Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
In Hollywood, breaking box office records is a sport. And in this sport, we’ve got some superstars. And these aren’t just any old actors who happened to make it big; they’re legends who’ve turned our movie tickets into gold bars!
While you might expect some familiar faces from the Avengers saga to dominate this list – and you’d be correct, but a few may also surprise you.
Samuel L. Jackson – $5.8 Billion
Samuel L. Jackson is the living embodiment of Hollywood cool, an icon with an iconic career spanning half a century, and rightfully considered the box office king. You name it; he’s done it. Jackson’s filmography reads like a greatest hits album, from the iconic turn as Jules Winnfield in “Pulp Fiction” to a present, commanding presence as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With a whopping 196 acting credits, he’s everywhere, flavoring every movie genre you can think of.
Robert Downey Jr. – $5.4 Billion
Once troubled, now triumphant—Robert Downey Jr. soared to A-list stardom as Iron Man, proving second chances are real. Before the MCU, he was noticed in hits like “Gothika,” where he could showcase his talent while battling personal fights. However, his change into Iron Man propelled him into record heights—it was more than the suit that propelled him to be a box office titan; it was his wit, charm, and raw talent that brought Tony Stark to life. With nine of his top-earning films from the Marvel universe, Downey Jr. became a king of the box office.
Scarlett Johansson – $5.3 Billion
From owning Black Widow and lending her voice to animated hits, Scarlett Johansson rose her MCU to the platform for box-office glory. But what sets her truly apart is versatility. From indie dramas to animated adventures, she won over worldwide audiences. Her every single performance really nails down that she’s one of Hollywood’s bankable stars
Chris Pratt – $5.2 Billion
We can’t move on with this list without mentioning the guy with the million-dollar smile and millions in his bank account. You guessed it! We’re talking about Chris Pratt, the symbol of blockbuster success. Since his breakout role as Peter Quill in Guardians of the Galaxy, the man has just been printing hits! Jurassic World, anyone? Now that’s a money-making machine! And how can we forget his voice work in The Super Mario Bros. Movie? That was another million in his account, right there!
Tom Hanks – $5.1 Billion
Is anyone surprised that America’s sweetheart, the guy who can make you laugh, cry, and believe in humanity all in one film, is on this list? Tom Hanks has done it all, from making audiences laugh until they cry with films like The Terminal to dazzling critics and winning Oscars with dramas like Philadephia and Forrest Gump. He’s got the technical acting skills down, but that’s not what makes him such a Box Office success; it’s his ability to connect with audiences and make them feel all their feelings. The guy carried a whole film while talking to a volleyball – if that’s not talent, we don’t know what is!
Zoe Saldana – $5 Billion
Zoe Saldana has absolutely dominated the Hollywood game. She’s part of some of the biggest franchises in cinema history, owning the box office like no one else. I mean, playing the iconic role of Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe AND delivering a showstopping performance in Avatar, the highest-grossing film of all time? Who’s doing it like her? Saldana is the only actor who has unbeatable cosmic queen domination, with four movies grossing over $5 billion worldwide.
Tom Cruise – $4.8 Billion
In our generation, there’s only one reigning king of action, the guy who defies death with each jaw-dropping stunt. Yep, we’re talking about Tom Cruise. Scaling skyscrapers? Check. Hanging off airplanes? Check. You name it, he’s done it! With 40 years of acting to his name, the actor has proved his dedication to his craft: he doesn’t just act; he lives on the edge. With “Top Gun: Maverick” breaking all records and six successful Mission: Impossible installments, Cruise is still UNSTOPPABLE, giving audiences hit after hit!
Bradley Cooper – $4.6 Billion
Actor, director, AND voice of Rocket Raccoon? It’s Bradley Cooper, the ultimate all-rounder, and nine-time Oscar nominee. He’s raking in the big bucks, folks, and not just with his performance in cult classics like “The Hangover,” but also his fantastic talent as a director, which was on full display in his directorial debut, “A Star Is Born.” He also tried singing with that one, and like everything he touches, it turned to gold! The guy can really do it all and make it rain at the box office while doing it!
Chris Hemsworth – $4.3 Billion
Chris Hemsworth didn’t just wield a hammer – he CRUSHED the box office with it! But while his electrifying debut in “Thor” wowed everyone, his talent isn’t limited to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has delivered dazzling performances in movies like “Extraction” and “12 Strong”, and he’s got the net worth to prove it!
Harrison Ford – $4.2 Billion
And if we’re speaking of franchises that have struck gold, we can’t forget the guy who dominated two of the biggest ones. The guy who was both Indiana Jones AND Han Solo in Star Wars. This actor’s name is definitely going down in history for some of the most iconic roles we’ve ever seen. And while we’re on it, we HAVE to talk about his return to cinema as Indiana Jones and the new Thunderbolt Ross in the MCU – now THAT’s a comeback. With each adrenaline-fueled performance, Ford brings home millions, making him one of the highest-grossing actors.
