Hollywood’s Biggest Earners – Meet the Highest-Paid Actresses of 2025

Hollywood’s biggest earners in 2025 show that star power is still alive, even in a changing industry. According to Forbes, Scarlett Johansson topped the list of highest-paid actresses, with Millie Bobby Brown, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and Cameron Diaz also making the cut.

Scarlett Johansson earned an estimated $43 million this year. Universal brought her back for the Jurassic franchise reboot, Jurassic World: Rebirth, offering her $20 million upfront plus a significant share of profits.

Beyond acting, Johansson also made her directorial debut with Eleanor The Great and returned to Wes Anderson’s ensemble cast in The Phoenician Scheme. “I love taking on projects where I can explore new sides of storytelling,” Johansson told Forbes. Her combination of box office pull and creative ventures helped her lead the earnings chart for women in Hollywood in 2025.

At just 22, Millie Bobby Brown is the youngest actor to make the top 20 highest-paid list, with earnings of $26 million. Brown rose to fame through Netflix’s Stranger Things, which continues to be the streamer’s flagship show.

She was paid top-of-market fees for the fifth and final season, along with additional deals for Netflix projects like The Electric State. “I’ve grown up on this platform, and it’s amazing to see the world respond to the stories we tell,” Brown said. Her success proves streaming-native stars can compete with veteran Hollywood names.

Reese Witherspoon also earned $26 million in 2025. After selling her production company Hello Sunshine to Candle Media, she continues to produce high-demand projects for AppleTV. The fourth season of The Morning Show aired last year, with a fifth season confirmed, adding about $20 million to her income.

She also starred in the romantic comedy You’re Cordially Invited alongside Will Ferrell on Amazon Prime Video. “I want to tell stories that connect with people, and producing allows me to do that in a big way,” Witherspoon said.

Jennifer Aniston made $20 million this year. Her enduring popularity comes from a mix of ongoing work and residuals. The Friends sitcom still pays her roughly $5 million annually, and she continues to earn from her work on The Morning Show. Aniston also has lucrative endorsements, including Smartwater and Dunkin’, plus her haircare line LolaVie. “It’s nice to see old fans stick around and support what I’m doing today,” she said.

Cameron Diaz, 53, came out of retirement with a reported $45 million, two-picture deal with Netflix. She starred alongside Jamie Foxx in Back In Action, which became one of the platform’s most-watched releases, attracting 46.8 million views in the first three days. Diaz is set to return as Princess Fiona in Shrek 5, keeping her in the public eye. “It felt right to come back now, and I’m excited for fans to see me in a role they love,” she shared.

For all these actresses, streaming services are a major source of financial security. Netflix in particular has invested heavily in long-term deals with big names, including Sandler and Diaz, ensuring guaranteed paychecks regardless of a project’s commercial performance. This safety net allows actors to take risks on smaller or more creative projects without worrying about missing out on a major payday.

The 2025 earnings also highlight the changing landscape of Hollywood. With theatrical ticket sales declining and AI and global competition shaking up the industry, studios are cautious about star-driven films.

Despite this, actors like Johansson, Brown, and Witherspoon continue to command eight-figure paychecks. Their combination of established fame, streaming presence, and production involvement makes them indispensable to both theaters and platforms.

As the industry evolves, younger talents like Brown are joining the ranks, while veteran stars like Johansson and Diaz show the power of experience and name recognition. Reese Witherspoon’s producing work proves that actors can expand their influence behind the camera, while Jennifer Aniston benefits from decades of enduring popularity.

Overall, 2025 shows that big-name actresses still earn big money, even in an era of uncertainty for Hollywood. Their deals with studios and streaming services demonstrate that fame, talent, and smart career choices remain valuable. “We’ll keep asking for more! They’ll keep asking us for less. But in a negotiation, I like our chances,” one agent told Forbes, summarizing the balance between talent and studios today.

Which of these actresses’ projects are you most excited to watch in 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments.