In the glittering ecosystem of Hollywood, where box office numbers often dictate status, the title of the highest-paid actress is a constantly shifting crown. While recent years saw the dominance of superhero stars and the “Barbie” phenomenon, the 2024-2025 financial cycle has seen a surprising and sophisticated shift.
According to the latest data from Forbes and major entertainment industry reports, the current title for the highest-paid actress in Hollywood goes to the veteran superstar Nicole Kidman.
While younger icons like Zendaya and Margot Robbie continue to dominate headlines, Kidman’s strategic dominance in high-prestige television and streaming deals has propelled her to the number one spot in pure earnings.
Also read: Who is the Highest Paid Actor in the World?
Highest-Paid Actress Actresses (Estimated Annual Gross)
| Rank | Actress | Estimated Earnings | Primary Sources of Income |
| 1 | Nicole Kidman | $41 Million | TV Series (The Perfect Couple, Lioness), Producing |
| 2 | Mariska Hargitay | $29 Million | Law & Order: SVU Salary + Syndication Royalties |
| 3 | Scarlett Johansson | $25 Million | Jurassic World franchise, Endorsements |
| 4 | Jennifer Aniston | $22 Million | The Morning Show (Apple TV+), Friends Residuals |
| 5 | Zendaya | $15-20 Million | Challengers, Euphoria, Fashion Endorsements |
1. The New Number One: Nicole Kidman ($41 Million)
At 57, Nicole Kidman has shattered the ageist glass ceiling of Hollywood to become the top earner. Her estimated gross earnings for the past year stand at a staggering $41 million.
Unlike the traditional movie star model, where income comes from one massive blockbuster, Kidman’s wealth comes from her omnipresence across major streaming platforms. She has been dubbed the “Queen of Streaming,” with lucrative roles in Netflix’s The Perfect Couple, Paramount+’s Lioness, and Amazon Prime’s Expats.
Reports confirm that Kidman commands a salary of over $1 million per episode for these limited series. Furthermore, her income is significantly boosted by her role as an executive producer on these projects. By owning a stake in the production, she ensures she gets a slice of the backend profits, not just a flat fee. This diversification—acting plus producing—is the key secret to her financial reign this year.
2. The Barbie Billionaire: Margot Robbie
Just prior to Kidman’s current reign, the top spot was firmly held by Australian superstar Margot Robbie. In 2023, Robbie earned a record-breaking $59 million primarily due to the colossal success of Barbie.
While she may have dipped slightly in the 2024 calendar year rankings due to taking a break from leading roles to focus on producing, Robbie remains one of the most powerful women in the industry. As the co-founder of LuckyChap Entertainment, she is now a mogul behind the scenes. She not only starred in Barbie but produced it, meaning she earned a massive percentage of the film’s $1.4 billion global box office. Even when she isn’t on screen, her bank account grows as her company produces hits for other stars (like Saltburn).
3. The Consistent Powerhouse: Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson remains a fixture on the highest-paid list, bringing in an estimated $25 million annually. Long known as the face of Marvel’s Black Widow, Johansson has successfully transitioned into a diverse portfolio of projects.
Her earnings are secured by massive upfront fees for blockbuster films (such as the Jurassic World franchise) and lucrative endorsement deals with luxury brands like Prada and Louis Vuitton. Johansson was also one of the first actresses to publicly battle a major studio (Disney) over streaming residuals, a move that set a precedent for better pay structures in Hollywood, ensuring that actresses get paid their fair share when movies go straight to streaming.
4. The TV Titan: Mariska Hargitay
Often overlooked in film-centric discussions, Mariska Hargitay is a quiet giant in Hollywood earnings. As the face of Law & Order: SVU, she earns a massive $29 million (gross) per year.
Hargitay’s income is the result of longevity. Having played Olivia Benson for over two decades, she has negotiated one of the most lucrative contracts in television history. Additionally, the syndication royalties (money earned when reruns are played on other channels) provide her with a continuous stream of passive income that rivals movie stars who have to constantly film new projects to get paid.
5. The Rising Force: Zendaya
Representing the new generation is Zendaya, who has rapidly climbed the financial ladder. For her role in the 2024 film Challengers, Zendaya reportedly negotiated a $10 million payday.
What makes Zendaya unique is her leverage. For Challengers, she was not just a hired actress but also a producer, allowing her to command a higher fee. Coupled with her massive deal for HBO’s Euphoria (where she reportedly earns $1 million per episode) and global brand ambassadorships for Bulgari and Lancôme, she is on a fast track to challenging Kidman and Robbie for the #1 spot in the coming years.
The Secret to High Pay: It’s Not Just Acting
If there is one lesson from this list, it is that the highest-paid actress is rarely just an “actress” anymore. The path to the top of the Hollywood financial ladder now requires a business mindset.
- Producer Credits: Kidman, Robbie, and Zendaya all produce their own projects. This gives them control over the budget and a share of the profits.
- Backend Points: Top stars no longer accept just a flat salary. They demand “points” on the backend, meaning if the movie makes money, they make money.
- Brand Deals: For stars like Zendaya and Johansson, acting is only half the pie. Multi-million dollar contracts with fashion and cosmetic houses provide a stable income floor that protects them from box office flops.
As we move further into 2025, the battle for the top spot will likely intensify between the streaming dominance of veterans like Kidman and the box-office power of younger moguls like Robbie and Zendaya.
Note on Box Office vs. Earnings: It is important to distinguish between “Highest Paid” and “Highest Grossing.” While Zoe Saldaña is officially the Highest-Grossing Actress of All Time (starring in massive hits like Avatar and Avengers which earned over $16 billion), she does not top the annual “Highest Paid” list. This is because top earners like Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie significantly boost their income by producing their own projects and owning a share of the profits, whereas Saldaña typically earns a standard acting salary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is the highest-paid actress in Hollywood right now?
As of the latest 2024-2025 reports, Nicole Kidman is the highest-paid actress, earning approximately $41 million due to her multiple hit streaming series and producing credits.
2. How much did Margot Robbie earn for Barbie?
Margot Robbie earned approximately $59 million in the year following Barbie’s release. This huge sum included her acting salary and significant bonuses as the film’s producer.
3. Does Zendaya earn more than older actresses?
Not yet, but she is close. While Zendaya earns a massive $10 million per film and $1 million per TV episode, veterans like Nicole Kidman and Mariska Hargitay currently earn more overall due to larger back-catalogs and producing deals.
4. Why is Mariska Hargitay on this list if she isn’t in movies?
Mariska Hargitay stars in Law & Order: SVU, one of the longest-running shows on TV. Her per-episode salary and the royalties from reruns (syndication) accumulate to a total that exceeds many movie stars.
5. What is the difference between upfront salary and backend points?
Upfront salary is the guaranteed money paid before filming starts. Backend points are a percentage of the movie’s profit. The biggest earners usually take a lower upfront salary in exchange for backend points, which can result in millions more if the movie is a hit.
6. Who is the highest-grossing actress of all time?
While Nicole Kidman is currently the highest-paid, Zoe Saldaña holds the record for the highest-grossing actress of all time. Her movies (including the Avatar and Avengers franchises) have earned over $16 billion worldwide. She is the only actor in history to star in four films that have each earned over $2 billion at the box office.