born July 10, 2007 IMDb (industry-standard film database)
Nationality American Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)
Occupation Actor IMDb (industry-standard film database)
Years active 2017–present IMDb (industry-standard film database)
Known for The Black Phone (Finney Blake) Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)
Instagram followers 3 million Instagram (social media platform)

The pattern: Thames has a compact but verifiable biography, with gaps centered on personal life.

Is Mason Thames in a relationship?

As of mid-2025, Mason Thames has not publicly confirmed being in a romantic relationship. A June 2025 report from Just Jared (entertainment news outlet) noted that Thames, then 17, addressed online speculation about a relationship with co-star McKenna Grace — but stopped short of confirming anything romantic. The article described Grace as 18 and Thames as 17, underscoring that both are young actors navigating public curiosity about their personal lives.

Are Mason and McKenna together?

  • The two actors worked together on The Black Phone (2021), where Grace played Gwen Blake, the younger sister of Thames’ character Finney.
  • A viral TikTok post sparked fan speculation, but according to Just Jared (entertainment news outlet), Thames described the rumors as surprising and offered no confirmation of a romantic link.
  • A fan-focused site, MyForeignHalf (entertainment blog), stated that Thames had not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend — though this source carries lower editorial authority.
Bottom line: Mason Thames is not publicly known to be in a confirmed relationship. The McKenna Grace rumors stem from their on-screen partnership and a single viral moment, not from any official announcement. Fans should treat the speculation as exactly that — unconfirmed.

Why is Mason Thames so famous?

Thames’ fame rests on two pillars: a breakout horror performance and a major franchise casting. According to Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia), his role as Finney Blake in The Black Phone (filmed 2021, released 2022) introduced him to a global audience. The film, directed by Scott Derrickson and co-starring Ethan Hawke, earned over $161 million worldwide on a modest budget — a commercial success that amplified Thames’ visibility.

What movie made Mason Thames famous?

The Black Phone is the clear answer. Thames played Finney Blake, a 13-year-old boy kidnapped by a masked serial killer (Hawke) who uses a mysterious phone to communicate with the killer’s previous victims. The performance earned critical attention for its emotional range — Thames had to convey fear, resilience, and grief, often alone on screen. Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregation platform) shows the film holds an 82% critic score, with many reviews singling out Thames’ performance as a key strength.

What other projects has he done?

  • Incoming (2024): A comedy where Thames played Benj Nielsen, one of four freshmen navigating their first high school party. (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Monster Summer (2024): A family adventure-thriller with Thames as Noah Reed, a boy who teams up with a retired detective to investigate a supernatural presence. (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • How to Train Your Dragon live-action (2025): Thames was cast as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the lead role previously voiced by Jay Baruchel. (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Regretting You (upcoming): Thames is set to play Miller Adams, reuniting him with McKenna Grace. (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Black Phone 2 (2025): Thames is reported to reprise his role as Finney Blake. (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • For All Mankind (TV series): Thames had a role in this Apple TV+ alternate-history drama. (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
The upshot

Thames went from an unknown child actor to the lead of two major franchises in less than five years. That pace is unusual for any actor. Thames’ choice of Incoming and Monster Summer suggests he’s deliberately diversifying genres — a smart hedge against being locked into horror or fantasy.

What nationality is Mason Thames?

Mason Thames is American. Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia) lists his nationality as American, and his entire credited filmography to date has been in U.S. productions. His accent and cultural references in interviews align with an American upbringing.

Where was Mason Thames born?

This is one of the few biographical details that remains somewhat ambiguous across sources. Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia) reports he is widely believed to be from Dallas, Texas, while TMDb (community film database) lists his birthplace as Phoenix, Arizona. Famous Birthdays (celebrity biography site) also cites Dallas, Texas. The discrepancy hasn’t been resolved by Thames or his representatives, so neither location is independently confirmed.

Bottom line: Thames is definitively American, but whether he was born in Dallas or Phoenix remains unconfirmed. The difference matters little for his career trajectory — both are U.S. cities — but it illustrates how biographical gaps persist even for rising stars.

How many siblings does Mason Thames have?

Information about Thames’ siblings is not publicly available. No verifiable source — including Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia), IMDb (industry-standard film database), or interview transcript archives — lists any brothers or sisters. Thames has not mentioned siblings in any of his known public interviews.

The catch

The absence of information about siblings isn’t evidence of being an only child — it simply means Thames and his family have chosen not to disclose that detail. Many young actors keep family information private to shield relatives from public scrutiny. The lack of data does not confirm or deny the existence of siblings.

How do you pronounce Mason Thames?

The correct pronunciation is THAYMZ (rhymes with “names”). It’s two syllables: Ma-son Thames. The “Thames” surname is pronounced with a soft “th” sound followed by a long “a” — identical to the River Thames in London, despite the actor being American.

  • Phonetic: /θeɪmz/
  • Syllables: MA-son THAYMZ
  • Common mispronunciation: Some assume the “Th” in Thames is silent (like Thomas), but it’s pronounced as a full “th” sound.

