Los Angeles | December 22, 2025
James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash delivered a powerful debut at the global box office, earning $88 million in North America and $345 million worldwide during its opening weekend, making it the second-largest global opening of 2025, behind only Zootopia 2.
The third installment in the blockbuster Avatar franchise benefited from strong holiday season attendance and exceptional performance across international markets. Europe and Asia emerged as major contributors, where premium formats such as IMAX and large-format screens drove higher ticket sales.
While the opening weekend did not surpass the historic launches of earlier Avatar films, box office analysts note that Cameron’s franchise is traditionally defined by long theatrical runs rather than front-loaded openings, suggesting sustained momentum into early 2026.
International Markets Power the Debut
Overseas markets accounted for the majority of the film’s opening revenue, reinforcing Avatar’s status as one of Hollywood’s most globally reliable franchises. Strong brand loyalty and high demand for premium viewing formats helped the film outperform early industry projections despite a competitive December release slate.
The film maintained solid footing against new releases, signaling continued audience interest through the year-end holiday corridor.
Competitive December Box Office Landscape
Angel Studios’ biblical animated feature David secured second place domestically with a $22 million opening, offering a family-oriented alternative amid major studio releases. The result reflects the evolving diversity of audience preferences in the post-pandemic theatrical environment.
2025 Box Office Outlook
Following the strong debut of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the 2025 domestic box office total has reached approximately $8.37–$8.38 billion, showing a modest year-over-year increase. However, industry revenue remains roughly 22% below pre-pandemic 2019 levels, highlighting the gradual recovery of theatrical attendance.
Industry observers emphasize that Avatar films historically build momentum over time, positioning Fire and Ash as a potential long-running box office force well into 2026.
