Yahoo Finance – Hollywood’s top talent can command some seriously high salaries, and the likes of Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Hugh Jackman can make staggering sums for starring in a single movie.
Using data collated by Forbes, read on to discover the 20 highest-paid movie stars of 2024 based on their earnings from upcoming or recently released projects. We’ve also included their estimated net worths and details of the savvy side hustles that further boost their bank balances.
All dollar amounts in US dollars. Earnings figures represent gross amounts before taxes and agent fees.
20. Joaquin Phoenix: $22 million (£17m)
Joaquin Phoenix ranks as the 20th highest-paid actor of 2024. Sources suggest the majority of his $22 million (£17m) earnings came from reprising his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck in Joker: Folie à Deux. The fee marked the biggest upfront payday of his career, despite the film flopping at the box office, grossing just $207.5 million (£160m) against a $200 million (£154m) production budget.
The Oscar-winning star has an estimated net worth of $80 million (£62m), primarily amassed from his acting career. Notable roles include portraying Johnny Cash in the biopic Walk the Line and his sinister turn in the historical epic Gladiator. However, he also profits from a surprising side hustle – directing music videos. He’s helmed projects for indie artists such as She Wants Revenge and People in Planes.
18. Scarlett Johansson: $25 million (£19m)
Scarlett Johansson earned $25 million (£19m) last year thanks to two high-profile roles: the rom-com Fly Me to the Moon, which she starred in alongside Channing Tatum, and a vocal part in the animated movie Transformers: One.
In total, the actress is worth an estimated $165 million (£127m), with the bulk of her fortune derived from her role as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. According to Celebrity Net Worth, she’s banked up to $75 million (£58m) from her MCU stint. Meanwhile, her massive fortune is further bolstered by a $20 million (£15m) real estate portfolio.
18. Jason Statham: $25 million (£19m)
Jason Statham has built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most bankable action stars, allowing him to command millions for his roles. Last year, he banked $25 million (£19m), with most of his earnings coming from his starring turn in the action movie The Beekeeper.
The British star’s estimated net worth stands at $100 million (£77m). In addition to acting, he founded his production company, Punch Palace Productions, in 2022. The studio has several upcoming projects in the pipeline, with Statham set to star.
17. Jake Gyllenhaal: $26 million (£20m)
Jake Gyllenhaal starred in two streaming hits last year: the remake of the 1980s action flick Road House for Amazon Prime Video and the thriller series Presumed Innocent for Apple TV+. These roles earned him $26 million (£20m).
Gyllenhaal’s estimated net worth is $80 million (£62m), primarily derived from his acting career. A versatile star, he’s taken on roles in everything from the Western drama Brokeback Mountain to the Marvel blockbuster Spider-Man: Far From Home. He’s also worked as a producer. In addition to helming many of the projects he stars in, he’s produced star-studded films like The Devil All the Time and Breaking News in Yuba County.
16. Denzel Washington: $27 million (£21m)
Denzel Washington earned $27 million (£21m) last year, primarily for his role in the sword-and-sandal epic Gladiator II. He also profited from royalty cheques on his decades-spanning back catalogue of hit movies.
The veteran star, known for iconic roles in Training Day and Malcolm X, has an estimated net worth of $300 million (£231m). He’s no stranger to massive paydays, having earned an impressive $60 million (£46m) for his role in the 2021 crime drama The Little Things. Meanwhile, he’s also enjoyed success as a director and producer, helming films such as Antwone Fisher and Fences.
15. Channing Tatum: $28 million (£22m)
Channing Tatum had a busy 2024, starring in both the rom-com Fly Me to the Moon and the thriller Blink Twice. He also made a cameo in the Marvel blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine. These projects earned him $28 million (£22m).
In total, Tatum’s estimated net worth stands at $80 million (£62m). The majority of his wealth comes from his starring role in the Magic Mike trilogy, where he earned an estimated $90 million (£69m) pre-tax from the first two instalments. However, his net worth took a hit when he divorced fellow actress Jenna Dewan in 2019, reportedly paying a settlement of up to $30 million (£23m).
14. Mariska Hargitay: $29 million (£22m)
Mariska Hargitay is the highest-paid TV star in the world. She’s portrayed Detective Olivia Benson on crime drama Law & Order: SVU for over 20 years, appearing in almost every episode. She earns $750,000 (£578k) per episode between her acting and producing salary and additionally takes home a share of the show’s syndication profits. Last year alone, she earned a phenomenal $29 million (£22m).
