Box Office Showdown: Who Will Top 2026’s Highest-Grossing Actors?

Robert Downey Jr. is making a comeback to the Marvel fold, this time stepping into the shoes of Doctor Doom for Avengers: Doomsday. He’s reportedly pocketed a staggering $100 million for the role, and the film is tipped to rake in over $2 billion, much like the previous Avengers blockbusters. But while Downey Jr. is no stranger to box office success, he’s not the only one in the running for the top spot in 2026. Several other big names are set to give him a run for his money, with a string of high-profile releases lined up.

Franchise Favourites Return

Dwayne Johnson is gearing up for a massive year, returning as Maui in the live-action Moana and reprising his role in the next Jumanji instalment. The original Moana animated film pulled in $687.2 million, and its sequel crossed the billion-dollar mark, so expectations are sky-high for the live-action version. Johnson’s previous Jumanji outings have also been box office gold, with a combined take of $1.7 billion.

Tom Holland is back on the big screen after a short break, starring in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the follow-up to No Way Home, which made $1.9 billion. He’s also teaming up with Christopher Nolan for The Odyssey, playing Telemachus. Nolan’s last film, Oppenheimer, was a critical and commercial hit, so punters are keen to see what he does next.

Big Names, Big Projects

Anne Hathaway is part of The Odyssey’s ensemble cast and has a busy slate for 2026, including a sequel to The Devil Wears Prada. The original comedy was a massive hit, and with the main cast returning, the sequel is expected to do even better. Hathaway also stars in the psychological horror Mother Mary, the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s Verity, and leads Flowervale Street.

Jason Momoa isn’t slowing down either. He’s kicking off the year with The Wrecking Crew, though it’s only on streaming. He’s voicing Bear in Animal Friends and taking on the role of Lobo in Supergirl. There’s also Street Fighter, where he joins a cast that’s already got fans talking, and he’s back as Duncan Idaho in Dune: Part Three. The first two Dune films brought in over a billion dollars combined.

Rising Stars and Franchise Powerhouses

Benny Safdie is becoming a regular in Nolan’s films, returning for The Odyssey after a small part in Oppenheimer. He’s also voicing Bowser Jr. in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the sequel to the billion-dollar Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Anya Taylor-Joy is back as Princess Peach in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and reprises her role as Alia Atreides in Dune: Part Three. She’s also starring in Sacrifice, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, alongside a star-studded cast.

Robert Pattinson is looking to bounce back at the box office, starring with Zendaya in The Drama and joining The Odyssey as Antinous. He’s also confirmed for Dune: Part Three, with speculation swirling about his role as the villain Scytale.

Marvel, Dune, and Star Wars: The Heavy Hitters

Florence Pugh’s turn in Thunderbolts* was well received, but the film didn’t set the box office alight. She’s set for a major role in Avengers: Doomsday, facing off against Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, and returns as Princess Irulan in Dune: Part Three. With two major franchises on her plate, she’s poised for a big year.

Pedro Pascal is back as Reed Richards in Avengers: Doomsday after debuting in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He’s also returning as Din Djarin in The Mandalorian & Grogu, with the Star Wars fanbase sure to turn out in force.

Zendaya is everywhere in 2026, starring alongside Tom Holland in both Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey. She’s also in The Drama with Robert Pattinson and returns as Chani in Dune: Part Three. With roles in several of the year’s most anticipated films, she’s set to be one of the year’s biggest box office draws.