The Most Influential Actors of the 2020s
The 2020s have seen a surge of standout performances across film and television, with actors leading global box-office runs, anchoring prestige dramas, and crossing over into streaming phenomena. Below is a fact-focused snapshot of male actors whose work has defined the decade so far—through awards, milestone roles, franchise leadership, and notable creative pivots into directing, producing, or stage. Each entry highlights concrete achievements and credits from this period, spanning Hollywood, Europe, and Asia, and covering both theatrical releases and major streaming hits.
Cillian Murphy
Cillian Murphy headlined Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ and received major industry awards for his performance, including the Academy Award for Best Actor. He has continued his long-running collaboration with Nolan and sustained international visibility after ‘Peaky Blinders’. His work prompted significant increases in interest in historical and scientific subject matter across media tie-ins and exhibitions. Murphy also maintains a global press presence with wide-ranging interviews and festival appearances tied to awards-season campaigns.
Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. earned the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in ‘Oppenheimer’. The performance marked a shift from his long tenure in the Marvel franchise to a major prestige ensemble. He has balanced film with limited-series work, expanding his presence on streaming platforms as a producer and actor. Downey’s post-franchise choices have drawn strong guild recognition and renewed critical attention.
Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling starred in ‘Barbie’ and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His musical performance from the film drove significant cultural reach, including a widely viewed live awards-show rendition. Gosling also leads high-profile action and thriller projects on streaming and in theaters, extending his audience across demographics. He remains an in-demand host and performer for major televised events and award ceremonies.
Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal led the hit series ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Last of Us’, earning top-tier awards nominations. Those roles anchored two of the decade’s most-discussed genre shows, spanning space western and post-apocalyptic drama. Pascal’s convention and festival appearances underscore sustained fan engagement across gaming, sci-fi, and prestige TV communities. He continues to join large ensemble films, widening his footprint beyond television.
Austin Butler
Austin Butler received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for ‘Elvis’. Following that breakout, he joined major ensemble films and franchises, transitioning from music biopic to action and drama. Butler’s press tours reached international markets, elevating his profile in Europe and Asia. He has become a frequent presence at top festivals and guild events tied to major studio releases.
Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser won the Academy Award for Best Actor for ‘The Whale’, marking a major career resurgence. He followed with roles in high-visibility films from acclaimed directors and studio projects. Fraser’s return included significant festival recognition and widespread media coverage highlighting his path back to leading roles. He also participates in charitable and industry events, strengthening his public profile beyond screen work.
Ke Huy Quan
Ke Huy Quan won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’. His comeback generated extensive media attention and industry goodwill, opening doors to franchise and streaming roles. He has appeared at numerous fan conventions and global premieres, expanding his audience reach. Quan’s success has been cited in discussions about representation and career longevity in Hollywood.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio starred in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’, earning major awards nominations for his performance. He continues long-term collaborations with top directors and regularly appears in large-scale dramas. DiCaprio’s films maintain strong global distribution with robust festival campaigns. He also supports environmental initiatives and documentary projects, keeping a steady presence in public discourse.
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise led ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, which became one of the highest-grossing films of the decade and helped reinvigorate theatrical attendance. He continues to star in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise, known for extensive practical stunts and international location work. Cruise’s global press tours and fan events are notable for their scale and reach. He maintains strong relationships with exhibitors, often emphasizing the cinematic experience.
Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson headlined ‘The Batman’, launching a new iteration of the character and a broader universe of related projects. He has balanced franchise work with auteur-driven films, maintaining credibility across commercial and independent cinema. Pattinson’s casting choices often lead to festival premieres and critical spotlights. He collaborates with fashion and luxury brands, extending influence beyond screen roles.
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix returned to his comic-book role in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ and took the lead in historical epic ‘Napoleon’. He frequently partners with auteur filmmakers across psychological drama and experimental storytelling. Phoenix’s projects often drive conversation around performance method and character transformation. His releases attract international media coverage and strong festival interest.
Adam Driver
Adam Driver starred in ‘House of Gucci’ and ‘Ferrari’, continuing his run of collaborations with major directors. He alternates between prestige drama and franchise work, maintaining a steady presence at Venice, Cannes, and other top festivals. Driver’s stage background and film versatility draw consistent awards attention. He also participates in arts-education initiatives and veteran-support programs tied to performance.
Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington earned major nominations for ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ while continuing to lead action-thriller releases. He has also produced stage and screen projects spotlighting classic and contemporary playwrights. Washington’s films regularly secure wide theatrical distribution and strong home-viewing afterlives. He remains a staple of awards-season conversations and lifetime-achievement honors.
