To be a high-grossing action star means that the actors themselves are a box office draw, the movies they star in are huge blockbusters or, more often than not, a combination of the two. Not surprisingly, the highest-grossing action stars have all appeared in major blockbuster film franchises, notably theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU),Lord of the Rings,andAvatar.They are all well-known names, some of whom primarily act in other types of movies. The actors who rank among the highest grossing include some you’d expect and a few that might surprise.
This list is based on daily-updated figures fromThe-Numbers.com,calculated based on cumulative worldwide box office for all the movies each actor starred in, or had a live action acting role in, throughout their career. The list does not include voice acting roles in animated movies, nor any voice-only roles in live action films or cameos in popular movies. Naturally, actors who have been in the business longer have a better chance to crack the top 10. But not all the actors who made the list have been acting in action movies for decades.
10Dwayne Johnson
Worldwide Box Office: $12.4 billion
Number of Movies: 42
Marking the mostsuccessful pivot from wrestling to acting,Dwayne “The Rock” Johnsonis not only among the highest-grossing action stars, he was also named byForbes Magazineas the highest paid actor in general, most recently on the 2020 list. His action movie career is diverse, beginning withThe Mummy Returnsfollowed by a lead role inThe Scorpion King.He went on to star in major blockbuster action movies from there, includingJumanji: Welcome to the JungleandJumanji: The Next Levelas well asSan Andreasand, of course, theFast & Furiousfranchise films. He also played the title role inBlack Adam, making him a part of the DC Extended Universe.
Named byTime Magazineas one of the world’s most influential people as well, Johnson has also branched out to television withBallersandYoung Rock, done voice work for animated films likeMoana, and even starred in a few family-friendly movies as well, likeTooth FairyandFighting With My Family. So he’s not all about action. But with tons of action projects in the works, includingFast X: Part 2, Johnson will likely keep his spot firmly within the top 10. His physical strength, strapping body, ability to pull off a menacing presence, and comedic timing make him a box office draw.
Top Action Movies
Domestic Box Office Earnings
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
$404 million
Fast & Furious 7
$353 million
Jumanji: The Next Level
$302 million
9Chris Hemsworth
Number of Movies: 29
Avengers: Endgame
$2.8 billion
Avengers: Infinity War
$2 billion
The Avengers
$1.5 billion
Managing to make the list with one of the fewest numbers of movies to get him there,Chris Hemsworthcan mainly thank his role as Thor in the MCU films for this. He began portraying this character way back in 2011 in the movieThor. He has continued to reprise the role in various movies since, both ones where he’s the central character, likeThor: Love and Thunder, as well as in movies that feature an ensemble cast of Avenger characters. But Hemsworth has taken onaction roles beyond the MCUas well, including in movies likeMen in Black: International,Extraction, andGhostbusters. These show off his ability to portray humorous characters as well, not just heroic ones.
Some fans might not know that Hemsworth actually has ties to another big franchise:Star Trek. In 2009, he played George Kirk, the father of James T. Kirk in a short opening scene ofJ.J. Abrams’Star Trekmovie. The actor, who has since become a bona fide action hero, got his start on television, often on soap operas likeNeighboursandHome and Away.
8Scarlett Johansson
Worldwide Box Office: $13.2 billion
Number of Movies: 46
Scarlett Johanssonwas a revered actor long before she joined the MCU. But it was her role as Black Widow that turned the versatile and talented actor into one of the biggest female action stars. Most of her movies outside the MCU are not within the action space, including emotionally heart-wrenching films likeMarriage StoryandJojo Rabbit. Nonetheless,her movies are often box office successes, even garnering her multiple Academy Award nominations.
Johansson got her start as a child actor in the movieNorthwhen she was just nine years old. Compared to a young Lauren Bacall by directorSofia Coppola, she transitioned to more adult roles with movies likeLost in Translation, in which she starred oppositeBill Murray. Johansson famously fought for her rights when she filed suit against Disney about the company’s decision to releaseBlack Widowon the streaming service Disney+ simultaneously with its theatrical release. Although many of her roles are outside the action genre, as noted, Johansson could continue in this space with the clout she has achieved from her role as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow.
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7Chris Pratt
Worldwide Box Office: $13.5 billion
Number of Movies: 30
Jurassic World
$1.67 billion
Originally known for comedic roles, often cast as the goofy best friend,Chris Pratthad breakout success as Andy Dwyer in the sitcomParks and Recreation. But his reputation as an action movie star began with the MCU when he was cast in the role of Star-Lord. He has played this character inGuardians of the Galaxyand other MCU films. Since then, he has appeared in other blockbuster action movies, including theJurassic Worldtrilogy,The Magnificent Seven, andThe Tomorrow War.
Given his background in comedy, Pratt perfectly captures the comedic elements of his characters, like Star-Lord, and takes on other projects in that genre, too, like voicing the main characters inThe Lego MovieandThe Super Mario Bros. Movie. Named byTimeas one of the 100 most influential people in the world, Pratt continues to tackle action roles in projects like the TV seriesThe Terminal Listand the upcoming action adventure dramaThe Electric State.
6Andy Serkis
Worldwide Box Office: $13.8 billion
Number of Movies: 31
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
$1.137 billion
Black Panther
$809 million
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
$728 million
Perhaps one of the most surprising names on the list,Andy Serkismight not be a household name to everyone. But anyone who knowsThe Lord of the Ringsfilm trilogy recognizes him as the man behind the motion-capture for the character of Gollum. He might not appear on the screen as himself, but his role made a huge impact on the film and the franchise as a whole. It’s not this project alone, however, that puts Serkis in the middle of the top 10. He also starred in thePlanet of the Apesreboot trilogy,The Adventures of TinTin, and in theStar Warssequel trilogy as Supreme Leader Snoke. He’s also an MCU member having had a role in the movieBlack Panther.
