How Adam Sandler managed to earn more than any other Hollywood actor in 2023, including $14M more than Margot Robbie (2024)

Tom Cruise, Ryan Gosling, Matt Damon, Jennifer Aniston, and Leonardo DiCaprio were also in the Forbes top 10.

Sandler wasn't in any traditional releases last year, but he produced and starred in three films for Netflix: "Murder Mystery 2," "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah," and "Leo."

Sandler also performed in 44 stand-up shows across the US.

The three Netflix movies were produced under Sandler's movie deal with the streamer, and that is likely how he got the top spot.

In 2014, Sandler signed a four-picture deal with Netflix for $250 million. That deal was renewed in 2017 and again in 2020, and Sandler has made 10 movies for Netflix over the last decade.

The deal has also benefited Netflix. In the first six months of 2023, "Murder Mystery 2" was the fifth most-watched movie on the platform, according to the company's "What We Watched" report. Per the report, his Netflix movies were streamed for a total of 337.5 million hours in those same six months.

Although Sandler appears to be making the most money in Hollywood upfront, he may lag behind Robbie, Gosling, and other stars in the long run.

Forbes reported that Netflix often uses premium fees to buy out actors, striking deals that don't include a cut of the profits for the first two years after the work is out.

In contrast, Gosling and Robbie will likely receive healthy residuals from "Barbie" for years since it has become a cultural sensation.

The details of Sandler's deal with Netflix have not been revealed, and Sandler could still gain residuals from his other films.