This position puts the Obamas ahead of a host of big names according to the specialist magazine including Margot Robbie, Will Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Scarlett Johansson, Quentin Tarantino and Brad Pitt. The ranking comes just under three years after they left the White House. The Hollywood Reporter explained: “Who wouldn’t take their call? The former president, 58, and first lady, 55, kicked off 2019 with a Sundance acquisition — documentary American Factory, which premiered to strong reviews on Netflix in August en route to an awards-season run.

“Tonia Davis and Priya Swaminathan, co-heads of Obama banner Higher Ground, are steering projects under the couple’s deal with the streamer — including adaptations of David W. Blight’s Frederick Douglass bio and Michael Lewis’ Fifth Risk, and Bloom, a post-World War II-era show about fashion — plus podcasts under a new deal with Spotify.”

Kathleen Kennedy, the President of Lucasfilm is just ahead of the Obamas.

Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger is first on the list.

Whilst Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos share second on a joint ticket like the Obamas share 50th.

The editors of the magazine compiled the list based on reach, success made in the previous year, the power to deliver on a project and indicators on influence.

The list was announced on Wednesday.

It was the fourth such annual list.

The Obamas featured for the first time.

Last month, US President Donald Trump tweeted a call seemingly for an investigation into the couple’s business deals since leaving the White House.

He declared: “I have a better idea.

“Look at the Obama Book Deal, or the ridiculous Netflix deal.”

Mrs Obama’s memoir “Becoming” was released just under a year ago.

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Mr Obama’s post Presidency memoir is in the works but publishers Penguin Random House are said to not expect it to be ready this year.

The deal for the books was signed in 2017.

An exact figure was not publicly released, but it is believed to be record for a the largest advance of a former US President.

Bill Clinton held the record previously.

According to AP, his book is believed to have learnt him $15million (£11.6million).

Mr Obama’s vice-President Joe Biden is seeking to enter the White House by securing the Democrat nomination and beating the Republican nominee.

According to Oddschecker, Mr Biden is second favourite for the nomination behind Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Trump is favourite for Republican nominee.

He is also the favourite currently to win the election next year.

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