Tom Cruise's 'Top Gun 3' Salary Is Higher Than 10 Superstar Athletes

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Tom Cruise's 'Top Gun 3' Salary Is Higher Than 10 Superstar Athletes

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Holleran | Last updated Apr 19, 2026 5:59 PM ET

Tom Cruise is set to make a lot of money in "Top Gun 3," according to reports out of Hollywood. His massive salary for the third installment in the hit movie series has leaked. And it's big.

The 63-year-old Hollywood star, who reprised his role as a U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot in the 2022 film, "Top Gun: Maverick," will be returning for a third movie. And it's going to be worth his while financially.

Cruise will reportedly be earning nine figures for the film, according to reports out of Hollywood. The film is expected to be a massive box office success.

"The profit share is generous, because David Ellison, who now owns Paramount, produced Maverick via his company Skydance, and believes Tom is worth every cent," an unnamed Paramount exec said, per The Daily Mail. "He is confident this film will earn over a billion dollars."

Tom Cruise's expected payment for "Top Gun 3," according to reports out of Hollywood: $135,240,000. Cruise is expected to both star and serve as a producer for the film.

The longtime Hollywood star earned about $101 million for "Top Gun: Maverick."

10 superstar athletes who make less per year than Tom Cruise is making in "Top Gun 3"

According to the Forbes list, Cruise's "Top Gun 3" payment is more than these 10 athletes earned - through salary and business deals - in 2025.

Juan Soto - $114 million
Karim Benzema - $104 million
Shohei Ohtani - $102 million
Kevin Durant - $101 million
Oleksandyr Usyk - $101 million
Jon Rahm - $100 million
Giannis Antetokounmpo - $94 million
Scottie Scheffler - $92 million
Deshaun Watson - $91 million
Kylian Mbappe - $90 million

Cruise might be getting up there in age, but despite being in his mid-60s, the longtime Hollywood star is still churning out massive hits - and getting paid more than just about everyone else while doing it.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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