Zoe Saldaña Has Become the Highest-Grossing Actor of All Time

13 January 2026

Michael Buckner/Variety

In a historic moment for Hollywood, Zoe Saldaña has officially overtaken Scarlett Johansson to become the highest-grossing actor of all time at the global box office, a milestone earned through a remarkable body of work that spans some of cinema’s biggest franchises. This achievement, confirmed in mid-January 2026 after the massive box office success of Avatar: Fire and Ash, places Saldaña at the forefront of film history and highlights the enduring power of franchise storytelling in the modern movie industry.

Saldaña, 47, reached this landmark following the December 19, 2025 release of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in James Cameron’s Avatar saga, which grossed more than $1.23 billion globally shortly after its debut. That blockbuster haul pushed her cumulative box office total across her career to more than $15.4 billion, edging out Johansson, whose films have collectively earned just over $16.4 billion.

Much of Saldaña’s historic total stems from her long-standing role as Neytiri, the Na’vi warrior who has anchored the Avatar franchise since the original film’s release in 2009. The Pandora films alone have generated billions of dollars worldwide, with the original Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water among the most successful films of all time. Her contributions to the Avatar franchise account for an estimated $6 billion or more of her career box office total, a figure that underscores just how central those films have been to her place in cinematic history.

But Saldaña’s success isn’t limited to Pandora. Over the years she has appeared in other powerhouse franchises that have lifted her box office totals even higher. She played Gamora in multiple entries of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, both of which are among the highest-grossing films ever released, and several Star Trek features that also contributed solidly to her totals. Early in her career she even had a role in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, adding to her cumulative impact at theaters worldwide.

The announcement of Saldaña’s new record was met with excitement across Hollywood and social media, with many industry watchers noting both the depth of her filmography and the cultural breadth of the franchises she’s helped define. In a statement shared via her social platforms, Saldaña expressed profound gratitude to her collaborators directors, fellow actors and the audiences who turned out to theaters for years emphasizing that the milestone belonged as much to them as to her. She called the achievement “a journey made possible entirely by the incredible stories we got to tell together.”

Saldaña’s triumph also reflects broader shifts in how Hollywood measures and values commercial success. In an era dominated by sprawling cinematic universes and repeat viewings in global markets, reaching the top of the highest-grossing list requires participation in films that resonate with audiences across demographics and borders. Saldaña’s work from the lush, immersive world of Avatar to the intergalactic ensemble casts of the Marvel and Star Trek franchises exemplifies the increasingly interconnected nature of blockbuster storytelling.

Before Saldaña’s ascent, Scarlett Johansson had held the title of highest-grossing actor for much of the early 2020s, thanks in large part to her role as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in the MCU and her presence in other high-profile projects, including Jurassic World Rebirth in 2025. Johansson’s cumulative total had climbed steadily through films like Avengers: Endgame and Infinity War, which were among the biggest global draws of their time. Though she now sits at No. 2 on the list, her impact remains undeniable in an industry where only a handful of performers have crossed the $10 billion threshold in lifetime grosses.

Saldaña’s accomplishment also comes at a high point in her career beyond box office tallies. In 2025 she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in the critically acclaimed drama Emilia Pérez, and garnered multiple awards from the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards and SAG Awards. This recognition, alongside her commercial achievements, speaks to her versatility and longevity in an industry where many actors struggle to balance critical and financial success.

Looking forward, Saldaña is expected to reprise her role as Neytiri in planned future Avatar sequels, with instalments already scheduled for release later in the decade. These entries will likely expand her box office lead and further solidify her place in cinematic history. She is also reportedly in talks for new projects that could broaden her reach beyond the franchises that have defined much of her career.

Saldaña’s rise to the top of Hollywood’s highest-grossing list highlights the evolving nature of blockbuster cinema in the twenty-first century. As global theatrical audiences grow and franchise storytelling continues to dominate the charts, the careers of actors like Saldaña built across multiple interconnected universes demonstrate both the opportunities and the challenges of sustaining relevance over decades. For many fans around the world, her achievement is not just a statistical milestone but a reminder of how shared cinematic experiences can leave a lasting imprint on culture.