Dwayne Johnson Tops Forbes’ Highest Paid Actors List for 2024

BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP) — Dwayne Johnson has once again earned the title of the highest-paid actor in Hollywood, according to Forbes’ list released on March 3, 2025. The actor, widely known as ‘The Rock,’ accrued an impressive $88 million in earnings in 2024, a figure bolstered by his work in Amazon‘s ‘Red One‘ and Disney‘s ‘Moana 2.’

Despite the mixed reviews surrounding ‘Red One,’ which faced a challenging release with a box office gross of $186 million against a $250 million production budget, Johnson’s extensive promotional activities on social media drew significant viewership. The film garnered over 50 million viewers on Amazon Prime Video during its opening weekend, affirming Johnson’s strong appeal to audiences.

Johnson’s earnings were substantially influenced by his $50 million deal for ‘Red One,’ which Forbes labelled the highest fee-plus-buyout total for a single movie in history. Additionally, his executive producer credits and associated profits from ‘Moana 2,’ which surpassed $1 billion globally, greatly contributed to his financial success, marking his robust presence in both acting and production.

Following Johnson in the ranks, Ryan Reynolds secured the second spot with earnings of approximately $85 million, led by his role in ‘Deadpool and Wolverine,’ which achieved over $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office. Reynolds diversified his portfolio further through work on the Hulu series ‘Welcome to Wrexham.’

Kevin Hart placed third with earnings of around $81 million, thanks to a busy schedule that included the action-comedy ‘Borderlands’ and numerous stand-up engagements. Hart’s multi-platform approach—including his Spotify podcast—has kept his financial gains consistent and on the rise.

Other notable actors making the top five include Jerry Seinfeld, earning $60 million primarily through his successful stand-up career and Netflix projects, and Hugh Jackman, with earnings close to $50 million from his participation in ‘Deadpool and Wolverine.’

Rounding out the top ten are Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, Adam Sandler, and Will Smith. Kidman, at $31 million, is the only female actor featured in the top ranks, showing the ongoing disparity in earnings among male and female actors in Hollywood.

Johnson’s remarkable year highlights not just his ability to draw crowds as an actor but also points to the lucrative opportunities available within modern cinema. As he steps into producing roles like the adaptation of the video game ‘It Takes Two,’ which sold over 20 million copies, Johnson is not only shaping his career but also influencing the future of Hollywood.