James Cameron Congratulates Iron Man as ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Reclaims Box Office Title

Avatar photoRobert Milaković
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Hollywood’s longest-running rivalry has entered a new chapter. James Cameron’s tribute to ‘Avengers: Endgame’ serves as a reminder that even the fiercest box office competitions can conclude with a gesture of goodwill.

These two films have swapped the all-time title before. ‘Avatar’ held the worldwide record for nearly a decade following its 2009 release until ‘Endgame’ surpassed it in July 2019 after 89 days in theaters. ‘Avatar’ then regained the crown in March 2021 due to a re-release in China.

Now, the pendulum has swung once more. Cameron has unveiled official crossover artwork celebrating Marvel, featuring Iron Man surrounded by Na’vi, with Jake and Neytiri among them placing their hands on him in a welcoming gesture.

The message on the image incorporates the ritual phrase the Na’vi use to welcome an outsider into their clan. This phrase appeared in the original ‘Avatar’ and again in ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’, adding significance in Cameron’s universe. Below it, the text congratulates Marvel and the #1 ‘Avengers: Endgame: Encore’ for drawing moviegoers back to theaters, signed by Jim Cameron.

This warm gesture arguably surpasses his previous note. When ‘Endgame’ first overtook ‘Avatar’ in 2019, the post depicted Iron Man surrounded by woodsprite seeds with an “I see you” message. This time, he’s transitioned from acknowledging a rival to welcoming him.

The crown changed hands due to ‘Avengers: Endgame: Encore’, a re-release that debuted on September 25. Running 185 minutes, it is about 4 minutes longer than the original and features new footage aimed at building anticipation for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. Some critics have humorously suggested it serves as an extended advertisement for the December sequel.

The strategy proved effective. The re-release opened to $86 million worldwide, including $26 million in North America and $60 million internationally, making it the second-largest global opening for a re-release, only behind the 2012 3D return of ‘Titanic’. By its second weekend, Encore had amassed approximately $126 million worldwide.

This revenue propelled ‘Endgame’ to around $2.925 billion globally, just ahead of ‘Avatar’ at $2.923 billion, with only a $2 million gap initially. The total has since risen to about $2.93 billion, providing Marvel with a bit more leeway. It’s important to note that these figures are not adjusted for inflation, which is a crucial factor in discussions about who truly holds the title.

Additionally, ‘Avatar’ achieved its total after five re-releases. This indicates that the ‘Endgame’ resurgence required significant support from Disney, which owns both films following its 2019 merger with 20th Century Fox. Some fans speculate that Cameron may attempt to reclaim the record with another ‘Avatar’ re-release.

Screenshot 2026 09 29 at 15 24 02 Avengers Endgame Rotten Tomatoes

This record also sets the stage for future releases. ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ currently sits in third place on the all-time chart with around $2.5 billion, meaning Marvel now holds two of the top three spots. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is set to premiere on December 18, where it will compete with ‘Dune: Part Three’ in a significant year-end box office showdown.

Industry analysts view the re-release as more than just a gimmick. It reintroduced ‘Endgame’ to audiences just before the next major crossover and provided the MCU with a headline-grabbing milestone after a mixed few years. For theaters, a re-release that tops the weekend chart is a reminder that audiences still flock to events.

While rivalry is often the narrative surrounding these two films, the tone here is one of graciousness. The Russo brothers responded to Cameron’s earlier message with admiration, and Marvel playfully acknowledged ‘Avatar’ when the crown shifted back in 2021. This latest post continues that tradition of mutual respect.

Moreover, it frames the achievement in a way that benefits all parties involved. Cameron’s message credits Marvel for drawing audiences to theaters, which is the true victory for an industry reliant on viewer attendance. Whether ‘Avatar’ returns for another run or not, this friendly exchange keeps both franchises in the limelight.

For now, Iron Man has secured his place among the Na’vi, and the Avengers can relish their time at the top. How long that reign will last remains uncertain.

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