Jonathan Bailey has emerged as the highest-grossing actor of 2025, thanks to his performances in major blockbusters. However, the landscape for 2026 is shaping up to be highly competitive, with several actors poised to challenge for the box office crown.
Bailey gained widespread recognition for his role as Fiyero in the 2024 film Wicked. His star power has only increased in 2025, where he featured in two of Universal Pictures‘ largest films: Jurassic World: Rebirth and Wicked: For Good. The former has grossed an impressive $868.9 million worldwide, solidifying the franchise’s enduring popularity. Meanwhile, Wicked: For Good had a strong opening weekend and has amassed $393.3 million globally. In total, Bailey’s films have generated over $1.2 billion, a figure that is expected to rise as Wicked 2 continues its theatrical release.
Despite Bailey’s success, the upcoming year presents a different scenario. Several actors are set to star in multiple blockbuster films, creating an intriguing competition for the 2026 box office. Among them, Tom Holland stands out with two major releases. The first, The Odyssey, debuts on July 17, 2026, followed by Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31. Both films are anticipated to achieve significant box office success, with Brand New Day expected to surpass the $1 billion mark, following the trend of previous MCU Spider-Man films.
Holland’s potential for box office dominance hinges not only on these two films but also on the possibility of appearing in Avengers: Doomsday. While he has not been confirmed for the cast, Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, has indicated that more characters will be announced. If Holland returns as Spider-Man, his cumulative earnings for 2026 could exceed $2 billion.
Another formidable contender is Pedro Pascal, who has been a standout actor in 2025 with roles in three films: Materialists, Eddington, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. For 2026, Pascal will reprise his role as Reed Richards in Avengers: Doomsday and is set to return to the Star Wars universe with The Mandalorian and Grogu. Although the Marvel franchise has seen fluctuations in box office performance, Doomsday is anticipated to be a major hit, likely exceeding $1 billion.
Conversely, the performance of The Mandalorian and Grogu at the box office remains uncertain. Given the franchise’s mixed success in recent years, its ability to attract audiences beyond dedicated fans is in question. Pascal’s prospects for box office success in 2026 will largely depend on how well both of these films perform.
Zendaya also enters the race as a strong candidate for the highest-grossing actor in 2026. She is set to star alongside Holland in both Brand New Day and The Odyssey, but she also has an edge with her role in Dune: Part 3. The Dune franchise has garnered critical acclaim and substantial box office returns, with the second film making $714.8 million globally. The third installment is expected to build on this success, even if it falls short of the billion-dollar threshold.
As the 2026 film landscape takes shape, the competition among these actors is heating up. The outcomes could hinge on various factors, including unexpected cameo appearances and audience reception. If Holland indeed reprises his role in Avengers: Doomsday, he may solidify his status as the box office champion. Conversely, with her diverse lineup of films, Zendaya could emerge victorious if Holland’s presence in Doomsday remains unconfirmed.
The race for the 2026 box office title is shaping up to be an exciting one, with established talents like Bailey, Holland, Pascal, and Zendaya vying for the top position. As the industry gears up for the next year, all eyes will be on these actors and their anticipated performances.