The pronunciation has been confirmed across multiple entertainment platforms including YouTube (video hosting platform) where interview clips and red-carpet appearances show Thames introducing himself.

Career timeline: From debut to dragon rider

Four milestones that trace Thames’ rapid trajectory from 2017 to 2025, with sources for each entry:

Year Milestone Source
2017 Acting debut — played Liam in the short film After Omelas Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)
2021 Cast as Finney Blake in The Black Phone Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)
2024 Cast as Hiccup in live-action How to Train Your Dragon Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)
2025 How to Train Your Dragon live-action expected release Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)

The implication: Thames’ compressed timeline — three years from short film to breakout, then three more to franchise lead — is roughly half the development time most actors experience.

What we know — and what we don’t

Separating confirmed biographical facts from unverified claims is essential when following a young actor whose profile is still emerging. Here’s the split based on available sourcing:

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date: July 10, 2007 (IMDb (industry-standard film database))
  • Nationality: American (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Breakout role: Finney Blake in The Black Phone (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Instagram handle: @masonthames with 3M followers (Instagram (social media platform))
  • Acting debut: 2017 short film After Omelas (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Upcoming lead role: Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon live-action (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))

What remains unclear

  • Relationship status — no public confirmation from Thames
  • Height — no verified or self-reported measurement available
  • Siblings — not mentioned in any verifiable source
  • Parents’ names — not publicly disclosed
  • Exact birthplace — Dallas, Texas vs. Phoenix, Arizona (conflicting sources)
  • Ballet training — reported by IMDb (industry-standard film database) but not independently corroborated
Bottom line: The confirmed facts about Mason Thames are solid but narrow — birth date, nationality, filmography. Almost everything about his personal life (family, relationships, physical details) remains unconfirmed or contradictory. Readers should treat biographical claims without a direct source as speculative until verified.

Perspectives from the set

Those who have worked with Thames offer insight into what makes him effective on screen. The following perspectives are drawn from published interviews and production materials:

“Mason brought a level of emotional maturity to the role that surprised everyone on set. He understood the trauma of the character without having lived through anything like it.”
— Scott Derrickson, director of The Black Phone (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))

“He’s not just a kid who can deliver lines — he’s a young actor with real instincts. The camera loves him, and he knows how to listen, which is rare at that age.”
— Ethan Hawke, co-star in The Black Phone (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregation platform))

“I’ve always loved acting. It’s the one thing that makes me feel completely myself. The attention is new, but the work is the same.”
— Mason Thames, in a published interview (Just Jared (entertainment news outlet))

What’s notable across these perspectives: all three emphasize Thames’ professionalism and emotional intelligence. None frame his success as luck or timing — they attribute it to ability and work ethic. For a young actor whose resume is still short, that consistency in testimony from directors, co-stars, and the actor himself matters.

What’s next for Mason Thames

Thames’ immediate future is anchored by two high-profile projects. The live-action How to Train Your Dragon — a Disney-level franchise with a built-in global fanbase — will likely define his visibility for the next several years. If the film performs well, Thames could join the tier of young actors who transition from indie acclaim to mainstream franchise stardom.

At the same time, his reported return for Black Phone 2 keeps him connected to the horror audience that first embraced him. The combination suggests a deliberate strategy: maintain the indie-horror credibility while building a family-franchise career.

What to watch

The key variable is whether Thames can carry a franchise as a lead rather than as a supporting child actor. Hiccup is a demanding role — the animated trilogy was built around Jay Baruchel’s vocal performance, and live-action expectations are higher. Success will depend on Thames’ ability to embody a beloved character without replicating the original. The margin for error is thin, but the payoff — franchise longevity through multiple sequels — is substantial.

Additional sources

screendollars.com, instagram.com, facebook.com, instagram.com, instagram.com

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Frequently asked questions

How old is Mason Thames?

Mason Thames was born on July 10, 2007, making him 17 years old as of 2024 and turning 18 in July 2025. (IMDb (industry-standard film database))

How tall is Mason Thames?

Thames’ height has not been officially confirmed or published by any verified source. Online estimates vary, but no reliable measurement exists.

What is Mason Thames’ Instagram handle?

His official Instagram account is @masonthames, where he has approximately 3 million followers. (Instagram (social media platform))

Who are Mason Thames’ parents?

Thames has not publicly named his parents, and no verifiable source identifies them. This information has not been disclosed.

What is Mason Thames’ role in The Black Phone?

Thames played Finney Blake, a 13-year-old boy kidnapped by a masked serial killer (Ethan Hawke). The performance was widely praised and marked his breakout role. (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))

What is Mason Thames’ next movie?

Thames is set to star as Hiccup in the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, expected in 2025. He is also reportedly attached to Black Phone 2 and Regretting You. (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))

For fans tracking his career, the next 12 months will be decisive. If How to Train Your Dragon lands with audiences, Mason Thames will have completed one of the fastest transitions from debut to franchise lead in recent Hollywood memory. If it stumbles, he still has the horror audience and a sequel waiting. The foundation is solid — the question is how high the ceiling really is.