10 highest-paid actresses of 2022, ranked: from Margot Robbie’s Barbie millions and Zendaya’s Challengers film, to J. Lo’s Marry Me gig, Emily Blunt in Oppenheimer and Lady Gaga landing Joker 2

Dec 7 , 2022

Anya Taylor-Joy, Zendaya, Margot Robbie, Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez all made bank in 2022 from film gigs ... but who made the most? Photos: @anyataylorjoy, @zendaya, @margot.robbie, @ladygaga, @jlo/Instagram

When Variety released its annual highest-paid actors list for 2022 in July, it took a good couple scrolls to reach the first woman on the list – Margot Robbie, who ranked 18th behind 17 men.

Margot Robbie poses on the red carpet before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 13th Governors Awards at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, US, on November 19. Photo: EPA-EFE

Although her US$12.5 million payday for her role in Barbie is considered a decent figure by industry standards and was the same amount as her co-star Ryan Gosling, it still showed an undeniably stark contrast to Tom Cruise’s US$100 million bill for Top Gun: Maverick.

Of course, there are numerous factors that contribute to agreed-upon pay cheques and the final footing can be dependent on the film’s success and the individual stars’ pulling power. Nevertheless, celebrities are more vocal when they do find it unfair these days, with Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Lawrence and Charlize Theron at the forefront of fighting for equal pay.

So, which actresses earned the most cash from film roles this year? Let’s take a closer look …

10. Anya Taylor-Joy – US$1.8 million

Starring in Furiosa

Anya Taylor-Joy dazzling in Tiffany & Co. Blue Book Collection diamond necklace and earrings. Photo: Tiffany & Co.

Taylor-Joy, 26, pretty much became an overnight sensation when she starred in Netflix’s hit series The Queen’s Gambit (2020).

Her meteoric rise to fame saw her get cast for new roles including in The Northman and Amsterdam, and her next upcoming production Furiosa, a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, paid her US$1.8 million. The film will come out in 2024 and also stars Marvel’s Thor actor, Chris Hemsworth.

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9. Jamie Lee Curtis – US$3.5 million

Starring in Halloween Ends

Jamie Lee Curtis promoting her film, Halloween Ends. Photo: @jamieleecurtis/Instagram

The veteran actress received rave reviews for her role in American indie production company A24’s Everything Everywhere All at Once alongside Michelle Yeoh earlier this year. She’ll be back on screen for Halloween Ends, the last instalment of the horror trilogy. The 64-year-old was paid a hefty US$3.5 million to reprise her character of Laurie Strode.

8. Emily Blunt – US$4 million

Starring in Oppenheimer

Emily Blunt is a British actress married to The Office’s John Krasinski. Photo: @emilybluntofficial/Instagram

British beauty Emily Blunt has become a permanent fixture among Hollywood royalty, though she keeps a low profile away from her work. For her latest role in war film Oppenheimer directed by Christopher Nolan, the 39-year-old actress was paid US$4 million to play Katherine Oppenheimer opposite Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh and Robert Downey Jr.

7. Gal Gadot – US$5 million

Starring in Death on the Nile

Gal Gadot stunned in Tiffany Blue Book Collection high jewellery necklace. Photo: @sabrinabmakeup/Instagram

Gadot has quickly risen to the ranks via her breakout role in DC Comics’ Wonder Woman franchise and has since starred in various films of different genres. According to Showbiz Galore, it’s been a lucrative year for the 37-year-old Israeli actress, who earned US$5 million in Agatha Christie-inspired film, Death on the Nile. She was reportedly the highest-paid star in the film.

6. Jennifer Lopez – US$8.5 million

Starring in Marry Me

Jennifer Lopez starred in 2022’s Marry Me. Photo: @jlo/Instagram

It’s been a busy, bridal-centric year for 53-year-old J. Lo! Besides marrying fourth hubby Ben Affleck in July, the singer-actress earned US$8.5 million for starring in romcom Marry Me, which is about a Latin pop star who weds an audience member during a performance, per Showbiz Galore.

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5. Lady Gaga – US$10 million

Starring in Joker 2

Lady Gaga has added acting to her resume in recent years. Photo: @ladygaga/Instagram

The 36-year-old “Poker Face” singer already had a booming music career before landing blockbuster films like A Star is Born and House of Gucci. She’ll be back on the big screens again soon to play Harley Quinn in Joker 2 aka Joker: Folie à Deux opposite Joaquin Phoenix, who will be re-enacting the character Arthur “Joker” Fleck again. Gaga signed a US$10 million deal for the film.

4. Millie Bobby Brown – US$10 million

Starring in Enola Holmes 2

Millie Bobby Brown showcasing a Florence by Mills product. Photo: @milliebobbybrown/Instagram

The British actress is only 18 and already she’s ranked among the top-paid actresses of Hollywood! Besides starring (and growing up) on Netflix’s Stranger Things, Brown has also found a gigantic pay cheque of US$10 million by starring in Enola Holmes 2 alongside Superman himself, Henry Cavill.

3. Zendaya – US$10 million

Starring in Challengers

Zendaya showing off a Serpenti Spinel necklace from Bulgari’s Eden Garden of Wonders high jewellery collection. Photo: Bulgari

Disney alum Zendaya found success (and love, with BF Tom Holland) in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and has since starred in numerous hits including Dune and Euphoria. You’ll next see her in tennis film Challengers. The 26-year-old was paid US$10 million for her appearance, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

2. Sandra Bullock – US$10 million

Starring in The Lost City

US actress Sandra Bullock attends the special screening of the movie The Lost City in London, Britain, on March 31. Photo: EPA-EFE

The 58-year-old’s long-time career in the industry has earned her millions of dollars in the bank. According to Showbiz Galore, The Blind Side Oscar-winning actress raked in US$10 million for starring in The Lost City.

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1. Margot Robbie – US$12.5 million

Starring in Barbie

Margot Robbie is an Australian actress who starred in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood with Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. Photo: @margotrobbieess/Instagram

The Aussie actress comes in as the highest-paid actress of 2022, thanks to her US$12.5 million lump sum for playing the titular character in Barbie.

Margot Robbie stars in the upcoming Barbie movie, earning US$12.5 million for her role. Photo: @margotrobbieofficial/Instagram

At 32, the talented actress has already stacked up acting credits with Tinseltown’s biggest names, including Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood with Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, Focus opposite Will Smith and Bombshell with leading ladies Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman. Come on Barbie, let’s go party!

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Fame and celebrity

Equal pay? Margot Robbie was the highest-paid actress in 2022 thanks to Barbie and earned the same amount as co-star Ryan Gosling – but it was nowhere near as much as Tom Cruise for Top Gun: Maverick
Sandra Bullock, Zendaya, Millie Bobby Brown and Lady Gaga all hit the US$10 million mark for films, while Gal Gadot was the highest-paid star in Agatha Christie-inspired film Death on the Nile