The Last True Movie Stars That Still Dominate The Box Office

by

As a longtime movie enthusiast with a deep appreciation for Hollywood history, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing some truly remarkable careers unfold before my very eyes. Among those that continue to captivate me are the enduring legends who have managed to dominate the box office throughout their storied journeys in Tinseltown.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Hollywood’s film profits have taken a major hit. In 2019, the domestic box office brought in a respectable $11.36 billion. However, in 2020, profits plummeted by over 80% due to theater closures. While cinemas are now open and several high-profile blockbusters have drawn audiences back, business is not as thriving as before. Although studios can be held partially responsible for their focus on streaming, it seems clear that the traditional concept of a movie star may no longer exist.

In the past, I used to be devoted to specific actors and would eagerly anticipate each new movie they released, making every film an exciting event. However, it seems that times have changed, and nowadays, it can be argued that there aren’t any actors who consistently draw massive box office numbers. Instead, intellectual property (IP) reigns supreme, with audiences more intrigued by sequels than watching their favorite stars tackle original, daring projects. If we look at the biggest blockbusters from 2023, most of them were based on pre-existing franchises that capitalized on established IP. Even Anthony Mackie, a leading man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, acknowledged this at a public appearance. He pointed out that people don’t flock to theaters to see him but rather his iconic character, the Falcon.

In 2024, it appears that Mackie’s perspective has gained popularity: no actors can draw a large enough crowd with their size alone. However, this is not an accurate depiction of reality as proven by recent blockbuster films featuring leading actors who remain highly successful at the box office.

Tom Cruise saved cinemas with Top Gun: Maverick

Tom Cruise is a compelling counterargument to the notion that movie stars are extinct. In 2022, his highly anticipated film “Top Gun: Maverick” was a huge success, both critically and financially. This achievement came more than three decades after the original “Top Gun,” demonstrating Cruise’s enduring appeal and talent in his sixties. While “Maverick” is based on established intellectual property, it doesn’t hold the same level of recognition as popular genres like superhero or video game movies. Instead, its success can be attributed to Cruise’s undiminished star power, which has remained strong throughout his career of over forty years.

“Maverick” proved to be a tremendous success in the box office. With earnings exceeding $1.4 billion globally, around $700 million of which was generated in US cinemas alone. At present, this film ranks as the fifth highest-grossing movie in US history. Moreover, it outperformed other major releases of 2022 such as “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.”

Using “Maverick,” Tom Cruise demonstrated his enduring appeal, as shown by the film’s impressive box office performance, regardless of being outside the “Mission: Impossible” series. The release of the movie was significant, given the uncertainty surrounding the revival of cinema attendance due to the pandemic. Consequently, a third installment of “Top Gun” is under development, with Cruise and the original cast members anticipated to reprise their roles.

Denzel Washington’s Equalizer films can’t be beat

An unrealistic claim would be made if we said that sequels, remakes, and reboots don’t generate large sums of money. The truth is, almost every actor on this list has been connected to well-known intellectual properties. However, the significance lies in whether or not these actors utilize the IP to showcase their abilities. Denzel Washington is a prime example of an actor who has consistently contributed to one of the most underappreciated action franchises in recent times. In 2014, he teamed up with director Antoine Fuqua for “The Equalizer,” which is inspired by the now-dated 1985 television series.

During the 1980s, vigilante action series were highly favored. However, “The Equalizer” didn’t leave a lasting impact on our culture. The franchise had essentially faded into obscurity until Washington brought it back to life. Upon its premiere, “The Equalizer” generated $192 million globally. Despite tough competition from other films during its box office tenure, Washington’s acting prowess kept it going strong. Two more “Equalizer” movies have emerged since then, each earning over $185 million. It’s intriguing that the sequels consistently pull in similar revenues in today’s market, where many franchises experience declining earnings (e.g., Marvel, DC).

In simple terms, the fact that “The Equalizer” performed well at the box office demonstrates that there is consistently high demand from Washington’s fanbase for his acting talents. For instance, his 2016 film “Fences” brought in close to $60 million in domestic revenue. While not all of his projects are high-profile or loud, they still capture audiences’ attention and generate sufficient earnings, making Washington a true superstar today.

