Hanoi [Vietnam], September 4: Zendaya is having her most brilliant year yet, consistently making her mark with blockbuster films and achieving outstanding box office success. Alongside her flourishing career, the actress also recently married actor Tom Holland after many years together.
The age of 30 is often considered a milestone in one's career and life. Zendaya also celebrated this milestone in a special way. The actress, born in 1996 and once honored by Time magazine on its list of the world's most influential people, now holds a remarkable title: the highest-grossing actress of 2026, Daily Mail reported on September 1st.
From Disney star to new-generation Hollywood icon
Zendaya kicked off 2026 with The Drama , an independent comedy-drama starring Robert Pattinson. With a global revenue of $132.4 million from a production budget of $28 million, it became one of A24's top five highest-grossing films.
Next up was The Odyssey , in which Zendaya played the Greek goddess Athena. Despite some criticism regarding the casting choices, the film was a huge success globally. Director Christopher Nolan's epic grossed $1.458 billion, becoming the second highest-grossing film of the year.
However, the top spot currently belongs to Zendaya and her husband Tom Holland's latest project, Spider-Man: Brand New Day . In this Marvel blockbuster, Zendaya reprises her role as Michelle Jones-Watson (MJ). The film has grossed over $2.235 billion worldwide, further solidifying the actress's box office success. This is a particularly impressive achievement for a star who entered the entertainment industry at a young age. Zendaya is widely known for her roles in Disney Channel sitcoms such as Shake It Up and KC Undercover .
Not only is she dominating the big screen, but this year Zendaya is also returning to the role that brought her global fame. The actress once again portrays Rue Bennett, a drug addict in HBO's Euphoria series . Despite the third season of the series, directed by Sam Levinson, receiving negative reviews for its content, Zendaya's performance has been highly praised by critics. She has also been nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series at the upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards. And Zendaya's 2026 isn't over yet. In December, she'll return as Chani in Dune: Part Three , a film expected to continue its box office success.
Zendaya's schedule this year has been incredibly busy as she constantly travels between countries to promote new projects. However, the actress still managed to mark another important milestone in her life. In June 2026, Tom Holland officially confirmed his marriage to Zendaya, sharing: "I have found my soulmate and I am happier than ever."
Source: Thanh Nein Newspaper
