The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has only been making movies since 2007, yet it’s produced and released 33 titles since, with around 10 more in various stages of development. And thanks to classic blockbuster franchises like Thor, The Avengers, Iron Man, Eternals and Captain Marvel, just to name a few, it’s impressively become the highest-grossing film franchise of all time, earning over US$29 billion at the global box office.

Those numbers are only set to increase in 2024, with Deadpool & Wolverine due to be released in July, Kraven Hunter in August and Venom 3 in November. Next year will be even bigger, with release dates set for Captain America: Brave New World, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts and Blade.

With its roll-call of high-grossing films, here’s a closer look at the nine richest MCU stars, according to Celebrity Net Worth – and how they make their fortunes.

9. Hugh Jackman, 55

Estimated net worth: US$100 million

Hugh Jackman’s big break came in 2000 when he first starred as Wolverine in the X-Men franchise. During the height of Wolverine’s popularity, Jackman earned US$20 million per film as a base salary before back-end participation, per Celebrity Net Worth. Jackman’s portrayal has spanned over two decades and includes plenty of appearances in other films within the Marvel Universe.

8. Chris Pratt, 44

Estimated net worth: US$100 million

We all loved goofy, affable Chris Pratt in popular TV series Parks and Recreation, which launched his mainstream career in 2009. However, Pratt truly became an international star when he bagged the lead role of Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, in the MCU 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy. The movie was a box office hit – and only the beginning of Pratt’s journey with MCU. He reprised his role in sequel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in 2017, as well as making appearances in other MCU films including Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

7. Chris Evans, 42

Estimated net worth: US$110 million

Chris Evans first caught our attention as Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, in the film adaptation of The Fantastic Four, but it was his breakout role in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger that turned him into a household name. He also reprised his role as Captain America in The Avengers – still in the top five list of most successful movies ever made, according to Box Office Mojo.

6. Bradley Cooper, 49

Estimated net worth: US$120 million

He’s famous for his roles in The Hangover movies and A Star is Born, but Bradley Cooper has been raking in big bucks as part of the MCU family too. Cooper has voiced Rocket Raccoon in all the Guardians of the Galaxy films, and other non-human characters in Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder and I am Groot.

5. Chris Hemsworth, 40

Estimated net worth: US$130 million

Most famous for his role as Thor in the 2011 film, Chris Hemsworth has carved out a successful career in the industry as one of Hollywood’s top leading men. He has since reprised his role in films like The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

4. Scarlett Johansson, 39

Estimated net worth: US$165 million

She was already an A-list star in Tinseltown, but Scarlett Johansson’s career and bank account reached new heights when she signed on to MCU as Natasha Romanoff, best known as Black Widow. Making her debut in 2010’s Iron Man 2, she went on to reprise her role in various MCU films, including The Avengers series, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War and her very own stand-alone film, Black Widow.

3. Gwyneth Paltrow, 51

Estimated net worth: US$200 million

2. Samuel L. Jackson, 75

Estimated net worth: US$250 million

Samuel L. Jackson’s character Nick Fury has been an integral part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2008, but it isn’t by chance. It has been widely reported that Jackson almost took legal action against Marvel in 2001 when the franchise designed the character after his likeness without his consent. They made a deal that stated if Marvel ever made a movie based on the comic books, he would be offered the role. He’s since starred in 11 popular MCU films – making a killing in the process.

1. Robert Downey Jr, 58

Estimated net worth: US$300 million