Leading up to its debut, the third installment of the Avatar franchise faced skeptical box-office projections. Early results suggest that some of the most pessimistic forecasts have indeed materialized.
James Cameron’s latest cinematic epic underperformed global expectations during its opening weekend. “Avatar: Fire and Ash” secured $345 million worldwide, falling short of the marks set by “The Way of Water.” Despite this, it remains one of 2025’s most significant releases, currently trailing only “Zootopia 2.”
In the domestic market of the U.S. and Canada, the three-quel earned $88 million. This figure landed below industry projections, which had anticipated an opening between $100 million and $130 million. For context, “Avatar: The Way of Water” premiered to a more robust $134 million in 2022.
Regardless of the slow start, industry veterans are not yet counting the project out. Analysts have historically noted that the Avatar series benefits from exceptional longevity at the box office. Audiences often prioritize high-end premium formats and tend to spread their attendance over the holiday season rather than rushing to theaters on opening night.
This pattern enabled the second film to reach a staggering $2.34 billion globally. Similarly, the original 2009 blockbuster debuted with just $77 million before climbing to a record-breaking $2.97 billion, maintaining its title as the highest-grossing film in history.
However, this softer opening could have implications for James Cameron’s long-term vision. The director has previously stated that moving forward with “Avatar 4” is contingent on the commercial success of “Fire and Ash,” especially given the immense production budget and the shifting dynamics of the post-pandemic theatrical landscape.
Source: iXBT.games