The cinematic landscape shifted decisively in January 2026 as Zoe Saldaña officially claimed the crown as the highest-grossing actor of all time. Propelled by the massive global success of James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, Saldaña’s cumulative box office haul has surpassed the $15.47 billion mark, overtaking former record-holder Scarlett Johansson.
This milestone is the culmination of a career defined by unprecedented franchise success. Saldaña now holds the unique distinction of being the only actor to star in the three highest-grossing films in history: Avatar (2009), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022). With the third Avatar installment crossing $1.23 billion globally within its first month of release, Saldaña’s box office dominance has reached a level that analysts believe may not be challenged for decades.
The Milestone: Surpassing the Giants
Entering 2025, Saldaña was already in elite company, sitting as the third-highest-grossing actor behind Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) veterans Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson. However, the “December Juggernaut” that is the Avatar franchise provided the necessary momentum to vault her to the top.
According to data from The Numbers, the rankings as of mid-January 2026 stand as follows:
| Rank | Actor | Total Global Box Office | Key Franchises |
| 1 | Zoe Saldaña | $15.47 Billion | Avatar, MCU, Star Trek |
| 2 | Scarlett Johansson | $15.40 Billion | MCU, Jurassic World |
| 3 | Samuel L. Jackson | $14.61 Billion | MCU, Star Wars, Pixar |
| 4 | Robert Downey Jr. | $14.31 Billion | MCU, Sherlock Holmes |
While Johansson briefly reclaimed the top spot in late 2025 following the success of Jurassic World Rebirth, the sustained performance of Avatar: Fire and Ash—which has held the No. 1 spot domestically for four consecutive weeks—ensured Saldaña’s ascent.
A Career Built on Global Icons
Saldaña’s journey to the top is not merely a matter of quantity, but of incredible “hit-density.” She is the first and only actress to appear in four movies that have grossed over $2 billion each:
- Avatar ($2.92B)
- Avengers: Endgame ($2.79B)
- Avatar: The Way of Water ($2.32B)
- Avengers: Infinity War ($2.04B)
Beyond the “Big Four,” her portrayal of Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and Nyota Uhura in the Star Trek films added billions more to her total. Interestingly, Saldaña often quips about her “colorful” career, having spent much of the last two decades under layers of green (Gamora) or blue (Neytiri) makeup to bring these iconic characters to life.
The “Fire and Ash” Impact
Released on December 19, 2025, Avatar: Fire and Ash introduced audiences to the “Ash People,” a more aggressive clan of Na’vi led by Varang (Oona Chaplin). Despite a sprawling 3-hour and 15-minute runtime and mixed critical reviews that labeled it “spectacular but repetitive,” the film has proven to be “critic-proof” at the box office.
In the first two weeks of 2026, the film added over $400 million to its total, effectively closing the gap between Saldaña and Johansson. The movie’s success in international markets, particularly China ($148M) and France ($91M), underscores Saldaña’s immense global appeal as a leading lady.
A Golden Era: Oscar Wins and Industry Respect
Saldaña’s 2026 record comes on the heels of what many consider her best professional year yet. In 2025, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her transformative role in the Netflix musical Emilia Pérez. This win made her the first Dominican-American woman to win an acting Oscar, proving that her talents extend far beyond the blockbuster realm of CGI and motion capture.
Gratitude and the Future
Following the news of her record-breaking status, Saldaña took to social media to thank her collaborators.
“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 in a video. “An achievement made possible entirely by the incredible franchises and the directors who placed their trust in me.”
As Avatar: Fire and Ash continues its theatrical run, the gap between Saldaña and her peers is expected to widen. With Avatar 4 and 5 already in development by James Cameron, Zoe Saldaña isn’t just making history—she’s ensuring that her record remains “unobtanium” for the foreseeable future.