Thanks to the solid success of Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) at the global box office, Zoe Saldaña has become the most successful actor in cinematic history. The American actress has been at the forefront of some of cinema’s biggest hits, including major roles in franchises like Star Trek and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. All of this has helped make her filmography one of the most successful ever, even when taking inflation into consideration.
Given that success, it’s worth looking at the other top contenders on that list, what movies have turned them into the biggest stars on the planet, and which ones have the best chance of catching up to Saldaña’s current record. It’s also worth noting that this list focuses on films that feature the actors in lead roles or as major parts of an ensemble cast. This eliminates actors best known for playing minor characters in several high-profile films (such as Alan Tudyk, whose vocal cameos in hits like Frozen (2013) and Zootopia (2016) make him a notably bankable character actor) or for their film careers largely being defined by cameos, aka Stan Lee’s appearances in dozens of superhero movies.
10. Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson is the tenth-highest-grossing actor of all time, which is saying something given the massive box office appeal the actor has. Getting his start as a wrestler before making the leap to the big screen, Dwayne Johnson's likable charms and action star physicality made him a natural fit for cinematic stardom.
He's been the lead in several films that indulge in both his dramatic chops, comedic skills, and physical talents, ranging from lighter fare like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) and Jungle Cruise (2021) to more dramatic fare like The Smashing Machine (2025). The success of Moana (2016) and Moana 2 (2024) doesn't hurt, either.
Johnson's most successful turn yet remains his appearances in the Fast & Furious franchise, with Furious 7 (2015) being his most successful film to date, with a total global gross of $1,510,065,395. As it stands, Johnson's 41 films have earned $11,466,158,582 at the global box office. While his films are typically goofy and action-packed, they’ve also made him one of the rare family-friendly stars of the current era.
9. Chris Evans
Similar to many other stars on this list, Chris Evans earned a lot of his biggest blockbuster hits through the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Evans was already a popular actor by the time he was cast as Captain America, although most of his earlier films—such as Not Another Teen Movie (2001) and The Perfect Score (2004) highlighted his snarky charms. Even his first superhero role as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in Fantastic Four (2005) leaned more heavily into that aspect of his talents.
However, his career changed when he was cast as Steve Rogers/Captain America for Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), which quickly positioned him as one of the core tenets of the MCU. Those films came to define the cultural landscape for years, with Avengers: Endgame (2019) becoming the biggest hit of Evans' career after earning $2,717,503,922 at the global box office. Even if they don't hit that benchmark, however, Evans' other recent films like Knives Out (2019) and Materialists (2024) have been largely successful, helping him accrue $11,489,026,787 across 29 major starring or supporting roles.
8. Vin Diesel
Getting his start in films like Strays (1997) and Saving Private Ryan (1998), Vin Diesel became one of the biggest stars on the planet in large part thanks to his starring role in the Fast & Furious franchise. While movies like Boiler Room (2000) and Pitch Black (2000) set Diesel up to be a more dramatic performer or a sci-fi actor, The Fast and the Furious (2001) turned Diesel into an undeniable film star. The series has become one of the biggest franchises in cinematic history and is currently ranked as the 8th most successful series in box office history.
On top of that, Diesel also joined the MCU as Groot for Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), reprising the character several times over the years, adding to his success as an actor. Having earned $12,043,063,424 across 29 starring and supporting roles—tying him for the actor with the fewest appearances to make the top ten—his most successful release remains Avengers: Infinity War (2018) after Groot was more or less relegated to a background player in the finale of the MCU’s Infinity Saga.
7. Chris Hemsworth
Another actor who shot to stardom thanks to the MCU, Chris Hemsworth’s appearance as Thor and roles in other franchises have helped turn the Australian actor into the most profitable international actor in the world. After playing a few minor parts in his home country, Hemsworth came to prominence in America with his small but memorable role as the father of Captain Kirk in the J.J. Abrams-helmed reboot of Star Trek (2009). A few years later, Hemsworth was cast as the lead character in Thor (2011), turning him into another one of the major fixtures of the franchise.
Thor has subsequently appeared in all the Avengers films, as well as received four solo movies of his own. The biggest win of Hemsworth's career remains Avengers: Endgame, although his other ventures into other franchises have helped solidify him as a major star. Hemsworth's presence helped turn Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) and Extraction (2020) into surprising successes, while he also brought his charisma to other marquee franchises like Ghostbusters (2016), Men in Black: International (2019), and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024). In 31 major appearances, Hemsworth has earned $12,189,865,785 at the box office.
6. Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise has been a star for decades and remains a viable box office draw even forty years after his cinematic debut. After breaking out with films like Risky Business (1983), Cruise exploded into stardom with the success of Top Gun (1986) and The Color of Money (1986). While many of the other stars on this list have a lot of expansive marquee franchises to their names that help bolster their standing on the list, Cruise's place as a major fixture of Hollywood for decades means many of his biggest films have been primarily driven by his star power. Even the Mission: Impossible series, which is the closest thing Cruise has to a consistent franchise, is primarily driven by his star power rather than any overarching IP branding that comes from properties like the MCU or similar marquee franchises like James Bond or Star Wars. Cruise movies have earned $12,669,366,862 over the years, with Top Gun: Maverick (2022) earning a whopping $1,452,163,362 all on its own.
