The Avatar franchise recently set a new box office milestone when Avatar: Fire and Ash surpassed $1 billion, making Zoe Saldaña the highest-grossing actor ever with $15.4 billion earned worldwide in leading roles. However, Chris Pratt could soon challenge this record by the end of 2026, thanks to several upcoming high-profile releases poised to significantly boost his career box office totals.
Chris Pratt’s Growing Presence in Blockbuster Hits
Chris Pratt has established himself as a major box office draw, starring in successful franchises such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Jurassic World trilogy, with each Jurassic entry earning over $1 billion. Pratt has also lent his voice to popular animated films like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Lego Movie, both critical and commercial successes. These achievements have brought Pratt’s cumulative box office for leading roles to an impressive $14.1 billion so far in his career, placing him just behind Zoe Saldaña.
Anticipation Builds for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in 2026
One of the biggest boosts to Chris Pratt’s box office tally is expected from the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in April 2026. Coming shortly after the success of the original Super Mario Bros. Movie, which grossed $1.362 billion, the sequel is poised to either match or even exceed that figure. Universal has placed this film’s release in early April, a time slot that previously helped A Minecraft Movie achieve massive success. Excitement around this sequel is fueled by its engaging storyline and an expanded cast filled with beloved characters from the Mario universe.
If the new Mario film reaches the earnings of its predecessor, Pratt’s total box office as a lead would align closely with Saldaña’s $15.4 billion mark. Even if it falls marginally short, it would still put Pratt within striking distance of her record, making the outcome one of the most eagerly watched box office races of 2026.
Potential Impact of Avengers: Doomsday on Box Office Tallies
Additionally, Pratt might further increase his career earnings through his involvement in Avengers: Doomsday, due for release in December 2026. This film marks a pivotal moment as it begins the closing chapter of the Multiverse Saga and is expected to feature a wide array of Marvel characters. While it is uncertain if Pratt’s role as Star-Lord will be substantial in this installment due to scheduling conflicts, the possibility remains open for his late inclusion.
How Doomsday will affect Pratt’s box office total depends on whether his role qualifies as a leading or supporting part. Zoe Saldaña’s record is based on leading roles, a category that fluctuates with different films; for instance, Pratt’s appearance in Thor: Love and Thunder is classified as supporting, while his brief role in Avengers: Endgame counted as part of a lead ensemble. The final classification for Doomsday remains to be seen, but if Pratt secures a significant presence, it could give him a critical edge.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Opportunity to Reclaim Box Office Leadership
If Pratt does not surpass Saldaña in 2026, Robert Downey Jr. could seize the opportunity to become the new box office champion. Downey, who plays the main villain in Avengers: Doomsday, is guaranteed that the film’s earnings will contribute to his total for leading roles. His career box office currently stands at $14.315 billion, about $1.155 billion behind Saldaña.
Given Doomsday‘s expected box office performance during the holiday season and Saldaña’s limited upcoming projects, Downey is well-positioned to close the gap quickly. Although Avatar continues to perform well in theaters, it is unlikely to extend Saldaña’s lead enough to offset Downey’s presence in such a high-profile Marvel installment. Saldaña might return as Neytiri in possible future Avatar sequels, but their release dates and the size of her roles are still uncertain.
The Box Office Climate for Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday
For Downey to overtake Saldaña’s record this year, Avengers: Doomsday would need to exceed a gross of $1.2 billion, a benchmark surpassed by every previous Avengers film, even the lowest-grossing Age of Ultron, which made $1.405 billion over a decade ago. However, the Marvel Cinematic Universe now faces challenges adapting to changing audience habits and a shifting pop culture landscape. Despite these challenges, the Multiverse Saga has produced some of Marvel’s most successful films in recent years.
Notably, only two pieces of the Multiverse Saga have crossed the $1 billion mark: Spider-Man: No Way Home earned $1.928 billion and Deadpool & Wolverine brought in $1.338 billion. These successes capitalized on strong nostalgia factors, reintroducing iconic characters like Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Hugh Jackman, which drew audiences in large numbers. Avengers: Doomsday is expected to follow this formula by featuring key legacy actors including Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, alongside X-Men veterans from Fox’s properties. With little blockbuster competition during its release window, the film aims to surpass previous earnings and potentially secure Downey’s ascent to the top spot.
Looking Ahead: Future Records and Rivalries
Even if Downey doesn’t surpass Saldaña immediately after Doomsday, his continued involvement in upcoming Marvel projects such as Avengers: Secret Wars makes it likely he will ultimately claim the all-time box office lead. Meanwhile, fans will be watching closely to see if Chris Pratt’s 2026 releases catapult him past Saldaña as well, making for a thrilling contest among some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
