There are tons of directors around the world, but only a few of them have been able to make it in Hollywood and create hit movies. Everyone knows it’s hard to become a successful director, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. There are a few special people who have done whatever it takes to make their dreams come true and bring their visions to life. And it’s paid off.
A lot of directors create movies because they love it. The money that comes after the movie is made is definitely a bonus though. Depending on how many people go to the theaters to see the movie or buy it, the directors could earn millions of dollars each time they make a movie. Let’s take a look at the 10 richest directors in Hollywood.
10 JJ Abrams - Net Worth: $300 Million
J.J. Abrams is in last place with a net worth of $300 million. Even though he created the popular TV show, Lost, and directed popular movies, he surprisingly has a lower net worth than other directors. According to Celebrity Net Worth, “J.J. Abrams is most widely recognized for his many popular television series, including Felicity, Alias, Lost, and Fringe. He has also directed hugely successful movies including the Star Trek reboot and several Star Wars movies.”
9 Ridley Scott - Net Worth: $400 Million
Ridley Scott is in ninth place with $400 million and has been making movies for decades. “His breakthrough in the film industry came when he released the 1979 sci-fi horror film, Alien. Since releasing that film, Scott went on to write and direct a number of box office hits, including Kingdom of Heaven, American Gangster, and Robin Hood,” according to Wealthy Gorilla. He’s also known for directing Gladiator, Hannibal, Blade Runner, and Black Hawk Down.
8 Francis Ford Coppola - Net Worth: $400 Million
Francis Ford Coppola is in eighth place with $400 million. Francis has grown his net worth from creating unique films that have become classics over the years. According to Wealthy Gorilla, “He earned his fortune by writing and directing films like The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now, Patton, The Outsiders, and Dracula. He is a multi-Academy Award winner, for writing and directing, and is known as one of America’s most off-beat and controversial filmmakers.”
7 Mel Gibson - Net Worth: $425 Million
Mel Gibson seventh place with only $25 million more than Francis Ford Coppola. He’s mostly known as an actor, but he directs, writes, and produces some movies on top of starring in them. “A sometimes controversial personality, Mel has also been one of the most successful actors and directors in the world during his career,” according to Celebrity Net Worth. He’s directed The Man Without a Face, Braveheart, The Passion of the Christ, and Hacksaw Ridge.
6 Michael Bay - Net Worth: $450 Million
Michael Bay is in sixth place with a net worth of $450 million. He grew his net worth by directing action films such as Pearl Harbor, Bad Boys I and II, Armageddon, and the Transformers franchise. The Transformers movies are the most popular movies he’s ever made and the reason why he has millions of dollars. According to Wealthy Gorilla, “The Transformers Trilogy with Steven Spielberg as the producer has been Michaels biggest career success, earning him $200 million dollars.”
5 Peter Jackson - Net Worth: $500 Million
Peter Jackson is in fifth place with half a billion dollars. He’s directed several hits the past couple decades, so it’s no wonder why he has so much money. According to Wealthy Gorilla, “The Lord of the Rings trilogy earned Jackson $180 million dollars, and paved the way for even more success, with films like King Kong and The Lovely Bones. King Kong was a major contributing factor to his net worth, as he was paid $20 million dollars plus 20% of the box office sales! After banking the cash, he went on to write, direct, and produce the Hobbit trilogy.”
4 James Cameron - Net Worth: $700 Million
James Cameron is in fourth place with $700 million. He’s known for creating epic movies such as The Terminator 1 and 2, Titanic, and Avatar. He’s one of the most famous directors in Hollywood because he does whatever it takes to make his vision a reality and it’s definitely paid off. According to Celebrity Net Worth, “James famously gave up his $8 million salary when Titanic went over-budget. He took back-end points instead. Those points eventually translated into a $650 million payday for Cameron when the film became the highest-grossing movie of all time up to that point. Thanks to a similar profit-sharing deal, James has earned at least $350 million off the Avatar franchise to date.”
3 Tyler Perry - Net Worth: $800 Million
Tyler Perry is in third place with a net worth of $800 million. He’s grown his net worth from having his own production company and is known for his Madea movies, which he stars in as well as directs. According to Wealthy Gorilla, He “earns between $100 and $150 million per year from his empire. He is also the only filmmaker in history to have five films open #1 at the box office in the last five years.” He directs, writes, and produces all of his movies on top of starring in some of them too. He’s probably growing his net worth even more right now as you’re reading this.
2 Steven Spielberg - Net Worth: $7.5 Billion
Steven Spielberg is in second place with $7.5 billion. With all of the hits he’s had over the years, we’re surprised he doesn’t have more than that. “Steven Spielberg's name is synonymous with film and his career spans over four decades. Some of his most-famous movies include Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Indiana Jones… Honestly, even the hit list is too long to mention in a quick blurb,” according to Celebrity Net Worth. He’s also directed classics such as E.T., Jurassic Park, and Saving Private Ryan.
1 George Lucas - Net Worth: $10 Billion
George Lucas is in first place with a net worth of $10 billion and is the richest person in the entertainment industry. Along with creating the legendary Star Wars series, he also has his own companies. “He is best known for creating the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises which have generated north of $12 billion in global box office ticket sales. He is also the founder of the production company, Lucasfilm, and the technical effects company, Industrial Light and Magic,” according to Celebrity Net Worth. In 2012, he sold the rights to the Star Wars franchise to Disney, which gave him $2.21 billion in cash and 37 million shares. He’s gained billions of dollars since he sold the rights to Disney and that helped him become the richest director in Hollywood.