Scarlett Johansson, The Highest Grossing Actress Of All Time Has Just Lost Her Title To Another

Scarlett Johansson used to sit on top of Hollywood’s highest-grossing actress list, the kind of crown you only see in movie trivia and box office history books. But that title just got snatched, and the new holder is Zoe Saldaña, whose earnings have been climbing fast thanks to one massive franchise after another.

Here’s what makes it messy, and honestly kind of wild: Saldaña’s latest film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, reportedly hauled in $1.23 billion worldwide, pushing her total earnings to $16.8 billion. Meanwhile, Johansson’s Marvel era and Samuel L. Jackson’s own box office momentum are still sitting in the background, because this whole ranking shift is happening right after Saldaña’s Avatar run keeps stacking wins.

And with Saldaña already locked in for two more Avatar films before the final one lands in 2031, this “new queen” moment might not be a one-and-done title swap.

The highest grossing actress is no longer Scarlett Johansson

Universal Pictures

The second Avatar: Fire and Ash hits $1.23 billion, Scarlett Johansson’s “highest-grossing” status starts looking a lot less permanent.

Add in the fact that Saldaña’s Avatar streak began back in 2009, and suddenly her $16.8 billion total feels less like luck and more like a long game.

The accomplishment comes just after the 47-year-old Oscar winner's film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, made an incredible $1.23 billion at the box office worldwide, increasing Saldaña's total earnings to $16.8 billion. The sci-fi series began in 2009 when Saldaña was just 31 years old, and she is scheduled to star in two more films until the fifth and last one is released in 2031.

Although her list of highest-grossing films is dominated by the Avatar films, her work with Marvel and Star Trek also contributed to her ascent. The website lists the following:

1. Avatar ($2,923,706,026 in 2009)
2. Avengers: Endgame ($2,717,503,922 in 2019)
3. Avatar: The Way of Water ($2,322,902,023 in 2022)
4. Avengers: Infinity War ($2,048,158,241 in 2018), and
5. Avatar: Fire and Ash ($1,231,139,287 in 2025).

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ($869,087,963 in 2017), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ($845,555,777 in 2023), Guardians of the Galaxy ($770,882,395 in 2014), Star Trek Into Darkness ($467,381,584 in 2013), and Star Trek ($386,839,614 in 2009) are also included.

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After a breakthrough year of entertainment, Academy Award-winning actress Zoe Saldaña just emerged as Hollywood's highest-grossing actor, surpassing both Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson

Jeff Kravitz / Contributor / via Getty

Then Marvel and Star Trek credits get thrown into the mix, which is why Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson can’t just sit back and relax.

With Saldaña scheduled for two more films and the Avengers and Star Trek names still dominating the earnings list, the top of the leaderboard is still shaking.</p>

The other three celebs in the top five, Chris Pratt in fifth place, Robert Downey Jr. in fourth, and Samuel L. Jackson in third, all have ties to Marvel. Tom Cruise currently holds sixth place, followed by Chris Evans in ninth, Vin Diesel in eighth, and Chris Hemsworth in seventh. Leave your thoughts about this selection in the comment section below.

Scarlett might have worn the crown first, but Zoe’s Avatar schedule is the one that refuses to stop.

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