Stranger Things Rich List: The Wealthiest Actors in the Upside Down, Ranked
The cast of ‘Stranger Things’ brings together fresh talent and long established names, which means their earnings come from a mix of Netflix salaries, past hits, side businesses, tours, and publishing. To build this rich list we looked at career longevity, major franchise paydays, brand and music revenue, production work, and ongoing residuals that continue to pay out from earlier successes. It is a snapshot of how the Hawkins crew stacks up when you add their work on the series to everything else they have going on.
This countdown focuses on money makers beyond the show itself. Many stars built solid financial foundations long before stepping into the Upside Down, while the younger leads turbocharged their profiles with movies, fashion campaigns, music, and startups. Everyone here has multiple income streams, from streaming hits and box office roles to books, albums, and licensing that keep revenue flowing between seasons.
20. Charlie Heaton
Charlie Heaton broke through worldwide as Jonathan Byers on ‘Stranger Things’ after starting as a drummer in indie bands, which added touring and recording income to his early career. He expanded into features with roles in ‘The New Mutants’ and festival circuit dramas that kept him working between seasons and built international name recognition.
Heaton has also taken on fashion work and global press tours tied to the series and his films, which opens up appearance fees and campaign opportunities. Continued casting in independent projects keeps residuals and festival stipends in play, creating a steady pipeline beyond his Netflix pay.
19. Natalia Dyer
Natalia Dyer parlayed Nancy Wheeler into steady film and streaming work that includes ‘Yes God Yes’, ‘Velvet Buzzsaw’, and thriller projects released during breaks from the series. That schedule provides back end residuals and international licensing revenue alongside her series earnings.
Her profile has grown through magazine covers and runway week appearances that often come with paid brand partnerships. With a mix of indie films and fashion collaborations, Dyer maintains a diversified slate that supports income beyond Hawkins.
18. Cara Buono
Cara Buono brings decades of television credits to the table, including prominent arcs on ‘Mad Men’, ‘The Sopranos’, and ‘Person of Interest’. Long running network and cable shows generate residuals that continue to pay over time, which strengthens her overall wealth picture.
Her work as Karen Wheeler on ‘Stranger Things’ adds global exposure and ongoing convention demand. Guest roles and recurring parts across broadcast and streaming platforms keep checks arriving year round while also supporting future syndication income.
17. Brett Gelman
Brett Gelman built a wide ranging career before playing Murray Bauman, from sketch and stand up to acclaimed television like ‘Fleabag’. That portfolio supplies multiple revenue streams that include writing fees, acting salaries, and residuals from popular reruns.
He continues to pick up film roles and animated voice parts, which pay session rates and reuse residuals. Touring appearances and podcasts round out his earnings, giving him income sources that are not tied to one project.
16. Jamie Campbell Bower
Jamie Campbell Bower arrived in Hawkins with franchise credentials from ‘Twilight’ and appearances tied to the wizarding world, along with leading work in ‘The Mortal Instruments’. Those titles remain strong in global licensing and streaming, which supports a healthy residual tail.
Beyond acting, Bower released music and toured with his band, adding performance and merchandise revenue. His turn as Vecna supercharged demand for international appearances and campaigns, which contributes meaningfully to his earnings during show hiatuses.
15. Dacre Montgomery
Dacre Montgomery used his ‘Stranger Things’ breakout as Billy to move into studio films and prestige features, including a key role in ‘Power Rangers’ and a part in ‘Elvis’. These projects broadened his exposure and provided theatrical box office based residuals worldwide.
He has also produced and developed audio projects that monetize through streaming and sponsorships. Brand partnerships and convention headliner slots add event fees that lift totals between acting jobs.
14. Caleb McLaughlin
Caleb McLaughlin brought stage experience from ‘The Lion King’ on Broadway to his role as Lucas Sinclair, which set him up for film leads in ‘Concrete Cowboy’ and ‘Shooting Stars’. Feature work layered on top of the series means multiple residual pipelines that pay over time.
He has landed fashion and athletic campaigns connected to his off screen interests, which generate appearance fees and royalties. Music collaborations and live events add short term revenue bursts that complement his acting schedule.
13. Gaten Matarazzo
Gaten Matarazzo balances Dustin Henderson with a thriving stage career, returning to Broadway productions such as ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’, and ‘Sweeney Todd’. Theater contracts, cast albums, and union residuals from recordings provide recurring income alongside his Netflix pay.
He also hosted the Netflix show ‘Prank Encounters’, which added a separate series salary and international royalties. Conventions, game show appearances, and voice work keep his calendar full and revenue diverse year after year.
12. Sadie Sink
Sadie Sink leveraged her performance as Max Mayfield into acclaimed work in ‘The Whale’ and high visibility music film projects like ‘All Too Well’. Awards season campaigns, festival appearances, and global release windows for these titles add residuals and travel fees to her earnings.
Sink has become a frequent face in high fashion and beauty campaigns, which typically include multi season contracts, usage fees, and paid front row placements. That combination of prestige film roles and brand work positions her well for long term income growth.
