How Zoe Saldaña Became The Biggest Star In Movie History

Zoe Saldaña’s rise to the top of Hollywood has been years in the making, built on franchise power, fearless performances, and record-breaking box office success.

With “Avatar: Fire and Ash” cementing her place in cinema history, Saldaña has quietly surpassed every other actor in global ticket sales, redefining what long-term stardom looks like in the modern blockbuster era.

With the release of “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” Zoe Saldaña officially became the highest-grossing actor of all time.

The milestone was not the result of a single hit, but a career carefully woven through some of the most lucrative franchises ever created.

Saldaña holds starring roles in the three highest-grossing films in history.

James Cameron’s original “Avatar” from 2009 and its 2022 sequel “The Way of Water” occupy the No. 1 and No. 3 spots, while Marvel’s “Avengers: Endgame” sits at No. 2.

She is also the first actress to appear in four films that crossed the $2 billion mark globally, including “Avengers: Infinity War.”

Beyond Pandora and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Saldaña’s résumé includes the “Star Trek” reboot trilogy, which added more than $1 billion worldwide.

Few actors have managed to anchor so many cultural juggernauts at once, let alone across different genres and studios.

After the record was confirmed, Zoe Saldaña shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, acknowledging the long road that led her there.

“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,” she said, grinning widely. “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 made sure to credit the filmmakers who shaped her career, including J.J. Abrams, Joe and Anthony Russo, James Gunn, and especially James Cameron.

She thanked 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. Your faith, your guidance and your vision, they shape not only these films, but me as an artist.”

Saldana's message ended with gratitude toward audiences worldwide.

“Your unwavering support, passion and loyalty are the true foundation of this milestone,” she said. “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!”

While Box Office dominance defines one side of Saldaña’s career, 2025 added another major achievement to her legacy.

In March, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “Emilia Pérez,” becoming the first Dominican American to take home an Oscar.

The audacious musical, directed by Jacques Audiard, premiered at Cannes and swept through awards season.

Saldaña collected honors from the SAG Awards, BAFTA, Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, and Cannes, completing one of the most impressive single-season runs in recent memory.

Speaking to Variety about the shift that comes with the title “Oscar winner,” Saldaña joked about how surreal it felt.

“It feels really good,” she said. “My husband [director Marco Perego Saldaña] is so funny. He has this joke; he goes, ‘Z, you can’t do anything right now without people announcing you as “Academy Award winner.” You can’t rob a bank, because it’ll be like, “Academy Award winner…”‘ I’m like, ‘Oh my God,’” she said, laughing. “But it’s true. I’m honored. I’m very happy. I’m also like, ‘OK, let’s continue to work.’”

In “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” Zoe Saldaña once again steps into the role of Neytiri, the fierce Na’vi warrior whose bond with Jake Sully remains central to the franchise.

The performance relies heavily on advanced motion-capture technology, a filmmaking approach that places extraordinary demands on actors.

Saldaña has often spoken about how James Cameron’s methods prioritize performance over spectacle.

“The reason why this world is so real to so many people is because the acting was the most important element for Jim,” she explained. “Performance capture gives the actor the ability not to have to rely so much on all the things that can sometimes be very distracting in regular live-action. Performance capture gives you the gift of connection and putting all of your heart and all of your energy into that scene, into that moment.”

That commitment to emotional authenticity has helped make the "Avatar" films resonate far beyond their visual effects.

Even after reaching the top of the box office charts, Saldaña shows no signs of slowing down.

She is expected to return as Neytiri in “Avatar 4,” scheduled for December 2029, and “Avatar 5,” planned for December 2031.

With two more "Avatar" films on the horizon and a career that continues to balance commercial success with critical acclaim, Saldaña’s reign as Hollywood’s biggest star may only be getting started.

Her journey illustrates that longevity, collaboration, and consistency can be just as powerful as any single blockbuster moment.