As the film industry looks at the major wins for movies in the past year, the numbers are finally in at Forbes for the highest paid actors of 2025. While some of the money comes from new projects, other revenue lies in massive backend deals, streaming residuals, and producing credits. New and familiar faces appear on this year’s highest paid actors list, so figure out who got the biggest paychecks below.
6. Jack Black, $28 million
Starting our list of highest paid actors of 2025 is Jack Black. The comedy genius earned $28 million in 2025. With his appearances in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, Super Mario Bros., and the near-billion-dollar grosser A Minecraft Movie, Black has solidified himself as the king of children’s films. He also appeared alongside Paul Rudd in the reboot of Anaconda, adding some adult humor to his recent repertoire.
5. Denzel Washington, $38 million
Fifth on our list of the highest paid actors of 2025 is Denzel Washington. Washington collaborated with Spike Lee for the fifth time in the film Highest 2 Lowest, which was his largest money earner for last year. The film landed him an estimated $35 million. Plus, with his back catalog of more than 50 movies, he continues to get paid millions each year through streaming deals, leaving him with $38 million by the end of 2025.
4. Brad Pitt, $41 million
Next on our list of the highest paid actors of 2025 is Brad Pitt, with a total of $41 million. F1 was Apple’s most ambitious project to date, and also a huge success for Brad Pitt, who landed the leading role. It even earned a nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars, and a sequel is now in the works. Instead of a buyout, Pitt was given a traditional gross participation deal, which is pretty sweet when the film pulled in more than $600 million at the box office.
3. Mark Wahlberg, $44 million
Rounding out the top three for the highest paid actors in 2025 is Mark Wahlberg with $44 million. Wahlberg has become a well-known name for streaming services, appearing in action films as the go-to guy with a gun. In 2025, he starred in AppleTV’s The Family Plan 2 and Prime Video’s Play Dirty. He also nabbed a role in Mel Gibson’s Flight Risk and a handful of producing projects, while his old song “Good Vibrations” continues to bring in the money.
2. Tom Cruise, $46 million
Second on our list of the highest paid actors of 2025 is Tom Cruise with $46 million. Cruise portrayed Ethan Hunt for it seems the final time in Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning. While he took less money up front, it was an exchange for a first-dollar gross participation in the movie’s almost $600 million in box office money. He seems to be possibly switching from box office successes to critical acclaim in 2026, so we shall see how that ends up.
1. Adam Sandler, $48 million
Last but not least on our list of the highest paid actors of 2025 is Adam Sandler, pulling in $48 million for the year. Leaving the movie theaters behind in 2014, Sandler has thrived in streaming movies, especially those on Netflix. He continues to be a big draw for the service, including the long-awaited Happy Gilmore 2, and landed a second smash hit for Netflix’s Jay Kelly. Not only did he get a payday, but earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Golden Globes and several critics’ awards.