The Ten (Plus One) Most Iconic Movie Stars of the 21st Century (And Why)

Movie stars are a dime a dozen these days. It seems like every other person is trying to break into Hollywood and make it big.

However, there are a handful of movie stars who have truly made a name for themselves in the 21st century.

But beyond that, they are “iconic.”

What do we mean when we talk about an iconic movie star? An iconic movie star is someone who embodies the ideals of Hollywood. They are beautiful, talented and have a certain “je ne sais quoi” about them that makes them larger than life.

So all of these stars are good-looking and have some serious acting chops, but what else sets them apart?

Well, for starters, they have all had a major impact on the film industry. They’ve pushed boundaries, challenged norms and created new waves in cinema. They are trendsetters, paving the way for other actors and actresses to follow in their footsteps and achieve similar success. They are true Hollywood veterans, and have cemented their place in film history.

Here are some of the most iconic movie stars of the 21st century (and why):

1. Leonardo DiCaprio:

Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the most successful actors of his generation. He has starred in some of the biggest movies of the past few years, including “The Aviator,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and “Django Unchained.” He is also known for his environmental activism. But what really puts him at the top of the list is his Oscar-winning performance in “The Revenant.” Leo has shown that he is a versatile and talented actor, with a range that few can match.

2. Jackie Chan:

Jackie Chan is a martial arts legend who has made some of the most popular action movies of all time. He is known for his acrobatic fighting style and his comedic timing. Chan has also starred in more serious films, such as “The Karate Kid” remake, and American comedies like “Rush Hour.” He is one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, and in spite of his advanced age, he shows no signs of slowing down.

3. Jennifer Lawrence:

Jennifer Lawrence is one of the most popular actresses in the world. She got her start in indie films, such as “Winter’s Bone” and “Like Crazy.” But it was her role as Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games” that first made her a household name. Lawrence has since gone on to star in other big franchises, such as “X-Men” and “Passengers.” She is also an Academy Award winner, taking home the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in “Silver Linings Playbook.”

4. Brad Pitt:

Brad Pitt is one of the biggest movie stars in the world. He has starred in some of the most popular and highest-grossing films of all time, including “Troy,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” and “World War Z.” He is also an Academy Award winner, taking home the Best Picture Oscar for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Pitt’s popularity goes up and down, but there’s no denying that he is one of the biggest movie stars of the 21st century.

5. Daniel Radcliffe:

Daniel Radcliffe made his name as the star of the “Harry Potter” franchise. He starred in all eight movies, starting with “Philosopher’s Stone” when he was just 11 years old. Since then , Radcliffe has starred in a number of other films, including “The Woman in Black” and “Horns.” He has also done stage work, appearing in productions of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and “Equus.” Radcliffe is one of the most successful child actors of all time, and he has always managed to keep his feet on the ground.

6. Margot Robbie:

Margot Robbie is a relatively new movie star, but she has already made a big impact. She first gained attention for her role as Donna Freedman on the Australian soap opera “Neighbours.” She then moved to Hollywood and starred in “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Robbie has since gone on to star in other big films, such as “Suicide Squad” and “I, Tonya.” What makes her iconic is her mix of beauty and talent. Robbie is one of the most promising young actresses in Hollywood today.

7. Emma Stone:

Why is Emma Stone iconic? Look no further than her filmography. Stone has starred in some of the most popular and highest-grossing films of the past decade, including “The Help,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and “La La Land.” She is also an Academy Award winner, taking home the Best Actress Oscar for “La La Land.” Stone is one of the few actresses alive with a canny skill to mix dramatic and comedic roles.

8. Ryan Gosling:

Ryan Gosling is one of the most popular actors in the world. He started his career as a member of the Mickey Mouse Club, and he went on to star in films like “The Notebook” and “Drive.” Gosling has also starred in a number of critically acclaimed films, such as “Half Nelson” and “Blue Valentine.” His canny mixture of charisma and talent has made him one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood.

9. Emma Watson:

Emma Watson is best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” films. She was just 10 years old when she was cast in the first movie, and she went on to star in all eight movies. As an adult, Watson has starred in films like “The Bling Ring” and “Noah.” She has also done a lot of work as a model and activist. Watson is an icon for her generation, and she is proof that child stars can go on to have successful adult careers.

10. Jennifer Aniston:

Jennifer Aniston is iconic for her hair alone. But more than that, she is one of the most popular actresses in the world. She first gained attention for her role as Rachel Green on the TV sitcom “Friends.” Aniston has since gone on to star in a number of films, including “We’re the Millers” and “Office Space.” She is also a multiple award nominee, thanks to her performance in “Cake.”

And don’t forget:

11. Colin Firth

Colin Firth took an icon from hundreds of years ago, Jane Austen’s “Mr. Darcy,” and made him iconic all over again, for a new generation of filmgoers. With his performance as Mr. Darcy, Firth proved that Austen’s characters were just as compelling on the big screen as they were on the page. Since then, Firth has gone on to star in a number of other films, including “The King’s Speech,” for which he won the Best Actor Oscar. He is one of the most popular and acclaimed actors working today. But it’s his role as Mr. Darcy that made him indelible. These are just a few of the most iconic movie stars of the 21st century. There are many other talented actors and actresses out there, but these five stand out from the rest. They have the looks, the talent, and the charisma to make them icons.

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Lead image by 12019 Pixabay.

Article and accompanying images by Audere Magazine.