Hollywood's Top 10 Highest-Paid Stars 2019: Ryan Reynolds Tops List

Throughout Hollywood‘s history, the public as well as the industry have been mutually shocked upon finding out how much actors have been paid for certain projects.

While the numbers are astronomical — as will be revealed in the following list — people were stunned back when, for instance, Elizabeth Taylor was paid $1 million for 1963’s Cleopatra, Sean Connery was lured back to the role of James Bond with a $1.25 million payday for 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever or Marlon Brando was paid $3.7 million for two weeks work on 1978’s Superman: The Movie. Then there came the time Jim Carrey was paid $20 million for 1996’s The Cable Guy — a move that triggered a wave of $20 million+ paychecks.

These days, actors — particularly those associated with big budget blockbusters — are more likely to make their multi-millions from an upfront salary applied against a percentage of a film’s box office take. A perfect example of this comes from a recent report that Robert Downey, Jr. — based on a percentage — took home $75 million for 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War. Oh, and what turned out to be $15 million for three day’s work on 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.

For a breakdown of Hollywood’s current Top 10 earners, please scroll down.

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Ryan Reynolds: $27 Million

While Ryan Reynolds has done quite well for himself with the Deadpool films as well as his next effort, Detective Pikachu, Netflix is paying him $27 million to star in Michael Bay‘s Six Underground. The plot of the film deals with six billionaires who form a vigilante squad by faking their deaths to take down notorious criminals. Ryan’s character name is “One.”

Dwayne Johnson: $20 Million

There aren’t many actors who can pretty much guarantee a huge opening, but Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is certainly one of them. That’s the case whether you’re talking about an entry in the Fast & Furious franchise or something like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. For that reason, he got $20 million for Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, which will race into theaters on August 2.

Robert Downey, Jr.: $20 Million

For anyone who believes that Robert Downey Jr.’s career is limited to Marvel films (which began with 2008’s Iron Man and has totaled 10 appearances, including Avengers: Endgame), they’d be wrong. He’s making a cool $20 million for launching what could be the start of a whole new franchise, The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle, being released on January 17, 2020.

Will Smith: $17 Million, Possibly Going to $35 Million

Despite the fact that Will Smith hasn’t had a huge hit in the last few years, it’s obvious that Hollywood hasn’t lost faith in him. He’s bringing the character of Genie to life in Disney’s Aladdin (May 24), stars in the CG animated film Spies in Disguise (September 13), takes on his younger self in an assassination battle in Gemini Man (October 11), and is currently shooting the third installment of the Bad Boys films, Bad Boys for Life (costarring Martin Lawrence and scheduled for release on January 17, 2020). For the latter, he received $17 million. He is also expected to star in the Netflix sequel Bright 2, a role he which is rumored to be earning $35 million to play.

Jason Statham: $13 Million

You’ve got to be a pretty big badass to take on a prehistoric shark and live to tell the tale. Well, that’s Jason Statham for ya. In addition to The Meg, he has appeared in the last few Fast & Furious installments and now he and The Rock are costarring in the spin-off, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, being released on August 2. How much was he paid for that? $13 million, that’s how much.

Tom Cruise: $12-14 Million

The placement of Tom Cruise on this list is, admittedly, a little surprising considering just how successful the Mission Impossible films have been for him (a point proven by the fact that the next two installments are being shot back-to-back). We genuinely thought he would be ranked higher, but he’s getting a $12-14 million payday for the follow-up to one of his first giant hits with Top Gun: Maverick, coming on June 26, 2020.

Brad Pitt: $10 million

Brad Pitt is what’s known as a dependable actor in that you can almost guarantee that, if he is in a film, it represents a certain level of quality and brings in a dedicated following. He’s getting paid $10 million to star in Quentin Tarantino‘s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (set against the backdrop of the murder of Sharon Tate and others at the hands of the Manson Family). Look for the film on July 26.

Gal Gadot: $10 Million

Now that’s a wonder, woman! With four Fast & Furious films, three DC superhero adventures, voicing Shank in Ralph Breaks the Internet, and such forthcoming efforts as Death on the Nile, Red Notice and Wonder Woman 1984 (coming June 5, 2020, and for which she was paid $10 million), Gal Gadot has certainly earned her place on this list.

Leonardo DiCaprio: $10 Million

Some films may have done better than others, but ever since 1997’s Titanic, Leonardo DiCaprio has been pretty bankable in Hollywood and is well known for his quality choices. Look for him next costarring alongside Brad Pitt in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, for which he is getting paid $10 million.