Yes, He Can Afford Clothes: The Highest-Grossing John Cena Movies, Ranked

August 2024 · 10 minute read

Highlights

John Cena's remarkable ascent to fame as a WWE legend launched him into a surprisingly successful Hollywood career — as evidenced by his headline-grabbing appearance at the Oscars on March 10th:

Cena was not, in fact, in the buff, as a People "behind-the-scenes" article about the virally popular bit explained.

Cena's charisma, comedic timing, and imposing physique have helped him transition smoothly from the squared circle to the silver screen.

Initially typecast in action-heavy roles, Cena has proven his range with impressive turns in family-friendly films, voice-over work, and more nuanced dramatic performances.

While Cena stepped away from full-time wrestling, he has firmly established himself in Hollywood, appearing in several productions throughout his career.

Cena's film career has been met with success since he made his film debut in The Marine (2006).

He has appeared in at least 25 films, which have collectively grossed over $5.21 billion worldwide.

With a career in full swing and a net worth estimated at $80 million, Cena shows no signs of slowing down.

Today, let's take a look at the most financially successful John Cena movies, and see how much they've each contributed to his box office stardom.

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10 Trainwreck (2015)

Global Box Office, Trainwreck - $140,795,793

John Cena flexed his comedic muscles in Trainwreck, a raunchy romantic comedy starring Amy Schumer.

Cena played Steven, a kindhearted but somewhat dimwitted gym enthusiast who dates Amy's sister, much to Amy's amusement and dismay.

Cena's unexpected charm and willingness to poke fun at his tough-guy persona were a delight for audiences. Trainwreck received positive reviews from critics, with praise for the performances and screenplay.

The film surpassed expectations at the box office, grossing $30.1 million in its opening weekend.

Trainwreck grossed $110.2 million in North America and $30.1 million in other territories, for a total gross of $140.8 million against a budget of $35 million.

Estimated Budget

$35,000,000

Opening Weekend (Domestic)

$30,097,040

Box Office (Domestic)

$110,212,700

Box Office (International)

$30,583,093

Box Office (Total)

$140,795,793

9 The Suicide Squad (2021)

Global Box Office, The Suicide Squad - $168,717,425

John Cena went full-on antihero as the misguided patriot Peacemaker in James Gunn's reboot of The Suicide Squad.

Cena's portrayal of the unhinged, "peace-at-any-cost" vigilante was a highlight in the film's ensemble of chaotic villains.

Despite critical praise and a record-breaking run on HBO Max, the film's box office performance was less stellar, earning $55.8 million in the US and Canada and $112.9 million in other countries.

Made on a $185 million budget, The Suicide Squad sadly did not bring in the box-office returns many expected.

Factors like the pandemic and its simultaneous release on streaming services likely contributed to the underwhelming financial performance.

Additionally, Cena's portrayal of Peacemaker in the film spawned a spin-off television series on HBO Max.

Estimated Budget

$185,000,000

Opening Weekend (Domestic)

$26,205,415

Box Office (Domestic)

$55,817,425

Box Office (International)

$112,900,000

Box Office (Total)

$168,717,425

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8 Daddy's Home 2 (2017)

Global Box Office, Daddy's Home 2 - $180,613,824

The former WWE World champion joined the festive fray in the sequel to the hit comedy Daddy's Home.

Reprising his role as one of the stepdads, Cena adds another layer of (sometimes hilarious) tension to the already chaotic dynamics between Brad (Will Ferrell) and Dusty.

This time around, the two dads have to contend with their own fathers (played by the legendary John Lithgow and Mel Gibson) who are visiting for the holidays.

Although the film received generally negative reviews from critics, it exceeded expectations at the box office.

Domestically, the film earned $104 million, with an additional $76.6 million from international markets for a global total of $180.6 million, against a production budget of $69 million.

Estimated Budget

$69,000,000

Opening Weekend (Domestic)

$29,651,193

Box Office (Domestic)

$104,029,443

Box Office (International)

$76,584,381

Box Office (Total)

$180,613,824

7 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)

Global Box Office, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem - $180,513,586

Paramount Pictures delivered a fresh take on the heroes in a half shell with the animated film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

This time, Leonardo (Micah Abbey), Raphael (Brady Noon), Donatello (Nicolas Cantu), and Michelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr.) team up to tackle a mysterious crime syndicate and an army of mutants.

Cena voiced Rocksteady, the sidekick of Bebop and one of the most popular mutant villains from the series.

The film focuses on the Turtles facing off against a mysterious crime syndicate and their mutant army, all while exploring themes of family, acceptance, and staying true to oneself.

Mutant Mayhem has garnered positive reviews for its voice acting, animation style, and engaging story, with some even calling it the best Turtles film yet.

As reported by Box Office Mojo, the film opened to an excellent $28 million and went on to gross $118.6 million in North America and $61.9 million internationally, totaling $180.5 million worldwide.

Estimated Budget

$70,000,000

Opening Weekend (Domestic)

$28,007,544

Box Office (Domestic)

$118,613,586

Box Office (International)

$61,900,000

Box Office (Total)

$180,513,586

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6 Dolittle (2020)

Global Box Office, Dolittle - $251,410,631

Starring alongside Robert Downey Jr. and Antonio Banderas, John Cena lends his voice to Yoshi the Polar Bear in Dolittle, a fantasy adventure film directed by Stephen Gaghan.

This re-imagining of the classic veterinarian who can talk to animals was a visual spectacle, boasting impressive effects and a star-studded voice cast.

