In a major shift at the pinnacle of Hollywood's financial elite, actress Zoe Saldana has officially claimed the title of the highest-grossing actor of all time, surpassing her Marvel co-star Scarlett Johansson. The milestone was driven by the continued global success of the latest film in James Cameron's epic saga.
A New Box Office Queen is Crowned
The catalyst for this historic change is Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in the groundbreaking sci-fi franchise. As of January 2026, the film has held the number one spot at the worldwide box office for four consecutive weeks and has now earned a staggering $1.23 billion. This massive haul pushed Saldana's cumulative career film earnings past the previous record.
According to data from Box Office Mojo and a report by Screen Rant, the total global box office revenue for all of Saldana's films now stands at an astonishing $16.8 billion. This figure dethrones Johansson, who previously held the crown with $16.4 billion following the success of last summer's Jurassic World: Rebirth.
The Franchise Power Behind the Numbers
Saldana's remarkable financial achievement is built on a foundation of some of the most lucrative film franchises in history. She appears in four of the top ten highest-grossing films ever, including Avatar ($2.9 billion), Avengers: Endgame ($2.8 billion), Avatar: The Way of Water ($2.3 billion), and Avengers: Infinity War ($2 billion).
Her filmography extends far beyond Pandora and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Significant contributions to her total come from her roles in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, the rebooted Star Trek film series, and even early appearances in blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
A Dynamic Duo Trading Places
Industry analysts suggest that the top spot may become a back-and-forth battle between Saldana and Johansson in the coming years. Johansson could potentially reclaim her position, as rumours reported by Deadline indicate she may be joining the DC Universe in The Batman: Part II, scheduled for release in 2027.
However, Saldana is not resting on her laurels. She has a powerful advantage with more Avatar sequels already in the pipeline. Avatar 4 is currently in post-production, and Saldana is actively filming the fifth chapter, ensuring her box office tally will continue to grow.
The remainder of the top five highest-grossing actors is filled with familiar faces from the Marvel universe: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr., and Chris Pratt. Saldana's ascent highlights the immense drawing power of major franchise films and cements her status as a central figure in modern cinematic history.
