MCU Actors, Ranked By Their Biggest Marvel Paycheck

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• Chris Pratt

• Brie Larson

• Benedict Cumberbatch

• Paul Rudd

• Jeremy Renner

• Mark Ruffalo

• Chris Evans

• Scarlett Johansson

• Chris Hemsworth

• Robert Downey Jr.

Highlights

• The Marvel Cinematic Universe has revolutionized the superhero genre, combining action and drama to create epic films that have grossed over $29 billion at the box office.
• MCU actors have become household names and have seen their careers skyrocket due to their involvement in the franchise.
• Top-tier actors like Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson have earned massive paychecks, with Downey Jr. reaching the top spot with a staggering $75 million for Avengers: Endgame .

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has delivered some of the most thrilling films in recent history, and MCU actors have profited significantly.

The franchise has single-handedly restored faith in the superhero genre, merging spine-tingling action and suspenseful drama in epic showdowns and taking cinema to a whole new level of entertainment.

Subsequently, Marvel has made over $29 billion at the global box office, with three of their movies ranked among the top ten highest-grossing films of all time.

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The franchise has not just redefined cinema, but also turned MCU actors into idols nearly as big as the heroes they play.

The MCU has made many actors household names and also revived the careers of some.

Given how successful the franchise has been, it comes as no surprise that the actors on their payroll boast some of the biggest paychecks in Hollywood.

The MCU actors' salaries below are based on widely reported figures and estimates; exact figures are not always disclosed by studios and actors.

10 Chris Pratt

Highest Reported MCU Paycheck: $5 Million

Chris Pratt's leap from sitcom sidekick to the MCU's Star-Lord marked a career transformation for the Parks And Recreation actor.

His debut as Star-Lord took place in the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy. Pratt's portrayal of Star-Lord has endeared him to fans of the franchise.

He effortlessly brought the comic character to life through his comedic timing and charismatic persona.

Pratt reprised his role in five films within the franchise, including Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

It is quite surprising that the actor only made a total of $5 million from one MCU gig despite the fact that he has headlined high-grossing roles in the Jurassic World franchise.

It's important to note that this figure represents his pay for his supporting role in Avengers: Infinity War.

9 Brie Larson

Highest Reported MCU Paycheck: $5 Million

Brie Larson made her MCU debut in her 2019 solo movie Captain Marvel, securing a $5 million paycheck at the end of it.

The Academy Award winner went on to reprise her role in subsequent MCU films, including Avengers: Endgame and The Marvels.

While $5 million may seem like a modest sum compared to the salaries of other established MCU actors, it's worth noting that this figure represents Larson's compensation for her debut performance in Captain Marvel – which is impressive, considering that other MCU actors like RDJ were paid a lot less for their MCU debut solo films.

Larson's continued involvement in the MCU will undoubtedly see her earn more in the franchise, given that she signed a seven-picture deal with Marvel Studios before her debut and she has only done four.

8 Benedict Cumberbatch

Highest Reported MCU Paycheck: $6.4 Million

Although Benedict Cumberbatch was relatively well known prior to his involvement with the MCU, his portrayal of Doctor Strange earned him even more fame – and paychecks with a lot of zeros.

The British actor's first foray into the MCU was in his standalone movie Doctor Strange.

This initial appearance paved the way for his subsequent appearances in the franchise, including the highly successful Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness and Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Cumberbatch received $5 million for his role in the 2016 film Doctor Strange.

He returned as Doctor Strange in his second solo movie, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness, while getting a pay bump of over $6 million.

7 Paul Rudd

Highest Reported MCU Paycheck: $8 Million

The quirky actor's casting as Scott Lang/Ant-Man brought a refreshing blend of humor and comedic charm to the MCU, and it was well-received by fans.

Paul Rudd's initial salary for the role in the 2015 film Ant-Man was reportedly $300,000.

However, his earnings increased significantly with each subsequent MCU film, reflecting his growing popularity and the character's expanded role within the franchise.

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Rudd went on to reprise his role as the thief-turned-superhero in four other MCU films, including his second solo film, Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania.

Rudd's salary reached a peak of $8 million for his role in the 2019 blockbuster Avengers: Endgame.

Since his charismatic character is still sticking around, the actor will surely see his $8 million salary increase.

