Avatar: Fire and Ash Opens Strong at Domestic Box Office

James Cameron’s third installment in the Avatar franchise has launched with robust numbers in North America. The film earned $12 million from Thursday previews alone. That figure positions it for a solid start during the holiday season.

On its official opening day, Avatar: Fire and Ash grossed $36.5 million domestically. This includes the preview earnings from the previous evening. Industry projections now estimate a three-day weekend total between $85 million and $95 million in the United States.

The movie has already surpassed $100 million in global earnings. Early international markets contributed significantly to this milestone. Disney’s simultaneous release strategy, including key territories like China, supported the worldwide performance.

Avatar: Fire and Ash features returning cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang. New additions include Oona Chaplin and David Thewlis. The story continues the conflict on Pandora, focusing on the Sully family and new Na’vi clans.

Cameron directed and produced the sequel, which utilizes advanced visual effects technology. The production employed extensive motion capture and 3D filming techniques. Runtime clocks in at over three hours, requiring theaters to adjust scheduling.

Previous entries in the series set box office records. The original Avatar remains the highest-grossing film worldwide with over $2.9 billion. Avatar: The Way of Water followed with $2.3 billion globally.

Current holiday competition includes holdovers from Thanksgiving releases. Avatar: Fire and Ash benefits from premium format screenings, such as IMAX and 3D. Advance ticket sales showed strong demand leading into the weekend.

Analysts note the film’s appeal to family audiences during December. Repeat viewings drove success for prior installments. Early audience scores indicate positive reception for the visual spectacle.

The opening marks a major event for exhibitors closing out the year. Chains allocated premium auditoriums to accommodate the epic. Global rollout continues across additional markets this weekend.