Many fans know Zoe Saldana from her role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She played the role of Gamora for both Guardians of the Galaxy movies as well as the last two Avengers movies. However, Saldana has appeared in many other films over her career, including at least three other major franchises.
Saldana began her acting career in 1999 and by 2009, she was appearing in major blockbusters in a variety of roles. These included many movies where Saldana completely changed her appearance. Some fans might not even realize it was the actress in those movies, many of which were acclaimed by Rotten Tomatoes critics.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) - 79%
Zoe Saldana had her first taste of franchise experience early in her career, taking on a role in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in 2003. Saldana starred as the pirate Anamaria, who had her ship, the Jolly Mon, stolen by Captain Jack before later teaming with him to help the Interceptor's crew.
The movie has a 79% Rotten Tomatoes critics' score, but Saldana never returned for later movies, saying her experience on the movie almost made her quit acting.
Infinitely Polar Bear (2014) - 82%
A lesser-known movie on Zoe Saldana's list of Rotten Tomatoes success stories is 2014's Infinitely Polar Bear. This film came out a few months before Guardians of the Galaxy and saw Saldana team with another Marvel Cinematic Universe star in Mark Ruffalo.
Saldana stars as Maggie, the wife of Ruffalo's Cam, who was institutionalized in the '70s. Critics point out Ruffalo's performance, but others stated Saldana never looked "tougher or more vulnerable."
Drumline (2002) - 82%
Zoe Saldana appeared in the 2002 coming-of-age teen drama Drumline, an early role for the actress. The movie starred Nick Cannon as a young drummer who is trying to make his way in a Black college in New York with a prestigious marching band.
Zoe Saldana stars as Laila, an upperclassman dancer who performs with his band. Drumline has an 83% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising the "outstanding cast" and "great message."
Avatar (2009) - 82%
Zoe Saldana has appeared in the two highest-grossing movies of all time. She has worked in both Avengers: Endgame and Avatar, which has switched places more than once as the top movies on the box office chart. Avatar is also critically acclaimed, at 82% fresh.
While Avatar is the first in the franchise, there has not been another movie as of 2021, with the first released in 2009. The critics mostly praised the movie's "jaw-dropping visuals."
The Book of Life (2014) - 83%
In 2014, Guillermo Del Toro produced an animated movie directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez called The Book of Life. The film was about two young boys who both liked the same girl but watched as she ended up shipped off to Spain to "become a lady."
Saldana plays the girl, who returns as an adult and finds the boys now men, still vying for her affections. Critics praised the movie, which sits at 83% fresh, with "gorgeous visuals," "lively voice work" and an "inventive use of Mexican history."
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) - 84%
J.J. Abrams rebooted the Star Trek franchise and all three of them rank high for critics and audiences alike. The second installment, Star Trek Into Darkness gets a lot of online fan complaints about its twists, but it has an 89% audience ranking and an 84% critics ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.
In it, Saldana plays the iconic role of Lt. Uhura. It was the cast that critics loved, with "electric" action and the "chemistry" between the stars.
Star Trek Beyond (2016) - 86%
Star Trek Beyond had a higher critical score on Rotten Tomatoes than Star Trek Into Darkness, but a lower audience score. Saldana returned as Lt. Uhura in the movie, along with the rest of the star-studded cast that also included Chris Pine as Captain Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Spock.
Critics praised Star Trek Beyond as a "fun popcorn movie" with a "rapid-fire pace." Much like the other movies in the series, critics also praised the cast for showing the "camaraderie and friendship" of the Starship Enterprise crew.
Missing Link (2019) - 88%
One of two animated movies in Zoe Saldana's list of best non-marvel movies based on Rotten Tomatoes scores, Missing Link was Laika's (Coraline, ParaNorman) fifth movie. The movie features an explorer trying to help a Sasquatch find its way back to its ancestors, the Yetis.
To find this land, the explorer has to go to an old girlfriend in Adelina Fortnight, a fiercely independent adventurer voiced by Saldana. Rotten Tomatoes critics gave it an 88% rating, calling the movie "sophisticated" and "nuanced."
Star Trek (2009) - 94%
The first J.J. Abrams Star Trek movie is the highest-rated of his trilogy, sitting at 94% and certified fresh. The movie also has the highest audience score at 91% for a movie that brought in a new cast to take on the classic roles.
Zoe Saldana debuts as Nyota Uhura, a Starfleet cadet who teams with Chris Pine's James T. Kirk and a crew of cadets to seek out a Vulcan distress signal. Critics praised it as both a "nostalgia trip" and a fun sci-fi movie for new fans.
Premium (2006) - 100%
Zoe Saldana starred in a movie in 2006 that is rated as 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. This is an independently made comedy-drama starring Dorian Missick as a struggling actor named Cool and Saldana as his ex-fiancee who rolls back into town.
However, Saldana's Charli is getting married in 36 hours and Cool uses his acting skills to win her back. Critics praised the movie's "emotional moments" and "love of humanity."