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This year has been nothing short of a cinematic feast, as studios, streamers, and networks have churned out an impressive array of films. Some of the most captivating movies of 2025 have been fronted by Hollywood’s elite. Yet, intriguingly, several prominent actors have maintained a low profile over the past twelve months, notably absent from our screens. Curious about which big names have been flying under the radar and what they’ve been up to during this hiatus? Be sure to check out the video linked above for all the details.
Among the stars who have taken a step back in 2025 are Ryan Reynolds and Henry Cavill. These A-listers took a deliberate pause for a variety of reasons. While some have been busy working on projects set for future release, others opted for a break from the relentless cycle of acting to rejuvenate. Given the grueling nature of film productions, which can occupy months of an actor’s life, it’s understandable why they might choose to stagger their projects or savor some precious downtime with loved ones.
The pressing question is, have we truly felt their absence this year, or is it only their most ardent fans who have noticed? The answer may lie in the broader context of the entertainment industry’s recent upheavals.
The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, stretching from July to November, marked one of the longest standoffs in Hollywood’s history. Simultaneously, the Writers Guild of America’s strike spanned from May to September. These labor disputes had a profound impact on the industry, effectively halting productions for half a year. As these strikes unfolded, they triggered delays across the board, pushing back release schedules and affecting the rollout of new content.
The ripples of these disruptions are still being felt, as the industry grapples with balancing catch-up efforts without inundating the market. This careful strategy is partly why many top-tier actors haven’t released new films in 2025. Take Henry Cavill, for instance. After a bustling 2024, where he starred in three major films, including the sprawling adventure “Argylle,” he’s now poised to make a return in 2026. To discover which other leading actors, alongside Cavill and Reynolds, have been conspicuously absent this year, be sure to watch the video above!
The impact of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike is still being felt in Hollywood
Mario Tama/Getty Images
The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike lasted nearly four months between July and November, becoming one of the longest actor strikes in Hollywood history. The Writers Guild of America strike coincided with this, running from May to September. These strikes proved to have a monumental effect on the entertainment industry, effectively shutting down productions for six months as these disputes dragged on. Consequently, productions were delayed to further dates and a knock-on effect hit everything that was to come thereafter.
This domino effect continues, as the industry plays catch-up but also doesn’t want to overwhelm the market by releasing too much at the same time. This is also one of the reasons many big actors released nothing in 2025. Someone like Henry Cavill had a productive 2024, appearing in three big movies that year (including the lengthy and overstuffed caper “Argylle”), but he now needs to wait until 2026 to return to our screens. So, what other names join the likes of Cavill and Ryan Reynolds as actors who haven’t released anything in 2025? Watch the video above to find out!
