Zoe Saldaña has overtaken Scarlett Johansson to become the highest-grossing actor of all time, propelled by the $1.23 billion worldwide haul of Avatar: Fire and Ash.
At a Glance
- Zoe Saldaña’s global box-office total hits $16.8 billion, eclipsing Johansson’s $16.4 billion.
- The surge comes after Avatar: Fire and Ash crossed the billion-dollar mark on January 12.
- Saldaña’s credits include Star Trek, Avengers: Endgame, and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
- Why it matters: The milestone reshapes Hollywood’s top-earners list and spotlights franchise dominance in modern cinema.
The shift ends Johansson’s reign atop the all-time leaderboard. The Black Widow star had held the record thanks to her Marvel tenure, but Saldaña’s combined performances in four major franchises-Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, and Pirates-now give her the edge.
The Numbers Behind the Record
Box Office Mojo logs Avatar: Fire and Ash at $1.23 billion worldwide, the latest tick in a decade-long run that has seen Saldaña headline multiple billion-dollar releases. Screen Rant tallies her cumulative gross at $16.8 billion, edging out Johansson’s $16.4 billion.
Top five highest-grossing actors (worldwide cumulative)
| Rank | Actor | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zoe Saldaña | $16.8B |
| 2 | Scarlett Johansson | $16.4B |
| 3 | Samuel L. Jackson | data from original |
| 4 | Robert Downey Jr. | data from original |
| 5 | Chris Pratt | data from original |
The Avatar sequel, nominated for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement at the 2026 Golden Globes, ultimately lost to Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners at the January 11 ceremony hosted by Nikki Glaser.
Awards and Accolades
Saldaña remains a Globes favorite. Last year she won Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture for Emilia Pérez, thanking co-stars Selena Gomez and Karla Sofía Gascón during her acceptance speech.
“This is a first time for me, and I’m just so blessed that I’m sharing this moment with Selena and Karla and [director] Jacques [Audiard] and all of my fellow nominees,” she said. “I’m in awe of you, your strength, your complexity, your undeniable talent.”
She also praised her fellow 2025 nominees, including Ariana Grande and Margaret Qualley: “You’re all magic, and I experienced this kind of magic on the set of Emilia Pérez and it’s thanks to you, thank you, merci beaucoup, Jacques Audiard.”
Family and Future Projects
Off-screen, the Guardians of the Galaxy star balances motherhood with franchise duties. She and husband Marco Perego parent:
- Twins Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio, 11
- Son Zen Anton, 9
While the Globes loss ends the current awards cycle, Saldaña’s box-office supremacy appears secure as Avatar sequels continue to roll out and Marvel’s cosmic slate keeps her Gamora character in play.
Key Takeaways
- Saldaña’s global receipts now top $16.8 billion, making her the industry’s top earner.
- Avatar: Fire and Ash accounts for the latest billion-plus bump.
- Johansson, Jackson, Downey Jr., and Pratt round out the top five.
