Iconic actress passes Scarlett Johansson to become highest-grossing actor of all time

A new contender has become the highest-grossing actor of all time.

The Oscar-winning actress Zoe Saldaña passed Scarlett Johansson, the previous record holder, following the release of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” in December, which has grossed more than $1.2 billion so far, according to The Numbers.

The film industry data site estimates that Saldaña’s films have grossed more than $15.47 billion, while Johansson’s films have grossed roughly $15.4 billion.

Saldaña portrayed the character of Neytiri for the third time in “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” the latest installment in James Cameron’s “Avatar” franchise.

Saldaña first played Neytiri in “Avatar,” released in 2009. The film currently stands as the highest-grossing film of all time in the worldwide box office, not adjusted for inflation, having grossed $2.9 billion, according to The Numbers. The second film in the series, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” released in 2022, is the third highest-grossing film of all time, raking in $2.3 billion at the global box office.

The “Avatar” franchise is not the only blockbuster franchise Saldaña has starred in. She has also starred as Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing the character in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy, as well as “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.”

“Avengers: Endgame” is the second highest grossing film of all time at the worldwide box office, earning roughly $2.7 billion, meaning the top three highest grossing films of all time all feature Saldaña, according to The Numbers.

Other high-grossing films that Saldaña has starred in include the rebooted “Star Trek” trilogy, beginning with “Star Trek” in 2009, “Star Trek Into Darkness” in 2013 and “Star Trek Beyond” in 2016, as well as “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.”

Saldaña won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2025 for her role as Rita Mora Castro in “Emilia Perez.”