Zoe Saldaña has surpassed Scarlett Johansson to claim the title of the highest-grossing actor in film history, according to box office tracker The Numbers. Her films have collectively earned $15.46 billion worldwide. This milestone highlights her key roles in major franchises like Avatar and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Zoe Saldaña's ascent to the top spot in all-time box office earnings comes from her starring roles in some of cinema's biggest hits over the past two decades. According to data from The Numbers, her movies have grossed a total of $15.46 billion globally, edging out Scarlett Johansson's $15.40 billion. Saldaña appears in all three of the highest-grossing films ever: the Avatar series, including the recent Avatar: Fire and Ash, which has now surpassed $1 billion at the worldwide box office and remains a strong performer.
Her portfolio includes every Guardians of the Galaxy installment, as well as Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. These Marvel blockbusters, combined with the Avatar franchise, have propelled her totals. Johansson, who shares screen time with Saldaña in the Avengers films, holds second place with an extensive Marvel lineup, including the upcoming Jurassic World Rebirth. Samuel L. Jackson ranks third at $14.6 billion, bolstered by his Marvel appearances, The Incredibles and Incredibles 2, Kong: Skull Island, and the original Jurassic Park. Robert Downey Jr., another Marvel veteran, sits fourth with $14.31 billion, a figure expected to rise with the release of Avengers: Doomsday later this year.
The dominance of Marvel actors in this ranking underscores the franchise's massive financial impact over the past 15 years. Major stars often appear in multiple films—sometimes seven or more—accumulating substantial earnings. Avatar: Fire and Ash, directed by James Cameron and featuring Saldaña, is currently in theaters worldwide.
