While many of these performers are amazing Oscar-nominated actors, not all of them have been recognized for their talents during awards season. However, that hasn’t stopped critics and audiences from eating up all of their projects and showing up time and again to see their works in theaters. A great cast is a huge part of a movie’s success, and landing one of these illustrious actors isn’t just good for the financial performance of a film but leads to an unforgettable final product that stands the test of time in movie history.

While it’s easy to name actors like Leonardo DiCaprio as some of the most famous performers working today, there are some performers who have subtly become huge box office draws. Almost all of these actors have worked across a wide variety of genres, introducing them to audiences of all kinds. Of course, not every single film in a performer’s filmography will appeal to all of their fans. However, this is why these actors choose to collaborate with so many different filmmakers and tackle different stories, as this broadens their horizons and brings them into contact with new viewers.

10

Leonardo DiCaprio

Known for The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

It took Leonardo DiCaprio many years to finally win his Oscar for Best Actor for The Revenant, but it’s widely agreed upon that many of his earlier roles could’ve earned him the award. Making a name for himself early on in his career with projects like тιтanic and Romeo + Juliet, DiCaprio was one of the biggest heartthrobs of the 1990s, successfully transitioning to more serious dramatic roles later in his career. Recently, DiCaprio played the horrible villainous protagonist in Killers of the Flower Moon.

Killers of the Flower Moon is only the most recent collaboration between DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese, as the actor and director have worked on many amazing projects together.

Killers of the Flower Moon is only the most recent collaboration between DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese, as the actor and director have worked on many amazing projects together. Their work on The Wolf of Wall Street was a turning point in DiCaprio’s career and has led to many unforgettable films. Thanks to his reputation and abilities, Leonardo DiCaprio has worked with some of the best directors in Hollywood history, like Scorcese, Christopher Nolan, and Steven Spielberg.

9

Tom Hanks

Known for Forrest Gump (1994)

Tom Hanks first garnered attention because of his more family-friendly roles, making it easy to forget the versatility of the actor and his more intense projects. It’s likely that Hanks will always be ᴀssociated with Forest Gump, as this movie cemented him as a star, but his work in Saving Private Ryan was what demonstrated that he’s a fantastic actor. After lending his talents to romantic comedies in the 1980s, Hanks started branching out into a variety of projects, giving audiences many amazing pieces of media.

Hanks recently lent his voice to the new TV show The Americas, but this is far from the first time Hanks has used his iconic voice for good. It’s Hanks who brings Woody to life in the Toy Story movies, and there’s no question that these classic Pixar movies wouldn’t be the same without him. Even though his recent film, Here, hasn’t received the type of acclaim his films usually achieve, this doesn’t mean we won’t see great things from Hanks soon.

8

Denzel Washington

Known for The Equalizer (2014)

As convincing as a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly ᴀssᴀssin as he is an internationally renowned political figure, it seems as if there’s no role too challenging for Denzel Washington. It was in the 1990s that Washington first rose to prominence, starring in the classic rom-com Mississippi Masala and quickly following that with his groundbreaking performance as Malcolm X in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X​​​​​​. Not only has he been in a large number of films, but they’re overwhelmingly high quality and memorable, largely thanks to Washington’s work.

In the 21st century, Washington has been part of many blockbuster action movies, like The Equalizer franchise, but this hasn’t stopped him from taking on plenty of other projects. In 2016, Washington was nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars for his role in the movie adaptation of Fences. Most recently, Washington lent his talents to Gladiator II, the blockbuster sequel that allowed Washington to lean into the high drama and intensity of the story.

7

Jackie Chan

Known for Rush Hour (1998)

Jackie Chan is famous for being a movie actor who did his own stunts as an incredibly skilled martial artist who made a name for himself with these physical skills. Chan is known for being one of the performers who helped popularize martial arts movies internationally, as he was adept at combining well-choreographed action sequences with comedy that appealed to a wide range of audiences. His influence on not just martial arts films but cinema in general can’t be overstated.

Some of his best martial arts films, like Drunken Master, helped revolutionize the genre and demonstrate how slapstick physical comedy could fit into these stories so naturally. It didn’t take long for Chan to step behind the camera and start directing his projects, as his vision as a filmmaker came through in all of his projects, even when he was only acting. Though Chan’s onscreen appearances have slowed down in recent years, seeing him is always a joy and sure to draw a crowd.

6

Meryl Streep

Known for The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

It’s difficult to single out just one movie that Meryl Streep is known for, as she’s been in so many iconic films. There’s a film of every genre for Streep fans to watch. However, for most contemporary audiences, their first introduction to Streep was her commanding performance as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. Despite this, long before she was terrorizing Anne Hathaway onscreen, Streep was making a name for herself in intense dramas like Sophie’s Choice and Kramer vs. Kramer​​​​​​.

