This Actress Just Became the Youngest Actor Ever on Forbes’ Highest-Paid List

Hollywood’s earnings landscape is shifting, and 2025 has highlighted just how much streaming is changing the game. While veteran actors like Adam Sandler still dominate the pay charts, a new generation of stars is breaking through, most notably 22-year-old Millie Bobby Brown, who has become the youngest actor ever to make Forbes’ Highest-Paid Actors list.

Sandler, 59, continues to earn big thanks to his long-running Netflix deal, bringing in $48 million for his projects including Happy Gilmore 2 and Jay Kelly. These films not only drew viewers but also earned him critical acclaim and award nominations, proving that established stars still have a strong pull in Hollywood.

The wider industry, however, is seeing change. Rising AI technology, major studio mergers, and declining theater ticket sales have made studios more cautious. Even top names can’t guarantee a hit anymore. Dwayne Johnson, last year’s highest-paid actor, saw his movie The Smashing Machine flop. Julia Roberts’ After The Hunt and Glen Powell’s The Running Man also underperformed, showing that audiences are becoming more selective.

Streaming platforms are offering a solution for actors seeking stability. Denzel Washington earned $38 million for Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, while Daniel Craig brought in $27 million for Netflix’s Knives Out sequels. Mark Wahlberg has become a streaming powerhouse, earning $44 million across projects for Apple TV and Prime Video.

Netflix has emerged as a key player in developing young talent. Millie Bobby Brown is the standout example. She earned $26 million in 2025, largely from her work on Stranger Things and The Electric State. Brown’s rise illustrates the power of streaming-native stars. At 22, she is nearly two decades younger than most actors in the top 20 and has proven that streaming platforms can launch a young actor into the highest ranks of Hollywood pay.

Other top-earning actresses include Scarlett Johansson, who led the pack with $43 million. Johansson starred in Jurassic World: Rebirth, earning a hefty upfront fee plus a share of profits, and also made her directorial debut with Eleanor The Great. She returned to Wes Anderson’s ensemble for The Phoenician Scheme, proving that veteran stars can still command top pay, especially for franchises.

Reese Witherspoon earned $26 million. At 49, she continues to balance acting and producing. Her work on Apple TV’s The Morning Show and the romantic comedy You’re Cordially Invited keeps her in demand, while her production company Hello Sunshine ensures she has a strong presence behind the scenes.

Jennifer Aniston earned $20 million. The 57-year-old continues to benefit from residual income from Friends, pulling in $5 million per year. She also makes $2 million per episode on The Morning Show and supplements her income with endorsements and her haircare brand, LolaVie.

Cameron Diaz, 53, made a remarkable comeback. Netflix offered her a $45 million two-picture deal, and her return in Back In Action became a huge success, accumulating 46.8 million views in its first three days. Diaz is also set to reprise her role as Princess Fiona in Shrek 5.

The trends in 2025 show a mix of old and new. Established stars like Johansson, Aniston, and Witherspoon remain powerful earners, but streaming-native actors like Millie Bobby Brown are changing the landscape. Brown’s rise highlights that age and experience are no longer the only paths to top pay. With streaming deals and franchise films becoming the safest bets, studios are adapting to ensure both young and veteran stars can succeed.

One Hollywood agent summed it up perfectly: “We’ll keep asking for more! They’ll keep asking us for less. But in a negotiation, I like our chances.”

Millie Bobby Brown’s presence on the list signals a major shift in Hollywood. Young stars who grow up with streaming platforms can now compete directly with veteran actors in earnings and influence. It’s exciting to see a new generation making its mark so early.

What do you think about Millie Bobby Brown becoming the youngest actor on Forbes’ Highest-Paid Actors list? Are you surprised by any of the other stars? Share your thoughts in the comments.