Serkis’ name is on the list no doubt thanks to being involved in three massive box office trilogy franchises:King Kong, The Lord of the Rings, andStar Wars. He even stars in theStar WarsseriesAndoron Disney+ and has shifted to directing as well, working behind the camera for movies likeVenom: Let There By Carnage. An expert in motion capture, Serkis even runs his own production company and motion capture workshop called The Imaginarium.
5Benedict Cumberbatch
Worldwide Box Office: $14.1 billion
Number of Movies: 39
Spider-Man: No Way Home
$1.9 billion
One of the most versatile actors of this generation, known forhis magical performances,Benedict Cumberbatchbecame an action movie star once he put on the cloak to play Dr. Stephen Strange in the MCU movies, a role he has reprized for several films, all of which have been box office successes. He is also part of theStar Trekfranchise, having played Khan inStar Trek Into Darkness; and he appeared inThe Hobbitmovies as Smaug and Sauron.
While Cumberbatch has a legion of fans who know him for his action roles, he also has a dedicated following for his more cerebral, intense characters. Among these is Sherlock Holmes in the seriesSherlockalong with roles in Academy Award-winning movies likeThe Power of the DogandThe Imitation Game. Cumberbatch is a theater-trained actor, which explains his fabulous versatility as an actor.
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4Warwick Davis
Worldwide Box Office: $14.6 billion
Number of Movies: 22
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
$1.36 billion
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
$1.33 billion
Making the cut with the fewest number of total movies,Warwick Davisis one of the highest-grossing action stars, mostly thanks to his role as the title character in the 1988 movieWillow. But he is also a member of theStar Warsfamily, having played numerous characters over the decades in various movies, including Wicket the Ewok and Professor Filius Flitwick. Part of yet another major franchise, he was also Griphook in theHarry Pottermovies. Being part of these major movies that were all big box offices successes has given Davis a top-five spot on the list.
Davis returned to reprise the character of Willow in the short-lived Disney+ series of the same name, though the show was canceled after the first season. Continuing to appear inStar Warsmovies, including, most recently,Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerin 2019, Davis is poised to keep his spot on the list.
3Zoe Saldana
Worldwide Box Office: $15.3 billion
Number of Movies: 43
$2.9 billion
Avatar: The Way of Water
$2.3 billion
One of only two females on the list,Zoe Saldanahas the MCU to thank as well for being considered an action movie star. She starred among the ensemble cast ofAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgame, which were among the highest-grossing movies of all time, and played Gamora inGuardians of the GalaxyandGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3But add to this, her starring role inAvatar, which remains the highest grossing movie of all time, as well as its sequelAvatar: The Way of Water, and it’s no surprise Saldana cracks the top three. She was also inStar Trekas Nyota.
While training for fight scenes in action movies is a must, it’s possible that Saldana’s history as a trained dancer helped her in the various physical roles. Trained in ballet, she studied various forms of dance while living in the Dominican Republic as a child, according toBiography.com. Already tapped to star inAvatar 3andAvatar 4, due out in 2025 and 2029, respectively, Saldana could very well move up this list.
2Robert Downey, Jr.
Worldwide Box Office: $16 billion
Number of Movies: 65
Acting for decades withtremendous performances, despite personal troubles relating to addiction,Robert Downey, Jr.overcame them all to become one of the highest-grossing action stars, and actors period, in Hollywood. His biggest box office success is his role as Iron Man, which he has played in numerous Marvel movies all the way up toAvengers: Endgamein 2019. Other successful action movies on his resume includeSherlock Holmes, and the action comedyTropic Thunder.
Part of the young actors group known as the Brat Pack back in the ‘80s, Downey, Jr. starred in iconic movies likeWeird ScienceandThe Pick-up Artistearly in his career. With multiple Academy Award nominations to his name, he is one of the A-list actors fans will be surprised to know hasn’t won an Oscar yet. Up for nomination for his supporting role inOppenheimer, however, 2024 could be Downey, Jr.’s year.
1Samuel L. Jackson
Worldwide Box Office: $20.98 billion
Number of Movies: 115
With the most movies of any actor in the top 10 (and even in the top 100), it’s no surprise thatSamuel L. Jacksonis the highest-grossing action star. When it comes to franchises, he’s inStar Warsas Jedi Mace Windu and in the MCU as Nick Fury. But hislist of action movies spans decades. It includes titles likeDie Hard with a Vengeance,Shaft,XXX,Snakes on a Plane,Kingsman: The Secret Service, andKong: Skull Island. This merely scratches the surface for Jackson’s illustrious resume. There’s alsoPatriot Games,Pulp Fiction, andThe Negotiator. The list could go on and on.
It’s incredible to learn that Samuel L. Jackson hasn’t yet won an Academy Award, despite his long and varied career, and being the highest-grossing action star, and one of the highest-grossing movie stars, period, in Hollywood. He was nominated for his role inPulp Fictionand in 2021, he received an Academy Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for being a “cultural icon whose dynamic work has resonated across genres and generations and audiences worldwide.” He was presented with the honorary Oscar by actorDenzel Washingtonat the 12th Annual Governors Awards.
