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15 Male Actors Men Love More Than Women Do

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - April 25th 2025, 22:00 GMT+2

Cropped Leonardo Di Caprio — Leonardo DiCaprio

Leo is that guy who’s been winning Oscars in the hearts of dudes long before the Academy decided to hand him one. Whether he’s surviving a bear attack in *The Revenant* or finessing his way through Wall Street chaos in *The Wolf of Wall Street*, guys can’t help but respect the hustle. He’s the ultimate “cool without trying too hard” guy – living yacht life, dating supermodels, and still convincing us it’s all somehow environmentally conscious. Sure, women might’ve swooned over *Titanic* Leo, but somewhere after *Inception*, he became more of a bro-icon than a heartthrob. Plus, let’s face it: the memes about his dating life are practically a sport at this point. Men admire Leo not just for his roles – but because he's living the dream without pretending he’s not. | © Red Granite Pictures

Cropped Brad Pitt — Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt is the guy every dude low-key wants to be when they grow up – stylish, chill, aging like a fine whiskey, and always slightly too cool for the room. Whether he's eating his way through *Ocean’s Eleven* or delivering philosophical beatdowns in *Fight Club*, Pitt has long held his place in the bro hall of fame. And let’s not ignore *Inglourious Basterds –* because Aldo Raine was practically designed in a lab to impress men who quote movies way too often. Women might appreciate his looks, but men revere the effortless charm and controlled chaos he brings to every role. He’s not just a movie star; he’s a lifestyle. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped Dwayne The Rock Johnson — Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

If there were a Mount Rushmore of men’s man-crushes, The Rock would be flexing on it. He’s got biceps bigger than most people’s heads, a cheat day menu that looks like a buffet for ten, and a motivational Instagram feed that could make even your laziest friend hit the gym. Men love The Rock not just because he can bench press a small car, but because he seems like a genuinely nice dude while doing it. He’s a walking motivational poster wrapped in muscle and movie deals. Women might find his whole “action-figure-come-to-life” vibe a bit much, but guys? We’re out here Googling “Rock workout plan” like it’s a spiritual journey. | © Universal Pictures

Cropped Keanu Reeves — Keanu Reeves

Keanu is the internet’s boyfriend – but let’s be honest, he’s the guy every man wants as a best friend. He rides motorcycles, trains in martial arts, doesn’t age, and manages to be the most humble person in Hollywood. He’s like a real-life version of the cool NPC who secretly has the best side quests. From *John Wick* to *The Matrix*, Keanu plays characters that men wish they were – quiet, deadly, and deeply philosophical in a “reads one book a year but it’s life-changing” way. Women like Keanu, sure – but men *love* Keanu. Like, *brotherhood of the beard* levels of love. | © Thunder Road Pictures

Cropped Ryan Reynolds — Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds is the sarcastic older brother every guy wishes they had. He’s got the charm, the looks, the superhero abs – but it’s the wit that really seals the deal. From *Deadpool* to his Twitter feed, he’s turned trolling into an art form, and men appreciate that kind of commitment to chaos. He’s the guy who roasts himself before you even get a chance to try, and then somehow sells gin and mobile plans in the same breath. While women may enjoy his rom-com past, it’s the wisecracking, self-deprecating Reynolds that men truly admire. He’s the king of cool without ever taking himself too seriously. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped Chris Evans — Chris Evans

Chris Evans is the guy who played Captain America so well that men started standing a little straighter and reconsidering the importance of multivitamins. He’s got that clean-cut, all-American vibe that makes dudes nod in approval, like, “Yeah, that guy’s solid.” While women might admire the jawline and occasional sweater content (*Knives Out*, anyone?), men see Steve Rogers – the dude who jumped on a grenade *before* he had superpowers. Also, Evans' off-screen antics – being awkward on social media, loving his dog, and accidentally leaking his own "adult images" – only make him more relatable. He’s the wholesome icon guys trust to lead the Avengers *and* grill burgers. | © Marvel Studios

Cropped Henry Cavill — Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill is basically a video game character come to life, and men are 100% here for it. He’s Superman, he’s Geralt of Rivia, and he builds his own gaming PCs. Like, are you kidding? That’s a fantasy draft of manliness. Women might appreciate his chiseled face and brooding stare, but men see a fellow nerd in a demigod’s body. He lifts heavy, speaks softly, and seems like the type of guy who’d help you move a couch without expecting pizza after. Cavill’s cool because he’s unapologetically into the same stuff regular guys are – just with better lighting and biceps. | © Netflix

Cropped Ryan Gosling — Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling is a strange one. Women swooned over him in *The Notebook*, but men really started to respect him when he went full stoic in *Drive* and *Blade Runner 2049*. Gosling somehow strikes the balance between “I’ll serenade you with a piano solo” and “I haven’t spoken in 15 minutes because I’m too busy looking cool.” His deadpan humor in interviews and his “I’m in on the joke” energy have made him a quiet hero for men who want to feel feelings... but still look cool doing it. He’s the king of emotionally unavailable vibes, and guys weirdly love him for it. | © Bold Films

