Actors who earned the most from a single movie

Actors, Hollywood, and millions

Actors, Hollywood, and millions, Keanu Reeves – 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003), Will Smith – 'Men in Black 3' (2012), Tom Cruise – 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), Bruce Willis – 'The Sixth Sense' (1999), Robert Downey Jr. – 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), Tom Hanks – 'Forrest Gump' (1994), Harrison Ford – 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008), Jack Nicholson – 'Batman' (1989), Johnny Depp – 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), Dwayne Johnson - 'Red One' (2024)

In Hollywood, it's not just about acting: it's about billing. Here, talent is measured in zeros. This ranking divides actors into two leagues: those who received $100 million or more for a single movie (yes, you read that right), and those who 'only' made between $50 and $100 million. Figures hard to fanthom for the average person.

Keanu Reeves – 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003)

Actors, Hollywood, and millions, Keanu Reeves – 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003), Will Smith – 'Men in Black 3' (2012), Tom Cruise – 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), Bruce Willis – 'The Sixth Sense' (1999), Robert Downey Jr. – 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), Tom Hanks – 'Forrest Gump' (1994), Harrison Ford – 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008), Jack Nicholson – 'Batman' (1989), Johnny Depp – 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), Dwayne Johnson - 'Red One' (2024)

For the sequels of 'The Matrix', Keanu Reeves bagged more than $120 million... and then donated a good part to the technical team. Not only was he 'the chosen one' in the saga, but he has always been off-screen too. Nice guy, and we're happy for his successes.

Will Smith – 'Men in Black 3' (2012)

Actors, Hollywood, and millions, Keanu Reeves – 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003), Will Smith – 'Men in Black 3' (2012), Tom Cruise – 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), Bruce Willis – 'The Sixth Sense' (1999), Robert Downey Jr. – 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), Tom Hanks – 'Forrest Gump' (1994), Harrison Ford – 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008), Jack Nicholson – 'Batman' (1989), Johnny Depp – 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), Dwayne Johnson - 'Red One' (2024)

Will Smith ranks second in our list surpassing $115 million between a high base salary and a share of the profits. The black suit came with a filled briefcase. Although the movie wasn't brilliant, his contract was.

Tom Cruise – 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022)

Actors, Hollywood, and millions, Keanu Reeves – 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003), Will Smith – 'Men in Black 3' (2012), Tom Cruise – 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), Bruce Willis – 'The Sixth Sense' (1999), Robert Downey Jr. – 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), Tom Hanks – 'Forrest Gump' (1994), Harrison Ford – 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008), Jack Nicholson – 'Batman' (1989), Johnny Depp – 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), Dwayne Johnson - 'Red One' (2024)

Cruise not only piloted jets; he also piloted finances. Starting with a fixed $12.5 million, to which he added over $100 million, thanks to a deal giving him a percentage of the box office take. And so he has been smashing it in Hollywood for 40 years.

Bruce Willis – 'The Sixth Sense' (1999)

Actors, Hollywood, and millions, Keanu Reeves – 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003), Will Smith – 'Men in Black 3' (2012), Tom Cruise – 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), Bruce Willis – 'The Sixth Sense' (1999), Robert Downey Jr. – 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), Tom Hanks – 'Forrest Gump' (1994), Harrison Ford – 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008), Jack Nicholson – 'Batman' (1989), Johnny Depp – 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), Dwayne Johnson - 'Red One' (2024)

Earned $14 million upfront and then 17% of the box office. Result: reaching our first category with about $100 million. Sometimes he literally saw money falling from the ceiling.

Robert Downey Jr. – 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019)

Actors, Hollywood, and millions, Keanu Reeves – 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003), Will Smith – 'Men in Black 3' (2012), Tom Cruise – 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), Bruce Willis – 'The Sixth Sense' (1999), Robert Downey Jr. – 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), Tom Hanks – 'Forrest Gump' (1994), Harrison Ford – 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008), Jack Nicholson – 'Batman' (1989), Johnny Depp – 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), Dwayne Johnson - 'Red One' (2024)

In 'Endgame', Robert Downey Jr.'s salary shot up to $75 million. He didn't just save the universe; he also saved his bank account. Marvel knew how to pay well to their main hero.

Tom Hanks – 'Forrest Gump' (1994)

Actors, Hollywood, and millions, Keanu Reeves – 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003), Will Smith – 'Men in Black 3' (2012), Tom Cruise – 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), Bruce Willis – 'The Sixth Sense' (1999), Robert Downey Jr. – 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), Tom Hanks – 'Forrest Gump' (1994), Harrison Ford – 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008), Jack Nicholson – 'Batman' (1989), Johnny Depp – 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), Dwayne Johnson - 'Red One' (2024)

Negotiated part of the gross earnings. Result: landing in category two, and ended up surpassing $65 million. Running was profitable. The box of chocolates came with many bills.

Harrison Ford – 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008)

Actors, Hollywood, and millions, Keanu Reeves – 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003), Will Smith – 'Men in Black 3' (2012), Tom Cruise – 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), Bruce Willis – 'The Sixth Sense' (1999), Robert Downey Jr. – 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), Tom Hanks – 'Forrest Gump' (1994), Harrison Ford – 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008), Jack Nicholson – 'Batman' (1989), Johnny Depp – 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), Dwayne Johnson - 'Red One' (2024)

Harrison Ford also earned around $65 million for this movie. The whip, the hat... and a contract more valuable than the crystal skull itself.

Jack Nicholson – 'Batman' (1989)

Actors, Hollywood, and millions, Keanu Reeves – 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003), Will Smith – 'Men in Black 3' (2012), Tom Cruise – 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), Bruce Willis – 'The Sixth Sense' (1999), Robert Downey Jr. – 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), Tom Hanks – 'Forrest Gump' (1994), Harrison Ford – 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008), Jack Nicholson – 'Batman' (1989), Johnny Depp – 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), Dwayne Johnson - 'Red One' (2024)

Negotiated a portion of the merchandising profits. Result: entering our second category too, surpassing $56 million. The Joker laughed last and best. The real villain was his accountant.

Johnny Depp – 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011)

Actors, Hollywood, and millions, Keanu Reeves – 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003), Will Smith – 'Men in Black 3' (2012), Tom Cruise – 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), Bruce Willis – 'The Sixth Sense' (1999), Robert Downey Jr. – 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), Tom Hanks – 'Forrest Gump' (1994), Harrison Ford – 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008), Jack Nicholson – 'Batman' (1989), Johnny Depp – 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), Dwayne Johnson - 'Red One' (2024)

Captain Jack Sparrow found the real treasure at Disney and earned over $55 million. Rum and royalties included. Being a modern pirate requires good advisors.

Dwayne Johnson - 'Red One' (2024)

Actors, Hollywood, and millions, Keanu Reeves – 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' (2003), Will Smith – 'Men in Black 3' (2012), Tom Cruise – 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), Bruce Willis – 'The Sixth Sense' (1999), Robert Downey Jr. – 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), Tom Hanks – 'Forrest Gump' (1994), Harrison Ford – 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008), Jack Nicholson – 'Batman' (1989), Johnny Depp – 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011), Dwayne Johnson - 'Red One' (2024)

Being the nicest guy in Hollywood also has its price: about $50 million.

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