From Adam Sandler’s billions to Cillian Murphy’s gangster payday
By The Editorial Team • February 19, 2026
The “movie star salary” used to be a simple equation: $20 million upfront, 20 percent of the box office gross. But in 2026, the math has changed, and the bank vault has moved from the Paramount lot to a server farm in Los Gatos. As Netflix solidifies its dominance over the entertainment landscape—recently flexing its muscle with the acquisition of major distribution slates—the paychecks have evolved from “backend points” to “upfront buyouts.”
Why does this matter right now? Because 2026 marks a pivotal shift. We aren’t just seeing the usual suspects cashing checks for residuals; we are witnessing the era of the “forever deal.” The list of highest-paid actors on Netflix this year isn’t defined by who had the biggest theatrical opening weekend, but by who has become essential infrastructure for the streamer. From Adam Sandler’s comedy empire to Cillian Murphy’s highly anticipated return to the grime of Birmingham, Netflix is paying a premium for loyalty and legacy.
We’ve dug through the contract leaks, production schedules, and industry whispers to bring you the definitive ranking of the actors earning the most from the Red N in 2026. Welcome to the new Hollywood hierarchy.
1. Adam Sandler
It is mathematically impossible to talk about Netflix money without bending the knee to the Sandman. Adam Sandler isn’t just an actor on the platform; he is a utility, as essential to the service as the “Skip Intro” button. With the late 2025 release of Jay Kelly (co-starring George Clooney) and the nostalgia-nuke that was Happy Gilmore 2, Sandler’s income in 2026 is a compounding avalanche of backend buyouts and production fees from his $275 million overall deal. He remains the only star who can guarantee viewership in the hundreds of millions of hours, regardless of critical reception.
- Full Name:Adam Richard Sandler
- Age/DOB:59 (September 9, 1966)
- Net Worth:Est. $480 Million
- Origin:Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Known For:Happy Gilmore,Uncut Gems, wearing basketball shorts to premieres.
- Current Status:Riding high on theHappy Gilmore 2success and producing his next slate of Happy Madison vehicles.
The Verdict: Sandler is the blueprint. He proved that consistent, comfort-food content is worth more to a streamer than a once-in-a-decade blockbuster. His #1 spot is likely secure until the heat death of the universe.
2. Cillian Murphy
The man who wouldn’t smile is now laughing all the way to the bank. After sweeping the awards season with Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy returns to his signature role as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, premiering on Netflix in March 2026. This isn’t just a movie; it’s a cultural event that Netflix has paid handsomely to monopolize. Reports suggest a massive upfront package for Murphy, who also serves as a producer, ensuring he captures a significant slice of the budget for resurrecting the Shelby clan.
- Full Name:Cillian Murphy
- Age/DOB:49 (May 25, 1976)
- Net Worth:Est. $40 Million
- Origin:Douglas, Cork, Ireland
- Known For:Peaky Blinders,Oppenheimer, piercing blue eyes.
- Current Status:Promoting thePeaky Blindersfilm and cemented as an A-list franchise anchor.
The Verdict: Murphy’s leap to #2 proves that “prestige TV” stars can command blockbuster movie salaries when they control the IP. He is the bridge between critical acclaim and subscriber retention.
3. Denzel Washington
When Denzel walks onto a set, the budget doubles—and Netflix is happy to pay it. For the sprawling historical epic Hannibal, directed by his frequent collaborator Antoine Fuqua, Washington commanded a salary that rivals the GDP of a small nation. Though the project has seen delays, the pay-or-play nature of his contract and the sheer scale of the 2026 production schedule places him firmly in the top tier. Netflix knows that Denzel is one of the last true “movie stars” whose name alone validates a film’s existence.
- Full Name:Denzel Hayes Washington Jr.
- Age/DOB:71 (December 28, 1954)
- Net Worth:Est. $300 Million
- Origin:Mount Vernon, New York, USA
- Known For:Training Day,The Equalizer, being the coolest man in any room.
- Current Status:FilmingHannibaland producingThe Piano Lessonadaptation.
The Verdict: Denzel represents the old guard cashing in on the new world. His placement here signals Netflix’s desperate need for gravitas amidst a sea of content.
4. Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg has quietly become the King of Streaming Action. While others chase Oscars, Wahlberg chases algorithms. Following the success of The Union, his 2026 slate includes the acquired action-thriller The Operator and potential sequels. Wahlberg operates under a “volume” model, commanding $20 million to $25 million per picture for films that are critically thrased but inexplicably watched by 80 million households in the first week. He treats acting like a franchise operation, and business is booming.
- Full Name:Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg
- Age/DOB:54 (June 5, 1971)
- Net Worth:Est. $420 Million
- Origin:Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Known For:The Departed,Ted, waking up at 2:30 AM to work out.
- Current Status:DevelopingThe Operatorand expanding his “Wahlburgers” empire.
The Verdict: Wahlberg is the reliable workhorse. He delivers exactly what the Netflix algorithm wants: mid-budget action with a recognizable face, delivered on time and under budget.
5. Jennifer Lopez
J.Lo has turned Netflix into her personal studio. After The Mother became one of the platform’s most-watched films of all time, she leveraged that success into a massive deal for 2026’s Office Romance, co-starring Brett Goldstein. Lopez isn’t just the star; she’s the producer via Nuyorican Productions, meaning she double-dips on every check. Her ability to pivot from gritty action to glossy rom-coms makes her invaluable to Netflix’s “four-quadrant” strategy.
