Adam Sandler has officially been crowned the highest-paid actor of 2025.
According to Forbes and its The Highest-Paid Actors of 2025 list, Sandler pulled in $48 million from his film projects — or $60 million before paying out fees to agents and managers — thanks to movies like Happy Gilmore 2 and Jay Kelly.
He edged out some major Hollywood names to claim the top spot. Tom Cruise followed closely behind with $46 million ($54 million gross), while Mark Wahlberg secured third place with $44 million ($58 million gross).
Other big names featured on the list include Scarlett Johansson, Brad Pitt, and the youngest standout, Millie Bobby Brown.
Despite the impressive earnings, overall income for the top twenty actors reportedly dropped by 20% compared to last year. This dip is largely tied to the continued shift toward streaming platforms and the ongoing struggles of box office ticket sales.
Back in January, Sandler made it clear he’s nowhere near done. While accepting the Career Achievement Award at AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards, he opened up about his future plans with his signature humor.
“I don’t know how much time I have left — 60, 70 years. Eighty tops, maybe 90 if I start working out and taking creatine,” he joked. “I promise to everyone here tonight, I will make at least 50 more movies before I am dead — and at least 25 of them will be good.”
Even as a longtime industry veteran, Sandler continues to earn praise from the next generation.
In November, he sat down with Timothée Chalamet at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles for an open conversation about their films and even basketball. Chalamet, who’s been on a major rise with roles in Marty Supreme and the Dune series, took a moment to highlight Sandler’s performance in Punch-Drunk Love.
“To actors across all ages but really my generation, it’s one of the most important performances—impactful, deeply moving,” said Chalamet. “I think because you’ve ascended to such commercial heights that the people that aren’t really in the know don’t understand how impactful that performance was and how incredibly nuanced and deeply lived in and heartbreaking it is. I know it’s not about awards, but you should have a golden man in your hand because you’re one of the best fucking actors.”
