Zoe Saldaña, the acclaimed Dominican-American actress, has officially ascended to the pinnacle of box office history, becoming the highest-grossing actor of all time. This remarkable milestone was clinched on January 13, 2026, following the runaway success of "Avatar: Fire and Ash," which has raked in $1.23 billion globally since its December 2025 debut, according to Variety and The Numbers. With this latest achievement, Saldaña’s cumulative global box office earnings have soared to an unprecedented $15.47 billion, surpassing previous record holders Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson.
Saldaña’s journey to this record is a testament to her enduring appeal and her knack for choosing blockbuster projects. Over a 23-year career, she has become a fixture in some of the most successful franchises in cinematic history. She starred in the top three highest-grossing films ever made: James Cameron’s Avatar (2009), Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022). What’s more, she is the first actress to appear in four movies that have each grossed more than $2 billion globally, with Avengers: Infinity War (2018) joining the aforementioned trio.
Saldaña’s star power is not limited to just one universe. She’s been a mainstay in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Gamora, appearing in three Guardians of the Galaxy movies and the blockbuster Avengers films. She brought life to Nyota Uhura in the rebooted Star Trek trilogy, which itself generated over $1 billion worldwide, and she anchored hits like Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl early in her career. Her box office dominance reflects both her versatility as an actress and the global appetite for the expansive, interconnected worlds she inhabits.
In a heartfelt video posted to social media after the record was confirmed, Saldaña expressed deep gratitude for the journey that led her to this historic achievement. “I just want to express my sincerest gratitude for the extraordinary journey that has led me to become the highest-grossing film actor of all time today,” she said, grinning widely. “An achievement made possible entirely, entirely by the incredible franchises and the collaborators that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of, to every director who placed their trust in me.”
She went on to thank key directors who have shaped her career, including Star Trek’s J.J. Abrams, Avengers directors Joe and Anthony Russo, Guardians filmmaker James Gunn, and most notably, Avatar mastermind James Cameron. “For believing my potential, for seeing something in me that I have not always seen in myself, and for challenging me to always rise to the occasion. Your faith, your guidance and your vision, they shape not only these films, but me as an artist.”
Saldaña’s gratitude extended beyond Hollywood’s creative forces to the fans worldwide. “Your unwavering support, passion and loyalty are the true foundation of this milestone,” she said. “None of this exists without you showing up time and time again with open hearts and enthusiasm. This accomplishment belongs to all of us, and I’m deeply grateful and profoundly humbled. And may the next record breaker be another woman!”
The record comes on the heels of a landmark year for Saldaña. In March 2025, she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Jacques Audiard’s audacious musical Emilia Pérez, making history as the first Dominican American to win an Academy Award. The role also garnered her a sweep of major awards, including a SAG award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice award. Reflecting on her new status as an Oscar winner, Saldaña told Variety, “It feels really good. My husband [director Marco Perego Saldaña] is so funny. He has this joke; he goes, ‘Z, you can’t do anything right now without people announcing you as ‘Academy Award winner.’ You can’t rob a bank, because it’ll be like, ‘Academy Award winner…’ I’m like, ‘Oh my God.’ But it’s true. I’m honored. I’m very happy. I’m also like, ‘OK, let’s continue to work.’”
Saldaña’s latest triumph, Avatar: Fire and Ash, sees her return as Neytiri, the fierce Na’vi warrior whose relationship with Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) sits at the heart of the franchise. The film showcases the cutting-edge performance capture technology pioneered by James Cameron—a process that Saldaña credits with deepening her craft. “The reason why this world is so real to so many people is because the acting was the most important element for Jim,” she explained in an interview. “Performance capture gives the actor the ability not to have to rely so much on all the things that can sometimes be very distracting in regular live-action. Performance capture gives you the gift of connection and putting all of your heart and all of your energy into that scene, into that moment.”
Saldaña has also been vocal about the diversity present in the latest Avatar sequel. Speaking with BET, she highlighted the broad representation in the cast: “I think the diversity in our cast is incredible with Cliff [Curtis] playing the Olo'eyktan of the Metkayina, with Oona [Chaplin] being a Latina woman, with Trinity [Bliss] being Asian. I do feel that there is diversity with CCH Pounder being my mom and Wes Studi also playing my father, who's a Native man. I do believe that Jim [James Cameron] really went by his word, and he cast a very diverse cast.”
While "Avatar: Fire and Ash" has slightly trailed its predecessors in box office trajectory, it has remained the domestic number one since release, cementing Saldaña’s place at the top. Her career continues to surge forward: she is expected to return for "Avatar 4" (slated for December 2029) and "Avatar 5" (planned for December 2031), with James Cameron teasing, “If we don’t get to make 4 and 5, for whatever reason, I’ll hold a press conference and I’ll tell you what we were gonna do. How’s that?”
Saldaña’s ascent to the top of the box office charts is not just a personal victory—it’s a sign of the changing tides in Hollywood. Her success, built on a foundation of diverse roles, technological innovation, and cross-genre appeal, points to a more inclusive and dynamic future for the film industry. As she continues to break records and blaze trails, Saldaña’s story is a compelling reminder that the sky’s the limit when talent, opportunity, and determination align.