The small-screen icon is worth an estimated $100 million (£77m), with most of her fortune stemming from her Law & Order: SVU role. In addition to the show, Hargitay has boosted her wealth through producing projects such as the comedy film Santorini Blue and the documentary My Beautiful Stutter.
11. John Cena: $30 million (£23m)
John Cena starred in a slew of comedy movies in 2024. His projects included Argylle for Apple TV+, Ricky Stanicky for Hulu and Jackpot! for Amazon Prime Video. He also found time to appear in the TV shows Die Hart 2 and The Bear. Altogether, these roles earned the busy star $30 million (£23m) pre-tax and fees.
Cena’s estimated net worth is $80 million (£62m). He first rose to fame as a wrestler, joining WWE in 2001 and quickly establishing himself as one of the sport’s most popular competitors. However, he’s retiring from wrestling later this year to focus on acting – an endeavour that’s already proved to be a serious moneymaker for him.
11. Matt Damon: $30 million (£23m)
Matt Damon earned $30 million (£23m) in 2024, with a large portion of his earnings coming courtesy of his role in the crime comedy The Instigators. Damon co-owns the studio behind the film and earned a percentage of the movie’s equity when it sold to Apple TV+, in addition to his acting fee.
Famed for his roles in blockbuster film franchises like The Bourne Identity and Ocean’s 11, Damon has an estimated net worth of $170 million (£131m). His fortune is boosted by his work as a writer and producer. As mentioned, he co-owns the film studio Artists Equity with fellow actor Ben Affleck. The company is behind projects like the sports biopic Air, for which Damon reportedly earned up to $40 million (£31m) for his dual role as actor and producer in 2021.
11. Will Smith: $30 million (£23m)
Since his breakout role in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith has become one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, regularly commanding super-sized paydays. Reprising his role as Detective Mike Lowrey in Bad Boys: Ride or Die last year was no exception, with Smith earning $30 million (£23m).
The rapper-turned-actor has an estimated net worth of $350 million (£270m). Surprisingly, despite blockbuster roles in franchises like Men in Black, his highest-earning movie role to date was his Oscar-winning turn in King Richard, for which he earned an incredible $60 million (£46m). His fortune is further boosted by his Westbrook film production studio and a real estate portfolio valued at $100 million (£77m).
10. Mark Wahlberg: $31 million (£24m)
Mark Wahlberg starred in two very different movies last year: the indie sports drama Arthur the King and the Netflix big-budget action thriller The Union. The bulk of his $31 million (£24m) earnings came from the latter project.
Wahlberg, famed for roles in The Departed and Ted, has an estimated net worth of $400 million (£308m). The versatile star has worn many hats over the years, including rapper, model, actor and entrepreneur. Away from showbiz, his money-spinning ventures include the F45 Fitness gym chain and his Wahlburgers fast food franchise.
9. Adam Sandler: $35 million (£27m)
Adam Sandler earned $35 million (£27m) last year, thanks to his multi-year $250 million (£193m) content creation deal with Netflix. In 2024, he produced and starred in the sci-fi film Spaceman for the streaming giant and currently has a highly anticipated Happy Gilmore sequel in the works.
The actor and comedian’s estimated net worth is an incredible $440 million (£339m). Since rising to fame on Saturday Night Live, he’s become one of the most bankable comedy stars. His fortune is further boosted by his Happy Madison Productions company, which is behind hits like Hustle and the Murder Mystery franchise, as well as a real estate portfolio valued at up to $60 million (£46m).
8. George Clooney: $37 million (£29m)
George Clooney starred in two movies in 2024 – the family-friendly IF and the spy comedy Wolfs – earning a total of $37 million (£29m). Most of his earnings came from the latter, despite Clooney publicly denying reports that he and co-star Brad Pitt were each paid around $35 million (£27m) for the project. Insiders dispute his claim, stating the movie was “definitely a for-profit endeavour” for Clooney.
The veteran star’s estimated net worth today is $500 million (£385m). Since rising to fame as Dr. Doug Ross on ER, he’s become one of Hollywood’s hottest leading men, with roles in the Ocean’s franchise and Gravity among his standout credits. Away from the screen, a significant portion of his fortune comes from his Casamigos Tequila company, which he co-founded with two partners. In 2017, Casamigos was sold to Diageo for an eye-watering $1 billion (£770m), earning Clooney an estimated $150 million (£116m) after taxes.
7. Nicole Kidman: $41 million (£32m)
Nicole Kidman ranks as the highest-paid actress of 2024, earning $41 million (£32m). Kidman had a busy year, starring in two movies – the R-rated drama Babygirl and the rom-com A Family Affair. She also found time to appear in three TV miniseries: The Perfect Couple on Netflix, Lioness on Paramount+ and Expats on Amazon Prime TV.
