Dwayne Johnson didn't have a great 2025 at the box office, but that's only a temporary change. The actor is no stranger to blockbusters, but it seems he has no interest in playing it safe. Johnson has found great success in the action and family-friendly genres, but 2025 was the year that he took some additional risks. In many ways, this choice paid off. Financially, however, Johnson's year wasn't an easily defined win.
Johnson's 2025 stands in contrast with years from the last decade or so. His greatest box office success was 2015's Furious 7, which grossed $1.51 billion worldwide. The Fate of the Furious (2017) did remarkably well, too, hitting $1.23 billion. Moana 2 also joined the billion-dollar club, coming in just above the financial success of both Jumanji movies ($962 million and $792 million, respectively). It's clear that Johnson is box-office royalty. Still, everyone's crown slips now and again.
The Smashing Machine Was A Box Office Flop
Johnson's The Smashing Machine differed from his typical films. It's a biographical sports drama about UFC fighter Mark Kerr. Johnson fit right into this legendary athlete's shoes, but such a project was still a risk. The idea of this actor appearing in an action or comedy film is more than enough to lure people to theaters, but it seems The Smashing Machine didn't have the same sort of appeal, only earning $21 million at the global box office in 2025.
This isn't to say The Smashing Machine was a bad movie. In fact, it has been deemed "Certified Fresh" by Rotten Tomatoes, with a 70% critic score and a 74% audience score. Johnson gave a great performance, and such a reception is a fair reward. This just isn't the sort of box office turnout the star is used to. 2026 should see a return to the norm.
Moana And Jumanji 3 Will Give Dwayne Johnson A Massive 2026
Two of Johnson's highest-grossing franchises are returning to theaters in 2026. The live-action remake of Disney's Moana, in which Johnson will play the demigod Maui in the flesh, will hit theaters on July 10, 2026. Then, the third Jumanji movie will release on December 11, 2026.
Blockbusters are never guaranteed, especially as franchises extend beyond a couple of films. However, even if Moana and Jumanji 3 don't join the billion-dollar club, it's unlikely that either will be a complete flop. We can safely bet that Johnson's status as a box-office king will be resolidified through these two films in 2026.
Dwayne Johnson Is Reinventing Himself
Though financial success in 2026 is important, this may not have been Johnson's primary concern in 2025. He's no stranger to blockbusters, but his filmography has far fewer dramas. It's an outlet that many comedy and action stars eventually choose to branch into, but only some actually find success.
The Smashing Machine may have flopped at the box office, but it is already generating Oscar buzz. Johnson himself is being highly celebrated for his performance, and this is sure to continue into 2026 as the film becomes available to watch at home. Add this to Dwayne Johnson's promising franchise releases, and it's sure to be an excellent year for the actor.
