Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Zoë Saldaña Overtakes Scarlett Johansson as Top-Grossing Film Actress After Avatar Surge

Industry box-office tallies credit the latest Avatar installment with lifting her career total to a new high.

Overview

  • The Numbers' January 2026 rankings place Saldaña at No. 1 worldwide based on cumulative grosses, ahead of Scarlett Johansson.
  • Avatar: Fire and Ash has earned about $1.23 billion globally since its December release, providing the decisive boost.
  • Published estimates for Saldaña’s career total span roughly $15.4 billion to about $16.86 billion due to differing cutoffs and methodologies.
  • Johansson drops to second, with Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Pratt among the next highest-grossing performers.
  • Saldaña acknowledged the milestone in a thank-you video crediting key directors and fans, and further Avatar sequels are planned for 2029 and 2031.