Avatar 3 Smashes Global Box Office Despite Domestic Shortfall

James Cameron’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” dominated global cinemas this weekend. The sci-fi epic opened to a massive $345 million worldwide. This marks the second-largest global debut for a Hollywood film this year.

The film performed strongly in key international markets. Yet its North American opening of $88 million came in below industry expectations. According to Reuters, the male-skewing movie still earned a strong A CinemaScore from audiences.

Sequels Face Uphill Battle as Holiday Season Shifts

The opening weekend presented unique challenges. “Avatar: The Way of Water” debuted to $134 million domestically in 2022. That film benefited from significant pent-up demand after a 13-year wait.

The new sequel had fewer pre-Christmas playdays. “Fire and Ash” launched with just six days before the holiday. Analysts suggest some family audiences may wait until after Christmas to see the lengthy film.

This dynamic created a softer domestic start. The film’s three-hour, fifteen-minute runtime may also influence viewing patterns. Strong international numbers, however, show the franchise’s enduring global power.

Competition Intensifies in Crowded Holiday Marketplace

The weekend saw surprising competition. Angel Studios’ faith-based film “David” opened to a robust $22 million. This set a new record for the studio and captured a significant share of moviegoers.

Lionsgate’s thriller “The Housemaid” also drew audiences. It secured third place with a $19 million debut. This performance marks a positive shift for star Sydney Sweeney after a recent box office disappointment.

Paramount’s family film entered the fray as well. “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” opened in fifth place with $16 million. The crowded marketplace divided audience attention across multiple genres.

The strong global total for “Avatar: Fire and Ash” confirms the franchise’s immense international appeal. While the domestic opening tells a more nuanced story, the film is positioned for a long holiday run. The final box office tally for Avatar 3 will ultimately depend on its staying power in the coming weeks.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: How much did Avatar 3 make opening weekend?

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” earned $345 million globally. Its domestic opening was $88 million, while international markets contributed $257 million.

Q2: Why was the domestic opening lower than expected?

A crowded marketplace and fewer pre-Christmas playdays likely impacted sales. Some analysts believe families are waiting until after the holiday to see the long film.

Q3: What grade did audiences give the new Avatar?

Moviegoers awarded the film an A CinemaScore. This matches the positive audience scores of the previous two films in the series.

Q4: What other movies opened this weekend?

Angel Studios’ “David” opened strong with $22 million. Lionsgate’s “The Housemaid” and Paramount’s SpongeBob movie also debuted nationwide.

Q5: Is Avatar 3 the highest-grossing film of 2025?

Not yet. Its global opening is the second-best of the year for Hollywood, behind “Zootopia 2.” Its final ranking will depend on future weekly earnings.