The latest list of the highest-paid actors in the world, published by Forbes, revealed a notable trend: it exhibited a greater male predominance than in previous years. Only three women secured positions within the top 20, and none were classified as 'young stars.' Remarkably, the highest-paid actress of 2024 is 57 years old, an age at which few women typically land leading roles. Nevertheless, this accomplished actress has not only preserved her prominence but has also succeeded in producing films that align with her vision.

The world's highest-paid actress

In 2024, Forbes ranked Nicole Kidman as the highest-paid actress globally. With net earnings of $31 million and gross earnings totaling $41 million for the year, the Australian actress surpassed all her female counterparts worldwide. She secured the eighth position on the overall list, placing ahead of notable figures such as Will Smith and Adam Sandler, while trailing behind George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Forbes characterized Nicole as the "reigning queen of AMC Theaters," noting her emergence as one of the most financially successful stars in the television miniseries arena.

How Nicole Kidman beat younger stars

Nicole Kidman dominated the entertainment landscape in 2024, thanks to her involvement in several prominent projects that highlighted her star power. She appeared in three series—The Perfect Couple (Netflix), Lioness (Paramount+), and Expats (Amazon Prime Video)—earning an impressive $1 million per episode across all platforms. Additionally, Nicole took on leading roles in two romantic films, Babygirl and A Family Affair, both of which achieved commercial success and featured her character alongside younger male counterparts. This remarkable year marked her return to the top of the list of the world's highest-paid actresses for the first time in 17 years, the last occasion being in 2007 when she earned $28 million.

Where are the young stars?

The lack of young stars in the rankings extends beyond just the leading position. The other two women featured in the top 20 are Mariska Hargitay, aged 61, and Scarlett Johansson, who is 40 years old. Each of them earned over $25 million in 2024. In contrast, actresses such as Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Florence Pugh did not make the list, as they were cast in supporting roles or are not regarded as 'bankable' stars.

According to representatives in Hollywood, their fees for upcoming projects have significantly increased, making them some of the most sought-after actors at present. However, the prevailing view is that they must continue to demonstrate that their success is directly linked to their star power in order to secure top earnings in the years to come, as noted by Forbes.

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