The Last True Movie Stars Still Dominating the Box Office

When it comes to wrestlers-turned-movie stars, there’s none as prolific or successful as Dwayne Johnson. From his early days as an actor, audiences were captivated by Johnson’s charm, physique, and range. Over the years, Johnson’s cinematic presence has been reinvented countless times, with the star leading hardcore, solo-led action films, family-friendly comedies, and large-scale franchise projects.

Today, he’s best known for his ensemble pieces, which many might think is a sign of Johnson’s self-awareness, at least in terms of his acting talent. But the truth is, Johnson has always been someone who can come in and reinvigorate an already existing franchise, thanks to the fanbase he’s built. The “Fast and Furious” series, for example, saw considerable growth when Johnson joined it in “Fast Five.” To put into perspective how pronounced Johnson’s introduction was, “Fast Five” saw a whopping 75% increase in financial receipts over its Rock-less predecessor. And even though the franchise has faltered slightly in recent years, his “Hobbs & Shaw” flick made a brilliant $760 million.

Even when we move beyond franchise fare and into his more solo efforts, there are a bunch of winners in the megastar’s filmography. Consider the 2015 disaster thriller “San Andreas,” which brought home a massive $456 million, or Johnson’s “Die Hard” riff, “Skyscraper,” which made over $300 million. Many might point to some of Johnson’s recent misfires, most notably in the form of DC’s “Black Adam,” which had a showing of $390 million — a mediocre sum for a superhero flick. However, looking at DC’s recent string of disastrous bombs, it’s obvious that audiences showed up in droves for his performance even as the DCEU was dying.

With his unique ability to breathe new life into franchises and attract audiences to standalone projects, Dwayne Johnson has established himself as a veritable force in Hollywood. Whether he’s playing a hardened action hero, a lovable comedic lead, or a significant franchise character, Johnson’s star power is undeniable. Despite a few missteps, his overall box office track record speaks volumes about his widespread appeal. He can draw crowds to theaters, contributing significantly to the financial success of every project he’s involved in.

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