The Town with Matthew Belloni
A Revealing Ranking of the Biggest Movie Stars: Tom Holland's Surprise Rise, Zendaya’s Stronghold, and Glen Powell’s Struggle
May 7, 2025
In this discussion, Matt is joined by Ray Subers, a senior VP of theatrical strategy at the National Research Group, known for his insights into movie star appeal. They reveal surprising trends in star rankings, highlighting Tom Holland's unexpected rise and Glen Powell's struggles in the industry. The conversation delves into why Gen Z adores Adam Sandler and The Rock, and Zendaya's ascent to near the top 10. They also explore the impact of nostalgia, awards campaigning, and recency bias on star power in today's theatrical landscape.
33:26
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Quick takeaways
- The current movie star landscape reveals a troubling trend where older actors dominate rankings, indicating difficulties for younger stars to break through.
- Zendaya's rise among movie stars showcases the impact of strategic marketing, nostalgia, and cultural moments in shaping audience preferences.
Deep dives
Current State of Movie Stars
Younger actors are struggling to gain traction as movie stars, with Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise, and The Rock being among the top ten most wanted by audiences to see in theaters. An interesting trend shows that many meaningful movie stars are older, with the majority in their 50s or 60s, and there are no women in the top ranks, highlighting a significant gap in gender representation. The highest-ranked actress is Scarlett Johansson, sitting at number 11, while Zendaya is the only under-40 star making waves. The data suggests that nostalgia for classic movie stars influences audience preferences in today's cinema landscape.
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