Superhero Movie Actors Lead 2016 as Top Box Office Grossers

If there was any doubt before that superheroes are the kings of blockbuster movie entertainment, there’s little doubt now. As Forbes released its end of year entertainment industry financial reports, it’s clear that being a headlining star in a superhero franchise is the way to become one of the top-grossing actors in the business.

Here are the Top 10 Highest Grossing movie stars of 2016 – including all those from the DC and Marvel universes! (Note: Earnings are listed according to global box office grosses).

NEXT: 2016 to be Record Year for Movie Industry

10. Will Smith – $775 Million

No surprise that after Suicide Squad‘s runaway success, Will Smith is back on the list. Collateral Beauty contributed a lackluster $30 million to his earnings, as well.

 

9. Felicity Jones – $805 million

Inferno, A Monster Calls and the breakout succes of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story gave Ms. Jones her most lucrative year yet. 

8. Ryan Reynolds – $820 Million

2016 may have sucked for many peopl but it was sure great for Mr. Deadpool himself! 

With all his eggs basically in one basket (can you name the other movie he starred in this year?) Reynolds still knocked it out of the park. 

 

7. Henry Cavill – $870 Million

With just Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on his resume this year, Cavill proved that being Superman means big bucks at the box office – regardless of what critics say. 

 

6. Ben Affleck – $1.02 Billion

Obviously being the new Batman in Batman v Superman was a major boost, but Affleck also starred in The Accountant ($148 million), which gave him a nice little boost over co-star Henry Cavill. 

 

5. Amy Adams – $1.04 Billion

Amy Adams hit all the marks in 2016, earning both critical acclaim for films like Nocturnal Animals, and scoring big box office hits like Batman v Superman – or money and acclaim with a film like Arrival.

Now, if she can only get that Oscar…

4. Margot Robbie -$1.1 Billion

Margot Robbie may not look back on 2016 as negatively as most of us. She scored bigger breakout stardom and box office earnings with Suicide Squad and Legend of Tarzan; got married, and had her performance as Harley Quinn earn her a Gotham City Sirens spinoff franchise. 

It’s been a good year to be Margot. 

 

Robert Downey Jr. – $1.15 Billion

Proving that long-term Marvel money has a great cumulative effect, Downey did less work in the Captain America: Civil War ensemble but still walked away with huge box office earnings… tucked in his pocket. 

 

2. Chris Evans – $1.15 Billion

As the headliner of Captain America: Civil War, no surprise that Chris Evans walked away as one of the top grossing actors of the year. 

1. Scarlett Johansson

The No. 1 top grossing actor of 2016 is ScarJo, who got a big boost from Captain America: Civil War, and edged out Downey and Evans with a part in the Coen Bros. Hail Caesar!