Oscar-winning movie star Sandra Bullock was the best-paid actress in Hollywood over the past year, Forbes magazine reports.

The magazine put her estimated earnings at about $US51 million ($A55.18 million).

The big payday for Bullock, 50, over the past 12 months was largely thanks to her work in the hit film Gravity, for which she received a best actress Oscar nomination.

The film, a festival of special effects, is about an astronaut’s struggle to survive in orbit after the space shuttle is destroyed.

The blockbuster movie earned seven Oscars and $US716 million.

Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence was the second highest paid actress over the past year, with $US34 million.

Third place went to Jennifer Aniston, with $US31 million, followed by Gwyneth Paltrow, who earned $US19 million over the past year.

Tied for fifth place were Angelina Jolie and Cameron Diaz, each of whom earned $US18 million from June 2013 to June 2014.