Check Out the Highest-Paid Male Actors of 2025

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Forbes has released its list of the highest-paid male actors for 2025, and the results show a mix of established stars and popular streaming actors earning significant incomes. Adam Sandler topped the list with $48 million, with Tom Cruise close behind at $46 million and Mark Wahlberg earning $44 million.

Adam Sandler, now 59, remains a major force in streaming entertainment. He shifted away from movie theaters in 2014 and quickly became Netflix’s most popular star. In 2025, he both produced and starred in the highly anticipated Happy Gilmore 2, and also appeared in Netflix’s Jay Kelly. According to those in the industry, Sandler receives large guaranteed payments every year, no matter how well his movies perform.

Adam Sandler received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Jay Kelly, and also won several awards from film critics. He continues to be one of the highest-paid actors thanks to his ongoing deal with Netflix.

Tom Cruise, 63, made $46 million this year largely thanks to his return as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. He accepted a lower initial salary, but negotiated a deal where he’d receive a share of the movie’s earnings from the very first dollar it made, and the film ultimately grossed almost $600 million worldwide.

Look, Tom Cruise has been the king of action for years, but I’m getting a strong sense he’s really aiming for something different now – something that’ll impress the critics. Word is, he’s teaming up with Alejandro G. Iñárritu – the guy who directed Birdman and The Revenant – for a movie called Digger, slated for 2026. It’s all part of his new deal with Warner Bros., and honestly, it feels like Cruise is signaling a real shift in his career focus.

Mark Wahlberg, age 54, had a productive 2025, appearing in several major streaming films. He starred in The Family Plan 2 on AppleTV+ and Play Dirty on Prime Video, where he reportedly made $25 million. He also worked on Mel Gibson’s film Flight Risk and contributed to various projects as a producer. In addition, Wahlberg continues to earn money from his earlier success, Good Vibrations, through its use in television and film. This combination of acting, producing, and ongoing income keeps him highly sought after.

Brad Pitt earned $41 million in 2025, primarily due to the success of Apple’s Formula 1 racing movie. Apple invested heavily in the film, bringing together producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joseph Kosinski. Pitt’s contract included a percentage of the movie’s box office revenue, which totaled $600 million. The film was even nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, and plans for a follow-up movie are already underway.

Denzel Washington, age 71, made $38 million for his latest movie, Highest 2 Lowest. This marks the fifth time he’s worked with director Spike Lee. He earned $35 million upfront, plus additional compensation – a remarkably high amount for a Hollywood deal. Even though he’s starred in over 50 films that continue to earn money, Washington admitted to reporters last year that he doesn’t enjoy watching movies, saying, “I’m tired of movies!”

Jack Black, age 56, made $28 million in the past year thanks to several popular projects, including work on the Kung Fu Panda series, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and A Minecraft Movie. He also appeared alongside Paul Rudd in a new version of Anaconda, which did reasonably well for Sony. Black continues to be a leading actor in family films, demonstrating his lasting popularity with audiences of all ages.

At 46, Jason Momoa earned $28 million, tying with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. He’s transitioning from his role as Aquaman in the former DC Universe to play Lobo in the new DC Universe led by James Gunn. Momoa also appeared in A Minecraft Movie, which is already getting a sequel, and starred in the AppleTV+ series Chief of War. When he’s not acting, he tours with his band, Öof Tatatá, in the U.S. and U.K., making for a very full schedule.

Daniel Craig, age 58, made $27 million recently, boosted by the success of the Knives Out movies on Netflix. He had a deal for two Knives Out sequels, with guaranteed payments for both him and the director, Rian Johnson. This success now puts him in line for a major part in the upcoming film adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia, directed by Greta Gerwig.

John Cena, age 48, made $26 million in 2025. Though he recently retired from professional wrestling after a 23-year career, he’s become popular in streaming shows, appearing in comedies and superhero roles. He’s starred in the movie Heads of State and returned for another season of the DC Universe series Peacemaker. In addition to his on-screen work, Cena earns income through endorsements with companies like McDonald’s, Neutrogena, and Honda.

George Clooney, age 64, earned $25 million over the past year through his work in both movies and theater. He was involved in the successful Broadway play Good Night, and Good Luck as a writer, producer, and actor. However, the bulk of his income came from the Netflix film Jay Kelly, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. His salary and a share of the film’s profits made up most of his earnings.

Leonardo DiCaprio, age 51, earned $25 million recently. The film he starred in, One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, brought in $210 million worldwide. Because of his strong reputation, DiCaprio consistently lands leading roles and is currently being considered for several exciting future projects, including biographical films and dramatic productions.

Rob Mac, age 48, had a very successful year, earning $23 million. He sold part of his ownership in the Welsh soccer club Wrexham AFC and legally changed his name from Rob McElhenney to Rob Mac. He also continued his work in television, producing and starring in the latest seasons of both It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Mythic Quest, solidifying his position as a talented actor and producer.

In 2025, Chris Pratt earned $22 million through acting and producing. He appeared in the film The Electric State with Millie Bobby Brown and reprised his role in a new season of the Prime Video series The Terminal List. Pratt also runs his own production company and will star in the movie adaptation of Way of the Warrior Kid, scheduled for release in 2026.

Tom Hardy, age 48, made $21 million from various acting jobs. He landed roles in MobLand and The Agency because Paramount was previously paying top dollar to attract big names for its streaming platform. He also starred in and helped produce the Netflix action movie Havoc, directed by Gareth Evans, further establishing him as a dependable action movie lead.

Jason Bateman, 57, rounded out the top earners with $19 million. A large part of his income came from voicing a character in the hugely successful movie Zootopia 2, which made $1.8 billion worldwide. He also appeared in the Netflix series Black Rabbit and continues to profit from his popular podcast, Smartless, co-hosted with Will Arnett and Sean Hayes.

2025 proved to be a very profitable year for top male actors in Hollywood. Stars like Adam Sandler, Tom Cruise, and Mark Wahlberg made significant incomes through streaming contracts, big-budget movies, and profit-sharing agreements. At the same time, established actors including Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington, George Clooney, and Leonardo DiCaprio continued to earn substantial paychecks from both traditional movie releases and streaming platforms.

These earnings show how much the entertainment industry has changed. Leading actors now make money from various sources, including movie ticket sales, streaming deals, profit-sharing agreements, and major advertising campaigns. With traditional movies and streaming services becoming increasingly similar, the actors on this list are successful in both areas.

In 2025, actors like Adam Sandler, Jason Momoa, and Tom Hardy demonstrated just how valuable talent is in Hollywood. Sandler thrived on Netflix, Momoa proved his ability to lead various franchises, and Hardy found success with streaming platforms. Each actor carefully managed their career, showing that being a well-known star with a good reputation and smart business sense is still the recipe for success.

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2026-03-14 14:47