Zoe Saldaña recently became the highest-grossing actor in history, thanks to the immense success of Avatar: Fire and Ash, which added over $1 billion to her career tally. However, by the end of 2026, Chris Pratt could challenge her for the leading spot at the box office. Pratt’s upcoming roles, especially in major franchises, position him to claim the top title—unless Robert Downey Jr., another Marvel stalwart, secures his place first through a highly anticipated 2026 release.
How Chris Pratt’s Past Successes Set the Stage for 2026
Chris Pratt has long been a dominant force in Hollywood blockbusters, starring in several billion-dollar franchises. His roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Jurassic World trilogy have consistently drawn global audiences, with each Jurassic World installment surpassing $1 billion at the box office. Beyond live-action hits, Pratt has lent his voice to major animated films such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Lego Movie, broadening his appeal and box office reach. This extensive track record makes him a prime contender for overtaking Zoe Saldaña’s box office record by the end of 2026, though Robert Downey Jr. remains a significant rival.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie as a Key Moment for Chris Pratt
Leading into 2026, Chris Pratt stars in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, scheduled for release in April. This sequel follows the record-breaking success of the original Super Mario Bros. Movie, which became the highest-grossing video game adaptation ever by earning $1.362 billion worldwide in 2023. Positioned in a lucrative April release window—previously successful for similar movies like A Minecraft Movie—this new Mario installment has strong potential. It features an expanded cast and taps into well-loved characters from Mario lore, which heightens audience anticipation.
With Pratt’s worldwide career earnings in leading roles already at $14.1 billion, the success of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie could significantly boost his total. Even a haul slightly below the $1.3 billion benchmark set by the first film would put Pratt nearly neck and neck with Saldaña, potentially reaching $15.4 billion in total box office earnings. Additionally, his role in the upcoming sci-fi thriller Mercy will contribute to his tally, but it is the Mario sequel that might propel him closer to Saldaña’s record.
Uncertainty Surrounds Chris Pratt’s Role in Avengers: Doomsday
In December 2026, Avengers: Doomsday is set to premiere, marking the beginning of the end for Marvel’s Multiverse Saga and potentially impacting box office records. The film is expected to include a vast roster of Marvel characters, but it remains unclear whether Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord will be involved. Though Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 promised Star-Lord’s return, scheduling conflicts reportedly limited Pratt’s participation in Doomsday. However, a last-minute inclusion remains possible.
An important factor is whether Pratt’s involvement in Doomsday would count toward his “leading roles” box office total. Zoe Saldaña’s record pertains specifically to films where she is a lead or key ensemble member. Decisions about what qualifies as a lead ensemble role can be inconsistent; for example, Pratt’s role in Thor: Love and Thunder is categorized as supporting, whereas his brief appearance in Avengers: Endgame is considered a leading ensemble role. Therefore, the classification of Pratt’s part in Doomsday—if he participates—will affect his box office standing.
Robert Downey Jr. Emerges as a Potential Contender for the 2026 Top Spot
If Chris Pratt falls short of surpassing Zoe Saldaña, Robert Downey Jr. could become the year’s box office leader. Downey is confirmed to star in Avengers: Doomsday as the main villain, which guarantees his role will be considered a leading or ensemble one, ensuring the film’s earnings contribute directly to his total career gross. Currently, Downey’s worldwide lead role earnings stand at approximately $14.315 billion, with a gap of around $1.155 billion behind Saldaña.
With Doomsday due for a holiday season release, the box office competition will be relatively light. Although Avatar: Fire and Ash is still playing in theaters, it is unlikely to pass $2 billion during its remaining run, meaning Saldaña’s lead may not increase significantly. Furthermore, Saldaña’s involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe appears mostly complete, with no confirmed projects scheduled to boost her figures further in the near term. While she might return for Avatar 4 and 5, uncertainty remains regarding the timing and size of her roles in those films.
For Downey to overtake Saldaña in 2026, Avengers: Doomsday would likely need to exceed $1.2 billion, a figure comfortably achieved by every previous Avengers film. The lowest among them, Age of Ultron, grossed $1.405 billion more than ten years ago. Despite the MCU facing challenges in recent years and changes in movie-going patterns, the franchise still possesses strong drawing power. The Multiverse Saga, in particular, has produced some of Marvel’s biggest hits.
The Potential Impact of Nostalgia and Legacy Stars in Avengers: Doomsday
Only two films within the Multiverse Saga have surpassed the $1 billion mark: Spider-Man: No Way Home, which made $1.928 billion worldwide and was the first major post-pandemic blockbuster, and Deadpool & Wolverine, which earned $1.338 billion in 2024. Both succeeded by incorporating nostalgia, bringing back iconic characters such as Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Hugh Jackman. Avengers: Doomsday follows this formula by featuring beloved legacy actors like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, alongside Fox’s X-Men veterans.
The combination of legacy casting and a relatively clear holiday release window could enable Doomsday to exceed $1.2 billion easily. This would increase Downey’s career box office gross enough to challenge Saldaña, especially if she remains inactive at the box office after this year. If Saldaña retains the top spot following Doomsday, Downey’s eventual return in Avengers: Secret Wars appears poised to secure his long-term position as the leading box office champion.
With the stakes high for these actors in 2026, audiences may witness a dramatic reshuffling at the top of Hollywood’s all-time box office rankings. How well The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Avengers: Doomsday perform will be crucial in determining who ultimately claims the crown.
