Alright movie fans you know we love to talk about all things Hollywood and that includes the big bucks. Forbes just dropped their list of the highest-paid actors of 2024 and guess who made the cut? Our very own Scarlett Johansson ! Yep Black Widow herself is proving she is a box office draw and a financial powerhouse.
Scarlett's Big Year: Fly Me To The Moon and Beyond Earns Her a Spot Among Hollywood's Elite
So how much did Scarlett actually haul in last year? Forbes estimates her net earnings at a cool $31 million gross or $21 million after agent fees. That puts her at number 19 on the overall list and get this she is the youngest woman to crack the top 20! Not bad for someone holding her own against all those dudes right?
What projects brought in the big bucks for Scarlett? Well two main things are mentioned: the upcoming movie Fly Me To The Moon where she stars alongside Channing Tatum and her voice work in the animated flick Transformers One. Those voice roles in animated movies might seem like easy gigs but they can actually pay pretty well especially when you are Scarlett Johansson.
The Rock Reigns Supreme (Again!): A Peek at the Top of the Highest-Paid Actors List
While Scarlett is holding it down for the ladies who else is topping this list of Hollywood's financial heavyweights? No surprise Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is back at number one. He pulled in an estimated $88 million net. Ryan Reynolds came in second with $85 million and Kevin Hart snagged the third spot with $81 million. These guys are not just actors they are brands and businesses unto themselves.
Looking at the rest of the top ten you see some familiar names like Jerry Seinfeld Hugh Jackman Brad Pitt and George Clooney. These are all established stars who have been in the game for a while and know how to command a hefty paycheck. What's interesting is that many of these top earners are not just acting in movies. They are producing writing doing stand-up basically hustling in all sorts of entertainment avenues to maximize their income.
Hollywood's Pay Landscape is Shifting: Why Established Stars and Streaming Deals Dominate
Forbes points out some bigger trends happening in Hollywood pay right now. It's becoming harder for newer younger stars to break into that top echelon of earnings. Even though we have seen breakout stars they still need to consistently prove they can bring in the big bucks to reach those huge paydays. The list is dominated by veterans and multi-hyphenate talents.
Another thing is how much streaming services are changing the game. With theatrical releases feeling riskier A-list actors are often turning to streaming platforms. Streaming services are doing "buyout deals" which means they pay actors a big flat fee upfront. This can actually be more lucrative than traditional movie deals especially with the uncertainty of box office success. Apple Amazon and Netflix are all competing for star-driven streaming projects driving up those upfront paychecks.
So while box office hits are still great it seems like more and more actors are finding financial security and big paydays in the streaming world. It's a sign of the times for sure.
Nicole Kidman Leads the Pack for Highest-Paid Actresses: Experience and TV Reign Supreme
While Scarlett is the youngest woman in the top 20 the title of highest-paid actress of 2024 actually goes to Nicole Kidman . At 57 years old Kidman raked in an estimated $31 million net beating out younger stars. How did she do it? TV miniseries are her secret weapon.
Kidman starred in not one not two but THREE miniseries in 2024 for different streaming platforms: Netflix Paramount+ and Amazon. She reportedly earned over $1 million PER EPISODE for each of these shows. That is some serious TV money. On top of that she also starred in a couple of movies adding to her impressive earnings. Kidman's success shows that experience and consistent work in high-profile TV projects can really pay off for actresses in Hollywood.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Actors of 2024 (and Where Scarlett Ranks):
- Dwayne Johnson - $88 million
- Ryan Reynolds - $85 million
- Kevin Hart - $81 million
- Jerry Seinfeld - $60 million
- Hugh Jackman - $50 million
- Brad Pitt - $32 million
- George Clooney - $31 million
- Nicole Kidman - $31 million
- Adam Sandler - $26 million
- Will Smith - $26 million
Scarlett Johansson comes in at #19 on the full list with $21 million net earnings making her the youngest woman in the top 20.
Movie Stars Still Matter: Talent and Control in a Changing Hollywood
Even with all the shifts in how actors are getting paid and where movies are being released one thing remains clear: movie stars still matter. This list of highest-paid actors is not just about the money it's about influence and control within the industry. These actors are not just showing up on set they are often involved in producing marketing and shaping projects from the ground up. They are powerful players in Hollywood.
And while younger stars are still working their way to the top Scarlett Johansson's presence on this list proves that talent bankability and making smart career choices can lead to major success and yes major paychecks in the ever-evolving world of entertainment.