Jonathan Bailey has emerged as the highest-grossing actor of 2025, following his breakout role as Fiyero in Wicked. This year, he has further solidified his box office dominance with lead roles in two major Universal productions: Jurassic World Rebirth and Wicked: For Good. The latest installment of the Jurassic franchise has racked up an impressive $868.9 million worldwide, while Wicked: For Good has also performed well, grossing $393.3 million. By the end of the year, Bailey’s films are projected to surpass $1.2 billion in total earnings, with the potential for even more as Wicked 2 continues its run in theatres.
As Bailey enjoys his success, the landscape is shifting for the upcoming year. Several actors are positioned to challenge his crown in 2026, notably Tom Holland, Pedro Pascal, and Zendaya. Each of these actors is set to appear in multiple high-profile films, increasing their chances of box office success.
Tom Holland’s Potential for Box Office Triumph
Tom Holland is gearing up for what could be a record-breaking July 2026. He will star in two major films: The Odyssey, debuting on July 17, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, set for release on July 31. Both films are strong contenders for the $1 billion club, potentially pushing Holland’s total box office earnings over $2 billion for the year.
While Brand New Day is almost guaranteed to cross the billion-dollar threshold, bolstered by the success of its predecessors, The Odyssey presents a more uncertain forecast. The film, directed by Christopher Nolan, has already generated buzz with its sold-out 70mm IMAX screenings. Holland’s involvement in Avengers: Doomsday could further amplify his box office potential, although his name has not yet appeared in the official cast list.
Pedro Pascal and Zendaya: Strong Contenders for 2026
Meanwhile, Pedro Pascal is also positioned for success with roles in two significant franchises. In 2025, he starred in three films, including The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Next year, he will reprise his role as Reed Richards in Avengers: Doomsday and return to the Star Wars universe in The Mandalorian and Grogu. While Doomsday is expected to be a box office hit, the performance of his Star Wars film remains uncertain. The last theatrical release, The Rise of Skywalker, came out in 2019, and while fervent fans are likely to attend, the film’s appeal to a broader audience is still a question mark.
Zendaya, who co-stars with Holland in both Brand New Day and The Odyssey, may have the edge in 2026. She is also set to appear in Dune: Part 3, which has seen growing success, with the second installment grossing $714.8 million globally. This combination of films positions Zendaya as a strong candidate for the highest-grossing actor of the year, particularly if Holland’s involvement in Doomsday does not materialize.
As the box office landscape for 2026 takes shape, the competition among these talented actors promises an exciting year ahead for the film industry. With blockbuster releases on the horizon, audiences can anticipate a thrilling race for box office supremacy.
