James Cameron’s highly anticipated directorial, Avatar: Fire and Ash, has finally premiered in theatres today, December 19, and early reports suggest that it is poised to make a major impact at the global box office. With fans worldwide eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the Avatar saga, expectations are high for another blockbuster success.
According to Variety, Avatar 3 is projected to earn between $90 million and $105 million domestically from 3,800 theatres, while international collections are expected to reach $250 million to $275 million. This sets the film up for a global opening weekend estimated between $340 million and $365 million.
For comparison, the overseas launch of Fire and Ash is forecasted in the $250M-$275M range, closely following Avatar: The Way of Water, which debuted to $310 million in like-for-like markets at today’s rates.
Historically, the original Avatar opened worldwide to $232 million in 2009, while Way of Water launched with $441 million. If current projections hold true, Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to open between the worldwide earnings of these two record-breaking predecessors.
The first Avatar film earned $77 million domestically during its opening and maintained the No. 1 spot for seven consecutive weeks.
It eventually amassed $760 million in North America and $2.92 billion worldwide, including re-runs, making it the highest-grossing film of all time. Avatar 2: The Way of Water debuted with $134 million domestically and went on to collect $688 million in North America and $2.3 billion worldwide.
Industry watchers will be keenly observing how Avatar: Fire and Ash performs over the coming weeks and whether it can replicate the staying power of its predecessors.
Should the film succeed in matching the franchise’s historic box office performance, it could make history as the first film franchise with three instalments each surpassing the $2 billion mark. At present, it is tied with the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s two $2 billion-plus mega-hits, 2019’s Avengers: Endgame and 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War.
Avatar: Fire and Ash features Sam Worthington reprising his role as Jake Sully, Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri, Sigourney Weaver as Kiri, Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch, and Oona Chaplin as Varang.
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