When it comes to the leading actors – financially – in the industry, one could most likely name a few correctly off the top of their head. Due to some of the most earth-shattering box office records set by ensemble-cast movies like Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018), a large percentage of the actors on this list are indeed Avengers. While these starring roles may have tipped the cosmic scale of gross earnings, there are other past films under these actors’ belts that put them high in the ranks of top-grossing actors early on.
While looking through this list, it’s important to remember that this is a number formed by the lifetime gross of the actor's movies and not just a recent segment of their careers.
Note: This data was gathered by Statista and only represents domestic box office numbers.
10. Chris Evans - $4.09 Billion
While this is the first of many Avengers on the list, Chris Evans has had a varied assortment of movie deals since the last Marvel movie he was in. Including titles like Knives Out, Lightyear, The Gray Man, and Ghosted, Evans will be blessing the silver screen for a long time to come. From his early days in the hilariously silly Not Another Teen Movie, Evans showed promise that turned out to be perfect for the patriotically over-the-top good guy, Captain America.
See our guide to the best Chris Evans movies.
9. Bradley Cooper - $4.3 Billion
While Bradley Cooper is technically an Avenger – the voice of Rocket the Raccoon – his superstardom comes from multiple different talents. Credited with starring in many successful, profitable movies such as American Hustle, American Sniper, and The Hangover series to name a few, Cooper also started out his directing career with the ever-successful A Star is Born – where he also sang and gave an incredible performance.
8. Chris Hemsworth - $4.3 Billion
Though Hemsworth is most certainly best known as the hard-headed demi-god Thor, that 2011 leading role gave him the kickstart he needed to be noticed for other roles. Movies like 12 Strong, Bad Times at the El Royale, and Extraction are the direct result of this starring role, with more promising roles of varied genres on the way. With the addition of Extraction 2 this year, seeing Hemsworth at his most raw, savage, stuntman only adds to the appeal. Though he'll always be remembered for the Thor movies.
See our guide to the best Chris Hemsworth movies.
7. Chris Pratt - $4.33 Billion
Likely making this list for his role as Peter Quill in the Guardians of the Galaxy and later Avengers movies, Chris Pratt has brought so much more to the table in recent years. With all the roles – The Lego Movie, The Magnificent Seven, the Jurassic World movie series, and now the smash hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie –he has secured in the last decade, it’s a surprise that Pratt didn’t make it higher on the list.
6. Zoe Saldana - $4.64 Billion
As one of the more popular and widely well-received action star heroines of this generation, Zoe Saldana has made a name for herself as just that. Besides her role as Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Saldana landed on her feet in movies like The Losers, Colombiana, The Adam Project, the Star Trek movie series, and Avatar 1 and 2 – also already contracted to be in Avatar 3, 4, and 5 in the coming decade. This badass leading lady is sure to have a secure future in action and drama films.
5. Tom Cruise - $4.7 Billion
The first on the list to not be an Avenger, Tom Cruise is undoubtedly one of the biggest action movie stars of all time. Credited with a 46-film acting career, a large majority of these projects are full-blown action films. From all the way back to 1981 with his first film credit, Cruise has been performing his own stunts and defying the odds for over 4 years now. The most popular and successful of his films is the Mission Impossible movie series, of which there are already 6 installments and two more already on the way.
4. Tom Hanks - $5.12 Billion
The second and only other non-Avenger on this list, Tom Hanks holds a special place in the hearts of many–as well as the Academy. With such a long history of film and 56 acting credits to his name, the dramatic acting of Hanks will always be in short supply. Thanks to the consistently high quality of his performance, Hanks has regularly secured new, prominent roles in new films and will likely continue to do so.
3. Scarlett Johansson - $5.29 Billion
Another kickass leading lady in the film industry is Scarlett Johansson. Best known for her role as Black Widow in the Iron Man movies, the Avengers movies, and, of course, Black Widow, Johansson also has a great history with drama and dark comedy pieces. While her more artistic/independent roles in movies like Jojo Rabbit, Marriage Story, Her, and other various projects were great for her acting career, it was also the addition of the popular, animated Sing movies that placed her so high on this list.
2. Robert Downey Jr. - $5.47 Billion
The biggest face and personality on our list of highest-grossing Avengers, Robert Downey Jr. has truly become Iron Man in the hearts of millions. Praised for his quippy remarks and fast-paced banter, RDJ has come full circle in the eyes of the public and most likely the legal system. With his newfound glory and legendary comeback to the silver screen, the future is bright for this seasoned celebrity.
1. Samuel L. Jackson - $5.72 Billion
While he also had a fairly significant role as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, nobody can stand up to the vastly diverse career held by Samuel L. Jackson. With an astounding 196 acting credits on his IMDB profile, it’s not out of the question to expect a Sam Jackson cameo in just about any film these days. Since his beginnings in 1972, Sam has tried his hand at drama, action, voice-acting, and comedies. A true diamond in the rough, the addition of this zany character could spice up any genre.
Connor Sheppard is an Oregon-grown entertainment writer for IGN with a love for pop culture and movies.
