Avatar star overtakes Scarlett Johansson as Hollywood’s highest-grossing actor
January 13, 2026: Zoe Saldaña has officially become the highest-grossing actor of all time, surpassing her Marvel Cinematic Universe co-star Scarlett Johansson. The milestone comes after the massive global success of James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, which pushed Saldaña’s cumulative box office earnings beyond $16.8 billion worldwide. The achievement cements her status as one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, driven largely by her roles in the Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Trek franchises.
With Avatar: Fire and Ash crossing $1.23 billion globally, Saldaña has now starred in four films that have each earned more than $2 billion — a record no other actor has matched. Her filmography includes key roles in the highest-grossing film ever (Avatar), the second-highest (Avengers: Endgame), and the third-highest (Avatar: The Way of Water), underscoring her remarkable consistency at the global box office.
Scarlett Johansson, who previously held the top spot with around $16.4 billion, briefly reclaimed the lead last year after Jurassic World Rebirth. However, the continued success of the latest Avatar installment helped Saldaña surge ahead. Avatar: Fire and Ash is currently playing in cinemas worldwide, and Saldaña is expected to return as Neytiri in the franchise’s fourth film, slated for release in 2029. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the actor’s personal net worth is estimated at $60 million.