Zoe Saldaña Becomes Highest-Grossing Actress, Surpassing Scarlett Johansson
Zoe Saldaña has officially become the highest-grossing actress in cinema history, surpassing Scarlett Johansson with a total worldwide box office revenue exceeding $15.47 billion. This milestone was highlighted by Time magazine upon naming Saldaña one of the 100 most influential people of 2026. Her financial success is primarily driven by her leading roles in major blockbuster franchises, including James Cameron’s Avatar series, where she portrays Neytiri, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers films. The recent release of Avatar: Of Fire and Ashes in late 2025 significantly contributed to this record, adding over $1.23 billion to her total. Previously, Scarlett Johansson held the title, bolstered by her performances in the MCU and Jurassic World Renaissance. Saldaña, who also won an Oscar for her role in Emilia Perez in 2025, viewed this achievement as a victory for women in Hollywood. She acknowledged that Johansson may reclaim the title with upcoming projects like Jurassic World 5 and The Batman 2, but emphasized the importance of breaking glass ceilings for women, particularly women of color, in the film industry.
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Zoe Saldaña Becomes Highest-Grossing Actress, Surpassing Scarlett Johansson
Zoe Saldaña has officially become the highest-grossing actress in cinema history, surpassing Scarlett Johansson with a total worldwide box office revenue exceeding $15.47 billion. This milestone was highlighted by Time magazine upon naming Saldaña one of the 100 most influential people of 2026. Her financial success is primarily driven by her leading roles in major blockbuster franchises, including James Cameron’s Avatar series, where she portrays Neytiri, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers films. The recent release of Avatar: Of Fire and Ashes in late 2025 significantly contributed to this record, adding over $1.23 billion to her total. Previously, Scarlett Johansson held the title, bolstered by her performances in the MCU and Jurassic World Renaissance. Saldaña, who also won an Oscar for her role in Emilia Perez in 2025, viewed this achievement as a victory for women in Hollywood. She acknowledged that Johansson may reclaim the title with upcoming projects like Jurassic World 5 and The Batman 2, but emphasized the importance of breaking glass ceilings for women, particularly women of color, in the film industry.
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