It’s time to return to Pandora because James Cameron’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” is here.
The third “Avatar” movie has made $12 million in domestic previews at the box office. In international markets, it grossed $43.1 million from 43 markets.
“Fire and Ash” is expected to lead the pre-Christmas box office with $90 million to $105 million in its opening weekend and hopes to join 2009’s “Avatar” and 2022’s “Avatar: The Way of Water” as a fellow billion-dollar grosser. The third film is estimated to earn another $250 million to $275 million in its international debut for a global launch between $340 million to $365 million.
Both of the previous “Avatar” movies had similar debuts but excelled in staying power over the holidays. The first “Avatar” launched with $77 million domestically and was No. 1 spot at the box office seven weeks, eventually making $760 million in North America and $2.92 billion worldwide. It still stands as the highest-grossing movie of all time. “The Way of Water” opened with $134 million domestically and eventually swam to $688 million in North America and $2.3 billion worldwide, making it the third highest-grossing film ever. It will take similar staying power and pricey Imax and 3D screenings for “Fire and Ash” to join its predecessors on the all-time charts.
Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) and their blue alien family are back for another Na’vi adventure in “Fire and Ash.” After meeting the aquatic Metkayina clan in “The Way of Water,” they now face off against the evil Mangkwan tribe, raiders who reside in a volcano, in “Fire and Ash.”
In other releases, Lionsgate’s adaptation of the novel “The Housemaid,” starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, is on track to open with $20 million to $25 million this weekend after making $2.2 million in previews. Angel Studios also has the animated biblical film “David,” about the story of David and Goliath, which looks to make a similar debut. Paramount’s animated kids film “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” is tracking for the No. 4 spot with $15 million to $20 million; it made $1.4 million in previews.
