Zoe Saldaña Named Highest-Grossing Actor in History After Avatar Success

13 January 2026

Zoe Saldaña, the American actress whose career has spanned more than two decades and some of Hollywood’s most iconic blockbusters, has officially ascended to the top of the worldwide box office rankings, earning the distinction of highest-grossing actor of all time. This remarkable milestone was reached in early January 2026 after the massive commercial performance of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the latest chapter in James Cameron’s epic franchise, pushed Saldaña’s career box office total beyond $15.4 billion globally, surpassing previous record holder Scarlett Johansson and cementing her place in cinematic history.

Saldaña’s journey to the summit of box office records is rooted in her involvement with multiple major film franchises that have commanded global audiences for years. She first gained widespread recognition for her performance as Neytiri in Avatar in 2009, a film that went on to become one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. She reprised that role in Avatar: The Way of Water and again in Fire and Ash, which alone contributed more than $1 billion to her total just weeks after its December 2025 release. Beyond Avatar, her box office impact includes major roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers films, as well as parts in the Star Trek series and other blockbuster projects that consistently draw audiences worldwide.

The phenomenon of Saldaña’s box office dominance built almost exclusively through her work in giant Hollywood franchises reflects both her longevity in the industry and the modern economics of blockbuster filmmaking, where interconnected universes and serialized storytelling drive repeat viewership and massive global revenue. Industry trackers list her film credits across scores of high-grossing titles, a portfolio that can stand beside virtually any actor working today in terms of sheer financial impact. Her portfolio includes four films that have each grossed more than $2 billion worldwide, a singular distinction among her peers and a testament to her recurring presence in major cinematic universes.

Saldaña’s record-breaking achievement has resonated beyond box office statistics, representing a broader cultural moment in Hollywood. As a Dominican-American woman who has built a career at the intersection of genre filmmaking and mainstream blockbusters, she has become a symbol of both representation and resilience in an industry where such success stories remain rare. Her work has not only resonated with audiences but also earned critical recognition; she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2025 for her role in Emilia Pérez, further highlighting the breadth of her talents and her ability to excel in both commercial and dramatic realms.

Reflecting on Saldaña’s rise also invites comparisons with other box office heavyweights. Scarlett Johansson, who previously held the title thanks in large part to her portrayal of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in the MCU and the success of Jurassic World Rebirth in 2025, now sits in second place with a cumulative gross slightly below Saldaña’s. Other high-grossing actors include MCU legends such as Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Pratt, whose extensive filmographies in billion-dollar films have long kept them near the top of global rankings. Yet Saldaña’s continued presence in franchise tentpoles has propelled her into a leading position where no actor, male or female, has reached before.

The significance of Saldaña’s achievement goes beyond raw numbers; it underscores how Hollywood’s reliance on shared universes and franchise continuity has reshaped how careers are built. Actors like Saldaña who commit to long-term roles in films that span multiple sequels and story arcs accumulate box office impact in ways that were virtually unheard of in earlier eras of filmmaking. Her inclusion in Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers and Star Trek franchises that each command enthusiastic global audiences created a synergy that boosted her visibility and earnings in the international market.

Saldaña’s record also opens conversations about future box office trajectories. With additional Avatar sequels already planned for release in later years, her total is expected to grow even further, potentially widening the gap between her and other top actors. Meanwhile, actors such as Chris Pratt are poised to make gains with upcoming films like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and the next Avengers installment, though how those projects will impact long-term rankings remains to be seen. Still, Saldaña’s current lead represents a high watermark in franchise cinema, one that may stand for years.

Her success story highlights how commitment to multifilm arcs, collaborative partnerships with visionary directors and participation in globally resonant stories can elevate an actor’s career to unprecedented heights. In Saldaña’s case, her work across multiple universes from Pandora to the furthest reaches of the Galaxy and beyond has translated into a legacy that extends far beyond Hollywood’s most lucrative franchises. As audiences continue to flock to theaters for major releases and new stories unfold in established cinematic landscapes, Zoe Saldaña’s place at the apex of box office history stands as a defining chapter in 21st-century entertainment.