Zoe Saldaña Becomes Highest-Grossing Actor of All Time in 2026: Avatar: Fire and Ash Propels Her Past Scarlett Johansson – Full Breakdown

In a landmark achievement for Hollywood on January 13, 2026, Zoe Saldaña has officially become the highest-grossing actor of all time at the global box office. Her career films have now surpassed $16.8 billion worldwide, overtaking Scarlett Johansson (previously the top earner thanks to Marvel and Jurassic World: Rebirth) following the massive success of Avatar: Fire and Ash (Avatar 3), which has grossed over $1.23 billion since its December 2025 release.This milestone cements Saldaña's dominance in blockbuster cinema. As reported by Variety, The Guardian, and other outlets, the Afro-Dominican American actress (born Zoë Yadira Saldaña) has starred in four of the seven highest-grossing films ever, including the top three: Avatar (2009, ~$2.92B), Avengers: Endgame (2019, ~$2.8B), and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022, ~$2.32B). Avatar: Fire and Ash has added the final push, with strong global legs keeping it atop charts into 2026.How She Climbed to #1Saldaña's ascent has been steady but explosive:Late 2025: She overtook Samuel L. Jackson (longtime #2 or #3) to reach second place with ~$15B, driven by Avatar 3's momentum. January 2026: Avatar: Fire and Ash's continued run (despite trailing predecessors slightly) propelled her past Johansson's ~$15.4B–$16B total. Key franchises: Avatar series (Neytiri), Marvel Cinematic Universe (Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and Avengers films), Star Trek reboots (Uhura), and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. She's the only actor with four films crossing $2 billion worldwide—a record no one else holds. In 2023, she became the first with four $1B+ movies; now, the bar is even higher.Top Highest-Grossing Actors (as of Jan 2026)Zoe Saldaña — $16.8B+ (Avatar dominance + MCU) Scarlett Johansson — ~$15.4B–$16B (Marvel + Jurassic World: Rebirth) Samuel L. Jackson — ~$15B+ (MCU cameos + major roles) Robert Downey Jr. — ~$14.3B (Iron Man/MCU) Chris Pratt — High MCU/Guardians totals Non-Marvel heavyweights like Tom Cruise (#6-ish), Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, and Chris Hemsworth trail behind.Beyond the Numbers: Saldaña's 2025 Triumphs & Legacy2025 was monumental: Saldaña won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Emilia Pérez (first Dominican American Oscar winner), sweeping awards season (SAG, BAFTA, Golden Globe, Critics Choice). The role showcased her dramatic range beyond blue-skinned Na'vi or green-skinned aliens—proving her versatility amid franchise fame.Critics note these records often favor franchise stars (cameos inflate totals for some like Jackson), but Saldaña's co-lead status in most blockbusters adds weight. Her journey reflects persistence: From feeling overlooked early on to redefining global stardom.With Avatar 4 (2029) and Avatar 5 (2031) on the horizon, Saldaña could extend her lead significantly—James Cameron's saga shows no signs of slowing.At digital8hub.com, we track entertainment trends 2026, Hollywood milestones, celebrity news, film box office analysis, and more. For insights on blockbuster franchises, awards season impact, or tech in cinema (like motion-capture gadgets and AI in filmmaking), check our guides on movies, tech trends, and balanced living through pop culture.Zoe Saldaña's record isn't just about dollars—it's a testament to strategic roles in cultural juggernauts and quiet excellence. As Avatar continues to redefine cinema, she's firmly at the top.