11. Noah Schnapp
Noah Schnapp turned Will Byers into a springboard for entrepreneurship with his better for you hazelnut spread brand TBH. Consumer packaged goods bring revenue through retail distribution, direct to consumer sales, and licensing, which builds value beyond screen work.
On the acting side he added films like ‘The Tutor’ and ongoing voice roles that generate residuals and international dub reuse payments. A large social media footprint supports paid partnerships and promotes his products without middlemen.
10. Finn Wolfhard
Finn Wolfhard stacks series pay with major franchise credits in ‘It’ and its sequel, plus the revived ‘Ghostbusters’ films. These titles deliver strong downstream residuals from streaming, television windows, and merchandise tie ins.
He co leads the band The Aubreys and directed ‘Hell of a Summer’, adding touring, publishing, and producer fees to his portfolio. Voice acting in stop motion and animated features diversifies his income with session work that continues paying through reuse.
9. Joe Keery
Joe Keery expanded beyond Steve Harrington with film roles in ‘Spree’, ‘Free Guy’, and ‘Marmalade’, along with a buzzy arc in ‘Fargo’. Studio and prestige television work create a blend of upfront pay and residuals that hit different release windows worldwide.
As Djo he tours and releases music that has pulled in strong streaming numbers and ticket sales. Sync placements and festival sets add performance royalties and appearance fees that raise his overall take each year.
8. Maya Hawke
Maya Hawke balances ‘Stranger Things’ with film work in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ and ‘Asteroid City’. These appearances keep her on the awards circuit and in projects that continue to pay through streaming and television sales.
She has released multiple albums and tours regularly, generating revenue from ticketing, merch, and publishing. Fashion campaigns and fragrance launches add guaranteed fees and royalties, giving her a robust mix that extends beyond acting.
7. Cary Elwes
Cary Elwes entered the series after building a long tail of residuals from enduring hits like ‘The Princess Bride’ and the ‘Saw’ franchise. Those films continue to run on television and streaming globally, which produces steady reuse payments.
Recent roles in action and spy films keep him in studio projects with wide distribution. He also authored the bestseller ‘As You Wish’, which contributes book royalties and paid speaking engagements tied to fan events and festivals.
6. Matthew Modine
Matthew Modine’s career spans ‘Full Metal Jacket’, ‘Vision Quest’, and big budget projects that reair across platforms around the world. That catalog powers long term residuals that sit alongside his work as Dr Brenner on ‘Stranger Things’.
He produces and directs select projects, creating additional income from licensing and sales. Brand partnerships and film festival appearances add stipends and honoraria, which deepen his earnings beyond acting alone.
5. Sean Astin
Sean Astin carries one of the strongest franchise portfolios in the ensemble with ‘The Lord of the Rings’, ‘The Goonies’, and ‘Rudy’. These titles anchor a significant residual stream that continues to perform in every format from broadcast to streaming.
He adds voice acting in animated series and video games, plus frequent comic and fantasy convention headlining slots that provide steady appearance income. Guest roles and family films fill in between events, keeping his yearly totals high.
4. David Harbour
David Harbour combined Hopper’s global popularity with lead roles in ‘Black Widow’, ‘Violent Night’, and prestige miniseries that travel well internationally. Studio features bring strong upfront pay and back end residuals as they move across release windows.
He works in theater and high profile game adaptations, adding separate contracts and performance fees. With continued franchise involvement and international brand work, Harbour’s earnings extend far beyond Hawkins.
3. Millie Bobby Brown
Millie Bobby Brown adds major star power with lead and producer credits on the ‘Enola Holmes’ films and headline roles in the monster universe. Producer status brings fees that stack on top of acting salaries and can include bonuses tied to performance.
Her beauty and lifestyle brand Florence by Mills sells through major retailers, creating revenue from wholesale orders, direct sales, and licensing. Book publishing, fragrance launches, and global partnerships provide additional streams that drive sustained growth.
2. Winona Ryder
Winona Ryder reached ‘Stranger Things’ as an established icon with decades of studio films including ‘Beetlejuice’, ‘Edward Scissorhands’, and ‘Bram Stokers Dracula’. That catalog continues to run across platforms and territories, which fuels long tail residuals.
She supplements screen work with fashion campaigns and brand ambassadorships that pay appearance and usage fees. The return to the ‘Beetlejuice’ universe kept her front and center on a global press tour, which typically comes with negotiated stipends and premium positioning for future roles.
1. Paul Reiser
Paul Reiser arrived in Hawkins with one of television’s most lucrative comedy pedigrees thanks to ‘Mad About You’, a long running hit that delivers substantial syndication and revival income. His feature credits in franchises like ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ add additional residuals that span decades.
Reiser continues to tour as a stand up, which brings steady ticket revenue and private event fees. Books, producing work, and recurring television roles layer on top of that, making his diversified portfolio one of the strongest among the ‘Stranger Things’ ensemble.
Think someone else from Hawkins should be on this list or higher up, tell us in the comments and share your take.