Which actors have made box office history, grossing the most? A woman tops the list. Here’s who she is and who the others are.
Scarlett Johansson has climbed the ranks as Hollywood’s highest-grossing leading actress (after adjusting for inflation) at the global box office, setting a new record this hot summer of 2025.
The list of the highest-grossing actors in film history includes illustrious and valuable figures, considering the billion-dollar figures associated with them, from Tom Cruise and Samuel L. Jackson to Robert Downey Jr. and Zoe Saldaña.
However, no one can match the blonde Johansson, who reached first place thanks to her new film Jurassic World Rebirth, released in theaters on July 2, in which she plays the mercenary Zora Bennett. In its first six days of worldwide release, the film grossed $318 million worldwide, giving Johansson a $14.8 billion gross for a film in which she plays a leading or ensemble role.
Who are the 15 highest-grossing actors in history? The updated ranking through 2025.
1. Scarlett Johansson
After Jurassic World: Rebirth topped the box office in its opening week, Scarlett Johansson became the highest-grossing actress of all time.
Johansson is the perfect example of how a love for a franchise can propel you to the top of this list. She has appeared in all the Avengers films and a handful of other MCU releases, while appearances in Jurassic World: Rebirth, Lucy, Sing, and The Jungle Book give her an edge over her closest competitors.
The total gross worldwide is $22.94 billion, with the highest-grossing film being Avengers: Endgame.
2. Samuel L. Jackson
For a man who only made his debut at 45, thanks to his role in 1994’s Pulp Fiction, Samuel L. Jackson has certainly been a reliable indicator of box office success.
After Pulp Fiction came roles in Die Hard, the Star Wars trilogy, The Incredibles, and finally, a recurring role as Nick Fury in nearly every MCU film. And let’s not forget that he had minor roles in Coming to America and Jurassic Park before his major success. It’s easy to see why, until recently, Jackson was the highest-grossing actor of all time.
His total gross is $22.76 billion and the highest-grossing film: Avengers: Endgame.
3. Robert Downey Jr.
For many years, Robert Downey Jr. has been the centerpiece of the MCU, so it should come as no surprise that he is among the highest-grossing actors of all time.
The breakout role that catapulted him to fame was the starring role in 2008’s "Iron Man."
With that, Downey Jr. became the face of the lucrative Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has grossed over $31 billion worldwide to date.
After concluding his run as Iron Man with 2019’s "Avengers: Endgame," the second-highest-grossing film of all time, he will return to the MCU as the villain Doctor Doom in the upcoming "Avengers: Doomsday."
Although RDJ has contributed to a handful of blockbusters, his average gross is the lowest of any actor on this list because, outside of the MCU, Oppenheimer, and Sherlock Holmes, he’s starred in quite a few box office flops.
The total gross is $22.02 billion, with the highest-grossing film being "Avengers: Endgame."
4. Zoe Saldaña
Zoe Saldaña has emerged in two of the biggest blockbusters of all time: "Avatar" and "Avengers." These films account for the majority of her grosses, along with "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl."
Saldaña’s role in the "Star Trek" reboot trilogy also adds to the list, as do "The Terminal" and "Elio." Clearly, Saldaña has an eye for blockbusters.
The total gross is $21.88 billion, with the highest-grossing film being "Avatar."
5. Chris Pratt
Chris Pratt’s list of successful franchises includes Jurassic World, Guardians of the Galaxy, The LEGO Movie, Super Mario Bros., and let’s not forget he also appeared in the two most recent Avengers films.
Pratt has become one of Hollywood’s most promising leading men, even though not many people had bet on him. His total gross is $21.7 billion, with Avengers: Endgame being the most impactful film.
6. Tom Cruise
The only actor on this list to have never appeared in an MCU film, Tom Cruise is the most reliable person to succeed at the box office. Most of his total box office gross comes from the Mission: Impossible franchise (which now has eight films), but his highest-grossing film is Top Gun: Maverick. War of the Worlds, The Mummy, Oblivion, Rain Man, The Last Samurai round out his impressive blockbuster career.
The total gross is $20.53 billion, with Top Gun: Maverick topping the list.
