2026's Biggest Actor Box Office Competition Is Officially Now Underway

Several actors have a chance of being the biggest box office actor of 2026, and one competitor had a strong start with an A24 dark comedy. In 2025, Jonathan Bailey won the box office crown, with the combined grosses of Jurassic World Rebirth and Wicked: For Good.

In 2026, a few actors have impressive film slates that could get them this year’s box office title. Tom Holland is starring in both Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey, two films that have the potential to join the billion-dollar club. Holland’s chance grow even more if Spider-Man appears in Avengers: Doomsday.

Pedro Pascal has two major films this year: The Mandalorian and Grogu and Avengers: Doomsday. The Mandalorian and Grogu‘s box office is somewhat difficult to predict as it’s based on a TV show, though it is still a part of Star Wars. However, Doomsday is almost guaranteed to be a box office hit.

While Holland and Pascal are both strong contenders, Zendaya may be the favorite to become 2026’s biggest actor at the box office. She has three major films coming later this year, and is already having a good start thanks to A24’s The Drama, which had a strong opening weekend.

The Drama Is A Critical Hit And Had A Strong Opening Weekend At The Box Office

Credit: A24

Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as a couple who are only a few days away from their wedding. However, things take a dark turn after Zendaya’s character reveals a piece of personal information that complicates their relationship leading up to the big day.

The Drama is a hit with critics, earning a 76% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film also performed well in its opening weekend, grossing “$14.4 million” domestically, and a total worldwide gross of “$28 million,” per Variety. With a reported budget “around $28 million,” it’s a promising start for the film.

The dark romantic comedy is sparking conversation online due to its heavy material, but its intriguing premise and leading duo may be what generated interest from audiences. If it has strong legs at the box office, then The Drama could be a stellar hit for A24.

Zendaya Still Has The Odyssey, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, And Dune: Part Three Left In 2026

Zendaya as Chani looking serious in Dune 3 — Zendaya as Chani looking serious in Dune: Part Three

The Drama could be a solid addition to Zendaya’s 2026 box office lineup. The Challengers actor stars in three films later this year, which have incredible box office potential. The first is Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, releasing on July 17. Based on Homer’s epic, the film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus on his quest to return home after the Trojan War.

In addition to Damon, the film also stars Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Jon Bernthal, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, and more. Nolan’s last film, Oppenheimer, nearly made $1 billion worldwide, and The Odyssey has a strong chance of reaching that milestone. His films are experiential events that draw in audiences.

Following The Odyssey, Zendaya is reprising her MCU role as MJ in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, releasing on July 31. The last two Spider-Man films both crossed the $1 billion mark, and the next installment will likely be another hit. After that, she is reprising her role as Chani in Dune: Part Three.

The Dune films have been critically and commercially successful, and the concluding chapter is already generating plenty of hype after its first trailer. With these three films remaining in 2026, following The Drama, Zendaya may have the best chance at winning the 2026 box office crown.