Daniel Kaluuya
Daniel Kaluuya won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’. He has since led genre films like ‘Nope’ and contributed voice work to acclaimed animation. Kaluuya also produces, supporting emerging storytellers and underrepresented voices. His projects frequently appear at major festivals and perform strongly on streaming platforms.
Riz Ahmed
Riz Ahmed received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for ‘Sound of Metal’ and later won an Academy Award for the short ‘The Long Goodbye’. He develops and produces work through his company, fostering British and global talent. Ahmed frequently addresses representation and access in the industry through initiatives and thought-leadership. His music and spoken-word projects expand his profile beyond acting.
Dev Patel
Dev Patel made his feature directorial debut with ‘Monkey Man’, in which he also starred and produced. The film’s release sparked notable discussions about independent action filmmaking and international financing. Patel continues to bridge UK, US, and Indian markets through varied roles and collaborations. His press and festival appearances have emphasized craft, stunt work, and new-filmmaker pathways.
Steven Yeun
Steven Yeun starred in the limited series ‘Beef’, earning top awards for his performance. He continues to work across independent features and large-scale genre projects. Yeun’s bilingual and cross-cultural career supports distribution in North America and Asia. He also produces, helping develop stories with Asian and Asian-American perspectives.
Jeremy Strong
Jeremy Strong earned an Emmy for ‘Succession’ and later won a Tony Award for ‘An Enemy of the People’. His television work fueled robust streaming engagement and social-media conversation around serialized drama. Strong’s stage success broadened his awards footprint beyond screen roles. He collaborates with prestige filmmakers on feature projects that tour the festival circuit.
Kieran Culkin
Kieran Culkin won the Emmy and Golden Globe for ‘Succession’ in its final season. His performance anchored a global audience for a high-profile premium-cable and streaming drama. Culkin’s media rounds and award speeches amplified the show’s cultural footprint. He continues to appear in festival-bound films and ensemble projects.
Tom Holland
Tom Holland led ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, a major global box-office event with extensive re-release interest. He has expanded into drama and limited-series work, diversifying beyond superhero roles. Holland’s stage and live appearances keep a strong connection to UK and international audiences. He remains central to franchise planning and promotional tours across continents.
Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan directed and starred in ‘Creed III’, marking a high-profile directing debut while continuing as a leading actor. He has executive-produced film and television projects that spotlight new voices. Jordan’s franchise work spans sports drama and comic-book adaptations with sustained global appeal. He maintains brand partnerships and philanthropic initiatives that extend his reach.
Barry Keoghan
Barry Keoghan received an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ and later headlined ‘Saltburn’. He often selects roles in provocative dramas and stylized thrillers that tour major festivals. Keoghan has joined franchise and auteur projects, balancing mainstream and independent work. His coverage in fashion and culture publications underscores a broad public profile.
Andrew Scott
Andrew Scott earned widespread recognition for ‘All of Us Strangers’, collecting nominations from major awards bodies. He continues to work across film, television, and stage, including celebrated theatre runs. Scott’s projects frequently appear at European festivals and secure global distribution. His roles span romance, thriller, and literary adaptations, supporting steady international visibility.
Lee Jung-jae
Lee Jung-jae led ‘Squid Game’, becoming the first Asian actor to win the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for that role. The series drove global streaming records and extensive cross-market merchandising. Lee has since joined major franchise films and continued work in Korean cinema. His appearances at international events strengthened the global presence of Korean content.
Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan headlined ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Jawan’, which delivered record-setting box-office results in India and strong overseas performance. His releases revitalized theatrical momentum in key markets and expanded day-and-date global rollouts. Khan’s promotional campaigns leveraged multilingual outreach and social platforms to reach diverse audiences. He remains active in production, endorsements, and philanthropic initiatives that keep a year-round media presence.
Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet led Denis Villeneuve’s two-part adaptation of ‘Dune’, driving a major resurgence of large-scale literary sci-fi on the big screen. He followed with the family-audience hit ‘Wonka’, expanding his reach into musical fantasy. Chalamet’s film choices pair franchise visibility with collaborations alongside award-winning directors and ensembles. He supports wide international press tours and premieres that sustain momentum across theatrical and streaming windows.
Paul Mescal
Paul Mescal earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Aftersun’, establishing him as a leading figure among rising European actors. He has moved into large-scale historical drama with ‘Gladiator II’ while maintaining a steady presence in independent cinema. Mescal’s earlier breakout in the limited series ‘Normal People’ helped build a global fanbase that follows his stage and screen work. He frequently appears at major festivals, balancing studio productions with auteur-driven projects.
Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Bayard Rustin in ‘Rustin’. He has delivered prominent television work in ‘Euphoria’ and led Broadway and regional theatre productions as an actor, writer, and director. Domingo’s career spans independent films, studio musicals like ‘The Color Purple’, and high-profile streaming releases. He also produces and mentors developing talent through workshops and industry programs.