7. Chris Evans
As the oldest member of the Avengers team, Chris Evans’ Captain America appears in most of the early MCU films and all Avengers films. This is where the majority of his box office gross comes from.
Most recently, he starred in the hit film “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”.
The total worldwide box office gross was $18.56 billion, with “Avengers: Endgame” topping the list.
8. Vin Diesel
He’s best known for his starring role in the Fast and Furious franchise, but we can’t forget Vin Diesel’s crucial role in the MCU: Groot in the Guardians of the Galaxy films.
After sacrificing himself in the first film, Groot is reborn as a twig unable to speak, other than repeating the mantra "I am Groot." Consequently, Diesel’s role in the franchise is minimal beyond the first film, but he is still credited as a voice actor and thus is lumped in with the box office results of all the Avengers and GoTG films.
Its total worldwide box office gross is $18.5 billion, with the highest-grossing film being Fast & Furious 7.
9. Chris Hemsworth
Much of Chris Hemsworth’s box office success is due to his role as Thor in the MCU. He has also lent his talents to Snow White and the Huntsman, Rush, Furiosa, Ghostbusters, and Men in Black: International. While Hemsworth’s films have received mixed critical acclaim, most of them have one thing in common: they are commercial juggernauts.
The total gross earned is $18.43 billion, with the highest-grossing film being Avengers: Endgame.
10. Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper has perhaps the most diverse resume of any actor on this list. In addition to appearing in the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy films as Rocket Raccoon, Cooper also contributed to the box office success of the Hangover trilogy, American Sniper, A Star is Born, and American Hustle.
The total gross was $17.22 billion. The highest-grossing film was Avengers: Endgame.
11. Dwayne Johnson
The actor is one of the few non-Marvel stars on the list. Across 39 films, he has grossed a total of $11.4 billion at the worldwide box office.
Dwayne Johnson has seamlessly transitioned from professional wrestling to blockbusters, playing action roles that have helped boost his worldwide box office gross to over $15 billion.
The 10-time WWE world champion has leveraged his charisma and mass appeal, landing physically powerful and captivating roles that have earned him a spot among Forbes’ highest-paid actors of the year four times.
Johnson earned $5.5 million for The Scorpion King, setting a Guinness World Record for the highest salary for a leading role in his debut film, and was named the highest-paid actor by Forbes magazine in 2018, after earning $124 million that year.
12. Benedict Cumberbatch
The actor has grossed $15.09 billion across 43 films, averaging $350.9 million. His role as Doctor Strange in Avengers: Endgame (2019) earned him his highest grossing film of $2.79 billion.
Cumberbatch’s commanding presence in the MCU and his voice work as Smaug in The Hobbit trilogy (2012–2014) demonstrate his versatility. He brings depth to each role, making him a box office success.
13. Alan Tudyk
Alan Tudyk’s 41 films have grossed $15.03 billion, averaging $366.7 million. His top film, Frozen II (2019), grossed $1.45 billion, thanks to his voice work as the Duke of Weselton and other roles.
Tudyk’s versatility in voice acting, from Wreck-It Ralph (2012) to Rogue One (2016), makes him a standout. His talent for eccentric characters adds charm to every project he takes on.
14. Warwick Davis
The actor has grossed $14.97 billion across 24 films, with an impressive average of $623.8 million. His biggest hit, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), grossed $2.06 billion.
Davis is a fantasy legend, from his role as Wicket in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) to his roles in the Harry Potter saga (2001-2011). His unique presence in smaller but memorable roles is the foundation of his box office success.
15. Jon Favreau
The actor has grossed $13.97 billion at the box office across 41 films, averaging $340.7 million per film. He is best known for his role as Happy Hogan in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Avengers: Endgame (2019) being the highest-grossing film, taking in $2.79 billion.
Beyond acting, Favreau’s work as a director on films such as Iron Man (2008) and The Lion King (2019) demonstrates his aptitude for big projects. His appeal in supporting roles and his creative vision behind the camera make him a box office hit.
Original article published on Money.it Italy. Original title: La classifica degli attori che hanno fatto incassare di più nella storia. La 1° è una donna