Cena's Yoshi provides both comic relief and heartwarming support for the eccentric Doctor Dolittle.

The film was generally panned by critics and audiences; it received six Golden Raspberry Awards nominations, including "Worst Picture," winning for "Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel."

However, Dolittle still managed to rake in $251.5 million worldwide. Of that figure, $77 million came from domestic audiences, and $174.5 million was earned on the international market.

However, due to its high production and marketing costs, estimates suggest that Universal Pictures may have incurred losses ranging from $50 million to $100 million.

Estimated Budget

$175,000,000

Opening Weekend (Domestic)

$21,844,045

Box Office (Domestic)

$77,047,065

Box Office (International)

$174,363,566

Box Office (Total)

$251,410,631

5 Ferdinand (2017)

Global Box Office, Ferdinand - $296,069,199

In a departure from his usual action-star roles, John Cena lent his voice to the titular character in Carlos Saldanha's animated film Ferdinand.

Based on the classic children's book, this heartwarming story follows Ferdinand, a gentle giant of a bull who desires a life of peace rather than the violence of the bullfighting ring.

While met with mixed critical reception, Ferdinand had a modest turn-out at the box office, grossing $296 million globally against a production budget of $111 million.

Though its domestic box office performance was underwhelming at $84.4 million, the film performed better at the international box office, grossing $211.6 million in other territories.

Estimated Budget

$111,000,000

Opening Weekend (Domestic)

$13,401,586

Box Office (Domestic)

$84,410,380

Box Office (International)

$211,658,819

Box Office (Total)

$296,069,199

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4 Bumblebee (2018)

Global Box Office, Bumblebee - $467,989,645

Set in the vibrant neon glow of 1987, Bumblebee serves as a prequel/reboot to the live-action Transformers films, taking viewers back to the origin story of the beloved yellow Autobot.

Bumblebee follows teenager Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), who discovers B-127, an Autobot on the run.

Cena plays the no-nonsense Agent Burns, leader of a military sector determined to capture the disguised Transformer.

Despite being the lowest-grossing installment of the franchise at the time, Bumblebee received praise from critics for its action sequences, performances, visuals, and nostalgic 1980s setting.

The film opened to $21 million in its first weekend and went on to gross $127.2 million domestically and $340.8 million internationally, totaling $468 million worldwide.

Estimated Budget

$135,000,000

Opening Weekend (Domestic)

$21,654,047

Box Office (Domestic)

$127,195,589

Box Office (International)

$340,794,056

Box Office (Total)

$467,989,645

3 Fast X (2023)

Global Box Office, Fast X - $704,875,015

John Cena returned to the high-octane world of fast cars in the 2023 film Fast X, the tenth installment in the Fast & Furious franchise.

Cena reprises his role as Jakob Toretto, the estranged brother of franchise mainstay Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel).

This time, the crew faces a formidable foe in Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), seeking revenge for his father's death at Dom's hands.

With an estimated production budget of $340 million, Fast X is the eighth-most expensive film ever made, and the most expensive entry in the already extravagant Fast & Furious franchise.

Although the film was rocked by polarizing reviews from critics, it started strong at the box office, grossing $67 million on its opening weekend.

By the end of its theatrical run, it grossed $146.1 million in the United States and Canada and $568.5 million in other territories, for a total of $714.6 million worldwide.

Estimated Budget

$340,000,000

Opening Weekend (Domestic)

$67,017,410

Box Office (Domestic)

$146,126,015

Box Office (International)

$558,749,000

Box Office (Total)

$704,875,015

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2 F9: The Fast Saga (2021)

Global Box Office, F9: The Fast Saga - $726,229,501

John Cena made his high-octane debut in the Fast & Furious franchise with F9: The Fast Saga, the ninth installment in the adrenaline-fueled series.

Cena plays Jakob Toretto, Dom's estranged brother and a master thief with a serious grudge.

F9 pitted brother against brother, pushing the limits of physics even by Fast & Furious standards.

F9 faced criticism for its lack of a plot and revision of tropes, with some finding the action sequences over-the-top. Considering the franchise's massive global fanbase, the film's box office dominance was a foregone conclusion.

F9 debuted strongly at the box office, earning $70 million in its opening weekend.

The film eventually grossed $173 million domestically and $553.2 million internationally, reaching a global total of $726.2 million.

F9 was the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2021.

Estimated Budget

$726,000,000

Opening Weekend (Domestic)

$70,043,165

Box Office (Domestic)

$173,005,945

Box Office (International)

$553,223,556

Box Office (Total)

$726,229,501

1 Barbie (2023)

Global Box Office, Barbie - $1,445,638,421

The former pro-wrestler took a surprising yet hilarious turn in Greta Gerwig's vibrant live-action Barbie film.

In a cast filled with A-list stars, he still managed to shine as a variant of Ken known as Kenmaid – a merman version of the iconic doll.

The film follows Barbie and Ken on a journey of self-discovery through Barbieland and the real world, exploring themes of patriarchy and feminism.

Despite mixed critical reception, Barbie achieved unprecedented success at the box office, grossing $636.2 million domestically and $809.4 million in other territories.

With a worldwide total of $1.446 billion, it became the first film directed by a solo female director to surpass the billion-dollar mark.

To date, Barbie is also the highest-grossing John Cena movie.

Estimated Budget

$145,000,000

Opening Weekend (Domestic)

$162,022,044

Box Office (Domestic)

$636,238,421

Box Office (International)

$809,400,000

Box Office (Total)

$1,445,638,421

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