In the past, wrestlers were often underestimated by Hollywood and general audiences who viewed them as merely brute fighters lacking acting skills. Wrestling fans understood the importance of performance in the sport, but outside fans typically saw wrestlers as “meatheads.” Hulk Hogan’s string of poorly received films in the ’80s and ’90s reinforced this stereotype.
However, this perception has shifted dramatically over recent decades. Today, wrestlers like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dave Bautista have become top-tier actors, and John Cena is now part of this elite group. Cena began his acting career with the military film “The Marine” and has since balanced his wrestling career with notable acting roles. His breakout performance in Judd Apatow’s 2015 comedy “Trainwreck,” which grossed $140 million worldwide, showcased his comedic talent and helped launch his film career. Below are the ten highest-grossing films of John Cena’s acting career according to box office data.
10. “Suicide Squad” (2021) – $168.7 million worldwide
Directed by James Gunn, this DC film features a team of villains. John Cena stars as Peacemaker, a loud-mouthed antihero who prefers violence over peace, a stark contrast to his WWE persona. His role was so well-received that it led to a Max series spin-off, “Peacemaker.”
9. “Daddy’s Home 2” (2017) – $180.6 million worldwide
This comedy about feuding fathers stars Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, and John Cena. Cena plays Roger, who, while not the lead, steals scenes with his intimidating presence.
8. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” (2023) – $181.9 million worldwide
A popular reboot of the TMNT franchise with contributions from Seth Rogen, featuring high-quality animation. Cena voiced Rocksteady, the mutant rhinoceros. WWE’s Sheamus also voiced the character in an earlier TMNT animated feature.
7. “Daddy’s Home” (2015) – $242.8 million worldwide
The original film about stepfather and biological father dynamics, starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. Cena played a minor but memorable role as a muscular “cool dad.”
6. “Dolittle” (2020) – $251 million worldwide
A new take on the Dr. Dolittle story starring Robert Downey Jr., Antonio Banderas, and Michael Sheen. Cena lent his voice to Yoshi, a polar bear with a disdain for cold weather.
5. “Ferdinand” (2017) – $296 million worldwide
An animated family film about a kind-hearted bull named Ferdinand. Cena voiced the title character, marking a lead role in animation.
4. “Bumblebee” (2018) – $468 million worldwide
A spinoff in the Transformers franchise focusing on the titular character. Cena played Agent Burns, an antagonist working to capture Bumblebee.
3. “Fast X” (2023) – $704.9 million worldwide
Another installment in the popular Fast & Furious series. Cena returned as Jacob Toretto, the exiled brother of Vin Diesel’s character.
2. “F9” (2021) – $726.2 million worldwide
Despite the pandemic still impacting theaters, the ninth chapter of the Fast & Furious saga succeeded globally. Cena’s villainous role as Jacob Toretto was his first appearance in this franchise, going head-to-head with his character’s brother Dominic.
1. “Barbie” (2023) – $1.4 billion worldwide
The highest-grossing film of Cena’s career, “Barbie” stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling and became the year’s most talked-about movie. Although Cena’s role as Ken was small, it was highly memorable, portraying a flamboyant mermaid version of the character and revealing Cena’s dedication to comedy.
Fan Take: This transformation of WWE stars into successful actors shows the versatility and charisma of wrestling talent beyond the ring. For WWE fans, John Cena’s thriving acting career highlights the growing mainstream appeal of wrestlers, potentially attracting new fans and elevating the sport’s cultural relevance.
