Top Movie Stars: An Objective Analysis
Jul 28, 2019 21:20:25 GMT
Kirk-Picard, theycallmemrfish, and 4 more like this
Post by Good God on Jul 28, 2019 21:20:25 GMT
After the digressions in various threads to this topic, I thought this deserved a thread of its own. A place to discuss and compare the drawing power of various actors from the modern era, and perhaps also from previous eras. I'm going to start off by ranking who I think are the top Box Office draws of the modern era. And I'm not going to pull these names out of my hat. I'm going to cite the Quigley Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll (long regarded as one of the most reliable barometers of a movie star's box-office power) and international Box Office numbers to try and back up my rankings, and I welcome any corrections to the facts and figures I use. Things to note before we go ahead:
1. I'm taking the Quigley Poll (link provided at the bottom) at face value as an objective barometer of an actor's movie stardom as it's not bogged down by fanboy bias and other subjectivity. It's a result of polls taken by a wide range of movie theater owners and has been held every year from 1915-2013 (though it was only standardized in 1932).
2. The Quigley Poll was taken only among American theater owners and therefore doesn't account for overseas stardom. To that end, I am going to consider how much an actor has grossed overseas compared to the domestic market, and extrapolate their Quigley scores based on that ratio.
3. The Poll stopped being held after 2013, so this list can consider the Box Office track records of actors only until 2013. That is unless we can all agree on placements after 2013, which should be... challenging.
As a starting point, I compiled a list of the top movie stars born in or after the year 1960. I have since added the top movie stars born in the 1950s and the 1940s. Here is the current list:
1. Tom Cruise: 353 points
This is indisputable. I dare you to even try.
- 20 placements in the top 10. 3rd highest of all time.
- Average placement of 3.45. Highly impressive.
- 7 placements at #1. Highest ever, and probably the greatest peak of all.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.34. Good ratio.
2. Tom Hanks: 239 points
Probably the biggest star this side of Eastwood and that side of Cruise.
- 17 placements in the top 10. 5th highest of all time.
- Average placement of 4.65. Pretty good.
- 5 years at #1. Amazing dominance, in addition to great consistency.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.21. Decent ratio.
3. Johnny Depp: 188 points
An unexpected placement, but he did have a ridiculous high.
- 8 placements in the top 10. Relatively weak longevity.
- Average placement of 2.63. The best on this list, and the primary reason why he's ranked so high.
- 3 placements at #1. This is the ridiculous high I was talking about.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.81. The best on this list, and another reason why he's so high.
4. Leonardo DiCaprio: 157 points
The youngest actor on this list, and the one with the most potential.
- 9 placements in the top 10. The second youngest 9-time placing male actor after Tom Cruise.
- Average placement of 4.78. Pretty good.
- 0 placements at #1. Consistency beats dominance in this instance.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.80. Close to the best, and his biggest strength.
5. Julia Roberts: 156 points
The top actress on this list, and arguably of all time.
- 10 placements in the top 10. 16th highest of all time.
- Average placement of 4.20. Very good.
- 1 placement at #1. Fairly dominant at her peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.29. Decent ratio.
6. Eddie Murphy: 124 points
An all-time comedy star.
- 9 placements in the top 10. 22nd highest of all time.
- Average placement of 3.56. Very impressive, and his biggest strength.
- 1 placement at #1. Great sustained peak of 6 years.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.85. Weak ratio.
7. Arnold Schwarzenegger: 121 points
Perhaps the definitive action star of his generation.
- 7 placements in the top 10. Pretty sustained peak.
- Average placement of 3.43. Highly impressive.
- 1 year at #1. Strong peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.29. Decent ratio.
8. Harrison Ford: 121 points
Among the greatest longevities a star has ever had.
- 13 placements in the top 10. A star across 3 decades.
- Average placement of 6.23. Below average.
- 1 year at #1. Good peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.95. Mediocre ratio.
9. Sylvester Stallone: 120 points
An all-time action star.
- 8 placements in the top 10. Good longevity.
- Average placement of 4.75. Pretty good.
- 2 years at #1. Strong peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.40. Very good ratio.
10. George Clooney: 118 points
The most overrated draw of our time IMO but, again, I have to keep it objective.
- 9 placements in the top 10. Very consistent during his prime.
- Average placement of 4.78. Pretty good.
- 0 years at #1. Up there a few times, though.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.11. Average ratio.
11. Mel Gibson: 111 points
Huge star until he torpedoed his own career.
