With the film's success, the actor potentially earns a cruise ship-sized payday.
The highly anticipated sequel to the 1986 classic, “Top Gun: Maverick,” proved to be a colossal box office sensation in 2022, emerging as the most lucrative film of the year and setting a new career high for Hollywood action superstar Tom Cruise. Remarkably, this is Cruise’s inaugural foray into the billionaire’s club of cinema, as “Top Gun: Maverick” has grossed a staggering box office revenue of around $1.5 billion worldwide.
In an unusual twist, this runaway success was achieved without the help of major markets like Russia and China, where the film has not been screened. In spite of these barriers, the cinematic offering has garnered acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, further elevating its prominence. The dazzling triumph of “Top Gun: Maverick” is a testimony to the diverse individuals who played a part in its creation, but Cruise is earning the lion’s share of the accolades.
The actor’s dedication and relentless commitment were conspicuous throughout the film’s production and during the tireless promotional campaign that followed. While his passion for the cinematic arts is evident, one cannot discount another compelling incentive: the substantial financial rewards. How much, one may wonder, has Cruise netted from the new “Top Gun”? The answer: a considerable fortune, thanks mainly to a uniquely advantageous contract that is a rarity in Hollywood.
Stars of Cruise’s reputation usually rake in more from backend participation than their initial salary, but that doesn’t mean he worked for nothing. The leading man pocketed an extraordinary $13 million upfront payment for his role in “Top Gun: Maverick.” A term to remember for aspiring Hollywood stars is “first dollar gross,” a coveted clause in contracts. Cruise may well be the last actor standing with the influence to command this condition. Will Smith once had this level of sway but reportedly turned it down.
In the case of “Top Gun: Maverick,” Cruise was guaranteed at least 10% of the first dollar gross, with the potential to increase to 20% based on specific performance parameters—milestones he has most likely already surpassed. “First dollar gross” means the actor earns a share of a film’s gross revenue rather than just the profits. The distributors’ fee is the only deduction made before the first dollar gross. In this case, movie theaters take an approximate 40% cut from the box office receipts, leaving 60% as gross revenue.
Given the film’s global earnings of just under $1.5 billion, after the 40% deduction for distributors, a sum of $900 million remains. Adding Cruise’s initial salary of $13 million, he stands to earn $103 million. For context, Cruise received a comparatively modest $2 million for the original “Top Gun” back in 1985.
But the financial windfall doesn’t end there. Post-theatrical release, “Maverick” has generated additional revenue through various avenues like streaming platforms, on-demand purchases, Blu-ray/DVD sales, and cable broadcasts. There, the customary 40% exhibitor cut doesn’t apply. If these sources generate an additional $300 million, Cruise could net an extra $30 million, elevating his total earnings to $133 million. This would be one of Hollywood’s most lucrative single-film paydays, still behind the inflation-adjusted $194 million that Bruce Willis earned from “The Sixth Sense” through a similar backend agreement.
Let’s consider a hypothetical scenario where Cruise’s first dollar gross rises to 20% – a possibility, especially if his cut increases once the film crosses a specific milestone, like grossing over $1 billion. If he received 20% from the onset, Cruise would have earned $180 million from the global box office receipts, plus $60 million from future ancillary revenue sources.
Including his initial $13 million salary, at a 20% first dollar gross, Cruise’s total earnings from “Top Gun: Maverick” could theoretically be $258 million. In a fitting display of luxury, this sum would be enough to purchase three Boeing F18 Super Hornets—the very aircraft featured in “Top Gun: Maverick”—with a sizable budget remaining for fuel.
With that, the triumphant return of “Top Gun” underscores not just Tom Cruise’s enduring appeal but also the potential financial rewards for stars who can leverage their influence in contract negotiations, providing a fascinating insight into the high-stakes world of Hollywood economics.
