‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Burns Bright at the Box Office with $347.1 Million Global Opening
20th Century Studios’ Avatar: Fire and Ash rolled out with an estimated box office gross of $347.1 million around the world this weekend, returning audiences to the visually stunning and immersive 3D world of Pandora.
Directed, written, produced, and edited by James Cameron, Avatar: Fire and Ash was the No. 1 film at the box office both domestically, grossing $89 million, and internationally, grossing $258.1 million.
Including the opening of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the three films in the Avatar franchise have now grossed $5.6 billion to date.
The film was the No. 1 Motion Picture Association (MPA) release in all material markets except Japan this weekend, with an especially historic start in China. In China, Avatar: Fire and Ash brought in $57.6 million, making it the second highest MPA opening of 2025, behind only Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2.
(L-R) Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) and Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) in 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: Fire and Ash
Not only are audiences coming out in droves to see the film, but once seated, they’re enjoying the quality of the third installment in this multi-Academy Award-winning series as well. The movie holds a 91% Rotten Tomatoes Verified Moviegoers score, 4.5/5 PostTrak score, and an “A” CinemaScore.
“I don’t know if you say the big screen exists for this movie or this movie exists for the big screen — but it is the reason to go to the movies,” Steve Asbell, President, 20th Century Studios, previously said.
Domestic audiences have been enjoying the film on the biggest and most advances screens possible, with Premium Formats delivering an overall 66% of the opening weekend, and 3D showtimes contributing 56% of the box office.
The Avatar films have now delivered three of the top ten December openings of all time, and The Walt Disney Studios now account for five of the top ten domestic opening weekends of 2025.
Fans of Avatar can immerse themselves in the franchise beyond the movie theater, by visiting Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park at Walt Disney World Resort, a land that celebrates the power of nature through immersive, innovative attractions and experiences.
“I always think of the films as aspirational in the sense that, ‘I’d love to go there!’” Cameron said.
Avatar: Fire and Ash wasn’t the only Disney film connecting with audiences at the box office this weekend. Zootopia 2 continues its historic run, now standing over $1.276 billion worldwide.
The animated sequel has grossed $283.1 million domestically and $993 million internationally, maintaining its status as the No. 1 MPA global release of 2025. The film stands at the No. 2 MPA release of all time in China with an estimated $539 million to date, behind only Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame.
Zootopia 2 is also currently the No. 5 MPA global animated release of all-time, as Disney now accounts for four of the top five MPA global animated releases ever.
