Special Report

This Summer's 25 Hottest Stars

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While summer spells vacation for many, it’s often a busy time for plenty of actors starring in the season’s major television and movie productions. Entertainers hoping to be a part of the next major television event or colossal box office blockbuster spend their days giving interviews and promoting their work.

This sacrifice of downtime is a small price to pay for those who become the summer’s most prominent entertainers. With a hit movie or TV show, an actor may not only be paid handsomely, but also receive extensive exposure and increased job opportunities.

24/7 Tempo has identified this summer’s 25 hottest stars based on online popularity as measured by IMDb’s Starmeter ranking and visits to each actor’s Wikipedia page. Some of these actors are the leading talent in the summer’s biggest blockbusters and shows, while others are still riding the waves of popularity from appearances in recent cinematic triumphs such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise.

These actors range from not only the well established — including Hollywood stalwart Tom Cruise — but numerous fresh-faced stars such as 27-year-old Mena Massoud, who recently appeared in Disney’s live action remake of “Aladdin.” Many of today’s most popular younger stars, including 22-year-old Maisie Williams, likely have long careers ahead of them.

Click here to see this summer’s 25 hottest stars.

To determine the summer’s hottest stars, 24/7 Tempo examined the top 250 actors on the Internet Movie Database’s Starmeter, which takes into account several measures of popularity including, according to the company, such as “who and what people are looking at on IMDb.” We then created an index based on each person’s Starmeter rank as of June 24, 2019, and the daily average number of page views their respective Wikipedia pages had over the six months stretching from Jan. 5, 2019, to June 5, 2019.

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25. Tom Cruise
> Known for: Top Gun, The Last Samurai, Jerry Maguire
> Age: 56
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 16,747

Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, will make at least two more Mission: Impossible films that will boost the franchise’s total to eight. Paramount Pictures in February announced summer releases in 2021 and 2022 for the next two films in the series that stars Cruise as agent Ethan Hunt. The previous six Mission: Impossible films have had an average box office gross, adjusted for inflation, of more than $265 million.

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Jesse Grant / Getty Images

24. Mena Massoud
> Known for: Aladdin, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Open Heart
> Age: 27
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 11,495

Mena Massoud, born in Egypt and raised in Canada, stars in the live-action remake of “Aladdin.” He appears in the television series “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” and can also be seen in the feature film “Strange But True.” Massoud starred in several television series in Canada before moving to the big screen.

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

23. Michael Sheen
> Known for: Masters of Sex, Frost/Nixon, The Queen
> Age: 50
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 11,031

Welsh actor Michael Sheen can be seen on the Amazon Prime miniseries “Good Omens,” which premiered May 31. He also appeared in seven episodes of the CBS series “The Good Fight” this year. Sheen is starring in the family comedy film “The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle,” which is scheduled for release in January.

Christopher Polk / Getty Images

22. Jennifer Lawrence
> Known for: The Hunger Games, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle
> Age: 28
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 13,419

Jennifer Lawrence has been extremely successful with lead roles in the blockbuster Hunger Games and X-Men franchises. She recently starred in “Dark Phoenix” — released in theaters this June — as Raven/Mystique. While the movie underperformed at the domestic box office, it remains among the summer’s top 10 grossing films.

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21. Stellan Skarsgård
> Known for: Good Will Hunting, Nymphomaniac: Vol. I, Amistad
> Age: 68
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 8,120

The Swedish actor, who became a star in his native country in 1968 when he was just in his teens, has 145 acting credits to his name, and he is still much in demand. American audiences might remember him as a Soviet submarine commander in the Cold War thriller “The Hunt for Red October.” Skarsgård starred in the HBO miniseries “Chernobyl” this year, and he appears in the films “I’ll Find You” and “The Painted Bird” that are due to be released later this year.

Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

20. Natalie Portman
> Known for: Black Swan, V for Vendetta, Closer
> Age: 38
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 13,280

Natalie Portman is one of many actors to ascend in recent popularity because of her involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Portman has played the role of Jane Foster in numerous films, most recently “Avengers: Endgame.” Portman has announced her involvement in multiple upcoming productions, including the sci-fi film “Lucy in the Sky,” in which she will play astronaut Lucy Cola.

