Written by The action genre’s biggest stars have given some of the biggest hits Hollywood has ever seen, and some actors like Tom Cruise have literally saved cinema with their contributions. The action genre is extremely popular in Hollywood and abroad. Jackie Chan began his career in China and then became internationally recognized as an action star.
These stars have given their all for the films they starred in. From performing their own stunts to risking their lives to entertain their audiences, stars such as Chan, Cruise, and more have done it all. And the fans have responded with love equally, giving them some of their biggest box office hits.
Here are the biggest box office hits of Hollywood action legends, ranked from lowest to highest.
[All figures mentioned here are reported as of June 12, 2026]
10. Sylvester Stallone – The Expendables 2
Box Office – $314.9 Million
Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables 2 | Credits: Lionsgate
Though Sylvester Stallone had cameos in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, which have collectively earned more than $1 billion, making them his highest-grossing films, his biggest hit as a true headliner is The Expendables 2. The 2012 actioner reunited Stallone with Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, Dolph Lundgren, and Jean-Claude Van Damme for a nostalgia-driven action romp.
The sequel grossed $314.9 million worldwide on a budget of $100 million (via Box Office Mojo). It outperformed the original Expendables and remains Stallone’s top commercial result as a lead, ahead of Rocky IV ($300 million) and the Rambo franchise’s $300 million-plus entries.
9. Jackie Chan – The Karate Kid
Box Office – $359.1 Million
Jackie Chan in The Karate Kid | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing
Jackie Chan has been in the industry for more than six decades. He has been awarded the honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement and has become an international star. Chan has directed several action film trilogies and blended martial arts with comedy, making it palatable to the international audience.
However, his highest-grossing film is the 2010 reboot of The Karate Kid, co-starring Jaden Smith. The film earned $359.1 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo) and became a sensational hit. The core concept is inspired by the 1984 martial arts movie starring Ralph Macchio and William Zabka. The two universes merged with Karate Kid Legends.
8. Arnold Schwarzenegger – Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Box Office – $520.8 Million
Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgement Day | Credits: Tri-Star Pictures
Arnold Schwarzenegger became one of the biggest action stars in Hollywood in the ‘80s, with only Stallone coming close to him. The Terminator franchise is one of the major reasons why he became so big, with the second film, T2: Judgement Day, being considered one of the greatest action films of all time.
James Cameron’s sequel is known for its impressive CGI, which still looks incredible despite being shot in the ‘90s. It is Schwarzenegger’s highest-grossing film so far, which says something about the type of projects he has chosen after (no shade). T2 earned $520.8 million at the box office (via The Numbers).
7. Bruce Willis – Armageddon
Box Office – $553.7 Million
Bruce Willis in Armageddon | Credits: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Bruce Willis became an action star with Die Hard. But Armageddon gave him his biggest hit. The interstellar action film saw Willis as an oil driller tasked with drilling into an asteroid and stopping it from hitting Earth. It is one of Michael Bay’s more ridiculous movies, but it was a blockbuster. It earned $553.7 million (via Box Office Mojo) and is Willis’ highest-grossing movie.
6. Keanu Reeves – The Matrix Reloaded
Box Office – $741.8 Million
Keanu Reeves in The Matrix Reloaded | Credits: Warner Bros.
Keanu Reeves’ John Wick franchise has been a critical darling, but his biggest financial hit remains The Matrix Reloaded. Released in 2003, the sci-fi sequel exceeded all expectations on a $150 million budget, earning $281.6 million domestically and $460.2 million internationally for a $741.8 million total (via Box Office Mojo).
It dramatically outpaced both the original The Matrix ($472 million) and The Matrix Revolutions ($427 million), making it the highest-grossing entry in the trilogy and Reeves’ biggest live-action leading role to date (via The Numbers). However, the film is not up to the mark critically, and the final film, Resurrection, again did not match up to the quality of the original.
5. Jason Statham – Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
Box Office – $760.7 Million
Jason Statham in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw | Credits: Universal Pictures
Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw has appeared in several billion-dollar Fast & Furious films, but those were ensemble pieces. His biggest hit as a true co-lead is Hobbs & Shaw, the franchise’s first spinoff, which paired him with Dwayne Johnson.
The film earned $760.7 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo). Statham had headlined several action films, including Guy Ritchie’s films like Wrath of Man and Snatch, and even the action film series, Transporter. But none have earned as much as the Fast & Furious spinoff.
4. Dwayne Johnson – Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Box Office – $962.5 Million
The cast of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing
Dwayne Johnson is one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, but he has yet to headline a solo franchise that grossed a billion dollars. While he plays Luke Hobbs in the Fast & Furious franchise, where there are some billion-dollar films, his headliner remains Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which earned $962.5 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo).
3. Will Smith – Aladdin
Box Office – $1.04 Billion
Will Smith in Aladdin | Credits: Disney
Will Smith is one of the most popular stars in the world. He has starred in commercial blockbusters like Men in Black, Independence Day, I, Robot, and more. But his Disney remake, Aladdin, remains his highest-grossing film, earning over $1.04 billion at the box office (via The Numbers).
Smith plays the genie, replacing Robin Williams’ iconic performance in the animated films. The actor is pretty good and brings the energy, but is not a true replacement for the original genius. Still, it was a blockbuster, and Disney continued to make more ill-fated live-action remakes.
2. Tom Cruise – Top Gun: Maverick
Box Office – $1.5 Billion
Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick | Credits: Paramount Pictures
Tom Cruise saved cinema with Top Gun: Maverick and still came in second place on this list (which is why sometimes numbers should not matter). The sequel to his 1986 aviation film was released after the COVID-19 pandemic, but got audiences back to the cinemas. It was nominated for Best Picture and earned over $1.5 billion at the box office (via Box Office Mojo).
1. Vin Diesel – Furious 7
Box Office – $1.51 Billion
Paul Walker and Vin Diesel in Furious 7 | Credits: Universal Pictures
It is crazy to think that Vin Diesel tops the list when there are far more legendary action heroes here. But that is how the numbers game works. Diesel’s actual highest-grossing film is Avengers: Endgame, where he played Groot. But he is just one in a large ensemble cast, and that does not count.
Diesel’s Furious 7, which was the last film that starred Paul Walker before his untimely death, earned $1.51 billion at the box office (via Box Office Mojo). The action franchise has consistently been a box-office earner, and hence, multiple sequels are more ridiculous than the last. Furious 7 is better than some of the movies that came after, though.
RankActorMovieBox OfficeRotten Tomatoes (as of June 12, 2026) – Tomatometer | PopcornmeterIMDb1Vin DieselFurious 7$1.51 Billion81% | 82%7.1/102Tom CruiseTop Gun: Maverick$1.5 Billion96% | 99%8.2/103Will SmithAladdin$1.04 Billion57% | 94%6.9/104Dwayne JohnsonJumanji: Welcome to the Jungle$962.5 Million76% | 87%6.9/105Jason StathamFast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw$760.7 Million67% | 88%6.4/106Keanu ReevesThe Matrix Reloaded$741.8 Million74% | 72%7.2/107Bruce WillisArmageddon$553.7 Million42% | 73%6.7/108Arnold SchwarzeneggerTerminator 2: Judgement Day$520.8 Million90% | 95%8.6/109Jackie ChanThe Karate Kid$359.1 Million67% | 67%6.3/1010Sylvester StalloneThe Expendables 2$314.9 Million68% | 67%6.6/10
Which action blockbuster do you think is the best one on the list? Comment below.
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