It is official: Zoe Saldaña has cemented her status as the undisputed queen of the box office. As of January 2026, the acclaimed actress has surpassed Scarlett Johansson to become the highest-grossing actor of all time, a historic milestone driven by the massive global performance of her latest blockbuster, Avatar: Fire and Ash. With a career cumulative gross now exceeding $16.8 billion, Saldaña stands alone at the summit of Hollywood history, reshaping what it means to be a movie star in the modern era.
Breaking Box Office Records in 2026
The tipping point for this record-breaking achievement came this week as Avatar: Fire and Ash crossed the $1.23 billion mark at the global box office. While the film continues its theatrical run, its commercial success was the final push Saldaña needed to overtake her Marvel co-star, Scarlett Johansson, who had briefly held the title following the success of Jurassic World Rebirth last summer.
Saldaña’s rise to the top is not just about a single hit; it is a testament to her unparalleled eye for choosing projects. She is the common denominator in the biggest cinematic franchises of the 21st century. From the bioluminescent forests of Pandora to the cosmic battles of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Saldaña has anchored films that audiences flock to see in droves.
The Only Actor with Four $2 Billion Hits
Perhaps the most staggering statistic in Saldaña's career is her consistency at the highest level. She is currently the only actor in cinematic history to star in four separate movies that have each grossed over $2 billion globally. This exclusive club includes:
- Avatar (2009) – $2.92 billion
- Avengers: Endgame (2019) – $2.79 billion
- Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) – $2.32 billion
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – $2.05 billion
While Avatar: Fire and Ash is still climbing the charts, its current gross has already solidified Saldaña’s lead over her peers. Her ability to deliver billion-dollar performances across multiple decades and franchises is a feat that industry analysts believe may not be replicated for years.
Zoe Saldaña vs. Scarlett Johansson: The Battle for #1
The race for the title of top-earning celebrity has been a friendly tug-of-war between two MCU powerhouses. Scarlett Johansson, known for her role as Black Widow, sits at #2 with approximately $16.4 billion in career box office earnings. The top five is rounded out by other franchise heavyweights, including Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr., and Chris Pratt.
However, Saldaña's dominance is unique because she leads two distinct, massive IPs. While many of her peers rely heavily on a single cinematic universe, Saldaña plays pivotal roles in both James Cameron's Avatar saga (as Neytiri) and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy series (as Gamora). This dual-franchise power gives her a level of box office resilience that is unmatched in the industry.
A Career Defined by Hollywood Milestones
Beyond the raw numbers, 2025 and 2026 have been transformative years for Saldaña professionally. Just months before claiming the box office crown, she earned critical acclaim and her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the musical crime comedy Emilia Pérez. This win silenced critics who previously categorized her solely as a sci-fi action star, proving her range extends far beyond green skin and motion capture suits.
Responding to the news of her new box office record, Saldaña took to social media to express her gratitude. In a heartfelt statement, she thanked directors James Cameron, James Gunn, and the Russo brothers, acknowledging that her success was a collaborative effort. "I just want to express my sincerest gratitude for the extraordinary journey that has led me to become the highest-grossing film actor of all time today," she shared, emphasizing the trust these visionary filmmakers placed in her.
What’s Next for the Box Office Queen?
With Avatar: Fire and Ash still drawing crowds and two more Avatar sequels on the horizon (slated for 2029 and 2031), Saldaña’s record is likely to remain unbreakable for the foreseeable future. As she continues to balance high-octane blockbusters with prestige dramas, Zoe Saldaña isn't just participating in Hollywood history—she is writing it, one billion dollars at a time.
