Top-Earning Marvel Stars, Ranked by Paycheck

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has created global superstars and massive paydays for its actors. With over $31 billion in worldwide box office revenue, the franchise’s success has led to huge salaries for its leads. Some actors started with modest pay but earned millions as their roles grew, while others commanded big checks from the start due to their fame or the franchise’s momentum.

This list ranks the top MCU actors based on their highest single-movie paychecks, starting from the lowest and ending with the highest. From supporting players to iconic heroes, these stars have cashed in on Marvel’s dominance. Let’s explore the biggest earners, counting down to the top spot.

Elizabeth Olsen

Elizabeth Olsen debuted as Wanda Maximoff in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ for an estimated $500,000. Her salary for ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ reportedly reached $2 million per film.

Olsen’s role grew with the success of ‘WandaVision’ and her pivotal part in multiverse stories, boosting her earnings. While not among the top tier, her consistent presence and fanbase make her a valuable MCU star. Her pay reflects her rising importance in the franchise.

Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman earned $700,000 for his debut as T’Challa in ‘Captain America: Civil War’. His paycheck for ‘Black Panther’ was $500,000 plus profit shares, likely totaling several million due to the film’s $1.3 billion global gross.

Boseman’s cultural impact in ‘Black Panther’ elevated his earnings significantly. His tragic passing in 2020 ended a promising MCU career, but his profit-sharing deal set a precedent for other stars. His legacy and earnings remain impactful.

Evangeline Lilly

Evangeline Lilly earned about $300,000 for her role as Hope van Dyne in ‘Ant-Man’. Her salary as Wasp in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ likely reached $2 million, though exact figures are unavailable.

Lilly’s shift from a supporting to a co-lead role increased her earnings. Her consistent presence in the ‘Ant-Man’ series adds to her MCU value, even if she’s not among the top earners. Her pay reflects her solid contribution.

Paul Rudd

Paul Rudd earned $300,000 for his debut as Scott Lang in ‘Ant-Man’. His salary grew to $8 million for ‘Avengers: Endgame’, reflecting his role’s importance in the ensemble.

Rudd’s likable persona and the success of the ‘Ant-Man’ films boosted his pay. His modest start aligns with Marvel’s low initial offers, but his fan appeal led to bigger checks. Rudd remains a valuable MCU star.

Anthony Mackie

Anthony Mackie joined as Sam Wilson in ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ for an estimated $100,000. His salary for ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ was $100,000, but he earned $10 million for leading ‘Captain America: Brave New World’.

Mackie’s growth from a supporting role to Captain America reflects his rising pay. His dedication and increasing prominence in the MCU have led to significant earnings. His leading role suggests even bigger paydays ahead.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson earned $5 million for her debut as Carol Danvers in ‘Captain Marvel’. Her salaries for ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘The Marvels’ are believed to be similar or slightly higher.

Larson’s Oscar win gave her leverage for a strong starting paycheck. Her role as a powerful hero justifies her consistent high pay. She’s likely to command similar sums in future MCU projects.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch earned about $2 million for his debut as Doctor Strange. His salary reached $6.4 million for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ and was similar for ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’.

Cumberbatch’s prior fame from ‘Sherlock’ and his key role in multiverse stories drove his high pay. His growing importance in the MCU suggests even larger future salaries. He’s a cornerstone of Marvel’s narrative.

Tom Holland

Tom Holland earned $250,000 for his Spider-Man debut in ‘Captain America: Civil War’. His salary grew to $1.5 million for ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ and hit $15 million for ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, driven by the film’s massive success.

Holland’s youthful energy and fan appeal boosted his paychecks. ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, one of the MCU’s top-grossing films, justified his high salary. At 27, Holland’s future MCU earnings have strong potential.

Chris Pratt

Chris Pratt earned $1.4 million for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. His salary reached $5 million for ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, with estimates of $20-25 million for ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’.

Pratt’s rise from sitcom star to leading man boosted his MCU earnings. His charm and the ‘Guardians’ trilogy’s success justified his high pay. Pratt’s ongoing roles keep his salaries strong.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo earned $2-3 million for his debut as Bruce Banner in ‘The Avengers’. His salary for ‘Avengers: Endgame’ reached $15 million, matching other core Avengers.

Ruffalo’s fan-favorite status and acclaimed non-MCU roles helped secure big paychecks. His consistent presence in team-up films boosted his earnings. Ruffalo’s likability keeps him a high earner.

Jeremy Renner

Jeremy Renner earned $100,000 for a cameo in ‘Thor’. His salary as Hawkeye in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ hit $15 million, despite limited screen time, making him one of the highest-paid per second.

Renner’s loyalty to the MCU and pivotal role in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ drove his high pay. His Disney+ ‘Hawkeye’ series likely added more to his earnings. Renner’s efficiency in pay per minute stands out.

Chris Evans

Chris Evans earned $300,000 for ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’. His salary reached $15 million for ‘Avengers: Endgame’, with some reports suggesting $20 million.

Evans’ role as the MCU’s moral center made him a fan favorite, increasing his pay. His non-MCU roles and endorsements added to his wealth. Rumors of his return in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ suggest more big checks.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson earned $400,000 for her debut as Black Widow in ‘Iron Man 2’. Her salary hit $20 million for ‘Black Widow’ and $35 million for ‘Avengers: Endgame’ with bonuses, plus a $40 million settlement from her Disney lawsuit.

Johansson’s long tenure and star power as Black Widow drove her massive paychecks. Her lawsuit over ‘Black Widow’s streaming release significantly boosted her total MCU earnings to around $95-$100 million.

Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth earned $150,000 for ‘Thor’. His salary reached $20 million for ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ and the ‘Avengers’ sequels, reflecting his central role.

Hemsworth’s global fame as Thor and roles in films like ‘Extraction’ boosted his earnings. His upcoming role in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ will likely keep him among the top earners. Thor’s popularity ensures big paydays.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. earned $500,000 for ‘Iron Man’. His salary soared to $75 million for ‘Avengers: Endgame’ due to a profit-sharing deal, making him the highest-paid Marvel star.

Downey’s backend deals and role as Tony Stark, the MCU’s cornerstone, set him apart. His career revival through Iron Man and the franchise’s box office success justified his massive paychecks. His influence remains unmatched.

What are your thoughts on these Marvel stars’ huge salaries—drop your opinions in the comments!