Hollywood actress Zoe Saldana now holds the crown as the highest-grossing leading actor of all time at the worldwide box office. She secured the top position in global rankings following the massive success of the recent blockbuster "Avatar: Fire and Ash."
Record-Breaking Numbers
According to the box office tracking website Numbers, Saldana ranks first with a cumulative global collection of USD 15.46 billion. This impressive total comes from 33 films, averaging nearly USD 469 million per movie.
Blockbuster Portfolio
Her record receives a major boost from appearances in some of cinema's biggest hits. These include "Avatar" from 2009, which grossed USD 2.92 billion, and "Avengers: Endgame" from 2019 with USD 2.71 billion. Other key contributors are "Avatar: The Way of Water" at USD 2.32 billion, "Avengers: Infinity War" with USD 2.04 billion, and the latest "Avatar: Fire and Ash," which has already earned over USD 1.23 billion worldwide.
Saldana has starred in the three highest-grossing films ever made. These are the two "Avatar" movies and "Avengers: Endgame." She also becomes the first actress to feature in four films that have each crossed the USD 2 billion mark globally.
Top Competitors
Scarlett Johansson sits at number two on the list with USD 15.40 billion from 36 films. Samuel L Jackson holds the third position with USD 14.61 billion from over 70 films.
Other notable stars in the top ten include Robert Downey Jr., Chris Pratt, Tom Cruise, Chris Hemsworth, Vin Diesel, Chris Evans, and Dwayne Johnson. Last year, Johansson briefly rose to the top spot after "Jurassic World Rebirth" amassed USD 869 million worldwide. She has also appeared in multiple Marvel films.
Saldana's Heartfelt Reaction
Reacting to this milestone, Saldana posted a video message on social media on Tuesday evening. She thanked filmmakers, collaborators, and fans across the world for their unwavering support.
"I just want to express my sincerest gratitude for the extraordinary journey that has led me to become the highest-grossing film actor of all time today," said Saldana. She won her maiden Oscar for her performance in "Emilia Perez" in 2025.
"An achievement made possible entirely, entirely by the incredible franchises and the collaborators that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of, to every director who placed their trust in me," she added. Saldana praised filmmakers like J J Abrams, Joe and Anthony Russo, and James Gunn for their trust.
Special Thanks to James Cameron
She offered particular thanks to James Cameron. "For believing my potential for seeing something in me that I have not always seen in myself, and for challenging me to always rise to the occasion," Saldana stated.
"Your faith, your guidance and your vision, they shape not only these films, but me as an artist," she emphasized.
A Message to Fans
Addressing her fans, Saldana said their unwavering support, passion, and loyalty form the true foundation of this milestone.
"None of this exists without you showing up time and time again with open hearts and enthusiasm. This accomplishment belongs to all of us, and I’m deeply grateful and profoundly humbled. And may the next record breaker be another woman," she concluded.
