At the age of seven, in 2002, Bolger became known for her role in Jim Sheridan's autobiographical movie In America, in which she starred with her older sister Sarah.
She was also nominated for Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, with Laura Weinert writing that "Emma Bolger brings a startling freshness and lack of self-consciousness.
[11] She later starred as title character in the 2005 film Heidi, based on classic children's story,[12] alongside Max Von Sydow as Grandfather and Diana Rigg as Grandmamma.
[13][14] Bolger played Heidi, young orphan rejected by a cruel aunt and sent from the city to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps.
[16] Andrea Beach in the review for Common Sense Media wrote that "Emma Bolger as Heidi is engaging and her performance is fine for someone so young".