‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Opening Falls Short Compared to ‘The Way of Water’
Disney, 20th Century, and Lightstorm Entertainment’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” has kicked off the pre-Christmas box office with strong numbers, though it falls short of its predecessor.
According to early reports, the film earned $88 million domestically and $345 million worldwide in its opening weekend. While this is behind the $134 million domestic and $434.5 million global launch of “Avatar: The Way of Water” in 2022, it still positions the movie as a major contender for the highest-grossing Hollywood film of the year.
Industry analysts predict that the holiday period could help the movie reach at least $400 million domestically and $1.6 billion worldwide, thanks in part to premium format screenings and the extended run through the holidays, even though Christmas Eve falls on a Wednesday this year.
Despite not matching the record-setting debut of “The Way of Water,” “Fire and Ash” is expected to perform very well in the weeks ahead.
Directed by James Cameron, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” is the third installment in the Avatar franchise. Cameron co-wrote the screenplay with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, based on a story developed with Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno. The film brings back Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet in their previous roles.
From Director James Cameron, watch the trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash.
— Avatar (@officialavatar) July 28, 2025
Experience the film only in theaters December 19. pic.twitter.com/Y0D4EUGU7x
Cameron first expressed interest in making sequels to Avatar back in 2006, shortly after the success of the original film. The first two sequels were officially announced in 2010, but the addition of further installments and the need for advanced underwater performance capture technology caused significant delays.
Filming for “Fire and Ash” began on September 25, 2017, in New Zealand, running simultaneously with “The Way of Water,” and wrapped in late December 2020 after more than three years of production. With a reported budget of over $400 million, it ranks among the most expensive movies ever made. The film is dedicated to editor John Refoua, who passed away in 2023, and producer Jon Landau, who died in 2024.
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” had its world premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on December 1, and opened in U.S. theaters on December 19. Early reviews praised its visuals, characters, performances, and action scenes, though opinions were divided on the plot, screenplay, and runtime.
Looking ahead, two more sequels, “Avatar 4” and “Avatar 5,” are in production and are scheduled to release in 2029 and 2031, respectively.
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