James Cameron’s latest addition to the Avatar series, Avatar: Fire and Ash, made a splash at theaters worldwide over the holiday weekend. The film earned $345 million globally, marking the second-best opening for a Hollywood film in 2025, right behind Disney’s Zootopia 2. It performed solidly across the globe, even in challenging markets like Asia and Latin America, although it came in lower than expected in North America with an $88 million debut.
The film has resonated well with audiences, receiving an A CinemaScore, similar to the previous installments, despite its long runtime of over three hours. This positive reception suggests it could continue to attract viewers.
Looking back, the first Avatar film opened to mixed reviews in 2009, earning $77 million initially, which was seen as underwhelming at the time. However, it quickly gained momentum to become the highest-grossing film ever, amassing nearly $3 billion globally. This record still stands, with only titles like Avengers: Endgame and other Cameron films trailing behind.
Before the opening weekend, many analysts predicted Fire and Ash would exceed $100 million in the U.S. by comparison, Way of Water had a domestic start of $134 million. Experts suggest that Way of Water benefited from pent-up demand, having had nine full days in theaters before the holiday rush, while Fire and Ash only had six. This timing may have influenced audiences waiting to see the new release.
However, competition also played a role in this launch. The faith-based film David from Angel Studios debuted with $22 million, marking a personal best for the studio. Additionally, Lionsgate’s thriller The Housemaid, featuring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, opened in third place with $19 million, while the family movie The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants landed in fifth place at $16 million.
This opening weekend indicates that while Avatar: Fire and Ash did well, the landscape is competitive, with diverse genres appealing to various audiences. The box office dynamics reflect broader trends, showing that movies can still find success even against heavy-hitting franchises.
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