UPDATE: Jonathan Bailey has officially emerged as the highest-grossing actor of 2025, but the race for the box office crown in 2026 is heating up with three strong contenders. Following his breakout role as Fiyero in Wicked, Bailey has solidified his position with two major hits from Universal Pictures: Jurassic World Rebirth and Wicked: For Good.
Bailey’s films have collectively grossed over $1.2 billion this year alone, with Jurassic World Rebirth raking in $868.9 million worldwide, while Wicked: For Good reached $393.3 million globally. This rapid success has made him a surprise leader in 2025, but 2026 is set to bring fierce competition.
Tom Holland is poised for an explosive box office month in July 2026. His films, The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, are both slated for release on July 17 and July 31, respectively. Each has a strong potential to join the $1 billion club. The previous Spider-Man films have consistently crossed this threshold, with No Way Home nearly hitting $2 billion. The anticipation for The Odyssey is evident, with 70mm IMAX screenings selling out a year in advance, reflecting the excitement surrounding Christopher Nolan‘s epic.
Another potential game-changer for Holland is a rumored appearance in Avengers: Doomsday. While not officially confirmed, if Holland reprises his role as Spider-Man, it would significantly boost his box office total for 2026.
Meanwhile, Pedro Pascal, one of 2025’s busiest stars, is also in the running. He stars in three films this year, including The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Eddington. For 2026, Pascal will return as Reed Richards in Doombreaker and reprise his role in the Star Wars universe with The Mandalorian and Grogu. While Doombreaker is expected to surpass $1 billion, the performance of The Mandalorian at the box office remains uncertain.
The final contender is Zendaya, who is set to star alongside Holland in both Brand New Day and The Odyssey. In addition, she will feature in Dune: Part 3, which has garnered critical acclaim and impressive box office numbers, with the previous installment grossing $714.8 million worldwide. The success of these films positions Zendaya as a strong candidate for the highest-grossing actor in 2026, especially if Holland’s Spider-Man cameo in Doombreaker does not materialize.
With box office battles heating up, the stakes are higher than ever for these actors. As audiences await the release of these major films, the dynamics of the box office landscape will continue to evolve. Fans are eager to see how these powerhouses will shape their box office legacies in the coming year.
Stay tuned for more updates as these developments unfold!
