How Scarlett Johansson Roared Past Hollywood’s Biggest Stars

July 8, 2025: By stepping into dinosaur territory, Scarlett Johansson has stomped her way into Hollywood history. With the massive success of Jurassic World Rebirth, the 40-year-old actress has officially become the highest-grossing movie star of all time — unadjusted for inflation — according to data from The Numbers.

Previously, the title belonged to her Avengers co-star Samuel L. Jackson. Robert Downey Jr. was holding second place. But thanks to the July 2 release of the latest Jurassic installment, Johansson has soared past both, jumping from third to first. Now, Jackson, 76, sits at second, while Downey, 60, lands at third.

Also Read: Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey Recast: Why Did the Lead Drop Out?

Johansson’s record-breaking earnings come from just 36 films — fewer than Jackson’s 71 and Downey’s 45. Her top-grossing movies remain the Avengers blockbusters, but Jurassic World Rebirth is quickly climbing the list, earning a jaw-dropping $322.6 million globally in just six days, per Box Office Mojo.

The film, directed by Gareth Edwards and written by David Koepp, features Scarlett Johansson as a tough ex-military operative exploring a forgotten facility tied to the original Jurassic Park. The cast also includes Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ed Skrein — and, of course, plenty of dinosaurs.

Calling it “surreal” to headline a Jurassic movie, Johansson told PEOPLE she hopes new generations of kids get swept away by the magic, just as she did as a child. “It makes you dream,” she said.

Her box office momentum has carried through 2025 with another hit, Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, where she plays the eccentric Cousin Hilda.

Coming up next: her directorial debut Eleanor the Great, starring June Squibb, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this May.

Jurassic World Rebirth is now playing in theaters worldwide.