Geek Culture Movie Stars Dominate Top 10 Highest Grossing Actors List

2017 is coming to an end, causing people all over to look back at the media that made the year what it was. And when it comes to the highest grossing actors of this year, plenty of franchise favorites made the list.

The list, which was recently released by Forbes, chronicles the actors whose projects made the most money across the year. Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly, to some) actors and actresses from the various worlds of geek culture populated the entire list.

From stars of the many comic book films released this year, to the actors at the center of some of this year’s surprise hits, it’s clear that the geek world had a huge impact on 2017. Click on through to find out who made the Top 10.

#10 – John Boyega

Cracking the top ten of the list is John Boyega, who has currently helped amass $815 million at the box office.

Almost all of that is thanks to Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which has earned $800 million worldwide in the two weeks since it’s release. Also contributing to the list are The Circle and Detroit.

While Boyega won’t be back in the Star Wars franchise until 2019’s Episode IX, he’s sure to have a role in 2018’s box office proceedings, thanks to his role in February’s Pacific Rim Uprising.

#9 – Chris Hemsworth

Next on the list is Chris Hemsworth, who earns his spot thanks to his starring role in Thor: Ragnarok.

The third Thor solo film premiered back in November, and has since crossed the $800 million mark at the worldwide box office. The Taika Waititi-directed film took fans by surprise, and was regarded as helping breathe life back into the Thor solo franchise.

It’s safe to assume that Hemsworth’s role in the box office will continue into 2018, when he’s set to reprise his Thor role again in Avengers: Infinity War.

#8 – Chris Pratt

Another one of Marvel’s Chrises makes the list, in Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt.

May’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 helped contribute to Pratt’s spot on the list, as it outperformed its predecessor and ultimately earned over $850 million at the box office.

Like with Hemsworth, it’s pretty easy to predict that Pratt will be on the list – possibly in a higher spot – in 2018. Not only does Pratt have a role in Infinity War (something he’s dreamed about since he was a child), but he also will star in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

#7 – Tom Holland

Shortly after Vol. 2 premiered, another Marvel star completely exceeded box office expectations, earning the next spot on this list.

After debuting as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland stepped into the spotlight with Spider-Man: Homecoming. The solo film gave fans a unique entry into the pantheon of Spider-Man films, earned $888 million worldwide, and helped bring some long-anticipated Spider-Man moments to the big screen.

Again, Holland will probably get a boost next year, with the help of Avengers: Infinity War. Beyond that, Holland will reprise his role in a Homecoming sequel, and also star in adaptations of Chaos Walking and Uncharted.

 

#6 – Daisy Ridley

Boyega isn’t the only Star Wars: The Last Jedi star to join the list, with Daisy Ridley earning the sixth spot.

In total, Ridley’s roles earned $1.08 billion at the box office (thus far), largely due to The Last Jedi‘s current box office performance. The remainder of the total was due to the murder-mystery ensemble Murder on the Orient Express.

Like with Boyega, Ridley’s next turn in the Star Wars franchise will be Episode IX. But in the meantime, the actress has a few other films under her belt, including Ophelia, Peter Rabbit, and the previously-mentioned Chaos Walking. 

#5 – Johnny Depp

Admittedly, Depp is the most controversial figure on this list, due to his behavior behind the scenes. But either way, Depp still earned quite a bit at the box office this year, with his films grossing $1.1 billion.

A lot of this was due to Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, which made $800 million worldwide. And as with Ridley, Depp’s total was boosted by a role in Murder on the Orient Express.

Next year, Depp has quite a few other films planned, including (to the chagrin of many) his role in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

#4 – Emma Watson

Harry Potter alum Emma Watson is next on the list, largely thanks to the financial success of Beauty and the Beast.

The live-action adaptation of the Disney classic stole audience’s hearts when it debuted earlier this year, and grossed $1.26 billion worldwide. Watson’s role in the previously-mentioned The Circle also helped boost her total.

#3 – Gal Gadot

Gadot earns the third spot on this list, with her films grossing a total of $1.4 billion this year.

A large part of that is due to Wonder Woman, which exceeded expectations and went on to make $820 million at the worldwide box office. The film has since become the highest-grossing superhero solo film, and is currently mounting an impressive awards campaign.

Gadot’s total was also helped by her second 2017 foray as Wonder Woman – November’s Justice League. While the team-up film didn’t perform as well as some had hoped, it’s added another $600 million worldwide thus far to Gadot’s total.

#2 – Dwanye Johnson

Dwayne Johnson earns the second spot on this list, with $1.5 billion, thanks to a pretty diverse array of films.

Johnson helped lead the charge of Fate of the Furious, which earned $1.2 billion in the global box office. Also contributing to his total was Baywatch, as well as the recently-released Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

It’s safe to assume that Johnson’s hold on the box office will continue, with eleven films currently in various stages of production. And as DC Comics fans know, Johnson is set to soon make his DC Extended Universe debut sooner than later, either in his Black Adam solo film or in a rumored role in Suicide Squad 2.

#1 – Vin Diesel

Diesel was crowned the year’s top grossing actor earlier today, earning $1.6 billion thanks to a trio of 2017 films under his belt.

Early on, xXx 3: The Return of Xander Cage launched Diesel’s year, revealing itself to be the title which put Diesel ahead of his Fate of the Furious co-star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. In addition to the two titles, Diesel also voiced Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, bringing his total box office haul for 2017 movies to $1.6 billion. Johnson hauled in $1.5 billion this year.

Diesel will likely continue his runs for the title of top grossing actor in the years to come, as well. The action star has a pair of Avengers films, a pair of Fast & Furious movies, another Riddick sequel, and a fourth installment of the xXx franchise on the horizon.