Avatar: Fire and Ash’ crosses $1 billion, stays No. 1 at box office | AP News
Hollywood has entered 2026 on a hopeful note, and leading the charge is “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” James Cameron’s latest epic has once again proven the enduring power of big-screen storytelling, topping the box office for the third straight week and officially crossing the $1 billion global milestone in just three weeks.
Let’s break down what this box office triumph really means—for the film industry and moviegoers alike.
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Box Office Performance at a Glance
In its third weekend, Avatar: Fire and Ash pulled in an estimated $40 million in North America, showing impressive staying power after the holiday rush. Globally, the numbers are even more striking.
Quick box office snapshot (ideal for featured snippets):
- Worldwide gross: Over $1 billion
- International earnings: $777.1 million
- Third weekend (North America): $40 million
- Franchise: Third installment in James Cameron’s Avatar saga
Disney called the achievement “another monumental milestone” for the franchise—and it’s hard to disagree.
Overseas Markets Drive the Success
Like previous Avatar films, Fire and Ash is doing its biggest business overseas, where the immersive visuals and universal themes continue to resonate strongly with international audiences. This global appeal is a key reason the film reached the billion-dollar club so quickly.
‘Zootopia 2’ and Holiday Hits Keep Theaters Busy
While Avatar dominated the top spot, it wasn’t the only success story during the extended holiday period.
- “Zootopia 2” landed comfortably at No. 2 with $19 million, dipping just 4% from the previous weekend.
- The animated sequel has now earned a staggering $1.59 billion worldwide, making it Disney’s second-highest-grossing animated film ever, just behind The Lion King (2019).
Other notable holiday performers included:
- “The Housemaid” (Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried): $14.9 million weekend, $75.7 million domestic total
- “Marty Supreme” (Timothée Chalamet): $12.6 million weekend, crossing $56 million domestically
- “Anaconda” (Jack Black, Paul Rudd): $10 million in its second weekend
A Promising Start After a Tough 2025
The strong opening weekend of 2026 comes after a disappointing 2025, when domestic ticket sales remained about 20% below pre-pandemic levels, despite slightly higher revenues driven by ticket price increases.
Here’s why the industry is cautiously optimistic:
- Overall weekend sales were up 26.5% compared to the same period in 2025
- A packed 2026 release slate includes Toy Story, Avengers, Spider-Man, Dune, Super Mario Bros, and more
- Studios are betting big on franchises to bring audiences back to theaters
What This Means for Hollywood in 2026
With Avatar: Fire and Ash setting the tone, 2026 could very well become the strongest box office year of the decade. Big franchises, improved audience turnout, and renewed global interest suggest that the theatrical experience is far from fading.
For now, James Cameron’s return to Pandora has done more than dominate the box office—it has reignited confidence in Hollywood’s blockbuster future.
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