Chris Evans – $4 Billion
While he may have started out as the goofy guy in “Not Another Teen Movie,” Chris Evan has since soared to Superhero status, that too in a star-spangled suit! He began his MCU journey by playing the Human Torch, but now he’s Captain America – talk about a glow-up! He’s got nine MCU movies under his belt and two more hits now crossing the mark: Captain America is thundering to box office glory!
Vin Diesel – $3.9 Billion
Can you imagine that the same guy plays Dominic Toretto in Fast & Furious and voices the lovable tree Groot in the MCU? Crazy, right? Vin Diesel is earning BIG from these mega-franchises, but he’s not all muscle and fast cars. His standout performance in the classic “Saving Private Ryan” proves he’s got immense talent and heart, along with big bucks in his bank account!
Johnny Depp – $3.6 Billion
Despite all the controversy buzzing around his personal life, Johnny Depp continues to create big-time movie magic with his magnetic screen presence. No one can deny his bundles of talent – the guy is literally a shape-shifter! From Captain Jack Sparrow to the Mad Hatter to Willy Wonka, Depp’s name will go down in pop-culture history, and he’s made producers 3.6 bills to prove it!
Dwayne Johnson – $3.6 Billion
We can’t talk about pop-culture legends without mentioning Dwayne Johnson. He might’ve started out as a wrestler-turned-actor, but now he’s a total force and one of the most famous men alive! On average, he brings home $118 million with each film, adding up to a mind-blowing total of 3.6 BILLION! Now that’s what the Rock is cooking! With movies like “Fast & the Furious” and “Moana,” he’s dominating all the big franchises, and his versatility shines through with each one!
Eddie Murphy – $3.5 Billion
If we talk about the experts of humor, Eddie Murphy will be the best choice. Comedy has always been his language; “Coming to America” and “Beverly Hills Cop” are good examples. However, it is not only comedy that he can perform well in. His roles in movies like “The Nutty Professor” and “Dr. Dolittle” exhibit excellent acting abilities. Surely no one fails to remember when he played Donkey in the mega-hit Shrek series? The guy is Hollywood itself!”
Will Smith – $3.5 Billion
Is there anyone on EarthEarth unfamiliar with Will Smith’s name? This man is a symbol of fame, as seen in ‘Independence Day,’ where he saves the planet from alien invasion, and ‘Men in Black,’ where he comes across an intergalactic threat to Earth. Combine this with hits like I Am Legend and the live version adaptation of Aladdin, and you’ve just defined Hollywood domination! There is no other magic similar to his
Mark Ruffalo – $3.3 Billion
Mark Ruffalo might not be Hulk-smash, but at the box office, he smashes records. The highest-grossing movies in history were both played by him – “Avengers: Endgame” and “Avengers: Infinity War”. Taken together, these blockbusters have earned more than $3.3 billion globally, thus proving that Ruffalo can draw attention of millions by performing as well-known personage Bruce Banner.
Matt Damon – $3.2 Billion
Matt Damon’s career has lasted thirty years, and his box office success is proof of his great acting ability. Starting from Oscar-winner “Good Will Hunting,” through the action-packed “Bourne” series, to the fantastic journey on Mars in “The Martian,” he invariably comes up with hits for cinemas. For this reason, his films have generated an astonishing $3.2 billion during each decade.
Leonardo DiCaprio – $2.7 Billion
Leonardo DiCaprio has appeared in numerous critically acclaimed movies, but none of them had such a cultural impact as the Titanic did. While it would certainly be difficult to argue against the greatness of his work with Martin Scorsese or roles in such films like Inception and Once upon a Time in Hollywood, it is still Titanic that is considered his career’s high point.
Ian McKellen – $2.4 Billion
Ian McKellen may wield a staff as Gandalf, but he’s also wielded his influence at the box office with incredible success. McKellen has left an indelible mark on cinema. Whether he’s casting spells in “The Lord of the Rings” or bending metal as Magneto in “X-Men,” McKellen’s versatility is incredible.
Morgan Freeman – $2.2 Billion
Morgan Freeman is the king of commanding the screen. With a voice smoother than velvet and a presence that holds audiences captive the world over, he is a Hollywood legend by all standards. He grossed an astonishing 2.2 billion dollars through movies like “The Shawshank Redemption,” an emotional drama, and “The Dark Knight,” an action blockbuster.
Seth Rogan – $1.8 Billion
Seth Rogan is not another funny guy but a juggernaut of comedy. Rogan’s jokes have affected people. Every time he takes to the stage, he earns fifteen million dollars on average, totaling 1.8 billion dollars.
18 Instances Where Actors Turned Down Successful Movie Roles
Lights, camera, and a whole lot of missed opportunities! In the glitz and glam of Hollywood, there’s a lesser-known side to the silver screen where A-list actors turned down roles that could have defined their careers.
18 Instances Where Actors Turned Down Successful Movie Roles
