Strong opening puts James Cameron back in blockbuster race
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” debuted with an estimated $345 million in worldwide ticket sales, according to studio figures released Sunday. The third installment in the long running science fiction franchise delivered $88 million in North America and $257 million internationally, marking the second largest global opening of 2025.
Only “Zootopia 2” has opened bigger this year. With the lucrative holiday moviegoing period still ahead, the latest trip to Pandora is expected to benefit from sustained attendance in the weeks to come.
A softer start compared with earlier Avatar films
The debut was more subdued than earlier entries in the series. “Avatar: The Way of Water” launched in 2022 with $435 million globally, while the original “Avatar” went on to become the highest grossing film of all time after a relatively modest opening.
Domestically, “Fire and Ash” opened about 35 percent lower than its predecessor. Critical response was also more mixed, earning a 68 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest of the franchise so far. Audience reaction, however, has been positive, with moviegoers giving the film an A CinemaScore.
Big budgets and long term box office legs
Director James Cameron has long relied on endurance rather than explosive openings. Both earlier Avatar films posted extraordinary staying power in theaters, eventually grossing $2.92 billion and $2.3 billion worldwide, respectively.
“Avatar movies are not about the opening weekend,” said box office analyst David A. Gross. “They are about what happens after, and whether audiences keep coming back.”
That dynamic is crucial for “Fire and Ash,” which carries a production budget estimated at more than $400 million, making it one of the most expensive films ever produced. Cameron has said strong performance is essential if future sequels are to move forward.
Premium formats drive ticket sales
Premium large format and 3D screenings played a major role in the opening weekend. About 66 percent of ticket sales came from premium formats, with 56 percent of moviegoers choosing to see the film in 3D.
Internationally, the film performed especially well in China, where its $57.6 million opening surpassed the local debuts of the previous two Avatar installments.
Competition at the box office
“Fire and Ash” faced several new wide releases offering counterprogramming. Angel Studios’ animated biblical epic “David” finished second with $22 million, marking the studio’s strongest opening to date.
Lionsgate’s psychological thriller “The Housemaid,” starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, followed with $19 million. Paramount’s family friendly “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” collected $16 million.
Holiday season could shape the final outcome
All eyes are now on the Christmas corridor, when additional releases such as A24’s “Marty Supreme” and Sony’s “Anaconda” will enter wide release. Early limited screenings of “Marty Supreme” have already set a per theater average record for the year.
If history is any guide, the true measure of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” will be its staying power rather than its opening weekend. With strong audience reception and global appeal, Pandora may once again prove to be a long term box office powerhouse.
