What's Inside?
- Zoe Saldaña becomes the highest-grossing actor of all time after Avatar: Fire and Ash pushes her career total past $16.8 billion.
- Scarlett Johansson slips to second place, though her MCU-led box office legacy continues to define modern blockbuster cinema worldwide.
- With more Avatar films planned, Saldaña’s box office crown looks secure as future releases promise to widen the historic gap.
Scarlett Johansson once stood alone at the summit of the global box office, a position built on years of blockbuster dominance and smart career choices. That era has paused, at least for now. A familiar Marvel face has stepped into the spotlight, reshaping the rankings and reminding Hollywood how quickly momentum can shift. Zoe Saldaña’s rise is not a fluke or a single hit story. It is the result of long-term franchise loyalty, global appeal, and films that pull audiences back to theaters again and again. The numbers are decisive, the margin is clear, and the industry has a new benchmark for box office supremacy.
Scarlett Johansson’s Box Office Reign Ends as Zoe Saldaña Takes the Crown
Scarlett Johansson’s box office reign was built on consistency. For over a decade, she was the dependable engine behind some of the biggest films ever made. That record has now been overtaken, as Zoe Saldaña claims the top spot among the highest-grossing movie stars of all time.
The shift became official when Avatar: Fire and Ash crossed $1.23 billion worldwide as of January 12. That single milestone pushed Saldaña’s career total to $16,859,193,100, narrowly but firmly ahead of Johansson’s $16,435,483,784. The gap may seem slim, but at this level, every release carries historic weight.
Saldaña’s dominance is powered largely by James Cameron’s Avatar universe. Her portrayal of Neytiri anchors the emotional core of the franchise, which alone contributes nearly $6 billion to her cumulative total. Yet her success stretches far beyond Pandora. From her time as Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to key roles in the Star Trek films and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, her resume reflects smart franchise alignment without overexposure.
Johansson’s recent surge was equally impressive. Last summer, Jurassic World Rebirth helped propel her from third place to first, allowing her to leapfrog longtime collaborators Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downey Jr. It was a reminder that her box office power remains intact, even as the crown shifts hands.
Scarlett Johansson’s Box Office Legacy Still Defines Modern Blockbusters
While her reign may have paused, Scarlett Johansson’s box office legacy remains unmatched in influence. Much of her financial impact comes from her portrayal of Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow. Films like Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, The Avengers, and Avengers: Age of Ultron are cornerstones of modern cinema, each drawing massive global audiences.
Even outside the MCU, Johansson proved her range and commercial appeal. The Jungle Book, Sing, and Lucy showcased her ability to lead hits across animation, action, and original storytelling. Her solo film Black Widow faced pandemic-era challenges, yet still added to her impressive total.
The broader top 10 list reinforces how franchise storytelling shapes box office history. Alongside Saldaña and Johansson sit names like Tom Cruise, Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, and Dwayne Johnson, all actors who understand the long game of audience trust.
Saldaña’s position looks secure for now. With a fourth and fifth Avatar film already planned, her total is likely to climb higher. Still, Johansson’s career proves that box office leadership is rarely final. In Hollywood, the numbers change, but true star power endures.
