Audiences can feel excited, thankful, or simply amazed — but they should not be shocked that Avatar: Fire and Ash stormed the global box office over the weekend.
The third installment in James Cameron’s five-film Avatar saga opened to a solid $88 million in North America, but truly soared overseas, reaching a staggering $345 million worldwide by Sunday, according to Comscore.
While the domestic opening fell short of Avatar: The Way of Water, which debuted with $134 million in 2022, it still outperformed the original 2009 Avatar, which launched with $77 million. As with its predecessors, Fire and Ash arrived just before Christmas — a strategic window that has historically allowed Avatar films to build momentum and generate massive earnings well into the new year.
A Franchise Built for Long-Term Box Office Power
The strong debut helps solidify 2025 as a rebound year for U.S. theaters after a sluggish summer and uneven release schedule. Fire and Ash marks the fifth major box office surge in as many weeks, following the successful openings of Wicked: For Good, Zootopia 2, and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. Together, those titles have already crossed $700 million in combined global grosses.
Cameron’s Avatar franchise has now surpassed $5.6 billion worldwide, further cementing its place among the most profitable film series of all time. However, despite its impressive start, Fire and Ash did not surpass the opening records of Zootopia 2, which debuted at $556 million, or China’s animated hit Ne Zha 2, which opened to $431 million.
Other Films Keep the Box Office Hot
Holdovers continued to perform strongly, even as new titles entered the marketplace. Wicked: For Good, Zootopia 2, and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 remained dominant in their fifth, fourth, and third weekends, respectively.
Angel Studios scored a notable win with its PG-rated animated musical David, which debuted with $22 million domestically and ranked third internationally despite opening in only Canada and Australia. The family-friendly retelling of the David and Goliath story signals the studio’s growing influence in mainstream cinema.
Lionsgate also enjoyed a surprise success with the erotic thriller The Housemaid, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. The film opened to $19 million across just over 3,000 theaters, delivering a strong per-theater average. Rounding out the top performers, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants collected $16 million in its opening weekend.
A Quieter Weekend Ahead, But Surprises Remain Possible
For the first time in over a month, the upcoming release slate lacks an obvious breakout hit. Still, surprises are always possible. One film to watch is Song Sung Blue, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as a married couple who perform in a Neil Diamond tribute band.
Director Craig Brewer describes the story as a grounded take on love, focusing not just on romance, but on how real-life pressures test relationships over time. While it may not match Avatar-level spectacle, the film could resonate with audiences looking for something more intimate.
For now, Avatar: Fire and Ash reigns supreme — and if history is any guide, its box office journey is only just beginning.