1. Daniel Craig – Knives Out Sequels – $100 million

Daniel Craig secured one of the most lucrative deals in Hollywood history for the Knives Out sequels. After the success of the first film, Netflix acquired the rights for two follow-ups and paid Craig a staggering $100 million. This massive payout includes not just his acting fee, but also a share of the profits and other backend deals. The contract highlights Craig’s star power and the growing trend of streaming giants investing heavily in established franchises and talent.

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2. Tom Cruise – Mission: Impossible 2 – $100 million

Tom Cruise earned a massive $100 million for Mission: Impossible 2, largely thanks to his savvy business strategy. Instead of a fixed salary, he negotiated a deal for a significant cut of the film’s profits. As the movie became a box office hit, his earnings skyrocketed. Cruise’s role as both lead actor and producer allowed him to capitalize on the film’s success. His approach set a new standard for A-listers seeking profit participation in blockbuster franchises.

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3. Robert Downey Jr. – Avengers: Endgame – $75 million

Robert Downey Jr.’s final outing as Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame brought him a huge $75 million paycheck. Marvel rewarded him not just for his performance but for helping build the MCU into a global phenomenon. He earned a smaller base salary, but backend deals tied to the film’s record-breaking box office pushed his total earnings sky-high. Downey’s smart contracts and central role in the franchise made him one of Hollywood’s top earners.

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4. Johnny Depp – Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – $55 million

Johnny Depp commanded $55 million for reprising Captain Jack Sparrow in the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean film. The massive paycheck reflected both the series’ commercial success and Depp’s popularity. His deal included upfront salary and backend profits. Although the film received mixed reviews, it performed strongly at the box office. Depp’s high earnings underscored the value studios placed on bankable stars during the height of the franchise era.

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5. Dwayne Johnson – Red One – $50 million

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson earned $50 million for his role in Red One, a high-budget holiday-themed action film. As one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood, Johnson often commands top-dollar for his projects. His fee reflects not only his star power but also his role as a producer and key marketing figure. With streaming platforms investing heavily in original content, actors like Johnson are securing huge upfront deals for global releases.

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6. Leonardo DiCaprio – Inception – $50 million

Leonardo DiCaprio made $50 million from Inception, thanks to a unique profit-sharing agreement. Instead of taking a large salary upfront, he opted for a percentage of the film’s earnings. As Inception became a global hit, his payday soared. DiCaprio’s decision to back director Christopher Nolan’s original concept paid off in both creative and financial terms. His performance and influence helped turn the mind-bending film into a box office success.

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7. Jack Nicholson – Batman – $50 million

Jack Nicholson earned $50 million for playing the Joker in Tim Burton’s Batman (1989), a groundbreaking deal at the time. He accepted a lower upfront salary in exchange for a percentage of the box office, merchandising, and sequel profits. The film became a cultural and financial phenomenon, turning Nicholson’s deal into one of the most profitable in history. His role set a new benchmark for how actors could negotiate backend earnings in blockbuster films.

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8. Margot Robbie – Barbie – $50 million

Margot Robbie earned around $50 million for her starring role in Barbie, a major box office success in 2023. Her deal combined salary, backend profits, and producer credits. As both lead actress and co-producer, Robbie played a major role in shaping the film’s creative direction and public appeal. The unexpected success of Barbie pushed her earnings into the top tier, making her one of the highest-paid actresses in recent history.

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9. Cameron Diaz – Bad Teacher – $42 million

Cameron Diaz earned $42 million for Bad Teacher through a smart contract that prioritized backend profits over upfront pay. She took only $1 million as base salary but negotiated a large share of the film’s box office revenue. When the low-budget comedy became a surprise hit, her earnings soared. Diaz’s strategic approach showed how choosing backend deals can lead to huge rewards—even for smaller films.

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10. Tom Hanks – Saving Private Ryan – $40 million

Tom Hanks earned $40 million for Saving Private Ryan, largely through a profit-sharing arrangement with director Steven Spielberg. The World War II epic performed exceptionally well at the box office and won multiple awards. Hanks, who also served as a producer, saw major financial returns due to the film’s critical and commercial success. His reputation and involvement in quality storytelling consistently allow him to negotiate lucrative contracts.

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This top list shows the top 10 highest-paid movie roles of all time.