Jeremy Allen White
Jeremy Allen White’s turn as Carmen Berzatto in ‘The Bear’ earned top honors from major awards bodies. The series significantly boosted interest in culinary storytelling and hospitality-centered narratives on television. White transitioned to film with ‘The Iron Claw’, bringing attention to sports-drama portrayals rooted in real events. His work includes extensive press and festival engagements that broadened the show’s global reach.
Mahershala Ali
Mahershala Ali continued his acclaimed run with the intimate sci-fi drama ‘Swan Song’ and voice roles in animation tied to comic-book universes. He remains attached to lead Marvel’s forthcoming ‘Blade’, shaping anticipation around a legacy character. Ali regularly produces and narrates documentary projects that intersect with social issues and cultural history. His profile includes frequent speaking engagements and recognition across film, television, and audio storytelling.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II headlined the horror revival ‘Candyman’ and joined major franchises with ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’. He expanded into high-octane action with ‘Ambulance’, demonstrating range across genres. Abdul-Mateen also works on stage and limited series, adding prestige TV credentials to his film résumé. His projects consistently roll out with global marketing campaigns and convention appearances.
Mads Mikkelsen
Mads Mikkelsen starred in ‘Another Round’, which achieved widespread festival success and international awards recognition. He entered the Wizarding World franchise with ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ and later portrayed the antagonist in ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’. Mikkelsen frequently headlines European productions that travel to Cannes, Venice, and Toronto. His cross-market appeal supports strong distribution across both arthouse and mainstream circuits.
Simu Liu
Simu Liu led Marvel’s ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’, bringing a new hero to the center of a global franchise. He reached additional audiences through the ensemble of ‘Barbie’, one of the decade’s most-seen studio releases. Liu’s public outreach includes multilingual promotion and community events that connect North American and Asian markets. He continues to develop film and television projects as an actor, author, and producer.
Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill anchored the fantasy series ‘The Witcher’, becoming one of streaming’s most recognizable genre leads. He shifted into globe-trotting spy action with ‘Argylle’, continuing his association with large-scale commercial filmmaking. Cavill maintains a strong presence in gaming adaptations and fan-driven franchises through appearances and partnerships. His casting announcements often generate broad entertainment-news coverage and sustained online engagement.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal’s action remake ‘Road House’ drew significant streaming viewership and extensive media attention around its release. He teamed with Michael Bay for ‘Ambulance’ and led the single-location thriller ‘The Guilty’. Gyllenhaal’s choices blend studio action with character-centric dramas that tour major festivals. He also produces, guiding adaptations and original material across film and limited series.
Paul Dano
Paul Dano portrayed the Riddler in ‘The Batman’, contributing to a successful reboot of the character’s cinematic universe. He followed with key roles in ‘The Fabelmans’ and the finance-world drama ‘Dumb Money’. Dano’s work spans acting, directing, and screenwriting, with earlier credits informing his approach to complex character studies. He collaborates frequently with acclaimed filmmakers and participates in industry panels on storytelling craft.
Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir Kapoor delivered a top-grossing performance in ‘Animal’, sparking extensive discussion around its narrative choices and soundtrack. He also led the visual-effects-driven epic ‘Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva’, designed as the foundation for an interconnected film universe. Kapoor’s releases benefit from broad distribution across India and strong overseas markets. His promotional tours leverage multi-language campaigns and music-led marketing.
Song Kang-ho
Song Kang-ho won Best Actor at Cannes for ‘Broker’, adding a major festival honor to an already decorated career. He starred in aviation thriller ‘Emergency Declaration’ and the industry satire ‘Cobweb’, underscoring his range across tone and genre. Song remains a central figure in Korean cinema whose titles secure global festival slots and international releases. His work continues to bridge domestic box office and arthouse audiences worldwide.
Gael García Bernal
Gael García Bernal headlined the biographical wrestling drama ‘Cassandro’, earning strong notices at festivals and on streaming. He entered the Marvel fold with the special presentation ‘Werewolf by Night’, expanding into genre storytelling. Bernal maintains a consistent presence in Spanish- and English-language projects across the Americas and Europe. He also produces, supporting filmmaker-driven features through established partnerships.
John Boyega
John Boyega led the retro-stylish sci-fi caper ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ and delivered a tense performance in ‘Breaking’. His earlier turn in the anthology ‘Small Axe’ earned major television awards recognition and bolstered his dramatic profile. Boyega frequently appears at fan conventions and film festivals, engaging audiences across blockbuster and independent spaces. He continues to develop projects through his production company, emphasizing new voices and perspectives.
Share who you would add to this combined lineup—and why—in the comments.