- Full Name:Jennifer Lynn Affleck (née Lopez)
- Age/DOB:56 (July 24, 1969)
- Net Worth:Est. $400 Million
- Origin:The Bronx, New York, USA
- Known For:Hustlers,Selena, defying the aging process.
- Current Status:FilmingOffice Romanceand managing her beauty brand.
The Verdict: Lopez understands the streaming game better than almost anyone. She creates vehicles that serve her brand and Netflix’s global audience simultaneously.
6. Chris Hemsworth
Thor might have retired his hammer, but Chris Hemsworth is still swinging for the fences. Extraction remains Netflix’s premier action franchise, and with Extraction 3 cameras rolling in 2026, Hemsworth’s upfront fee is a substantial chunk of the film’s budget. Unlike his Marvel work, which relied on backend box office bonuses, his Netflix deal is front-loaded, guaranteeing him a massive payout regardless of how many people actually finish the movie.
- Full Name:Christopher Hemsworth
- Age/DOB:42 (August 11, 1983)
- Net Worth:Est. $130 Million
- Origin:Melbourne, Australia
- Known For:Thor,Extraction, being impossibly handsome.
- Current Status:FilmingExtraction 3and recovering fromFuriosapress tours.
The Verdict: Hemsworth proves that an actor can build a secondary, darker legacy on streaming that rivals their superhero theatrical career. Extraction is his Mission: Impossible, and he’s paid accordingly.
7. Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart doesn’t just make movies; he makes “content ecosystems.” His massive, multi-year first-look deal with Netflix is still paying dividends in 2026 with the release of the bachelor-party comedy 72 Hours. Hart’s contract is a volume deal, likely paying him an eight-figure salary annually to keep the content pipeline flowing. Whether it’s stand-up specials or high-concept comedies, Hart is a volume shooter who never misses a payday.
- Full Name:Kevin Darnell Hart
- Age/DOB:46 (July 6, 1979)
- Net Worth:Est. $450 Million
- Origin:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Known For:Jumanji,Ride Along, being the hardest working man in comedy.
- Current Status:Promoting72 Hoursand touring globally.
The Verdict: Hart is the corporate synergy dream. His #7 ranking reflects a steady, reliable stream of income that is less volatile than the single-film paydays of his peers.
8. Millie Bobby Brown
She is the house that Netflix built. In 2026, Millie Bobby Brown finally says goodbye to Eleven with the release of Stranger Things Season 5. Her salary for the final season is reported to be in the $18 million range—astronomical for television—but her deal also encompasses her film projects like The Electric State (released March 2025, with residual tails in 2026) and the Enola Holmes franchise. She is the youngest person on this list by a mile, and arguably the most important to Netflix’s Gen Z demographic.
- Full Name:Millie Bobby Brown
- Age/DOB:22 (February 19, 2004)
- Net Worth:Est. $25 Million
- Origin:Marbella, Spain (Raised in UK/USA)
- Known For:Stranger Things,Enola Holmes, breaking the fourth wall.
- Current Status:Wrapping the final season ofStranger Thingsand expanding her Florence by Mills brand.
The Verdict: Millie Bobby Brown is the first true “streaming native” superstar. Her salary reflects the fact that for millions of subscribers, she is Netflix.
9. Keanu Reeves
The internet’s boyfriend is becoming Netflix’s immortal warrior. 2026 sees the ramp-up of the live-action adaptation of BRZRKR, the comic book series Reeves created. As star, producer, and creator, Reeves’ participation is a complex web of rights fees and acting salaries that puts him firmly in the top 10. While John Wick was a theatrical phenomenon, BRZRKR is his play for a streaming universe, and the upfront check reflects the massive potential of the IP.
- Full Name:Keanu Charles Reeves
- Age/DOB:61 (September 2, 1964)
- Net Worth:Est. $380 Million
- Origin:Beirut, Lebanon (Canadian)
- Known For:The Matrix,John Wick, being excellent to everyone.
- Current Status:In pre-production forBRZRKRand voicing Shadow inSonic 3.
The Verdict: Reeves is monetizing his own creativity. By adapting his own comic book, he has secured a level of ownership and creative control (and cash) that few actors ever achieve.
10. Jenna Ortega
If Millie Bobby Brown built the house, Jenna Ortega is renovating it in gothic black. With Wednesday Season 2 arriving in August 2026, Ortega has secured a massive pay raise that reportedly brings her into the upper echelon of TV earners. But her value goes beyond the episodic fee; as an Executive Producer on the new season, she now commands a piece of the pie. Her cultural impact is undeniable, and Netflix has opened the checkbook to ensure their new crown jewel stays happy.
- Full Name:Jenna Marie Ortega
- Age/DOB:23 (September 27, 2002)
- Net Worth:Est. $15 Million (and climbing fast)
- Origin:Coachella Valley, California, USA
- Known For:Wednesday,Scream, the viral dance that took over TikTok.
- Current Status:FilmingWednesdaySeason 2 and filmingKlara and the Sun.
The Verdict: Ortega is the future. Her placement at #10 is deceptive; her trajectory suggests she will be challenging the Sandlers and Johnsons of the world within three years.
The Verdict
The 2026 list reveals a stark truth: the “movie star” is dead; long live the “IP Owner.” The actors topping this list—Sandler, Murphy, Reeves, Lopez—aren’t just hired guns; they are producers and creators who have tied their fortunes to the platforms that distribute them. Netflix is no longer just cutting checks for talent; they are partnering with brands. As the streaming wars settle into a cold war of retention, the actors who can offer a universe—be it a comedy universe, a gangster universe, or a comic book universe—are the ones who will keep the vault open.
