In January 2026, actress Zoe Saldaña reached a historic milestone by surpassing Scarlett Johansson as the highest-grossing artist in lead roles in worldwide cinema. This achievement was driven by the continued success of “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” the third film in James Cameron’s franchise, which since its release on December 19, 2025, has already grossed over $1.2 billion. In this way, Saldaña’s career total surpassed the $15 billion mark, narrowly beating Johansson’s approximately $15.4 billion and crowning a rise that began with the first Pandora and Avengers films.
The rise to the top is due mainly to the robust performance of the latest chapter of the Pandora saga in theaters. Meanwhile, Saldaña consolidates a unique position: she is the only actress in the world to star in four films that individually grossed over $2 billion. Furthermore, with “Fire and Ash” crossing the billion-dollar barrier, she becomes the first to participate in five distinct productions that reached this level, a feat that underscores her global drawing power. Thanks to this string of successes, she now leads the overall ranking, leaving behind big names in action and fantasy cinema.
Film Details and the Box Office Race
Directed by James Cameron, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” continues the story of the Sully family on Pandora, facing new threats like the Mangkwan tribe. The film is currently the third highest-grossing of 2025, behind only “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” itself. However, its ticket sales are evolving at a slightly slower pace compared to its immediate predecessor. Despite this, the success was enough to propel Saldaña to the top of the star ranking, ahead of names like Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downey Jr., consolidating a dominance that seems to promise longevity in the international market.
Therefore, the turn of the year in 2026 begins with a significant change on the box office podium. Thus, Zoe Saldaña not only leads among actresses but also among all actors in lead roles. With the “Avatar” franchise still planning more sequels, it is possible that this record will solidify even further in the coming years, redefining the concept of star power in blockbuster cinema and inspiring a new generation of talent. In this way, the story of Neytiri on Pandora is definitively intertwined with the victorious trajectory of the actress who portrays her.
