‘Avatar 3’ Box Office: James Cameron’s Saga Opens on Low End in U.S. With $88M, But the Race Is Far From Over
James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash opened below expectations in the U.S., but the long game has only just begun. The threequel collected $88 million domestically, landing on the lower end of projections as Hollywood’s year-end box office officially kicked into gear. Globally, however, the sci-fi epic delivered a powerful $345 million opening — the second-best worldwide debut of 2025 behind Zootopia 2 — signaling that international markets remain the engine of the Avatar franchise.
Global Launch Strong Despite Lower Domestic Opening
Avatar movies have historically performed modestly out of the gate before exploding over the long holiday corridor, and Fire and Ash appears poised to follow that pattern. Disney insiders say the film’s A CinemaScore and exceptional 4/5 PostTrak rating indicate strong audience satisfaction, which is crucial for marathon theatrical play.
The first Avatar opened to $77 million in 2009 before becoming the highest-grossing film of all time with $2.97 billion, while The Way of Water opened to $134.1 million domestically and ultimately hit $2.3 billion worldwide. Cameron’s films have always relied on long legs, not opening-weekend fireworks, and premium formats are once again driving a significant share of revenue.
Premium Formats Deliver Major Boost
Imax contributed a massive $43.6 million globally — its biggest opening of the year — while premium formats (including Imax 3D) made up 56% of all tickets sold. Cameron has heavily pushed the film’s immersive format, which continues to lure audiences who view Avatar as a technical spectacle first and a traditional blockbuster second.
Overseas Markets Power the Franchise Once Again
International turnout remains the franchise’s backbone. China led all markets with $57.6 million, surpassing the opening of Avatar: The Way of Water and reinforcing the film’s cross-cultural pull. Strong showings in South Korea, Europe and English-speaking territories further boosted the international tally, helping Fire and Ash secure one of the year’s best worldwide openings.
Competition Creates Pressure at the U.S. Box Office
While Avatar 3 leads globally, several new releases may be denting its domestic momentum. The faith-based animated film David stunned the industry with a $22 million debut and an A CinemaScore, while Lionsgate’s thriller The Housemaid, led by Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, pulled in $19 million.
Paramount’s family title The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants followed close behind with $16 million, proving that Avatar doesn’t have December entirely to itself.
Specialty Films Make Impressive Waves
A24’s Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet, cracked the top 10 despite playing in only six theaters, earning $875,000 and achieving a staggering $145,933 per-screen average, one of the best in company history. Meanwhile, awards contender Hamnet continued its steady run, bringing its domestic total to $8.2 million.
As the year-end box office enters its most lucrative stretch, Avatar: Fire and Ash now depends on holiday repeat viewing and global staying power — a formula that has propelled Cameron’s previous entries into the record books. For more major Hollywood updates and box office coverage, stay connected with InvestRecords.com.
