The star displaced Johnny Depp, the previous year's biggest earner, according to the annual list by Forbes magazine which assessed income to May 1.

DiCaprio's two major films "Shutter Island" and "Inception" grossed a combined total of $1.2 billion (£740 million) at the box office. In addition to his fee the actor received a proportion of the profits from the films.

Depp, who has seen his worth rise dramatically through the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, was the second highest earning star this year making an estimated $50 million (£31 million.)

Adam Sandler, who starred in "Grown Ups," was the third highest with $40 million (£25 million,) ahead of Will Smith on $36 million (£22 million) and Tom Hanks who made an estimated $35 million (£21 million.)

Movie stars' pay deals are often complicated and shrouded in secrecy and Forbes made its estimates after talking to industry insiders including agents and producers.