During this past weekend, audiences dove into the science fiction universe of director James Cameron, and the third installment of the “Avatar” franchise earned roughly $88 million domestically.
The opening did not meet analyst predictions that the picture could gross over $100 million in its first weekend. The initial “Avatar” film debuted in 2009 and made $115 million, accounting for inflation. The second picture, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” premiered in 2022 and took in $134 million in the U.S.
Nonetheless, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” also amassed about $257 million internationally, bringing its worldwide opening fund to $345 million. It is expected to remain a top draw for moviegoers through the holiday season and into January, noted Paul Dergarabedian, head of market trends at Comscore.
“As an international, particularly 3D spectacle, as well as in IMAX and other premium formats, ‘Avatar’ is an event,” he stated.
The film’s nearly $400 million budget could weaken prospects for a fourth movie if returns prove disappointing compared to more popular tentpoles, Cameron mentioned last week to CNN’s Jason Carroll. The franchise’s fate will hinge on the performance of “Fire and Ash” in the coming weeks, Cameron said.
Cinema attendance has waned in recent years due to the rise of streaming platforms and Americans cutting discretionary spending. But blockbusters like the “Avatar” series often draw patrons seeking the big screen, IMAX, or 3D experience.
“The theater is a sacred space for me as a director,” Cameron told CNN. “That will never vanish. But I think films can drop below the threshold where the kinds of movies I love to make and love to watch won’t be sustainable. They won’t be economically viable. We are very close to that right now.”
Optimism Regarding Final Box Office Figures
Despite a strong December, Hollywood has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels this year. Domestic box office takings decreased by 22.5% compared to 2019 and increased only 1.3% over last year, with total revenue reaching $8.37 billion, according to Comscore figures.
Theaters, analysts, and studios rejoiced in 2023 when the release of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” revived optimism that the theatrical experience could still thrive. Box office receipts surpassed $9 billion that year—the first and only time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
While audiences are still frequenting cinemas, “it is yet to be seen” if box office returns will reach $9 billion again, Dergarabedian pointed out.
“The box office, given all the ups and downs this year, will be solid and in my view, lead to what I think could be the biggest post-pandemic year—2026,” he remarked.
This weekend saw support from Angel Studios’ “David.” The biblical animated adventure film pulled in $22 million and secured second place overall.
Lionsgate Films’ psychological thriller “The Janitor” earned $19 million domestically and finished third this weekend. Meanwhile, family audiences were drawn to Paramount Pictures’ “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” which gathered $16 million.
The three opening films might have been substantial hits had they debuted in a slower month like October, suggested Daniel Loria, editor at Boxoffice Pro. Instead, they “complement” each other and have time to capture the right audiences during the holidays, he said.
A24’s “Marty Supreme,” Focus Features’ “Song Sung Blue,” and Sony Pictures’ “Anaconda” are slated for wide release next weekend.
“Marty Supreme,” an awards contender, opened in six theaters this weekend. The picture ranked ninth overall with $875,000 in domestic revenue.
Meanwhile, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” can keep attracting large crowds.
There is an uptick in cinema patrons. In August, 33% were regular attendees—individuals who watch at least six movies annually—compared to 25% last year, based on Cinema United data.
The rise in frequent moviegoers comes amidst $1.5 billion in upgrades invested by theater owners over the last year, per Cinema United. And investments in premium large screens with features such as “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” alongside plush seating and concessions, have pulled Generation Z into theaters.
Engaging younger crowds—both through family flicks and adaptations like Warner Bros. Pictures’ “A Minecraft Movie” and Universal’s “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2″—has always been challenging, observed Box Office Theory analyst Shawn Robbins. Warner Bros. Discovery is the parent company of CNN.
“What is required to bring people into theaters is a little distinct from what it used to be, and I believe studios are finally learning how to make it truly work for current and future generations,” Robbins commented.
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