‘The Odyssey’ Star Benny Safdie Becomes 2026’s Highest Grossing Actor

The summer box office of 2026 has seen a few familiar faces dominate the scene. Matt Damon led a three-hour Greek epic to a stellar opening, while Tom Holland gears up for another Spider-Man adventure. The star power from franchise giants has kept theaters bustling throughout the year.

However, hidden within the credits of two of the year’s biggest blockbusters is a filmmaker known more for his independent dramas than for big-budget films. Benny Safdie, who gained recognition for ‘Good Time’ and ‘Uncut Gems’ alongside his brother Josh, has crafted a reputation for creating intense narratives filled with characters making questionable choices, far removed from Greek mythology or animated adventures.

This versatility has quietly led to an impressive achievement. With his supporting role in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ and his voice work in ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,’ Safdie has emerged as the highest-grossing actor of 2026.

The success of the Mario sequel significantly contributes to this milestone. ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ has surpassed 1.011 billion dollars globally, becoming the first film of the year to reach this impressive figure and continuing the franchise’s success following the original’s nearly 1.4 billion dollar gross in 2023. Safdie lends his voice to Bowser Jr., joining a talented cast that includes Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Charlie Day, along with newcomers Donald Glover and Glen Powell.

In addition, ‘The Odyssey’ adds a substantial amount to Safdie’s earnings. Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic poem has already grossed 639.6 million dollars worldwide after just two weekends in theaters, with Safdie portraying King Agamemnon among a star-studded cast featuring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya. Given the film’s strong performance, this total is expected to rise well into August.

Combining both films, Safdie’s total box office earnings for the year exceed 1.6 billion dollars, a remarkable figure for an actor whose career has primarily revolved around smaller, riskier projects. This also marks his second collaboration with Nolan, having previously portrayed physicist Edward Teller in ‘Oppenheimer,’ a role that initially caught the director’s attention for larger projects.

What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is the stark contrast between these two successful films. One is a family-friendly animated sequel designed for maximum global appeal, while the other is a three-hour R-rated exploration of war and homecoming aimed at adult audiences and cinephiles. Few actors today can claim to have credits that span such diverse genres in the same year.

Safdie has always embraced versatility. Beyond acting, he has developed a directing and writing career, most recently directing ‘The Smashing Machine,’ while also taking on prestigious supporting roles in projects like ‘Licorice Pizza’ and ‘The Curse.’ His ability to navigate between major studio productions and intimate character-driven stories appears to be paying off significantly this year.

For an actor who has spent much of his career both in front of and behind the camera, becoming the top-grossing star of 2026 is an unexpected milestone. It reflects the growing trust that major filmmakers have placed in him recently. Both Nolan and the team behind ‘Mario’ clearly recognized his potential as a central figure.

With ‘The Odyssey’ continuing to grow its global earnings and awards season buzz already surrounding Nolan’s film, Safdie’s total is likely to increase as the year progresses.

Did you anticipate Benny Safdie becoming 2026’s biggest box office draw? Share your thoughts in the comments.