- 13 placements in the top 10. 9th highest of all time.
- Average placement of 6.69. Pretty low.
- 1 year at #1. More impressive is his great consistency.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.98. Mediocre ratio.
12. Will Smith: 111 points
Among the biggest stars of the 2000s.
- 8 placements in the top 10. Among the youngest 8-time placers.
- Average placement of 4.88. Pretty good.
- 1 year at #1. Great peak in the mid-2000s.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.26. Decent ratio.
13. Brad Pitt: 105 points
The star successor to Redford.
- 8 placements in the top 10. Among the more sporadic placers on this list.
- Average placement of 6.25. Below average.
- 1 year at #1. Good high.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.76. Staggering ratio, and his biggest strength.
14. Robin Williams: 98 points
You ain't never had a star like him.
- 9 placements in the top 10. Very good consistency.
- Average placement of 5.67. About average.
- 0 years at #1. Was up there, but no huge highs.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.04. Mediocre ratio.
15. Kevin Costner: 91 points
The descent was just as quick as the ascent.
- 6 placements in the top 10. Not enough longevity.
- Average placement of 5.50. Average.
- 1 year at #1. Good, but short-lived, peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.77. Staggering ratio, and his biggest strength.
16. Jim Carrey: 91 points
Reportedly the first actor to get a $20M paycheck upfront for a movie.
- 7 placements in the top 10. Nice consistency during his prime.
- Average placement of 4.00. Very good.
- 1 year at #1. Nice peak but his longevity isn't as good.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.85. Weak ratio.
17. Denzel Washington: 86 points
Arguably the best domestic opener in modern cinema.
- 9 placements in the top 10. Very good longevity.
- Average placement of 5.78. About average.
- 1 year at #1. Very late career peak, which is rare.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.82. Weak ratio.
18. Robert Downey Jr.: 73 points
Started placing in 2008, and didn't stop until 2013.
- 6 placements in the top 10. Great consistency since breaking out.
- Average placement of 5.83. About average.
- 0 years at #1. Up there once or twice.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.36. Good ratio.
19. John Travolta: 71 points
Not bad, Glom Gazingo.
- 7 placements in the top 10. Good longevity, but very inconsistent.
- Average placement of 5.71. About average.
- 0 years at #1. Very early peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.92. Mediocre ratio.
20. Sandra Bullock: 66 points
A late bloomer; rare for an actress.
- 6 placements in the top 10. Far between.
- Average placement of 5.00. Decent.
- 1 year at #1. Late peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.82. Weak ratio.
Sources:
Quigley Poll
Box Office
1. I'm taking the Quigley Poll (link provided at the bottom) at face value as an objective barometer of an actor's movie stardom as it's not bogged down by fanboy bias and other subjectivity. It's a result of polls taken by a wide range of movie theater owners and has been held every year from 1915-2013 (though it was only standardized in 1932).
2. The Quigley Poll was taken only among American theater owners and therefore doesn't account for overseas stardom. To that end, I am going to consider how much an actor has grossed overseas compared to the domestic market, and extrapolate their Quigley scores based on that ratio.
3. The Poll stopped being held after 2013, so this list can consider the Box Office track records of actors only until 2013. That is unless we can all agree on placements after 2013, which should be... challenging.
As a starting point, I compiled a list of the top movie stars born in or after the year 1960. I have since added the top movie stars born in the 1950s and the 1940s. Here is the current list:
1. Tom Cruise: 353 points
This is indisputable. I dare you to even try.
- 20 placements in the top 10. 3rd highest of all time.
- Average placement of 3.45. Highly impressive.
- 7 placements at #1. Highest ever, and probably the greatest peak of all.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.34. Good ratio.
2. Tom Hanks: 239 points
Probably the biggest star this side of Eastwood and that side of Cruise.
- 17 placements in the top 10. 5th highest of all time.
- Average placement of 4.65. Pretty good.
- 5 years at #1. Amazing dominance, in addition to great consistency.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.21. Decent ratio.
3. Johnny Depp: 188 points
An unexpected placement, but he did have a ridiculous high.
- 8 placements in the top 10. Relatively weak longevity.
- Average placement of 2.63. The best on this list, and the primary reason why he's ranked so high.
- 3 placements at #1. This is the ridiculous high I was talking about.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.81. The best on this list, and another reason why he's so high.
4. Leonardo DiCaprio: 157 points
The youngest actor on this list, and the one with the most potential.
