Box Office Titans: Who Will Outshine Robert Downey Jr in 2026?

Robert Downey Jr. is gearing up for a dramatic comeback, this time stepping into the shoes of Doctor Doom for the latest Avengers instalment, Doomsday. With a staggering $100 million deal in his pocket, expectations are sky-high for the film to match, if not surpass, the $2 billion mark achieved by previous Avengers blockbusters. Yet, the path to being the year’s top earner is far from clear-cut, as several other big names are lining up for their own box office triumphs.

Franchise Favourites and Fresh Faces

Dwayne Johnson is set to make a splash with not one, but two major projects. He’ll be lending his voice to Maui once again in the live-action Moana, and returning to the jungle for another Jumanji adventure. Given the impressive takings of Moana’s earlier outings and the Jumanji series, Johnson’s prospects look rather promising.

Tom Holland, after a brief hiatus, is back in the spotlight. He’s set to don the Spider-Man suit for Brand New Day, a follow-up to the wildly successful No Way Home. Holland is also joining forces with Christopher Nolan for The Odyssey, taking on the role of Telemachus. With Nolan’s previous work, Oppenheimer, raking in nearly a billion dollars and a clutch of Oscars, anticipation is running high.

Ensemble Power and Sequel Surge

Anne Hathaway is another contender, featuring in The Odyssey’s ensemble and headlining a sequel to the much-loved The Devil Wears Prada. She’s also branching out into psychological horror with Mother Mary and taking the lead in Flowervale Street. Hathaway’s packed schedule could see her box office numbers soar.

Jason Momoa is not slowing down either. He’s set for a busy year with The Wrecking Crew, a live-action/animated turn in Animal Friends, and a role as Lobo in Supergirl. Add to that appearances in Street Fighter and a return as Duncan Idaho in Dune: Part Three, and Momoa’s calendar is looking rather full.

Benny Safdie, meanwhile, is quietly building a reputation as one of Nolan’s go-to collaborators. He’s back for The Odyssey and lending his voice to Bowser Jr. in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, a sequel with billion-dollar ambitions.

Rising Stars and Franchise Mainstays

Anya Taylor-Joy is set to reprise her roles in both The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Dune: Part Three. She’s also starring in Sacrifice, which boasts a star-studded cast. Taylor-Joy’s involvement in these high-profile projects could see her become one of the year’s breakout stars.

Robert Pattinson, after a relatively quiet 2025, is looking to bounce back. He’ll be seen alongside Zendaya in The Drama and is set to play Antinous in The Odyssey. There’s also speculation about his role in Dune: Part Three, with some suggesting he’ll be taking on the villainous Scytale.

Florence Pugh, despite Thunderbolts* not setting the box office alight, is poised for a strong year. She’ll be facing off against Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday and returning as Princess Irulan in Dune: Part Three. Her franchise commitments could well propel her into the upper echelons of box office earners.

Heavy Hitters: Pascal and Zendaya

Pedro Pascal is back as Reed Richards in Avengers: Doomsday, following his debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He’s also reprising his role as Din Djarin in The Mandalorian & Grogu, a Star Wars outing that’s sure to draw crowds.

Zendaya, meanwhile, is everywhere. She’s sharing the screen with Tom Holland in both Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey, and starring alongside Robert Pattinson in The Drama. She’ll also be returning as Chani in Dune: Part Three. With such a packed slate, Zendaya is well-placed to challenge for the top spot in 2026’s box office rankings.

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