Embryonal brain tumors account for approximately 13% of primary brain tumors in children, but several types within that category are extremely rare and diagnostically challenging. Although there is significant variability, histologically these tumors are grouped together because they are at least partially composed of primitive-appearing cells (blue cell tumors on standard staining) with little cytoplasm, which are densely packed, show limited differentiation, and demonstrate high proliferative activity. The most recent World Health Organization 2021 Classification (WHO CNS5), based on an integrated taxonomy with a strong emphasis on molecular profiling, established two major families: medulloblastomas and other CNS embryonal tumors. Medulloblastoma is the most common embryonal brain tumor and is further divided into four major molecular groups and various subgroups with highly distinct demographic, clinicopathologic, biologic, and therapeutic associations. As such, accurate medulloblastoma subclassification has become critical for individualized patient management in the modern era. At the same time, some morphologic features, such as large cell/anaplastic cytology remain prognostically relevant. Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor is analogous to renal and extrarenal rhabdoid tumors elsewhere and can be similarly subdivided into 3 major molecular groups, although the clinical implications are not currently as clear as in medulloblastomas. At least a couple of new types have also been proposed since the WHO 2021 scheme. Although generally listed with the pineal parenchymal tumors, pineoblastoma is also a CNS embryonal tumor, with 4 distinct molecular groups now recognized. The remaining tumor types are much rarer and mostly present in infants and very young children. These include the embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes (with 2-3 molecular groups), cribriform neuroepithelial tumor, CNS neuroblastoma FOXR2-activated, and CNS tumor with BCOR internal tandem duplication. A significant subset of CNS embryonal tumors also arise within a tumor predisposition syndrome and the pathologist may be the first to recognize this potential; as such, it is incumbent on us to recognize the most common associations, to afford the family an opportunity to obtain further testing and genetic counseling in the appropriate scenarios, if they desire to know. 

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