After a rocky 2025, the box office is bustling again as we kick off the new year. Thanks to an exciting array of holiday releases, moviegoers are flocking to theaters before school and work resume. Early reports suggest that New Year’s weekend could be a record-high since the pandemic.
Leading the charge is James Cameron’s latest, Avatar: Fire and Ash, which crossed the $1 billion mark globally. This milestone is particularly impressive considering Cameron has directed three of the four highest-grossing films ever, including the original Avatar and Titanic.
As of New Year’s Day, Avatar 3 had generated around $935 million worldwide, with $266 million coming from U.S. theaters. It earned an additional $14 million on the Friday before the holiday, setting it up for a strong weekend, potentially surpassing $300 million domestically.
Interestingly, 2025 has been marked by significant achievements for Disney. In addition to Avatar 3, other titles like Zootopia 2 have also broken records. The animated sequel has amassed an astounding $1.51 billion, making it the top-grossing animated film in history within just a few weeks of its Thanksgiving release.
Recent reports show that Disney has raked in $6.5 billion in ticket sales this year alone, a notable recovery since the pandemic. The studio is clearly riding a wave of success, with Zootopia 2 surpassing Frozen II as the highest-grossing animated film from Disney, unadjusted for inflation.
While Disney continues to dominate, several other films are performing well. The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig, is also making waves. This thriller is expected to bring in $14 million in its second weekend, pushing its total close to $75 million. The film stars Sydney Sweeney, who has faced criticism lately but has now scored a hit with this project.
A24’s Marty Supreme, featuring Timothée Chalamet as a 1950s table tennis champ, has surprised audiences with its strong opening, earning $27.1 million during Christmas weekend. It’s projected to finish fourth this weekend with around $11 million.
In addition to these films, other titles are holding steady. Anaconda, despite mixed reviews, is anticipated to round out the top five, while The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is also in contention.
Meanwhile, the only new wide release of the weekend, We Bury the Dead, featuring Daisy Ridley, is generating buzz. Set in post-apocalyptic Tasmania, the film follows a woman searching for her husband amidst chaos.
As we progress through the weekend, updated figures and insights will reveal how these films ultimately fare at the box office. With such a packed slate, the coming weeks look promising for theaters and audiences alike.
For more insights into the evolving landscape of film, check out this report from Variety.
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