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19. Maisie Williams
> Known for: Game of Thrones, The Falling, Cyberbully
> Age: 22
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 30,971

English actress Maisie Williams made her acting debut in the HBO fantasy series “Game of Thrones,” which just completed an eight-season run as one of the most successful cable television series of all time. She stars in the horror/science-fiction film “The New Mutants” that is scheduled for release in April 2020.

Amy Sussman / Getty Images

18. Jodie Comer
> Known for: Killing Eve, Thirteen, Doctor Foster
> Age: 26
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 10,189

British actress Jodie Comer has appeared in miniseries on both sides of the Atlantic. In the United States, she is known for her starring role in the cable thriller “Killing Eve.” She is cast in the action/comedy film “Free Guy” that is due for release in 2020.

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17. Jason Momoa
> Known for: Aquaman, Justice League, Conan the Barbarian
> Age: 39
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 42,506

Jason Momoa took a star turn as “Aquaman” in 2018, and he is returning in that role in “Aquaman 2,” set to be released in 2022. This year, he voiced Aquaman in the “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.” He is appearing in the movie “Dune,” based on the Frank Herbert novel, due out in November 2020, and is filming the futuristic Apple television series “See.”

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16. Richard Madden
> Known for: Game of Thrones, The Take, Cinderella
> Age: 33
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 17,237

Scottish actor Richard Madden found recognition stateside for his role as Robb Stark in “Game of Thrones.” He has continued working steadily in both television and movies, starring as Elton John’s manager John Reid in the recently released “Rocketman.”

Mike Windle / Getty Images

15. Jennifer Aniston
> Known for: Friends, Cake, We’re the Millers
> Age: 50
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 21,778

“Friends” alumna Jennifer Aniston is appearing with Adam Sandler in the motion picture “Murder Mystery,” about a couple trying to recharge their marriage with a trip to Europe, only to be framed in the death of a billionaire. Aniston started her movie career in 1993, and her films have totaled over $2 billion in box office gross, adjusted for inflation.

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14. Linda Cardellini
> Known for: Brokeback Mountain, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Scooby-Doo
> Age: 43
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 15,218

Linda Cardellini has become a familiar face on television and on the big screen, with 70 acting credits over a 23-year career. She is currently co-starring with Christina Applegate in the acerbic comedy Netflix series “Dead to Me.” She starred in the runaway hit “Avengers: Endgame,” which followed her appearance in the Oscar-honored film “Green Book.” Cardellini will play the beleaguered wife of gangster Al Capone in the film “Fonzo,” which is in post-production.

Slaven Vlasic / Getty Images

13. Tessa Thompson
> Known for: Creed, Thor: Ragnarok, Dear White People
> Age: 35
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 10,879

Los Angeles-born Tessa Thompson appears in the HBO series “Westworld,” which will resume its run in 2020, after a two-year hiatus. She also stars in “Men in Black: International,” the fourth entry in the very successful franchise. The film opened earlier this month. Thompson has also voiced characters for the upcoming animated movie “The Lady and the Tramp” and the television series “Tuca & Bertie.”

Jemal Countess / Getty Images

12. Scarlett Johansson
> Known for: Her, Lost in Translation, The Avengers
> Age: 34
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 30,784

With an acting career spanning one-quarter of a century, Scarlett Johansson has long been a household name. Her recent performance as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow in movies, including blockbuster smash “Avengers: Endgame,” has injected her career with new life, including an upcoming Black Widow-focused feature that Johansson will star in.

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11. Taron Egerton
> Known for: Kingsman: The Secret Service, Eddie the Eagle, Kingsman: The Golden Circle
> Age: 29
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 13,577

Taron Egerton played British rocker Elton John in the biopic “Rocketman” that opened in May. The young English actor is also known for his recurring role in the Kingman action series in the role of Gary “Eggsy” Unwin. Egerton provides the voice for the character Moomintroll in the British cable television series Moominvalley.

