Scarlett Johansson has emerged as the highest-paid actress of 2018, according to Forbes. Despite controversy surrounding her decision to drop out of a transgender role, the Avengers star managed to quadruple her earnings and earn a total of $40.5 million from June 2017 to June 2018. Angelina Jolie came in second with $28 million, followed by Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lawrence, and Reese Witherspoon. Notably absent from the list was Emma Stone, who topped it in 2017. Other actresses who made it into the top ten included Mila Kunis, Julia Roberts, Gal Gadot, and Cate Blanchett.
Scarlett Johansson has topped the Forbes list of highest-paid actresses, earning a massive $40.5 million this year, surpassing Angelina Jolie who earned $28 million. Johansson’s appearance on the list is due to her role as Black Widow in the upcoming Avengers film, and her base salary of $25 million for the spin-off Black Widow film sets a record for the highest salary an actress has ever received for a single film. Jennifer Aniston, known for her role as Rachel Green in Friends, earned an impressive $19.5 million despite only appearing in one movie last year. With major endorsement deals and a new series with Reese Witherspoon, Aniston’s spot on the list is likely to remain secure or even increase. Meanwhile, Jennifer Lawrence, who was the highest-paid actress in 2015 and 2016, has seen her spot on the list decline without the Hunger Games franchise.
Despite only starring in an independent film last year, Jennifer Aniston’s earnings remain impressive at $19.5 million, primarily due to her highly profitable endorsement deals.
Jennifer Lawrence, who held the title of highest-paid actress in 2015 and 2016, has fallen to fourth place on the 2018 list with earnings of $18 million. However, Lawrence’s earnings were boosted by her upcoming role in the next X-Men film and a lucrative contract with fashion brand Dior. Reese Witherspoon returned to the top 10 after a year away, earning $16.5 million this year, thanks to her roles in A Wrinkle in Time and HBO’s Big Little Lies. Scarlett Johansson topped the list with earnings of $40.5 million, followed by Angelina Jolie with $28 million and Jennifer Aniston with $19.5 million. Mila Kunis, Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett, Melissa McCarthy, and Gal Gadot rounded out the list.
After a brief absence, Witherspoon has made a comeback to the top 10 list, having earned $16.5million in the past year. Meanwhile, Mila Kunis secured the sixth spot on the list by earning $16million.
Julia Roberts has moved up one position to secure the seventh spot on the list this year, earning a total of $13 million, with her successful movie Wonder being the major contributor. Meanwhile, the Australian actress pocketed $12.5 million this year for her roles in Thor: Ragnarok and the upcoming The House with a Clock in its Walls. Melissa McCarthy, on the other hand, experienced the most significant decline among the actresses who were previously on the 2017 list.
Cate Blanchett, one of the two non-American actresses on the list, held onto her eighth place position with earnings of $12.5 million. Melissa McCarthy, who was ranked second in 2016, fell five spots to ninth place with earnings of $12 million. A new face on the list was Gal Gadot, who made it to the tenth spot with earnings of $10 million due to her salary for the sequel to Wonder Woman. Notably absent from this year’s list were Emma Stone, Amy Adams, Emma Watson, and Charlize Theron, all of whom made the list in 2017. The combined earnings of the top 10 actresses this year amounted to $186 million, a 16% increase from last year’s $172.5 million but still below the $205 million earned in 2016. Only two actresses surpassed the $20 million mark this year, compared to three last year and four in 2016.
In the latest rankings, Melissa McCarthy’s position has slipped by five places, and she has earned a total of $12million. The only new entrant on the list this year is Gal Gadot, who has secured the tenth position with earnings of $10million.
