1. Jennifer Lawrence ($52 million)
Top of the list is Jennifer Lawrence, largely due to her role as Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games trilogy. She silenced her critics and proved her box office brawn through these films. These movies also helped her negotiate a favorable share of her other films’ profits.
2. Scarlett Johansson ($35.5 million)
Marvel movies like Avengers: Age of Ultron and her first solo action hero role in Lucy raised Scarlett’s reputation and reimbursement. She commands around $10 million a film. With Lucy, which grossed $459 million, she has proved that she is a box office draw.
3. Melissa McCarthy ($23 million)
Melissa’s movies Tammy and Spy grossed a combined $335 million worldwide. These films proved her ability to carry movies alone. She is currently turning to fashion by launching an all-sizes clothing line.
4. Bingbing Fan ($21 million)
Chinese leading lady Bingbing Fan, has made it to the list for the first time. Fan could achieve this feat due to her performance in movies like The White-Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom and her endorsement deals with popular brands like L’Oreal.
5. Jennifer Aniston ($16.5 million)
Even though Jennifer is not acting in many movies now-a-days, she is making money by endorsing brands like SmartWater, Aveeno and Living Proof. Her movies during the scoring period Horrible Bosses 2 and Cake grossed just around $108.6 million.
6. Julia Roberts ($16 million)
Beauty and fashion deals with brands like Givenchy, Lancome and Calzedonia helped this Pretty Woman star make it to the list. Being aware that she is no longer a guaranteed hit-maker, she chooses the movies she wants to make carefully.
7. Angelina Jolie ($15 million)
Angelina Jolie has been a regular in the top 10 list for many years; however; now-a-days she is spending time behind the camera also, writing and directing. She will be starring along with hubby Brad Pitt in forthcoming drama By The Sea.
8. Reese Witherspoon ($15 million)
Reese Witherspoon and producer Bruna Papadena formed a production company to buy rights to novels with strong female leads. This move worked very well for her. She has had a phenomenal run off late. The film Wild, which she produced and acted in, grossed $52 million worldwide.
9. Anne Hathaway ($12 million)
Anne won the hearts of millions worldwide by giving her voice for the character Jewel in the animated adventure-comedy movie Rio 2. Currently she is all set to star in Alice Through the Looking Glass.
10. Kristen Stewart ($12 million)
Kristen has been working really hard to break away from the Twilight mold. Her recent films include Still Alice and The Clouds of Sils Maria. She is set to star alongside Vin Diesel in Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, a movie by Ang Lee.
11. Cameron Diaz ($11 million)
Even though Cameron’s comedy film Sex Tape did not do well at the box office, she made it to the list due to fixed compensation for roles in the movies like The Other Woman and Anne. She also earns by endorsing brands like Tag Heuer.
12. Gwyneth Paltrow ($9 million)
This year, the Shakespeare in Love actress Gwyneth Paltrow made more money through endorsements than by acting in movies. She starred in campaigns for Max Factor and Hugo Boss. Through her weekly newsletter Goop, this self-styled lifestyle guru offers suggestion to readers on almost everything.
13. Meryl Streep ($8 million)
Veteran actress Meryl has successfully balanced mainstream movies like Into the Woods with award-worthy movies like Suffragette. Made on a budget of around $50 million, Into the Woods grossed $172 million worldwide. Maryl Streep is the most nominated actress of all time.
14. Amanda Seyfried ($8 million)
Roles in movies like Pan and Ted 2; and endorsement deals with reputed brands like Clé de Peau Beauté helped Amanda join this elite club of highest paid leading ladies. Amanda started her career as a model when she was 11.
15. Sandra Bullock ($8 million)
The Gravity actress Sandra Bullock was the highest paid actress last year. She witnessed her payday drop to $8 million from $51 million after a quiet 12 months. Currently she is set to star in George Clooney-produced comedy-drama movie Our Brand is Crisis.
16. Emma Stone ($6.5 million)
This year Emma won over the critics by acting in small, award-worthy movies like Irrational Man and Birdman. Even though her rom-com Aloha did not do well in the box office, her upfront pay and a Revlon deal helped her make it to this list.
17. Mila Kunis ($6.5 million)
Even though Warner Bros.’ Mila Kunis starrer Jupiter Ascending grossed just around $176 million, the actress earned seven figures.
18. Natalie Portman ($6 million)
Gorgeous actress Natalie Portman used the money she earned from movies like Thor: The Dark World, to pursue passion projects like A Tale of Love and Darkness. She is acting in many other small movies.