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10. Chris Pratt
> Known for: Guardians of the Galaxy, The Lego Movie, Parks and Recreation
> Age: 40
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 20,868

Chris Pratt has become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, appearing just recently in blockbusters such as “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part,” and “Avengers: Endgame.” Pratt once again made headlines this summer when he married on June 8 author — and daughter of Arnold — Katherine Schwarzenegger.

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9. Robert Downey Jr.
> Known for: Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes, Iron Man 3
> Age: 54
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 32,204

Robert Downey Jr. has been very busy, appearing in action films such as the uber-successful Avengers series as the character Tony Stark / Iron Man. He will also renew his role as Sherlock Holmes in the film “Sherlock Holmes 3,” which is in pre-production and scheduled for release in 2021. Downey also voiced the title character of the film “The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle,” set for release in 2020.

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8. Chris Evans
> Known for: The Avengers, Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: Civil War
> Age: 38
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 23,510

Chris Evans has not used his success playing Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise as an excuse to rest on his laurels. The actor currently has four unreleased feature films in some stage of production that he will star in, as well as a TV miniseries titled “Defending Jacob,” for Apple TV+.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

7. Naomi Scott
> Known for: Power Rangers, Aladdin, The 33
> Age: 26
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 23,857

English actress Naomi Scott is building her film career in the United States. She plays Jasmine in the Guy Ritchie-directed live-action remake of the Disney film “Aladdin,” which has already grossed more than $288 million at the box office since its release on May 24. The actress from London is also appearing in the reboot of the 2000 film and 1970s television series “Charlie’s Angels.”

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6. Chris Hemsworth
> Known for: The Avengers, Thor: Ragnarok, Thor
> Age: 35
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 27,726

Chris Hemsworth landed the role of a lifetime as Thor in the tremendously successful Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Hemsworth reportedly earned between $15 million and $20 million for “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.” Marvel isn’t the only major franchise that the actor has starred in, as he also took a lead role in this summer’s “Men in Black: International” as Agent H.

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5. Bradley Cooper
> Known for: A Star Is Born, Silver Linings Playbook, American Sniper
> Age: 44
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 42,317

Following his well-received performance in the Oscar-nominated “A Star Is Born” in 2018, Cooper voiced the character Rocket in the blockbuster “Avengers: Endgame” this year. He is scheduled to appear in the film “Atlantic Wall,” a D-Day-themed drama in pre-production, and he is writing, directing, and starring in a biopic about American conductor and activist Leonard Bernstein titled “Bernstein.”

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4. Emilia Clarke
> Known for: Game of Thrones, Terminator Genisys, Me Before You
> Age: 32
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 35,370

While British actress Emilia Clarke has appeared in some big budget feature films including “Terminator Genisys” and “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” she is likely most recognized for her work as Daenerys Targaryen on the recently wrapped “Game of Thrones.” Clarke is continuing to ride the wave of her popularity, having recently signed on to play the lead role in multiple upcoming features.

Jason Merritt/TERM / Getty Images

3. Sophie Turner
> Known for: Game of Thrones, X-Men: Apocalypse, Dark Phoenix
> Age: 23
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 35,699

Sophie Turner is well known for playing Sansa Stark in the HBO series “Game of Thrones” — a role she filled for eight seasons. The English actress also appeared on the silver screen this summer in the Marvel Comics X-Men film “Dark Phoenix,” in which she played Jean Grey/Phoenix.

Emma McIntyre / Getty Images

2. Brie Larson
> Known for: Room, Short Term 12, Captain Marvel
> Age: 29
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 44,416

Brie Larson has solidified her status as a Hollywood star with her performance as Captain Marvel in numerous Marvel Universe movies, the most recent of which being “Avengers: Endgame.” The actress’s next feature length project is biographical drama “Just Mercy,” based on the life of civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson, in which she’ll star alongside Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. The movie is slated for a January 2020 release.

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1. Keanu Reeves
> Known for: The Matrix, Speed, Point Break
> Age: 54
> Avg. daily Wikipedia page views: 44,517

Keanu Reeves has had an extensive career, appearing in numerous popular movies over the past 30 years such as “The Matrix,” “Speed,” and “Point Break.” His most recent starring role was in “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum,” which was released this past May. Reeves also voiced the character Duke Caboom in this summer’s “Toy Story 4.”

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