The Highest-Paid Actors Of 2025

Adam Sandler Leads Hollywood’s 2025 Highest-Paid Actors List, While Rising Stars Make Their Mark

Adam Sandler continues to cash in on his star power, proving that in Hollywood, bankability still matters—especially on streaming platforms. Joining him on the 2025 salary A-List are a record-breaking newcomer and an actress returning from retirement.

Hollywood executives are increasingly concerned about the so-called death of movie stardom. With top musicians, athletes, internet creators, and podcasters often out-earning film and TV actors, the notion that a marquee name guarantees box office success has been challenged. High-profile flops like Dwayne Johnson in The Smashing Machine, Julia Roberts in After The Hunt, and Glen Powell in The Running Man have only amplified these fears.

The 2025 trend underscored this shift: fewer star-driven films were released, and total earnings among the 20 highest-paid actors dropped 20%, from $730 million to $590 million. Adam Sandler topped the list with $48 million—well below last year’s $88 million leader.

Despite the decline, top talent remains indispensable. Studios still pay eight-figure sums for actors who can bring attention to a project. Scarlett Johansson ($43 million) anchored Universal’s Jurassic World: Rebirth, and Brad Pitt ($41 million) led Apple’s F1, two of the year’s top-grossing releases. Even Leonardo DiCaprio’s One Battle After Another, which earned $210 million globally, relied heavily on the actor’s star power.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe also demonstrated the ongoing importance of familiar faces, bringing back Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom with a deal exceeding $100 million across two projects, including performance bonuses.

Streaming platforms have become a new haven for actors seeking guaranteed pay. Sandler’s multi-year Netflix deal remains the most lucrative, while Denzel Washington ($38 million) and Daniel Craig ($27 million) secured major streaming contracts. Mark Wahlberg ($44 million) emerged as a dominant streaming-first star with projects on Amazon and Apple. Netflix also enticed Cameron Diaz ($20 million) out of retirement for a two-picture deal alongside Jamie Foxx. Meanwhile, Millie Bobby Brown ($26 million), at just 22, became the first streaming-native actor to break into Hollywood’s top 20 earners, largely thanks to her work on Stranger Things and The Electric State.

Other emerging stars, such as Sydney Sweeney ($7 million) and Glen Powell ($10 million), are still establishing consistent box office draw. Timothée Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan, favorites for this weekend’s Oscars, are expected to command around $20 million for upcoming projects, joined next year by Zendaya, whose 2026 slate includes four films and HBO’s Euphoria.

Negotiations between talent representatives and studios may be growing more tense, but both sides agree that marquee talent remains a critical component of a successful film or TV project. “We’ll keep asking for more,” one top agent said. “They’ll keep asking us for less. But in a negotiation, I like our chances.”

Highest-Paid Actors of 2025

1. Adam Sandler – $48M ($60M gross)
   Netflix deal ensures annual guarantees regardless of box office. Starred in Happy Gilmore 2 and Jay Kelly.

2. Tom Cruise – $46M ($54M gross)
   Earned first-dollar gross participation for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

3. Mark Wahlberg – $44M ($58M gross)
   Streaming powerhouse with Apple TV’s The Family Plan 2 and Prime Video’s Play Dirty.

4. Scarlett Johansson – $43M ($50M gross)
   Anchored Jurassic World: Rebirth and made her directorial debut with Eleanor The Great.

5. Brad Pitt – $41M ($54M gross)
   Starred in Apple’s F1 with traditional gross participation.

6. Denzel Washington – $38M ($42M gross)
   Top-paid actor in Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest; extensive back catalog continues to generate income.

7. Jack Black – $28M ($33M gross)
   Starred in family-friendly hits including Super Mario Bros. and A Minecraft Movie.

8. Jason Momoa – $28M ($33M gross)
   Transitioning to new DCU roles, while also producing Chief of War on Apple TV.

9. Daniel Craig – $27M ($32M gross)
   Netflix’s Knives Out sequel led to a multi-picture deal with lucrative guarantees.

10. Millie Bobby Brown – $26M ($35M gross)
    Netflix’s streaming-native star of Stranger Things and The Electric State.

11. John Cena – $26M ($35M gross)
    WWE legend turned streaming comedy and superhero star.

12. Reese Witherspoon – $26M ($34M gross)
    Combined acting and producing projects, including The Morning Show and Amazon rom-com You’re Cordially Invited.

13. George Clooney – $25M ($30M gross)
    Starred in Netflix’s Jay Kelly and Broadway production of Good Night, and Good Luck.

14. Leonardo DiCaprio – $25M ($29M gross)
    Anchored One Battle After Another; name remains a major draw for projects.

15. Rob Mac – $23M ($30M gross)
    Actor, producer, and Wrexham AFC co-owner; notable TV output includes It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

16. Chris Pratt – $22M ($29M gross)
    Starred in The Electric State and executive produced The Terminal List.

17. Tom Hardy – $21M ($28M gross)
    Led streaming crime series MobLand and Netflix action film Havoc.

18. Jennifer Aniston – $20M ($26M gross)
    Friends residuals, The Morning Show, endorsements, and personal haircare brand.

19. Cameron Diaz – $20M ($23M gross)
    Returned from retirement for Netflix’s Back in Action and upcoming Shrek 5.

20. Jason Bateman – $19M ($25M gross)
    Starred in Zootopia 2 and Netflix series Black Rabbit; podcast earnings excluded.

Methodology: Estimates are based on interviews with agents, managers, lawyers, and industry experts, combined with IMDbPro and Box Office Mojo data. Figures represent pretax earnings for 2025, minus standard representation fees. Only earnings from acting, producing, and directing are included; entrepreneurial ventures, commercials, and social media deals are excluded.