Who Tops the List? Ranking the Most Powerful Film Actors of Our Time

From intense character roles to unforgettable performances — here are the 19 most impressive actors in the world, ranked by pure cinematic power.

19. Charlize Theron

• Born: August 7, 1975

• Age: 49

• Powerful and convincing — but fewer iconic roles than others on the list.

18. Scarlett Johansson

• Born: November 22, 1984

• Age: 40

• Strong in both action and drama — still evolving as a character actress.

17. Kate Winslet

• Born: October 5, 1975

• Age: 49

• Outstanding in Titanic and The Reader — emotional and authentic.

16. Emma Stone

• Born: November 6, 1988

• Age: 36

• A modern star — Oscar winner for La La Land, with a strong upward trajectory.

15. Julia Roberts

• Born: October 28, 1967

• Age: 57

• Beloved for her charisma — powerful in Erin Brockovich.

14. Brad Pitt

• Born: December 18, 1963

• Age: 61

• More than just a pretty face — Fight Club and Once Upon a Time… show real depth.

13. Nicole Kidman

• Born: June 20, 1967

• Age: 57

• Strong and versatile — The Hours and Big Little Lies.

12. Christian Bale

• Born: January 30, 1974

• Age: 51

• A master of transformation — The Machinist, Vice, and The Dark Knight.

11. Tom Hanks

• Born: July 9, 1956

• Age: 69

• America’s actor — heartfelt and relatable in Forrest Gump and Philadelphia.

10. Joaquin Phoenix

• Born: October 28, 1974

• Age: 50

• Driven by deep character work — Joker and Walk the Line show his range.

9. Anthony Hopkins

• Born: December 31, 1937

• Age: 87

• Legendary intensity — The Silence of the Lambs, The Father.

8. Denzel Washington

• Born: December 28, 1954

• Age: 70

• Powerful, uncompromising, precise — Training Day, Glory.

7. Robert De Niro

• Born: August 17, 1943

• Age: 81

• One of the greats — Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, The Irishman

6. Cate Blanchett

• Born: May 14, 1969

• Age: 56

• Elegant and razor-sharp — Blue Jasmine, TÁR, Carol.

5. Meryl Streep

• Born: June 22, 1949

• Age: 74

• Most Oscar nominations of all time — a master of character work.

4. Leonardo DiCaprio

• Born: November 11, 1974

• Age: 50

• Emotional and magnetic — The Revenant, The Wolf of Wall Street

3. Natalie Portman

• Born: June 9, 1981

• Age: 43

• Technically brilliant and intense — Black Swan, Jackie.

2. Al Pacino

• Born: April 25, 1940

• Age: 84

• A true legend — The Godfather, Scarface, Scent of a Woman.

1. Daniel Day-Lewis (delt førsteplads med Pacino)

• Born: April 29, 1957

• Age: 67

• Widely considered the greatest of all time — three Academy Awards to prove it.