Who is the biggest movie star of all time?

[OJ Simpsom]

Pacino, De Niro, Leo, Clooney, Pitt all >>>> Cruise

 

[threattonature]

If we're taking into account various factors, such as carrying top movies and/or a franchise, being recognized by damn near every one, doing it for decades, having blockbusters AND films for the cinephiles, it might be Tom Cruise.

I mean Top Gun came out 35 years ago and he's still on top of the game whenever a movie with him comes out. No one outside the blockbuster crowd cares about The Rock, Samuel L Jackson might have done too many movies where he wasn't the clear-cut star to be considered in the same category, Leo seems to have peaked early in the general perception (and is still seen for some as "the guy from Titanic", blessing and a curse), Keanu could've been higher if The Matrix trilogy didn't fukk up, Will had that but also seems to have done a couple movies people didn't really like/care for. Denzel is huge, but I feel something is missing in his filmograghy to be closer to Cruise

To steal the advanced metrics of other sports I always judge the stars off of what I think their sales above replacement actor would be. Cruise has had more movies than anyone in my opinion of where people show up to really watch Cruise be Cruise regardless of story to where if you replace him with not as big of a name the movies would probably tank. A lot of the higher grossing box office stars have padded that resume with comic book movies or franchises like Star Wars where if they weren't in the movie they'd probably not lose much to any money. I think Will was strong in that area as well and is who I have probably behind Cruise.

 

[B.drizzle]

I think Denzel is missing a bonafide hit franchise. The most he has is a sequel. Not a character who the audience has watched grow over years.

Bruce Willis had die hard.
Arnold has terminator.
Cruise has the mi series.
Ford has a couple.
Will smith had mib.
Sly has rambo/rocky.
Keanu has wick/matrix.
A few people were able to attach themselves as part of the godfather franchise.
Eddie Murphy is in the shrek cartel.
Sam has attached himself to enough franchises to get by.
John Wayne and clint Eastwood locked up a niche to where every western was essentially part of their franchise and same character. A reluctant gunslinger forced to fight for justice. Same character over time.

Leo also falls short because of this.