5. Chris Pratt
Tied with his Guardians of the Galaxy co-star Vin Diesel for the biggest success with the fewest movies featuring him in a major role, Chris Pratt’s performance as Peter Quill/Star-Lord and subsequent prominence in the MCU were a major—but not the only—actor in turning him into one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. First coming to prominence in Parks and Recreation (2009) by turning his minor character Andy into a dim-witted fan favorite, Pratt’s evolution from schlubby comedian to blockbuster hunk was solidified by Guardians of the Galaxy’s success.
In the years since, Pratt has balanced his consistent place in the MCU with a leading role in the Jurassic World (2015) trilogy and as the hapless Emmet in The LEGO Movie (2014). Pratt-led films have earned $14,128,303,784 at the box office over the years, with Avengers: Endgame remaining his biggest to date. Still, the actor has cemented himself as a box office draw, headlining action flicks like The Magnificent Seven (2016) and family-friendly mega-hits like The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023).
4. Robert Downey Jr.
The star that the MCU initially orbited—and continues to, given his upcoming return to the franchise in Avengers: Doomsday (2026)—Robert Downey Jr. is one of the most important film stars in cinema history. Breaking out as one of the “Brat Pack” in the 1980s, Downey leapt from the world of Weird Science (1985) and Less Than Zero (1987) into more prestigious projects thanks to his Academy Award-nominated performance in Chaplin (1992). While substance abuse issues plagued his career for a time, Downey's career was revitalized after cult classics like The Singing Detective (2003) and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) helped him cement his casting as Tony Stark in Iron Man (2008). Alongside his starring role in Sherlock Holmes (2009), Iron Man turned Downey into one of cinema's most profitable stars, with his frequent appearances in the MCU elevating the once B-list Marvel hero into a household name. Over the course of his career, Downey's movies have earned $14,315,110,840 at the box office, with Avengers: Endgame remaining the top-earning entry in his filmography.
3. Samuel L. Jackson
The oldest performer in the top-ten grossing actors of all time, Samuel L. Jackson, also has the most number of starring roles on this list. Having appeared in 70 films in either a lead or major supporting role, Jackson has been a fixture of cinema for decades. Audiences have seen him in everything from hard-hitting dramas like Menace II Society (1993), action flicks like Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), and blockbuster flicks like Jurassic Park (1993). After Pulp Fiction (1994) turned him into a household name and Academy Award nominee, Jackson has starred in plenty of major franchises.
He made his Star Wars debut as Mace Windu in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), voiced Frozone in The Incredibles (2004), and most famously became the consistent throughline of the MCU as Nick Fury. After debuting in arguably the most impactful post-credits scene of all time in Iron Man, Jackson's subsequent appearances across the MCU helped shape the shared universe that defines the superhero franchise. With his movies having earned in the ballpark of $14,613,700,000–although the exact number is still debated—Jackson’s biggest hit remains, as with many of his co-stars on this list, Avengers: Endgame.
2. Scarlett Johansson
The youngest actor on this list, at 41, Scarlett Johansson’s recurring role as Natasha Romanoff in the MCU has been a major boon for her overall box office. Debuting as a child actor in films like North (1994), Johansson established herself early as a growing star in Hollywood thanks to her memorable turns in films like Ghost World (2001) and Lost in Translation (2003).
Black Widow's debut in Iron Man 2 (2010) led to her becoming a fixture of the universe, leading her to play a major role in many films in the series—up to and including Avengers: Endgame (her highest-grossing film) and her own solo film, Black Widow (2021). Johansson has improved her box office standings with successful turns in films like Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025) while also flexing her creative muscles in more low-key films like her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great (2025). With 36 major roles to her name, films starring Johansson have earned a cumulative $15,401,507,141 at the box office.
1. Zoe Saldaña
The single highest-grossing actor in Hollywood history, Zoe Saldaña, can cite her major role in two of cinema’s most successful franchises ever as the reason for her place at the top of this list. Saldaña made her film debut in Center Stage (2000), which showcased her dancing skills. After co-starring in Crossroads (2002) with Britney Spears and having a memorable supporting appearance in movies like Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) and opposite stars like Tom Hanks in The Terminal (2004), Saldaña found tremendous success playing Nyota Uhura in Star Trek—as well as the subsequent sequels Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) and Star Trek Beyond (2016)—and as Neytiri in James Cameron's Avatar (2009). That film remains the single biggest box-office winner of all time, with a cumulative global gross of $2,923,706,026.
Saldaña further solidified her placement in the Hollywood ecosystem thanks to her role as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, making her a consistent presence in the MCU. Along the way, Saldaña has appeared in subsequent James Cameron films like Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and Avatar: Fire and Ash, Taylor Sheridan-led shows like Special Ops: Lioness (2023), and the Netflix musical Emilia Pérez (2024), which earned Saldaña an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Across her career, Saldaña-led movies have earned $15,470,006,200 at the box office, handily earning her the record over her MCU co-star Johansson.
