New York, Jul 30 (IANS/EFE): Although it has been three years since her last film, Angelina Jolie is the best-paid actress in Hollywood, according to Forbes magazine.

Jolie pocketed $33 million in the 12 months ending June 30 thanks to the start of filming of "Maleficent", in which she will play the evil witch of the "Sleeping Beauty" tale and which will be her return to the world of Hollywood blockbusters.

After having stayed out of the camera's eye since she starred in "The Tourist" along with Johnny Depp in 2010, Jolie a year later directed her first film, "In The Land of Blood and Honey", and in May she announced that she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy.

"Her revelation sparked plenty of debate and showed again why Jolie is one of the most powerful women in Hollywood," Forbes said.

In second place on the Forbes list, earning $26 million, is Jennifer Lawrence, who at the last edition of the Oscars won the Best Actress award for her role in "Silver Linings Playbook" and starred in one of the biggest box office hits of 2012, "The Hunger Games".

"As Katniss, Lawrence has shown that action heroes don't always have to be played by men for a film to turn a profit," said the magazine, which noted that the 22-year-old received less than $1 million for her performance in "The Hunger Games".

The No. 3 spot is held by last year's leader, Kristen Stewart, who earned $22 million over the past 12 months for her roles in the "Twilight" saga and in "Snow White and the Huntsman".

In fourth place with $20 million in earnings last year is Jennifer Aniston, while Emma Stone is in fifth place with $16 million.

The Top 10 are rounded out by Charlize Theron, Sandra Bullock, Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Julia Roberts.