Cropped Christian Bale — Christian Bale

Christian Bale is what happens when an actor turns method acting into an Olympic sport. Men admire him not just for being Batman, but for being *the* Batman who actually seemed like he could throw a punch that’d make you see God. Bale’s dramatic body transformations are the stuff of fitness forum legends: one minute he’s The Machinist, the next he’s Bruce Wayne doing shirtless push-ups. He’s intense, committed, and slightly unhinged – which, let’s be honest, men find extremely cool. Women might raise an eyebrow at the whole “yelling at crew members” thing, but guys are like, “He’s just passionate.” | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped Robert Pattinson — Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson is the ultimate redemption arc for dudes. Once the sparkly vampire heartthrob your little sister plastered on her bedroom wall, he’s now a moody indie king and a surprisingly good Batman. Men admire him for walking away from the blockbuster machine and deciding, “You know what? I’m going to be weird now.” And it worked. Whether he’s in an art-house lighthouse movie or brooding behind the Bat-mask, Pattinson has become the poster child for not caring what people think – and men deeply respect that. He’s proof that even the Twilight guy can reinvent himself into something gritty and oddly admirable. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped Cillian Murphy — Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy is the quiet storm of male admiration. With those ice-blue eyes and thousand-yard stares, he’s the guy men watch on screen and think, “He definitely knows something I don’t.” Whether he’s commanding respect (and flat caps) as Tommy Shelby in *Peaky Blinders* or unraveling the secrets of the universe in *Oppenheimer*, Murphy radiates that calm, cerebral menace men can’t get enough of. He doesn’t do loud or flashy – he just walks into a room, says five words, and suddenly everyone wants a cigarette and a darker wardrobe. Women might find him mysterious; men find him magnetic. | © BBC Studios

Cropped Jake Gyllenhaal — Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal has two speeds: lovable chaos and emotionally scarred intensity – both of which men deeply relate to. From the wiry, unblinking madness of *Nightcrawler* to the jacked-up bruiser in *Southpaw*, Jake is basically an acting chameleon with a gym membership. And let’s not forget *Donnie Darko –* aka the rite of passage for every moody teenage guy in the early 2000s. He’s not afraid to get weird, messy, or mildly unhinged, which is precisely why guys admire him. Jake Gyllenhaal feels like the friend who’d help you bury a body but also recommend a great indie album afterwards. | © Open Road Films

Cropped Arnold Schwarzenegger — Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold isn’t just admired – he’s mythologized. The man went from bodybuilding legend to action hero to governor, all while delivering one-liners that are still echoing through gym locker rooms everywhere. Men love him not just because he blew things up in *Terminator* and *Predator*, but because he built an empire on nothing but biceps and pure willpower. He’s the embodiment of the 80s macho ideal, but somehow still charming and self-aware about it. Women might’ve been like, “Okay, that’s a *lot* of muscle,” but men were busy Googling protein shake recipes and practicing their Austrian accents. | © Carolco Pictures

Cropped matthew mcconaughey — Matthew McConaughey

Alright, alright, alright – Matthew McConaughey is what happens when a philosophy major joins a frat, becomes a movie star, and then writes a memoir in the desert. Men love McConaughey because he feels like the guy who’d drop a life-changing quote on you mid-beer and then wander off barefoot. Whether he’s selling Lincolns with poetic mumbling or hunting down cosmic truth in *True Detective*, McConaughey oozes that relaxed confidence every guy wishes they had. He’s laid-back, deep, weirdly wise, and somehow cooler the less sense he makes. Women like him fine, but men? We’d follow him into a peyote-fueled self-discovery retreat tomorrow. | © HBO

Cropped Bruce Lee — Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee isn’t just a legend – he’s the blueprint. For generations of men, Bruce wasn’t just a martial artist; he was a symbol of discipline, focus, and the ability to kick someone into another dimension without breaking a sweat. He moved like a panther, spoke like a philosopher, and trained like a machine. Men admire Bruce because he represents the ideal of what’s possible when mind and body work in perfect harmony – plus, let’s be honest, he looked insanely cool doing it. Women may admire the skill, but guys see Bruce as the ultimate master: of movement, mindset, and mystique. | © Concord Production Inc. / Warner Bros.

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When it comes to Hollywood's leading men, fan favorites can vary dramatically between men and women. Some actors capture the admiration of male audiences with their charisma, grit, and roles that speak to masculine ideals – often more than they do with female fans. Whether it's because of their action-packed performances, no-nonsense attitudes, or relatable on-screen personas, these stars have carved out a special place in the hearts of male viewers. In this list, we’re breaking down 15 male actors who are more popular among men than women – and why they’ve earned that loyalty. | © Alcon Entertainment

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When it comes to Hollywood's leading men, fan favorites can vary dramatically between men and women. Some actors capture the admiration of male audiences with their charisma, grit, and roles that speak to masculine ideals – often more than they do with female fans. Whether it's because of their action-packed performances, no-nonsense attitudes, or relatable on-screen personas, these stars have carved out a special place in the hearts of male viewers. In this list, we’re breaking down 15 male actors who are more popular among men than women – and why they’ve earned that loyalty. | © Alcon Entertainment