- 9 placements in the top 10. The second youngest 9-time placing male actor after Tom Cruise.
- Average placement of 4.78. Pretty good.
- 0 placements at #1. Consistency beats dominance in this instance.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.80. Close to the best, and his biggest strength.
5. Julia Roberts: 156 points
The top actress on this list, and arguably of all time.
- 10 placements in the top 10. 16th highest of all time.
- Average placement of 4.20. Very good.
- 1 placement at #1. Fairly dominant at her peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.29. Decent ratio.
6. Eddie Murphy: 124 points
An all-time comedy star.
- 9 placements in the top 10. 22nd highest of all time.
- Average placement of 3.56. Very impressive, and his biggest strength.
- 1 placement at #1. Great sustained peak of 6 years.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.85. Weak ratio.
7. Arnold Schwarzenegger: 121 points
Perhaps the definitive action star of his generation.
- 7 placements in the top 10. Pretty sustained peak.
- Average placement of 3.43. Highly impressive.
- 1 year at #1. Strong peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.29. Decent ratio.
8. Harrison Ford: 121 points
Among the greatest longevities a star has ever had.
- 13 placements in the top 10. A star across 3 decades.
- Average placement of 6.23. Below average.
- 1 year at #1. Good peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.95. Mediocre ratio.
9. Sylvester Stallone: 120 points
An all-time action star.
- 8 placements in the top 10. Good longevity.
- Average placement of 4.75. Pretty good.
- 2 years at #1. Strong peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.40. Very good ratio.
10. George Clooney: 118 points
The most overrated draw of our time IMO but, again, I have to keep it objective.
- 9 placements in the top 10. Very consistent during his prime.
- Average placement of 4.78. Pretty good.
- 0 years at #1. Up there a few times, though.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.11. Average ratio.
11. Mel Gibson: 111 points
Huge star until he torpedoed his own career.
- 13 placements in the top 10. 9th highest of all time.
- Average placement of 6.69. Pretty low.
- 1 year at #1. More impressive is his great consistency.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.98. Mediocre ratio.
12. Will Smith: 111 points
Among the biggest stars of the 2000s.
- 8 placements in the top 10. Among the youngest 8-time placers.
- Average placement of 4.88. Pretty good.
- 1 year at #1. Great peak in the mid-2000s.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.26. Decent ratio.
13. Brad Pitt: 105 points
The star successor to Redford.
- 8 placements in the top 10. Among the more sporadic placers on this list.
- Average placement of 6.25. Below average.
- 1 year at #1. Good high.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.76. Staggering ratio, and his biggest strength.
14. Robin Williams: 98 points
You ain't never had a star like him.
- 9 placements in the top 10. Very good consistency.
- Average placement of 5.67. About average.
- 0 years at #1. Was up there, but no huge highs.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.04. Mediocre ratio.
15. Kevin Costner: 91 points
The descent was just as quick as the ascent.
- 6 placements in the top 10. Not enough longevity.
- Average placement of 5.50. Average.
- 1 year at #1. Good, but short-lived, peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.77. Staggering ratio, and his biggest strength.
16. Jim Carrey: 91 points
Reportedly the first actor to get a $20M paycheck upfront for a movie.
- 7 placements in the top 10. Nice consistency during his prime.
- Average placement of 4.00. Very good.
- 1 year at #1. Nice peak but his longevity isn't as good.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.85. Weak ratio.
17. Denzel Washington: 86 points
Arguably the best domestic opener in modern cinema.
- 9 placements in the top 10. Very good longevity.
- Average placement of 5.78. About average.
- 1 year at #1. Very late career peak, which is rare.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.82. Weak ratio.
18. Robert Downey Jr.: 73 points
Started placing in 2008, and didn't stop until 2013.
- 6 placements in the top 10. Great consistency since breaking out.
- Average placement of 5.83. About average.
- 0 years at #1. Up there once or twice.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 1.36. Good ratio.
19. John Travolta: 71 points
Not bad, Glom Gazingo.
- 7 placements in the top 10. Good longevity, but very inconsistent.
- Average placement of 5.71. About average.
- 0 years at #1. Very early peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.92. Mediocre ratio.
20. Sandra Bullock: 66 points
A late bloomer; rare for an actress.
- 6 placements in the top 10. Far between.
- Average placement of 5.00. Decent.
- 1 year at #1. Late peak.
- An overseas/domestic ratio of 0.82. Weak ratio.
Sources:
Quigley Poll
Box Office