Which star will emerge victorious in 2026?

      If we look at the films of 2026, it's clear that a select group of actors dominate the box office. But who will emerge as the top star of the year?

      The box office has been thriving this year, with five films each earning over a billion globally. In contrast, 2025 only saw four films reach that mark, with Ne Zha 2 inflating the numbers by bringing in $2.2 billion, mostly from China. This year’s impressive box office success has occurred even before the releases of Dune: Part Three and Avengers: Doomsday.

      In addition to the surge in ticket sales and the growing interest of Gen Z audiences in indie horror films like Obsession and Backrooms, 2026 has revealed another noteworthy trend. It appears there are only a few prominent actors currently in Hollywood, as familiar faces keep appearing in various films.

      Notable actors include Jon Bernthal, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Robert Pattinson. Meanwhile, Glen Powell, who seemed to star in every film leading up to 2026, has been surprisingly quiet, although he did appear in How to Make a Killing earlier this year before it faded from view. However, he did lend his voice to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, thus joining the ranks of billion-dollar films. Pedro Pascal has also had a quieter presence with the underwhelming Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu movie but is set to reprise his role as Reed Richards in Avengers: Doomsday.

      Tom Holland is not satisfied with just one billion-dollar film. Besides playing Matt Damon’s son in The Odyssey, he also reprised his role as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Brand New Day just weeks later. Holland's contributions have comfortably pushed his films past the $2 billion mark, with expectations of reaching over $3 billion cumulatively.

      Zendaya, also starring in both films, has a less prominent role in The Odyssey but shouldn’t be underestimated. She may be featured in nearly every film released this year, along with a hit TV series, Euphoria, amidst her roles in The Drama, The Odyssey, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. She’s set to appear in Dune: Part Three during Christmas, and it’s interesting to note that she didn’t have a release last year.

      Could Zendaya claim the title for 2026? If Denis Villeneuve’s final installment of Dune propels her to three billion-dollar hits, it would be impressive, not forgetting the moderate success of The Drama, which grossed over $100 million worldwide on a relatively modest budget. Still, if Holland appears in Doomsday, it may just be a cameo, so attributing major box office success to him could be an exaggeration. And if he finds himself associated with $4 billion at the box office within six months, his ego might need some recalibrating regarding his Spidey mask.

      However, Robert Pattinson is positioned to shine brightest in 2026. Setting aside box office numbers, among these frequently seen stars, Pattinson is likely to lead the year in terms of versatility, especially as awards season approaches. While Zendaya has had smaller roles in major films, she hasn’t displayed the same range. In reality, lead actors often don’t get the opportunity to take on transformative roles, which are usually reserved for character actors. Pattinson has successfully emerged from Twilight's shadow, embodying a variety of eclectic and diverse roles across indie, arthouse, and international cinema. He has also starred in big-budget films, including his portrayal of Batman, despite not being one of his standout performances.

      Throughout 2025, there were concerns that Pattinson was taking too many missteps, missing the mark with films like Die My Love, which received mixed reviews and performed poorly at the box office. Likewise, Mickey 17 didn’t fare much better, resulting in lackluster additions to the filmographies of directors Lynne Ramsay and Bong Joon Ho. Nevertheless, Pattinson remains in demand, as evidenced by the prominent directors vying for his collaboration. Last year's projects seemed to reflect a sense of overreaching, particularly with Mickey 17 and its quirky humor.

      In contrast, Kristoffer Borgli’s black comedy, The Drama, showcases Pattinson’s ability in a more intimate setting, driven by intense dynamics and high energy. The film benefits from the strong performances of both Pattinson and Zendaya, with Pattinson demonstrating a willingness to engage deeply with demanding roles, especially considering his work in The Lighthouse, where he held his own against the formidable Willem Dafoe. Based on what’s in store for 2026, alongside his standout role in Nolan’s The Odyssey, Pattinson may be poised for another significant leap forward.

      In Dune: Part Three, Pattinson appears ready to delve into even darker villainy, adopting a look that recalls Rutger Hauer's character in Blade Runner, promising to bring complexity