Zoe Saldaña has officially made history as the highest-grossing actor of all time, a remarkable achievement that comes on the heels of her latest film, "Avatar: Fire and Ash." This accolade positions Saldaña at the forefront of Hollywood's box office success.
What makes this particularly fascinating is that she has starred in not one, but three of the highest-grossing films ever made. These include the original "Avatar" from 2009, which holds the number one spot, its 2022 sequel "The Way of Water" at number three, and 2019's blockbuster "Avengers: Endgame," which occupies the second position. Saldaña is also a trailblazer for being the first actress to feature in four movies that have each surpassed the $2 billion mark globally, including "Avengers: Infinity War," released in 2018. Beyond her roles in the monumental "Avatar" and Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films—as the beloved Gamora in three "Guardians of the Galaxy" installments—Saldaña has taken on the iconic character of Nyota Uhura in a "Star Trek" trilogy, which collectively earned over $1 billion worldwide.
As we step into 2024, Saldaña's total box office earnings exceed an astonishing $14 billion, placing her just behind fellow MCU stars Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson in terms of overall earnings. However, with the release of "Avatar 3" this December, which has already grossed $1.23 billion, Saldaña’s total earnings have climbed to an impressive $15.47 billion, as reported by The Numbers.
In addition to her box office triumphs, 2025 proved to be a landmark year for Saldaña. In March, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her captivating performance in "Emilia Pérez," making her the first Dominican American to win such an honor. This bold musical, directed by Jacques Audiard, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and garnered a slew of prestigious awards during the season, including accolades from the SAG Awards, BAFTA, Golden Globes, and Critics' Choice Awards.
Reflecting on her Oscar win, Saldaña shared her excitement with Variety, expressing the thrill of being introduced as "Academy Award winner" from now on. "My husband, director Marco Perego Saldaña, jokes that I can't do anything without people announcing my title, even robbing a bank!" she laughed. "But really, it’s an honor. I’m delighted, and I’m ready to keep working."
In her reprised role of Neytiri, a Na’vi warrior in "Avatar: Fire and Ash," Saldaña's character's dynamic with Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington, remains central to the franchise’s narrative. The film employs cutting-edge performance capture technology developed by James Cameron to bring Saldaña’s character to life, transforming the Afro-Latina actress into a blue-skinned, eight-foot-tall humanoid.
Saldaña elaborated on this innovative technology, stating, "The authenticity of this world resonates with audiences because Jim places such importance on acting. Performance capture allows actors to immerse themselves fully in their characters without the usual distractions present in traditional live-action. It enables us to invest our hearts and souls into each scene and moment."
Looking ahead, fans can anticipate Saldaña's return for "Avatar 4," set to release in December 2029, and "Avatar 5," which is planned for a December 2031 debut. With these future projects lined up, it’s safe to say that Saldaña will continue to dominate the box office for years to come.