The Slap couldn’t stop Will Smith

In 2022, there was an unexpected incident at the Oscars where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, leading many to speculate that this would mark the end of his acting career. However, three years later in 2024, Smith made a triumphant return to the big screen with the release of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” which grossed an impressive $56 million in its opening weekend domestically. This was only a 9.5% decrease from the $62 million debut of “Bad Boys for Life” in early 2020. These figures demonstrate that Will Smith is still capable of launching a blockbuster with over $50 million in revenue and that his career remains strong even in the aftermath of the Slap incident. In fact, one could argue that it’s thriving.

It’s plausible to argue that “Bad Boys 4” was successful primarily because of the franchise’s past successes. However, it’s important to note that “Bad Boys 3,” released in 2020, earned over $420 million globally. This is one of Will Smith’s most profitable films in his career. Remarkably, this installment came out almost twenty years after the second movie. Released in mid-January, it became the highest-grossing film of 2020 due to the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cinema industry.

The box office success of “Bad Boys 4” underscores Smith’s enduring influence, particularly in the realm of franchises. However, it’s worth noting that before the Slap incident, his Oscar-winning film “King Richard” only managed to earn $38 million. While intellectual property remains a major draw, let’s not forget that “Bad Boys” isn’t infallible – its early success can largely be attributed to Smith’s charisma and his dynamic partnership with Martin Lawrence.

Julia Roberts is still Hollywood’s box office queen

In the ’90s, I couldn’t escape Julia Roberts on the big screen. Her captivating performances in beloved romantic comedies like “Pretty Woman,” “Notting Hill,” and “Runaway Bride” left a lasting impression on me and countless other moviegoers. With such a rich and varied filmography, Roberts’ enduring appeal continues to shine through, generating an astounding $6.5 billion in box office revenue over the years. That‘s an impressive feat considering she’s only been a part of one franchise – the “Ocean’s” movies.

More recently, Julia Roberts’ acting roles have been fewer yet impactful. In 2017, she introduced the heartwarming “Wonder” to audiences, inspired by the book with the same title. Despite the current trend of blockbuster superhero movies generating significant revenues, “Wonder” successfully earned over $310 million at the box office. This is an impressive feat considering Roberts was the main star in this production, while Owen Wilson delivered a notable performance but doesn’t typically headline children’s films.

After the achievement of “Wonder,” Roberts adopted a low-profile strategy, introducing the drama “Ben is Back” in a limited number of cinemas. However, she caused a stir in 2022 when she teamed up with George Clooney once again for the romantic comedy “Ticket to Paradise.” This production raked in an impressive $168 million globally during a time when romantic comedies predominantly stream online. Although Clooney’s influence significantly contributed to the film’s triumph, Roberts’ dedicated fan base flocked to the theaters, making it one of the most surprising box office successes that year. It also underscored her enduring appeal in an industry often lacking substantial leading roles for older women.

Dwayne Johnson is still a box office draw

Among former wrestlers turned movie stars, Dwayne Johnson stands out for his productivity and achievements. Since the beginning of his acting career, audiences have been drawn to Johnson’s charisma, physique, and versatility. Throughout his filmography, Johnson has transformed his on-screen persona numerous times. He has led hard-hitting action movies alone, starred in lighthearted comedies for families, and taken the helm of major franchise productions.

Currently, Johnson is widely recognized for his collaborative works, which some may interpret as a mark of his self-awareness regarding his acting abilities. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that Johnson has consistently breathed new life into established franchises by amassing a devoted fanbase. For instance, the “Fast and Furious” franchise experienced significant growth following Johnson’s addition in “Fast Five.” Notably, “Fast Five” generated an impressive 75% increase in box office revenue compared to its previous installment without Johnson. Despite some recent setbacks, Johnson’s spin-off film, “Hobbs & Shaw,” raked in a remarkable $760 million.

In the movie catalog of this megastar, there are plenty of successful films to be found, even beyond franchise projects. For instance, “San Andreas” (2015), a disaster thriller that grossed an impressive $456 million, and “Skyscraper” (2018) which earned over $300 million, are just two examples. Some may argue that not all of his recent projects have been successful, like “Black Adam” for DC, which brought in a relatively modest $390 million. However, it’s clear that audiences continued to attend theaters for his acting despite the struggles of the DCEU.

Read More

2024-07-21 20:00