Marvel Star Officially Dethroned As Highest-Grossing Actor Of All Time by Their Endgame Co-Star

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It’s likely the actor with the highest total box office earnings isn’t who you’d expect. While classic movie stars were popular, their films didn’t earn nearly as much money as today’s big blockbuster franchises. Getting a role in one of these franchises can dramatically increase an actor’s income, and starring in multiple franchises allows them to potentially break all earning records.

Scarlett Johansson has been a box office powerhouse for over two decades, starring in huge franchises like Marvel, Jurassic World, and animated hits like Sing and Disney’s The Jungle Book, as well as working with many of Hollywood’s most acclaimed directors – Woody Allen, Wes Anderson, Christopher Nolan, and others. However, she recently lost her title as the highest-grossing actor of all time – a distinction now held by a fellow Marvel Cinematic Universe star.

Zoe Saladana Is Now the Highest-Grossing Actor of All Time

Zoe Saldana is now the highest-grossing actor ever, according to industry experts and box office numbers. Her films have earned over $15.4 billion worldwide. This puts her ahead of Scarlett Johansson at $14.8 billion, followed by Samuel L. Jackson with around $14.6 billion, and Robert Downey Jr. with $14.3 billion.

What these four actors have in common is their significant presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They’ve all appeared in several of the franchise’s most popular series, like Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Captain America. It’s worth noting that Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, and Zoe Saldana sometimes receive credit for films where they have limited screen time, a result of the MCU’s interconnected stories. Saldana, in particular, benefits from this, as her earnings include even small roles in franchises like Pirates of the Caribbean. In fact, her work in Pirates, Marvel, and Avatar alone puts her at the top, but adding her roles in the late-2000s Star Trek films, several popular movies like Colombiana and Drumline, and various voice acting jobs, clearly demonstrates why she’s a box office leader today.

A New Box Office Champion Could Be Crowned In 2026

Zoe Saldana might want to use this year to solidify her position, as her current ranking is secure. However, things could change by year’s end, and the leaderboard may look different.

Robert Downey Jr. is definitely an actor to watch right now. The upcoming Marvel movie, Avengers: Doomsday, is expected to be the biggest film in the franchise, and possibly the entire industry. Downey is leading that film, and his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe after playing Iron Man is the biggest news for fans this year. While we know Downey will have a central role in Doomsday, it’s unconfirmed whether Scarlett Johansson, Zoe Saldana, or Samuel L. Jackson will also appear. If the movie is the massive success Disney and Marvel are hoping for, Downey’s income is likely to increase significantly, especially with his confirmed role in the Avengers: Secret Wars sequel that’s coming next.

Zoe Saldana’s involvement with future Avatar films is now uncertain after the release of Fire and Ash. If James Cameron decides to continue the story through other mediums like books, Saldana could lose $1 to $2 billion in potential earnings. Interestingly, both Saldana and Scarlett Johansson appear to have finished with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, despite their characters meeting the same fate – sacrificing themselves for the Soul Stone – in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.

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2026-01-12 20:44