Zoe Saldana Tops Box Office Charts with Avatar and Marvel Roles
Zoe Saldana has overtaken Scarlett Johansson as the highest-grossing actor ever, thanks to her standout performances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and James Cameron’s Avatar series, with a combined box office total of $15.47 billion.
Landing roles in two of Hollywood ’s most lucrative franchises has paid off in a big way for Zoe Saldana. Her performances in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and James Cameron ’s Avatar films have propelled her to the top of the all-time box office earnings list. With Avatar: Fire and Ash still pulling in audiences and adding to its $1.25 billion haul, Saldana’s cumulative box office total has reached $15.47 billion. This figure nudges her just ahead of Scarlett Johansson, whose own blockbuster run—including a recent turn in the Jurassic World series—has brought her total to $15.4 billion.
These numbers, based solely on leading roles, are nothing short of remarkable. Saldana and Johansson now sit above other Marvel heavyweights like Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr., and Chris Pratt. The influence of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on these rankings is undeniable, especially with Avengers: Endgame ’s $2.79 billion box office take boosting the totals for many of its stars.
Avatar’s Impact on the Rankings
Saldana’s involvement in all three of Cameron’s Avatar movies, which together have grossed $6.5 billion, has been a game-changer. This success has helped her leapfrog her former co-stars, but her hold on the top spot may be tested in the coming years. The future of these rankings depends on how upcoming franchise installments perform at the box office.
James Cameron isn’t done with the Avatar universe yet. Two more films are on the horizon, slated for release in 2029 and 2031. However, Avatar: Fire and Ash is expected to face challenges matching the box office heights of its predecessors, with projections suggesting future entries may finish their runs between $1.5 and $1.8 billion. Saldana is set to reprise her role as Neytiri, but her reign could be threatened by other major releases.
Upcoming Blockbusters Could Shift the Leaderboard
Two highly anticipated Marvel films—Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars—are set to hit theaters in December 2026 and 2027. While the Marvel franchise has seen some ups and downs lately, the track record of Avengers movies suggests both could approach the $2 billion mark. Robert Downey Jr., returning as Iron Man and taking on the role of Doctor Doom, could see his own box office total soar by as much as $4 billion, adding to his already impressive $14.3 billion.
The next couple of years will be crucial in determining who holds the top spot. Johansson is also gearing up for several major projects, including another Jurassic World installment, a role in The Batman Part II, and a part in Mike Flanagan’s The Exorcist. With these high-profile films on the way, the former Black Widow star may soon be back in the running for the box office crown.