Variety has gathered the top phonographies for actors who have starred in new movies, whether recently released or on the near horizon. The standout is Tom Cruise, who commanded more than $100 million for his lead role in Top Gun: Maverick.
Here is how the rest of the slate looks for actors commanding the highest salaries for upcoming projects:
- Will Smith – $35 million for the forthcoming film Liberation;
- Leonardo DiCaprio – $30 million for Killers of the Flower Moon;
- Brad Pitt – $30 million for an upcoming Formula 1 movie;
- Dwayne Johnson – $22.5 million for Black Adam, scheduled for release soon;
- Will Ferrell – $20 million for A Christmas Carol;
- Ryan Reynolds – $20 million for A Christmas Carol;
- Chris Hemsworth – $20 million for Tyler Rake 2;
- Vin Diesel – $20 million for Fast & Furious 10;
- Tom Hardy – $20 million for Venom 3;
- Joaquin Phoenix – $20 million for Joker 2;
- Denzel Washington – $20 million for The Great Equalizer 3;
- Jason Momoa – $15 million for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom;
- Eddie Murphy – $15 million for Beverly Hills Cop 4;
- Chris Pine – $13 million for Star Trek 4;
- Steve Carell – $12.5 million for Minions: Gruvitation;
- Ryan Gosling – $12.5 million for Barbie;
- Margot Robbie – $12.5 million for Barbie;
- Timothée Chalamet – $9 million for Willy Wonka;
- Matt Damon – $4 million for Oppenheimer;
- Emily Blunt – $4 million for Oppenheimer;
- Robert Downey Jr. – $4 million for Oppenheimer;
- Daniel Kaluuya – $4 million for No;
- Jamie Lee Curtis – $3.5 million for Halloween Ends;
- Anya Taylor-Joy – $1.8 million for Furiosa;
Industry watchers note that the paydays reflect a mix of franchise potential, star power, and market expectations. Studios weigh global audiences, brand partnerships, and merchandising when finalizing deals. While blockbuster salaries grab headlines, performers also evaluate creative control, production timelines, and the quality of the accompanying press and promotion. The landscape continues to evolve as streaming platforms increasingly influence release windows and audience access.
Typical press coverage emphasizes the scale of these deals, but the true value lies in the long-term impact on a performer’s career trajectory, on the creative teams behind these projects, and on how audiences respond to premieres and subsequent releases.
Recall that earlier this year industry trackers highlighted notable film orbits for the first half of the year, with broad attention given to major festival buzz, critical reception, and audience engagement across platforms.
Note: The above figures are reported estimates based on public announcements and industry analysis at the time of publication.