Zoe SaldaƱa has become the highest-grossing actor of all time, with her films collectively earning over $15.47 billion globally. This financial milestone was reached following the recent release of Avatar: Fire and Ash, which contributed $1.23 billion to her filmography. SaldaƱa surpassed Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson for the top position.
Financial Achievement
SaldaƱa's cumulative box office earnings globally exceed $15.47 billion. The achievement was publicly announced on Tuesday night. Avatar: Fire and Ash, featuring SaldaƱa, added approximately $1.23 billion to her total, and has held the domestic No. 1 spot since its release in December.
Key Filmography and Contributions
SaldaƱa's extensive filmography contributing to her box office record includes prominent roles in several major franchises:
- The Avatar film series, where she portrays Na'vi warrior Neytiri. She starred in the original Avatar (2009) and its sequel The Way of Water (2022). Her character's relationship with Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is central to the series, which employs performance capture technology. SaldaƱa is anticipated to appear in Avatar 4 (scheduled for December 2029) and Avatar 5 (planned for December 2031).
- Her portrayal of Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, encompassing the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and various Avengers films.
- The Star Trek film series, where she played Nyota Uhura in a trilogy that grossed over $1 billion.
- A role in the first Pirates of the Caribbean film.
Reports indicate SaldaƱa has starred in three of the highest-grossing films globally: Avatar (2009), The Way of Water (2022), and Avengers: Endgame (2019). She is also the first actress to appear in four movies that have each generated more than $2 billion worldwide, including Avengers: Infinity War (2018).
Professional Recognition and Other Projects
In 2025, SaldaƱa received the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her performance in the Netflix film Emilia PƩrez. This award made her the first Dominican American to win an Oscar. Her role in the musical also earned her recognition at the Cannes Film Festival, a SAG award, a BAFTA award, a Golden Globe, and a Critics Choice award.
Additionally, SaldaƱa voiced a character in Pixar's Elio and is currently involved in the series Lioness.
Comparison with Other High-Grossing Actors
Prior to SaldaƱa, Scarlett Johansson held the record for highest-grossing actor, a position attained after Jurassic World Rebirth earned $869 million worldwide. Johansson also has multiple Marvel film credits.
Following SaldaƱa and Johansson, other actors with high cumulative box office totals include Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr., and Chris Pratt, all of whom have appeared in numerous Marvel projects. Among actors without Marvel film roles, Tom Cruise, Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, and Tom Hanks are recognized for their significant cumulative earnings.
In terms of other high-ranked female actors, Emma Watson is listed at No. 16, Karen Gillan at No. 23, and Elizabeth Olsen at No. 25.
Public Acknowledgment
Following the announcement of her achievement, SaldaƱa posted a message on Instagram. In her statement, she expressed gratitude for her career and acknowledged the various franchises and collaborators she has worked with, specifically mentioning directors J.J. Abrams, Joe and Anthony Russo, James Gunn, and James Cameron. She also extended thanks to her global fanbase.