Though Streep is one of the most recognizable actresses alive today, it’s uncanny how well she disappears into her characters onscreen and doesn’t take the audience out of the narratives.

As her career has progressed, Streep has let herself join productions that are pure fun, like the movie musicals Mamma Mia and Into The Woods. Though Streep is one of the most recognizable actresses alive today, it’s uncanny how well she disappears into her characters onscreen and doesn’t take the audience out of the narratives. With her name recognition and iconic status, casting Streep in a film all but guarantees its success.

5

Ryan Gosling

Known for Barbie (2023)

Whether he’s playing a romantic leading man, the comic relief, or a robotic replicant, Ryan Gosling provides what every role needs. In recent years, audiences have ᴀssociated Gosling with Ken, his character in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, a fun but poignant role that Gosling put his heart and soul into. However, for a long time, Gosling was defined by the romance movies he starred in, as The Notebook and La La Land were two of his biggest projects.

However, Gosling has also been right at home within the action genre. As a stunt person in both Drive and The Fall Guy, Gosling is able to be strong and silent as well as satirical and charming. Though Gosling has never shied away from taking part in smaller, independent projects, these have only furthered his skill as an actor, which he brings to his blockbuster roles. No matter what kind of movies audiences are interested in, Gosling has something for everyone.

4

Michelle Yeoh

Known for Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)

Though Supercop 2 was one of the first blockbusters that introduced Michelle Yeoh to international audiences, her work in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon cemented her as a global star for the ages. Later in her career, Yeoh started to receive the recognition she deserved, earning an Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the action fantasy film Everything Everywhere All At Once​​​​​​. However, this doesn’t make her early work any less worth watching, as it demonstrates her amazing skills as a martial artist.

Her work in the recent movie musical adaptation of Wicked showed a new side of Yeoh that we can’t wait to see more of. ​​​​​​​

Michelle Yeoh’s best movies span many decades and genres, as she began primarily in the action world but has now taken on sci-fi, rom-coms, comedies, and much more. A large part of her recent acclaim is thanks to Everything Everywhere All At Once, but fans of Yeoh who have been following her for a long time know that she’s always been part of iconic pieces of cinema. Her work in the recent movie musical adaptation of Wicked showed a new side of Yeoh that we can’t wait to see more of.

3

Keke Palmer

Known for Nope (2022)

Keke Palmer has been a working actress from a young age, first capturing our hearts with her standout performance in Akeelah and the Bee when she was just a child. However, even then, it was clear that Palmer was a unique talent that viewers and critics should be watching, and she’s only cemented this fact in recent years. With her humor and charisma that seeps off the screen every time she steps into the frame, Palmer shines in roles that allow her to flex her comedic muscles, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t moving in her dramatic works.

Her collaboration with Jordan Peele on Nope showed both sides of Palmer, and while her recent movie, One of Them Days, is more of a pure comedy, Palmer doesn’t lack any emotional depth. When a film announces that Palmer is going to be part of the cast, the audience can rest ᴀssured that, at the very least, she’ll be a highlight of their experience at the movies. It will be exciting to keep seeing more from Palmer as she enters the next phase of her career.

2

Emma Stone

Known for Poor Things (2023)

Watching Emma Stone evolve as an actress and later a producer over the years has been a pleasure that legions of audience members have enjoyed. From her early work in teen comedies like Superbad and Easy A to her recent collaborations with the director Yorgos Lanthimos that earned her her second Oscar for Best Actress, Stone’s love for cinema pours out in all of her work. Every character she takes on comes alive through her work, and it’s clear that she puts her heart and soul into every film she works on.

Though her projects have become more experimental in recent years, this hasn’t stopped her longtime fans from following her progress and enjoying the new direction she’s been taking.

Though her projects have become more experimental in recent years, this hasn’t stopped her longtime fans from following her progress and enjoying the new direction she’s been taking. Poor Things was a step outside her comfort zone, but she captured the viewers’ hearts and minds with her raw, vulnerable performance as Bella Baxter. As she continues her work behind the camera with her production company, Fruit Tree, it’s likely that this will only elevate her contributions onscreen.

1

Samuel L. Jackson

Known for The Avengers (2012)

Though contemporary viewers might know Samuel L. Jackson for his contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this is far from the only blockbuster franchise he’s been a part of. From playing Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequels to giving an unforgettable performance in Pulp Fiction, Jackson has been demonstrating his versatility for years. While the actor has frequently been willing to lend his skills to smaller projects, it’s because of these huge roles that he’s such a box-office draw.

Jackson has frequently played against type, successfully allowing the audience to see him as a hero, a villain, and a morally ambiguous figure with equal success. Playing Nick Fury was the culmination of years of amazing work in Hollywood. He always lends his skills to projects everyone wants to see. There’s no question that Jackson uses his pull for good, as he works with new and interesting directors and visionary filmmakers who push him. However, this doesn’t stop him from joining projects that are just downright fun.