10 Biggest Box Office Stars of the ’90s

The 1990s delivered some of the biggest movies in Hollywood history, thanks to a lineup of stars who kept audiences coming back to theaters. From action heroes and comedy legends to award-winning dramatic actors, these performers headlined many of the decade’s highest-grossing films and became household names in the process. Here’s a look at 13 of the biggest box office stars of the ’90s and the movies that helped define an era.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts is one of Hollywood’s most beloved leading ladies. Her breakout in Pretty Woman became a massive box-office hit that brought in over $460 million worldwide and helped establish her as a top leading lady, as reported by Variety.

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson delivered one of the most memorable performances of his career as William Wallace in Braveheart. The historical epic was a box office success, earning $75.5 million in the US following its 1995 release, according to Rotten Tomatoes.

Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis redefined the action hero with his rugged charm and quick wit, becoming an action icon through the Die Hard franchise. According to IMDb, the first film in the series alone grossed approximately $143.7 million worldwide.

Jeff Goldblum

Jeff Goldblum became one of the biggest box office draws of the ’90s with standout roles in two of the decade’s biggest blockbusters. After captivating audiences as Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park, he starred as scientist David Levinson in the 1996 smash hit Independence Day, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise defined what it meant to be a blockbuster movie star, headlining hit after hit and becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest box office draws. His savvy business decisions matched his on-screen success. Opting for profit participation instead of a large upfront salary on Mission: Impossible II reportedly earned him around $100 million from the film alone, according to Variety.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson‘s commanding voice and fierce performances made him one of the most recognized actors of his generation. His popularity has only grown over the years, and according to Guinness World Records, his films have earned $14.61 billion worldwide, making him the highest-grossing actor of all time.

Bill Paxton

Bill Paxton became a familiar face in some of the biggest blockbusters of the era, winning audiences over with his everyman charm and memorable performances. According to Biography.com, he starred in several of the decade’s biggest hits, including Apollo 13, Tombstone, Twister, and Titanic.

Joe Pesci

Joe Pesci was a major box office draw thanks to his standout roles in some of the biggest films of the era. From Home Alone and My Cousin Vinny to Goodfellas, he proved equally at home in comedy and crime dramas. His performance as Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, he accepted the Oscar with a five-word speech that became one of the shortest in the ceremony’s history.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey became one of Hollywood’s biggest box office stars thanks to his larger-than-life comedic performances and unforgettable screen presence. In 1994 alone, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber combined to earn more than $700 million worldwide, according to The Ringer.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks became one of Hollywood’s biggest box office stars with hit films like Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Apollo 13, and Toy Story. In addition to dominating the box office, he earned widespread acclaim for his performances. According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Hanks won an Oscar for Best Actor for his role in Forrest Gump.

This story 10 Biggest Box Office Stars of the ’90s first appeared on Closer Weekly. Follow Closer Weekly on Yahoo so you don’t miss what’s coming next.