Zoe Saldaña has officially claimed the title of the highest-grossing actor in cinematic history, a remarkable achievement attributed to her role in "Avatar: Fire and Ash." This milestone underscores her extraordinary impact on the film industry.
Saldaña finds herself at the center of three of the all-time box office giants: the original "Avatar" from 2009, its sequel "The Way of Water" released in 2022, and the blockbuster "Avengers: Endgame," which debuted in 2019. These films secure the top three positions in box office history, with "Avatar" reigning at No. 1, "Endgame" at No. 2, and "The Way of Water" holding the No. 3 spot. Notably, she is the pioneering actress to feature in four films that each surpassed $2 billion in global earnings, including the 2018 sensation "Avengers: Infinity War." Beyond her work in the "Avatar" franchise and as Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—where she appeared in three "Guardians of the Galaxy" films—Saldaña also played Nyota Uhura in the "Star Trek" trilogy, which collectively generated over $1 billion worldwide.
As we look ahead to 2024, Saldaña's combined earnings at the global box office have exceeded $14 billion, placing her in the third position among Hollywood's highest-grossing actors, trailing only behind fellow MCU stars Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson. However, her recent success with December’s release of "Avatar 3" catapulted her to the number one spot, as the film has already amassed $1.23 billion. This brings her cumulative box office total to an astonishing $15.47 billion, as verified by The Numbers.
The year 2025 marked a significant chapter in Saldaña's career, highlighted by her Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress for her captivating role in "Emilia Pérez." This accomplishment made her the first Dominican American to receive such an honor. The film, directed by the renowned Jacques Audiard, not only debuted at the Cannes Film Festival but also swept various awards during the season, including accolades from SAG, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice.
Reflecting on her newfound status, Saldaña expressed her joy, stating, "It feels really good to have 'Oscar winner' attached to my name now. My husband, Marco, jokes that I can’t do anything without being introduced as 'Academy Award winner.' He humorously adds that even if I were to rob a bank, it would be announced like that!" Her laughter echoed her excitement, adding, "I feel honored and thrilled, but I’m also eager to keep working."
In "Avatar: Fire and Ash," she reprises her iconic role as Neytiri, the Na’vi warrior, whose relationship with human soldier-turned-leader Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington, remains central to the series’ narrative. To bring this character to life, the film employs cutting-edge performance capture technology developed by acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron, transforming Saldaña into her blue-skinned, towering alter ego.
Saldaña explained how this technology enhances the realism of the film's universe: "Jim places great emphasis on acting, which is why this world resonates so deeply with audiences. Performance capture allows actors to connect authentically without the distractions often present in traditional live-action. It enables you to channel all your heart and energy into every scene and moment."
Looking to the future, Saldaña is expected to reprise her role in "Avatar 4," set to release in December 2029, and "Avatar 5," scheduled for December 2031. With these upcoming projects, audiences can anticipate her continuing journey to achieve even greater box office success.
