Zoe Saldaña Becomes Highest Grossing Actor of All Time

Zoe Saldaña has officially dethroned Scarlett Johansson as the top grossing actor of all time worldwide. This achievement comes thanks to the massive success of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in the Avatar franchise.

Current box office figures show Saldaña's total gross at nearly $17 billion, while Johansson's total sits just under $16.5 billion. The $423 million difference is expected to grow as the new Avatar film remains in theaters. The sequel has already demonstrated strong performance with $342 million earned domestically and an additional $888 million internationally.

While Johansson's Jurassic World Rebirth performed well with $869 million globally, it could not match the Avatar franchise's enormous success. Both actresses remain among the industry's most accomplished performers with several upcoming projects.

Zoe Saldaña has achieved a historic milestone in the film industry by becoming the highest grossing actor of all time worldwide. The achievement was secured through her role in Avatar: Fire and Ash, which has driven her cumulative box office total to nearly $17 billion.

Saldaña now holds a comfortable lead over fellow Marvel alum Scarlett Johansson, who previously held the top position. Johansson's current gross stands at just under $16.5 billion, placing her approximately $423 million behind Saldaña.

The gap between these two A-list performers is projected to increase significantly. Avatar: Fire and Ash remains in active theatrical release, continuing to add to Saldaña's already record-breaking total. Industry observers note that the Avatar franchise's staying power provides a substantial advantage.

The third installment in James Cameron's Avatar series has proven to be a major box office success. Avatar: Fire and Ash has grossed a solid $342 million domestically and another $888 million internationally.

These figures combine for a worldwide total of approximately $1.2 billion, with numbers still climbing as the film continues its theatrical run. The performance is particularly notable given that the original 2009 Avatar film remains the highest grossing film of all time when not adjusted for inflation.

The sequel to 2022's Avatar: The Way of Water has maintained the franchise's reputation for box office dominance. The success of this third installment was the decisive factor in pushing Saldaña's career total past Johansson's.

Scarlett Johansson's most recent blockbuster, while commercially successful, did not reach the same extraordinary level as the Avatar franchise. Jurassic World Rebirth, released in July 2025, secured $869 million in total global box office revenue.

This performance falls approximately $330 million short of Avatar: Fire and Ash's current global take. Despite the impressive earnings, the difference highlights the unprecedented scale of the Avatar franchise.

Both actresses have several projects scheduled for release in the coming years. Johansson is attached to The Batman Part II, currently slated for a 2027 release, which some industry observers believe could potentially impact the box office rankings again.

The box office milestone represents a significant achievement for both performers, who have built impressive careers through major franchise roles. Zoe Saldaña has been a central figure in multiple blockbuster series including Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Trek.

Scarlett Johansson similarly established herself through long-running roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and other major franchises. Both actresses are recognized as among the most bankable and talented performers in contemporary Hollywood.

While the current rankings may shift with future releases, the achievement underscores the remarkable commercial success both actresses have achieved throughout their careers. The competition between these two top performers continues to evolve as new films are released.