The 10 Biggest Paydays In MCU History

10. Chris Pratt (Star-Lord/Peter Quill) — $7 Million

The MCU turned several actors into mega-earners, and Chris Pratt is one of them. After debuting as Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Pratt became a fan favorite across multiple Marvel films. His biggest MCU paycheck reportedly came from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, where he earned around $7 million for reprising Peter Quill. Not bad for a former space outlaw.

9. Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange/Stephen Strange) — $7.5 Million

Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange has become one of the MCU's most important characters, playing a key role in stories like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. As Marvel's resident sorcerer, Cumberbatch reportedly earned an upfront salary of around $7.5 million for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, reflecting just how valuable the character had become.

8. Paul Rudd (Ant-Man/Scott Lang) — $8 Million

Paul Rudd brought a refreshing blend of humor and heart to the MCU as Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man. While his solo Ant-Man films were successful, his biggest Marvel payday reportedly came from Avengers: Endgame. Thanks to the film's massive scale and importance, Rudd is said to have earned around $8 million for his role in the blockbuster.

7. Tom Holland (Spider-Man/Peter Parker) — $10 Million

Tom Holland quickly won audiences over after making his MCU debut in Captain America: Civil War. His version of Spider-Man became one of Marvel's most beloved heroes, leading to a hugely successful solo trilogy. Holland reportedly earned around $10 million for Spider-Man: Homecoming, a remarkable payday for an actor who was just beginning his journey as the web-slinger.

6. Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye/Clint Barton) — $15 Million

Although Hawkeye rarely gets the spotlight of Iron Man or Captain America, Jeremy Renner still secured a substantial Marvel paycheck. For Avengers: Endgame, the actor reportedly earned around $15 million. The film's unprecedented success may have also increased his earnings through backend bonuses and profit participation.

5. Mark Ruffalo (Hulk/Bruce Banner) — $15 Million

Mark Ruffalo stepped into the role of Bruce Banner after Marvel recast the character and quickly made it his own. Despite never receiving a standalone Hulk movie, Ruffalo became a crucial part of the Avengers lineup. His appearance in Avengers: Endgame reportedly earned him around $15 million, proving the Hulk remains one of Marvel's most valuable heroes.

4. Chris Evans (Captain America/Steve Rogers) — $15–20 Million

Chris Evans was initially hesitant about playing Steve Rogers, but accepting the role turned out to be one of the best decisions of his career. Over nearly a decade, he helped make Captain America one of the MCU's defining characters. By the time Avengers: Endgame arrived, Evans was reportedly earning between $15 million and $20 million for his performance.

3. Chris Hemsworth (Thor Odinson) — $20 Million

Chris Hemsworth's Thor has enjoyed one of the longest runs in the MCU, becoming the first Marvel hero to headline four solo films. Over the years, the God of Thunder evolved from a serious warrior into one of the franchise's funniest and most popular characters. Hemsworth reportedly earned around $20 million for his later appearances as Thor, cementing his place among Marvel's highest-paid stars.

2. Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff) — $20 Million

Scarlett Johansson spent more than a decade playing Natasha Romanoff before finally receiving a solo film with Black Widow. The movie's simultaneous theatrical and Disney+ release sparked a highly publicized contract dispute between Johansson and Disney. Despite the controversy, the actress reportedly received around $20 million for the film, making it one of the biggest paydays of her career.

1. Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man/Tony Stark) — $75 Million

No MCU salary list would be complete without Robert Downey Jr. As Iron Man, he helped launch the entire franchise and became its most recognizable star. For Avengers: Endgame alone, Downey reportedly earned at least $75 million thanks to a lucrative combination of salary and backend profit participation. Across his Marvel career, estimates suggest he earned hundreds of millions of dollars, making him the MCU's undisputed payday king.