You Won’t Believe What Tom Cruise Is Getting Paid For ‘Top Gun 3’—More Than 10 Superstar Athletes

Tom Cruise (Photo via Imagn Images)

You Won’t Believe What Tom Cruise Is Getting Paid For ‘Top Gun 3’—More Than 10 Superstar Athletes

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Lou Flavius | Last updated Apr 19, 2026 10:31 PM ET

Actor Tom Cruise is reportedly going to make more money for his role in ‘Top Gun 3’ than some of the biggest-name athletes were paid last year.

Cruise has reprised his role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell for the film’s third installment.

He made a reported $101 million for 2022’s ‘Top Gun Maverick’ and, according to reports coming out of Hollywood, he will make a whole lot more for part 3.

“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 in quotes cited by The Daily Mail. “He is confident this film will earn over a billion dollars.”

Paramount officially announced the third iteration of the film at Cinemacon this year. It is currently in the developmental stage.

Tom Cruise Set For Massive Windfall

Tom Cruise (Photo By Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images)

The 63-year-old is expected to bank a whopping $135,240,000 for ‘Top Gun 3’.

According to the Forbes list, it’s more than the following 10 superstar athletes earned in combined salary and endorsements 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

Tom Cruise is unlike most actors in that he insists on performing his own stunts. A licensed pilot, he flew his own P‑51 Mustang in ‘Top Gun Maverick’ and has risked life and limb pulling off many other dangerous stunts.

While he’s suffered major injuries and had near-fatal accidents over the years, his daredevil nature has earned him boatloads of cash.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: