Los Angeles | January 3, 2026
James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash continues its box office dominance as 2026 begins, with the blockbuster on track to cross the $1 billion global milestone within days of the New Year.
Industry estimates indicate the film is expected to surpass the mark by Saturday, with domestic earnings projected to climb beyond $300 million. The latest installment in the Avatar franchise has maintained strong momentum through the holiday period, driven by premium-format screenings and sustained international demand.
In a surprising turn, the theatrical release of the Stranger Things Season 5 finale delivered one of the most unexpected box office moments of the year. Despite its limited run, the finale grossed nearly $30 million on New Year’s Eve, briefly overtaking Avatar: Fire and Ash in daily domestic ticket sales.
The performance marked a rare crossover success for a streaming-era television property in theaters, underscoring the franchise’s enduring popularity and fan turnout for the series’ conclusion.
Meanwhile, Lionsgate’s mystery thriller The Housemaid, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, is showing strong legs at the box office. The film is steadily approaching the $100 million worldwide milestone, positioning it as one of the studio’s notable early-year successes.
As the first major box office weekend of 2026 unfolds, the strong performances highlight a diverse theatrical landscape driven by tentpole franchises, streaming crossovers, and mid-budget genre films.
