- His financial success was primarily due to his deal with Netflix, where he starred in and produced three films in that year.
- “Hustle,” a sports drama featuring Queen Latifah, was his first release of the period, debuting in June 2022.
- He followed this with “Murder Mystery 2,” the sequel to his 2019 comedy with Jennifer Aniston, which was released in March 2023.
- The most critically praised film of his in 2023 was “Spaceman,” a sci-fi drama by Johan Renck, which arrived on Netflix in March 2023 after a slight delay.
Adam Sandler has claimed the title of Hollywood’s highest-paid actor, thanks to his successful collaborations with Netflix, Forbes magazine reports. Despite not being in the running for an Oscar at this weekend’s ceremony, Sandler’s role in “Murder Mystery 2,” a sequel to the romantic comedy thriller, played a significant part in securing his top spot with earnings of $73 million.
In 2023, Sandler starred in and produced three films for Netflix, significantly contributing to his financial success. This achievement places him ahead of “Barbie” star Margot Robbie, who is notable not only for her role in the year’s biggest box office hit but also for being the youngest in Forbes’ top 10 list at 33. Robbie also earned recognition for her work on the cult favorite “Saltburn.”
Following closely behind Sandler are Tom Cruise and, in a tie for fourth place, Ryan Gosling (Robbie’s co-star in “Barbie”) and Matt Damon. Jennifer Aniston, Sandler’s colleague from “Murder Mystery,” ranks sixth on the list.
Together, Sandler and Aniston captivate audiences as a married couple turned amateur detectives in the Netflix film series, with “Murder Mystery 2” ranking as the fifth most-watched Netflix film last year.
While the film faced criticism from some quarters, with comments ranging from it being a “crass comedy caper” to appreciations of its unexpected quality, it’s clear that Sandler’s appeal on Netflix remains strong.
His projects for the streaming service last year also included the animated film “Leo,” which he wrote, produced, and voiced, and the comedy “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah.”
Looking ahead, Sandler has already made his mark in 2024 with the sci-fi drama “Spaceman” on Netflix, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to their partnership. His financial success was also bolstered by 44 stand-up comedy performances last year.
A look into the incredible visual effects in Adam Sandler's Spaceman. Now playing. pic.twitter.com/WEaIA8hsxm
— Netflix (@netflix) March 4, 2024
This marks the first time Sandler has led Forbes’ list since 2002, taking over from previous leaders Tyler Perry in 2022 and Dwayne Johnson, who topped the list for the three preceding years. Interestingly, neither Perry nor Johnson feature in the current top 10, highlighting the dynamic nature of Hollywood’s earnings landscape.
Most Paid Actors in 2023
| Rank | Actor | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adam Sandler | $73m (£57m) |
| 2 | Margot Robbie | $59m (£46m) |
| 3 | Tom Cruise | $45m (£35m) |
| =4 | Ryan Gosling | $43m (£34m) |
| =4 | Matt Damon | $43m |
| 6 | Jennifer Aniston | $42m (£33m) |
| =7 | Leonardo DiCaprio | $41m (£32m) |
| =7 | Jason Statham | $41m |
| 9 | Ben Affleck | $38m (£30m) |
| 10 | Denzel Washington | $24m (£19m) |