6 Jeremy Renner

Highest Reported MCU Paycheck: $15 Million

Despite being armed with only a bow and arrow, Jeremy Renner's portrayal of Hawkeye in the MCU earned him a place among the original six Avengers, which is reflected in the actor's paycheck.

The character made a cameo appearance as Hawkeye in the 2011 film Thor, before going on to make his full debut in The Avengers – and Renner followed it up by reprising his role in four other films in the franchise.

Although the character has only a Disney+ television show, Hawkeye and no solo film, Renner managed to bag $15 million for Avengers: Endgame.

This substantial salary reflects not only the character's pivotal role in the culmination of the Avengers saga, but also Renner's enduring impact within the MCU.

5 Mark Ruffalo

Highest Reported MCU Paycheck: $15 Million

Mark Ruffalo first portrayed the brilliant scientist-turned-raging Hulk in 2012's The Avengers, taking over the role from The Incredible Hulk star Edward Norton, infusing the character with a blend of vulnerability and ferocity that was welcomed by fans.

Despite missing out on a solo Hulk film, Ruffalo's Hulk became an integral part of the MCU, appearing in five films, including The Avengers, Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarök,Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

According to The Hollywood Reporter,Ruffalo's salary for his role in Avengers: Endgame reached $15 million, aligning him with his fellow Avengers in terms of compensation and making his bank account as green as his on-screen alter ego.

4 Chris Evans

Highest Reported MCU Paycheck: $15 Million

Having initially turned down the offer to play the role of Captain America, Chris Evans needed a lot of convincing from a co-star before he eventually agreed to don the iconic shield that would bring him international acclaim and a paycheck that could make even Tony Stark do a double take.

To say nobody could have played Captain America better is no exaggeration.

Chris Evans transformed what could have been a laughable character into one of the defining movie heroes of the 21st century.

As a colossal figure in the MCU, it's fitting that Evans commands one of the highest salaries.

Although his run as Captain America seemingly concluded with Avengers: Endgame,Forbes reports that Evans bid farewell to the iconic role with a hefty $15 million paycheck.

3 Scarlett Johansson

Highest Reported MCU Paycheck: $20 Million

As one of the longest-running MCU actors, Scarlett Johansson's journey as Natasha Romanoff traces back to her debut in 2010's Iron Man 2.

Remarkably, it took a decade before her character received a solo movie, with the release of Black Widow on Disney+.

The film's unconventional release on the streaming channel instead of the theaters initially generated controversy and a legal dispute between the actress and Marvel Studios, which was later settled.

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Johansson's salary of $20 million underscored the financial recognition of her pivotal role.

From her early appearances to a headline-worthy solo run, Johansson's journey in the MCU mirrors both the character's evolution and financial value to the franchise.

2 Chris Hemsworth

Highest Reported MCU Paycheck: $20 Million

Chris Hemsworth rose to fame when he made his MCU debut in his standalone 2011 film Thor.

The role transformed the Aussie actor into one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors and earned him a place among the highest-paid performers in the industry.

As the mighty Thor, he not only redefined the character but infused humor, making the God of Thunder one of the MCU's funniest and most beloved heroes.

Hemsworth's Thor is the only character from the original six Avengers to headline four solo movies, with Thor: Love And Thunder being the latest.

Hemsworth reportedly earned $20 million for his role in Thor: Love And Thunder, and he could earn more, since the Asgardian god/king is still present in active MCU plots.

1 Robert Downey Jr.

Highest Reported MCU Paycheck: $75 Million

The symbiotic relationship between Robert Downey Jr. and Marvel Studios is not spoken about enough.

The actor revived the superhero genre and rescued Marvel from bankruptcy, while the studio, in turn, saved Downey Jr.'s career after a period of personal struggles that saw him sidelined in the industry:

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It's only right that RDJ commands the highest salary.

Through his portrayal of the charismatic and genius Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, Downey Jr. helped propel the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to its unprecedented and sustained level of success.

Downey Jr.'s ability to translate Stark's wit and charm to the silver screen not only won him a loyal fan base, but also boosted his net worth to rival that of the character he brought to life.

Downey Jr. received $20 million upfront for Avengers: Endgame and a percentage of the box office take, resulting in a colossal $75 million payday, and launching him to the top spot among the MCU's highest paid actors.

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