Highest Paid Actresses

01 December 2008

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Success on the big screen, either consistently doing well at the box office or securing an Oscar, can only mean one thing... a massive pay rise.

And that is exactly what has happened to Hollywood's best paid actresses, some can earn up to $20 million per movie, not bad for a few weeks work. So FemaleFirst has decided to take a look at some of the industry's highest paid stars.

1. Reese Witherspoon - $15-$20 million per movie

An Oscar does wonders for your reputation as Reese Witherspoon discovered when she went from being ditzy, funny blonde to Best Actress winner for her role in Walk the Line.

She was the surprise of the movie, which was a biopic of country legend Johnny Cash, as she took on the role of June Carter, as well as proving to be quite a singer to boot.

However since then she has struggled at the box office as Just Like Heaven under performed at the box office. She followed this up with Rendition which, like many of the war on terror movies that have clogged up the cinemas over the last eighteen months, it was not well received.

However she appears to be back with her festive picture Four Christmases which has topped the US box office.

2. Angelina Jolie - $15-$20 million per movie

2008 has well as truly been the year for Angelina Jolie as she has had three movies released. She dominated the summer box office with Kung Fu Panda and Wanted, both of which did well at the box office.

However it is her role as Christine Collins in Clint Eastwood's Changeling that has resulted in Oscar whispers for her performance.

Many believed that she should have been recognised for her role as Marianne Pearl in a Mighty Heart buy was over looked, but this year a Best Actress nomination looks a dead cert to add to her Best Supporting Actress award that she won for Girl Interrupted.

3. Cameron Diaz - $15+ million per movie

Cameron Diaz is the highest placed none Academy Award winner in the top five and she can now command $15+ million per movie.

But she does seem to be box office gold with three successful Shrek movie, and a fourth in the pipeline, as well as What Happens in Vegas being a bigger hit than many expected.

2009 will see My Sister's Keeper and The Box released.

4. Nicole Kidman - $10 - $15 million per movie

Despite being able to demand so much money 2007 was a bit of a disaster for the Aussie actress as Invasion, Margot at the Wedding and The Golden Compass all failed to conquer the box office, The Golden Compass in particular was a disaster especially in America.

She took the majority of 2008 off to have her first child but returns to the big screen this Christmas with Baz Lurhman's Australia with Hugh Jackman.

Next year she will star in Nine, Need and The Danish Girl.

5. Renee Zellweger - $10 - $15 million per movie

Her role as Bridget Jones catapulted her to stardom and she is now a global acting star but 2008 has been a mixed year for the actress as Leatherheads bombed at the box office.

She followed this up with Western Appaloosa, which only faired mildly better. But next year she is a busy lady as Case 39, New in Town and My One and Only are all due for release.