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Zoe Saldana’s 8 Best Movies

By Laila Abuelhawa
Zoe Saldana attends the photocall for "Avatar: The Way of Water" at The Corinthia Hotel on December 04, 2022 in London, England.

New Jersey native Zoe Saldana has appeared in three of the five highest-grossing films of all time (Avatar, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame), a feat not achieved by any other performer. Her films have grossed more than $11 billion worldwide, and she is the second-highest-grossing film actress of all time as of 2019. With this astounding record under her belt, we have compiled the 44-year-old actress’ best films. Saldana began her acting career in 1999 on two episodes of Law & Order. Her first film role was in 2000’s Center Stage, in which she played a ballet dancer. As a trained dancer, Saldana said her passion lies within ballet.

Besides the upcoming sequel to 2009’s Avatar, Saldana also stars in Netflix romantic drama limited series, From Scratch. Inspired by the New York Times Best-Selling Memoir of the same name, Saldana stars as a Texan named Amahle “Amy” Wheeler. She is an American student studying in Italy, who meets and falls in love with Lino (Eugenio Mastrandrea), a Sicilian chef. When Lino faces health issues and the couple’s future is threatened, the two families come together.

Take a look below at the top eight movies:

  • 8. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

    Though her role as Anamaria was minor in the franchise, we love how she completely fooled Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow from knowing she was a woman. Once he had found out, she took advantage of her situation and gave him a slap (or two) across the face.

  • 7. Drumline

    https://youtu.be/3J_LqCnPvgI

    Saldana plays Laila, a dancer who attracts Nick Cannon’s Devin Miles in this 2002 rom-com about a talented street drummer from Harlem. She keeps him in check when his ego is too big in the coming-of-age-film.

  • 6. Crossroads

    Also in 2002, Saldana stars as Kit alongside Britney Spears’ Lucy and Taryn Manning’s Mimi in this rom-com about finding themselves and rediscovering friendship on a road trip. With barely a plan and practically no money, the girls catch a lift with Mimi’s friend Ben (Anson Mount) in his convertible.

  • 5. The Terminal

    Starring alongside Tom Hanks in one of his best movies, Saldana plays U.S. Customs officer Dolores Torres, whom Hanks’ Viktor plays matchmaker for his friend who hooks him up with airport food while he is trapped in this Steven Spielberg film. Torres was a Star Trek fan in the film, which led Saldana to land the role in the 2009 reboot. Though she never saw the series, she agreed to take on the role because director J. J. Abrams complimented her and said he enjoyed her work.

  • 4. Colombiana

    Never forget where you came from. In this action-thriller film from 2011, which is one of Saldana’s best known works, people didn’t really love it though the writers from Taken and the creators from The Professional were involved. After watching her parents get killed at age 9, Saldana’s Cataleya works as a contract killer for her Chicago-based uncle (Cliff Curtis) and sets on revenge. Though the writing could have been better, Saldana gives a solid performance and really shows how much she can kick a–.

  • 3. Star Trek

    Perhaps Saldana was destined to be in space, playing three different roles all involving otherworldly creatures. In the Star Trek film series, she plays Nyota Uhura (the televised verison was played by the late Nichelle Nichols), a Starfleet officer, albeit a human one. But she does fall in love with a Vulcan, Zachary Qunito’s Spock.

  • 2. Avatar

    From a green person to a blue one, Saldana sure looks great in any color! 13 years ago, she starred alongside Sam Worthington’s Jake Sully as he fell in love with her Neytiri character. As a bond with her grows, he is drawn into a battle for the survival of her world in Pandora. Saldana reprises her role in the sequel, in theaters this December, and Avatar 3 in 2024.

  • 1. Guardians of the Galaxy

    Soldier. Assassin. Reluctant dancer. Saldana’s role as the intense Gamora pretty much carried the Guardians franchise on her back. She is Thanos’ (Josh Brolin) adopted daughter and Nebula’s (Karen Gillan) sister, but we can’t forget her Earthling lover Star-Lord (Chris Pratt). Though she died in Avengers: End Game, we see Saldana reprise her role as the green alien in the third and final installment of the Guardians franchise, out in theaters next May.

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