The Australian actress’s estimated total fortune is $250 million (£193m). The ever-diverse star has taken on roles in everything from the musical Moulin Rouge! to the historical epic The Northman. Brands are eager to collaborate with the screen darling, and Kidman has profited from ambassador roles with luxury fashion house Balenciaga and AMC Theatres.
6. Brad Pitt: $42 million (£32m)
Brad Pitt banked a plump $42 million (£32m) in 2024, thanks to his roles in the spy comedy Wolfs, which premiered exclusively on Apple TV+, and his upcoming sports drama F1, set for release later this year.
Pitt’s total estimated fortune is $400 million (£308m), mostly earned through his acting career. Standout roles include Fight Club and Troy. He also profits from his Plan B Entertainment production company, founded in 2001. The company’s films, including World War Z, 12 Years a Slave and more recently Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, have earned over $3 billion (£2.3bn) at the box office.
5. Hugh Jackman: $66 million (£51m)
Hugh Jackman reprised his iconic Wolverine role last year in the blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine. It’s believed to be the biggest payday of his career to date.
The Australian actor’s estimated net worth is $100 million (£77m). Most of his fortune comes from playing Wolverine, with Jackman earning $20 million (£15m) each pre-tax for X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Wolverine. The diverse star is also a talented singer, showcasing his vocal chops in movie musicals like Les Misérables and The Greatest Showman. In addition to acting, he profits from his film production company, Seed Productions, founded in 2005.
4. Jerry Seinfeld: $70 million (£54m)
Jerry Seinfeld earned an eye-watering $70 million (£54m) in 2024. In addition to consistent syndication revenue from his hit sitcom Seinfeld, which continues to generate a fortune year after year, he profited from more recent projects too. These include stand-up comedy gigs and his recent Netflix comedy film, Unfrosted, which he wrote, directed and starred in.
Last year, Forbes declared Seinfeld a billionaire, with an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion (£848m). The veteran star can earn over $20 million (£15m) from his comedy tours. Meanwhile, Netflix recently paid a stunning $500 million (£385m) for the rights to air Seinfeld for five years.
3. Ryan Reynolds: $100 million (£77m)
Ryan Reynolds had a stellar 2024, starring in, co-writing and executive producing Deadpool & Wolverine, the second-highest-grossing film of the year, earning $1.3 billion (£1bn) worldwide. He also appeared in the family film IF and produced the Netflix documentary Welcome to Wrexham, bringing his total earnings to $100 million (£77m).
With an estimated net worth of $350 million (£270m), Reynolds profits beyond acting through savvy business ventures. He was a minority stakeholder and creative director of Aviation Gin, which sold to Diageo for $610 million (£470m) in 2020, and his stake in Mint Mobile earned him an estimated $75 million (£58m) after taxes when it was acquired by T-Mobile in 2023. In 2020, he and fellow actor Rob McElhenney made headlines by purchasing the Welsh football club Wrexham AFC.
2. Dwayne Johnson: $103 million (£79m)
Dwayne Johnson earned a staggering $103 million (£79m) in 2024. His massive payday included a record-breaking $50 million (£39) for Amazon’s Red One, the largest fee-plus-buyout deal in streaming history. He also earned a slice of the box office profits for Moana 2, which grossed over $1 billion (£770m) globally.
With an estimated net worth of $800 million (£616m), Johnson first found fame as a WWE star before pivoting to Hollywood, where he became one of the highest-paid actors thanks to roles in the likes of Jumanji and the Fast & Furious franchise. Beyond acting, he has a lucrative side hustle in the form of his tequila brand, Teremana.
1. Kevin Hart: $108 million (£83m)
Kevin Hart had an insanely busy 2024, starring in multiple projects across different platforms. He appeared in the theatrical release Borderlands, the Netflix film Lift, the Amazon Prime movie Die Hart 2: Die Harter and the TV shows Die Hart and Fight Night. On top of that, he hosted a weekly Spotify podcast and still found time to perform 90 stand-up comedy shows. These endeavours earned him $108 million (£83m) pre-tax and fees.
The actor and comedian’s estimated total fortune is $450 million (£347m). In addition to his acting and comedy gigs, Hart profits from endorsement deals with major brands like DraftKings and Chase. In 2022, he also launched his own media company, HartBeat. According to Celebrity Net Worth, he owns an 85% stake in the company, which is valued at $650 million (£501m).
