Top 5 Breakout Box Office Stars of 2024

Top 5 Breakout Box Office Stars of 2024

The cinematic landscape of 2024 has introduced a dynamic array of releases, showcasing a new generation of talent that is drawing audiences back to the box office. Despite a shaky start for film profitability this year—characterized by heavy hitters such as Borderlands, The Fall Guy, and Joker 2 underperforming—there have been notable success stories driven by emerging stars.

5
Emma Corrin

Deadpool & Wolverine, Nosferatu

Emma Corrin in Deadpool & Wolverine
Emma Corrin and Chris Evans in Deadpool & Wolverine
Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova
Emma Corrin in Nosferatu
Nosferatu 2024

Emma Corrin emerges as a standout talent in 2024, even without holding the lead role in their films. Notably, they played the main antagonist in the year’s top-grossing live-action film, Deadpool & Wolverine, while also contributing significantly to the revival of Nosferatu, which is gaining traction after its Christmas release.

Corrin, who gained fame for portraying Princess Diana in the acclaimed series The Crown, has seen their career accelerate following an Emmy nomination. They are set to headline the FX series A Murder at the End of the World, signaling a promising trajectory in both supporting and leading roles.

4
Maika Monroe

Longlegs

Maika Monroe in Longlegs
Scene from Longlegs
Maika Monroe in Longlegs
Longlegs movie scene
Maika Monroe as Agent Lee Harker

Maika Monroe has made a significant impact in 2024 with the horror film Longlegs, produced by Neon. The film, which had a modest budget of less than $10 million, astonishingly grossed over $120 million globally. While Nicolas Cage’s portrayal of the villain generated buzz, it was Monroe’s performance that established her as a breakout star.

Following this success, Monroe has landed another leading role in the Neon horror film Brides, positioning her as a potential icon in the genre this decade.

3
Paul Mescal

Gladiator II

Paul Mescal in Gladiator II
Scene from Gladiator II
Gladiator II movie scene
Gladiator II
Paul Mescal in Gladiator II preparing for battle

Gladiator II made a commendable return, amassing approximately $422 million at the worldwide box office, although it did not quite reach the heights of its predecessor. Nevertheless, this performance has substantially bolstered Paul Mescal’s stature as a leading man in Hollywood. His future projects include collaborations with esteemed directors like Chloé Zhao on an upcoming film and Richard Linklater’s adaptation of Merrily We Roll Along, as well as co-starring in The History of Sound alongside Josh O’Connor.

2
Glen Powell

Anyone But You, Twisters

Glen Powell in Anyone But You
Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney in Anyone But You
Another scene from Anyone But You
Glen Powell in Hit Man
Glen Powell as Ben in Anyone But You
Glen Powell in Hit Man

Glen Powell’s ascent to prominence was practically instantaneous following his role in Top Gun: Maverick, as he began receiving offers for blockbuster opportunities. In 2024, this trajectory began to manifest, with his film Anyone But You earning around $220 million at the box office despite its December 2023 release.

Although his earlier 2024 movie, Hit Man, debuted on Netflix rather than theaters, it still found success and showcased Powell’s collaboration with acclaimed director Richard Linklater. His significant hit of the year, Twisters, surpassed expectations, grossing over $370 million globally. Though not quite at the level of Top Gun: Maverick, Powell’s trajectory suggests he will continue to be a formidable presence in Hollywood, especially with intriguing projects lined up for 2025, including a remake of Stephen King’s The Running Man.

1
Cailee Spaeny

Civil War, Alien: Romulus

Cailee Spaeny in Civil War
Cailee Spaeny in Civil War
Civil War movie scene
Cailee Spaeny in Alien: Romulus
Cailee Spaeny in Alien: Romulus holding a gun

Cailee Spaeny has firmly established herself as 2024’s box office breakout star. Following roles in acclaimed shows like Devs and Mare of Easttown, she transitioned into major film projects. Her performance in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla earned rave reviews, but 2024 marked her major breakthrough into the blockbuster realm.

Leading the cast of A24’s Civil War, which grossed approximately $124 million, Spaeny further showcased her talent. Nonetheless, her standout achievement came from Alien: Romulus, a film that not only raked in $350 million globally but also revitalized interest in an established franchise that had seen dwindling returns in recent years. Anticipation builds as Spaeny is expected to reprise her role in potential sequels and is also set to appear in the forthcoming season of the acclaimed Netflix anthology series Beef.

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