How Much Do Netflix Actors Make

Netflix encourages new and upcoming actors and there are a huge number of actors who got famous by acting in Netflix movies and shows.

This popular streaming platform has not only managed to reach our televisions but also our mobile phones. We can now entertain ourselves by watching a movie, comedy show, short film, or documentary pretty much anywhere and everywhere. 

All thanks to Netflix and the like. But have we ever wondered how much do Netflix actors make? Well, Netflix is one of the most popular and highly used OTT platforms. Hence, the earnings of the actors featured in the programs are also quite enormous. Let us dive into further details and find everything about it. 

Highest Paid Netflix Actors

The high demand for its content and the increasing viewership of Netflix have come as a boon for the production houses and actors working for the same. Netflix is currently known for the huge salaries it is paying the actors. This is making many artists drive out of the studios and try their luck in the Netflix shows and movies. 

As the demand and popularity for the streaming giant increases, so does the sum of money in the pockets of the actors featuring in the same. Here is a glimpse of the payments made by Netflix to a few of the actors.

Currently, Daniel Craig tops the list of the highest-paid actors. He was paid $100 million for Rian Johnson’s upcoming ‘Knives Out 2’ and ‘Knives Out 3’.

Next on the list are Will Smith and Denzel Washington. They have been reportedly paid

$40 million each for ‘King Richard’ and ‘The Little Things’, respectively.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Wahlberg earned $30 million each from the movies ‘Don’t Look Up’ and ‘Spenser Confidential’, respectively.

Jennifer Lawerence earned $25 million for the movie ‘Don’t Look Up’ too. 

Some of the other names who have made it to the list are Julia Roberts earning $25 million for ‘Leave the World Behind’ and Ryan Gosling earning $20 million for ‘The Gray Man.’

How to Become a Netflix Actor?

Well, there is no exceptional rule to becoming a Netflix actor. And of course, it is not rocket science either. However, you cannot contact Netflix directly for a role. As it is a streaming service, not a production house. It works with Production companies who are casting directors for finalizing a cast. So, ideally, you are supposed to get in touch with casting directors for any such opportunity.

The next question that arises is how to get in touch with these casting directors. And the answer is getting an agent for yourself. You might never be able to reach these folks on your own. So, you need to hire an agent for yourself who can use their sources and connect you to these directors.

You also need to research the kind of role you want for yourself. As in the roles for which your skillset suits the best. You also need to prepare yourself if you actually manage to get an audition. Creating an amazing first impression is what you strive for as the competition in the industry is fierce. The better you do in the audition the better are the chances of your getting cast. 

Be confident when you manage to get an audition and give it your best shot. Researching and preparing in advance will help you do a good job on D-day.  

Therefore, read, research, explore, and be prepared for landing that first audition. 

Do Actors Get Paid if the Movie Flops?

The fact that the movie flops or becomes a blockbuster has nothing to do with the salaries of the actors. In normal circumstances, the actors are paid much before the film releases. It is generally a part of the contract that the actors have to be paid full before the release of the movie. 

However, sometimes the popular high-paid actors are willing to forgo a part of their salaries for securing a stake in production. They generally eye the long-term earning aspect in doing so. The problem in doing so is sometimes they end up losing the sacrificed fair share of their salaries as the movie flops. In such a case, the event of a movie being a flop may affect the actor’s earnings. But, it is completely a choice of the actor if he/she wants to walk down that lane. On the other hand, if the movie performs well at the box office they might end up earning quite better than their actual salaries. 

Hence, the onus of the movie getting flopped doesn’t directly impact an actor’s salaries. However, it completely depends on the actor if he/she is willing to get affected by such an event. 

Interesting article – Why are Netflix movies so bad?

How Much Do Amazon Prime Actors Make?

Amazon Prime actors are highly paid too. That is the reason why famous names end up doing movies for this OTT platform too. Let’s have a look at some of the highest-paid TV stars of Amazon Prime. 

Chris Pratt was paid a whopping $1.4 million per episode for the Amazon Prime series ‘The Terminal List.’

The Oscar winner Robert De Niro reportedly earned $775,000 for a drama series by David O Russell. 

There are other names on the list too like Billy Bob Thornton and Jeffrey Tambor who make $350,000 and $275,000 for the series ‘Goliath’ and ‘Transparent’ respectively. 

How Much Standup Comedians Make on Netflix?

The stand-up comedians are also paid no less than the other actors. They have been starring in these shows on the streaming platforms due to the huge payments they received. Netflix is now a top platform for stand-up comedy shows and has been reportedly paying enormous amounts to bring into broad the who’s who of the industry. 

According to various agents and production companies, Netflix is said to have paid anything between $50000 to $20 million for one episode of 1 hr special comic show. This genre has reportedly witnessed increased viewership on Netflix. 

Some of the highest-paid comedians happen to be Ricky Gervais’ ($40 million), Amy Schumer($13million), Chris Rock($40 million), Dave Chapelle( $60 million), and Jerry Seinfeld ($100 million).

These actors were all paid for either one or a couple of special stand-up shows. With Netflix shelling out such huge money, other platforms have also amped up in doing the same.

Frequently Asked Question and Answers

How do Netflix actors make money?

The actors are generally paid for the time they have spent filming for the movie or the show they are starring in. They also get paid for the residuals for later screenings of the show on the same platform. The actors playing small and background roles are, however, paid only filming time once. 

Who is the highest-paid Netflix actor?

For the current year, Daniel Craig tops the list of highest-paid actors. Being paid a whopping sum of $100 million. 

Do actors get paid per stream on Netflix?

Netflix generally doesn’t pay the actors. They get paid by the production companies they have worked for. Their appointed agent negotiates with the company on their behalf for their share of the fees.

How do I sell my movie to Netflix?

You need to approach Netflix through a licensed literary agent, manager, producer, or an executive working in the entertainment sector with a good rapport and prior experience with Netflix. Also, the idea or the script you have needs to be worthy enough of being accepted. 

Does Netflix pay for movies?

The way payments work with Netflix is one of the major reasons for the huge content that exists in it. They are known for paying the producers the full cost of production. They also pay licensing fees to get onboard movies or shows that have premiered somewhere else before. The actors are also paid upfront. 

Does Netflix buy short films?

We can entertain ourselves with all kinds of content on Netflix. The short films are no doubt a part of it. There is a huge collection of short films on Netflix. These are the films that are shorter in length than any feature film. 

The Take-Away 

With the ease and comfort that streaming services have provided in entertaining people, the demand for content in this segment has increased. Now, we can entertain ourselves with mostly any movie or show of our choice at any given point of time from the comfort of our couch without having to venture out of the home. 

The increased consumption has made these streaming services up to their game by adding more content on a regular basis. Which in turn has led to increased demand and higher payments for the actors. 

As the trend continues, the demand and fees for the actors are going to increase even further. Hence, this is the perfect time to begin thinking of a career in this genre and enter the world of fame and glory and simultaneously make big bucks too. 

Was this information enough for you to understand the dynamics of the Netflix payments and the working of the entire segment? Do you know anything more, please help your fellow actors by sharing the information in the comments below.