Here Are the Weekend Box Office Hits for This Weekend, with ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Still Leading the Pack

The early January theatrical landscape is defined by a mixture of holiday blockbusters and new specialty releases competing for audience attention. High-profile sequels continue to dominate the top of the charts, while independent dramas and genre films are finding success through targeted expansions. This weekend’s performance highlights the resilience of established animation franchises and the growing momentum of prestige cinema. The following breakdown examines the financial achievements and narrative details of the current top-performing films.

‘Is This Thing On?’ (2025)

In its third weekend of release, this project from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures earned $242,702 from 33 locations. This represents an 18.6% increase in revenue, bringing the film’s total domestic gross to $1,028,935. Directed by Bradley Cooper, who also stars in the lead role, the story explores complex interpersonal relationships within the world of stand-up comedy. The film has maintained a steady presence in limited release as it builds word-of-mouth momentum.

‘The Plague’ (2025)

This psychological drama-thriller saw a massive surge in its second weekend, earning $388,688 after expanding to 590 theaters. Directed by Charlie Polinger in his directorial debut, the film stars Everett Blunck and Joel Edgerton, the latter of whom also served as a producer. The narrative follows a socially anxious 12-year-old boy who is forced to navigate a cruel tradition at an all-boys water polo camp. Following this expansion, the film’s cumulative domestic box office has reached $433,938.

‘Hamnet’ (2025)

Focus Features’ historical drama earned $749,105 during its sixth weekend in theaters, bringing its total gross to $11,861,780. Directed by Chloé Zhao, the film is an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel concerning the life and death of William Shakespeare’s son. The production stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, focusing on the emotional landscape of a family dealing with a profound loss. Despite being in its second month of release, the film continues to draw consistent audiences in select markets.

‘No Other Choice’ (2025)

This Neon release experienced a 201% increase in its second weekend, earning $1,001,122 while playing on only 45 screens. The film achieved a remarkable per-theater average of $22,247, signaling high demand as it prepares for further expansion. Its total earnings currently stand at $1,990,093 as it moves through its early theatrical run. The plot centers on a high-stakes moral dilemma that forces its protagonists to make life-altering decisions under extreme pressure.

‘We Bury the Dead’ (2025)

In its debut weekend, this survival thriller earned $2,502,075 from 1,172 theaters under the distribution of Vertical Entertainment. Starring Daisy Ridley, the film follows a woman who travels into a dangerous military fallout zone to search for her missing husband. Directed by Zak Hilditch, the production blends elements of horror and drama to create a tense atmospheric experience. The film secured a per-theater average of $2,134, marking a solid start for the independent production.

‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ (2025)

The horror sequel from Universal Pictures earned $2,686,035 in its fifth weekend, bringing its cumulative domestic total to $125,206,695. Based on the popular video game franchise, the film sees the return of Josh Hutcherson as a security guard facing off against possessed animatronic figures. Despite a 39% drop from the previous week, the movie remains a significant financial success for Blumhouse and Universal. The production continues to benefit from a dedicated fan base that has supported the franchise across multiple platforms.

‘Wicked: For Good’ (2025)

The second installment of the cinematic adaptation of the ‘Wicked’ musical earned $3,261,440 during its seventh weekend. Distributed by Universal Pictures, the film stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as it concludes the epic origin story of the witches of Oz. The production has now reached a massive domestic total of $339,881,165 since its initial holiday release. Its sustained performance underscores the enduring cultural impact of the Broadway source material.

‘Song Sung Blue’ (2025)

Focus Features’ musical drama earned $5,869,975 in its second weekend, pushing its total domestic gross to $25,002,985. Starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, the film is based on the true story of a couple who formed a Neil Diamond tribute band to overcome personal hardships. The production expanded by 118 theaters this week, helping to offset a minor 17% decline in week-over-week revenue. It continues to resonate with audiences through its themes of resilience and the power of music.

‘David’ (2025)

This animated biblical epic from Angel Studios brought in $7,684,119 during its third weekend of release. The film tells the story of the young shepherd who would eventually become the King of Israel, utilizing high-quality animation to reach family audiences. With a cumulative total of $69,794,528, the project has proven to be a significant success in the faith-based cinema market. The film’s performance reflects a strong hold among its target demographic despite a 38.7% drop in weekly earnings.

‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ (2025)

Paramount’s latest animated adventure featuring the residents of Bikini Bottom earned $8,306,057 in its third weekend. The film follows SpongeBob SquarePants on a journey to the depths of the ocean to recover a lost part of himself. Its total domestic gross has now climbed to $57,748,053, supported by its presence in 3,217 theaters. The franchise remains a staple for younger viewers, maintaining a top-five position in the domestic box office rankings.

‘Anaconda’ (2025)

Sony Pictures’ reimagining of the classic creature feature earned $10,007,604 during its second weekend in theaters. The film stars Jack Black and Paul Rudd, offering a comedic and action-packed take on the giant snake horror subgenre. Since its debut, the production has amassed $45,868,249 across 3,509 screens. This performance indicates a healthy interest in revitalized genre franchises that lean into both thrills and humor.

‘Marty Supreme’ (2025)

A24’s biographical drama starring Timothée Chalamet earned $12,554,127 in its third weekend. Directed by Josh Safdie, the narrative is inspired by the career of professional ping-pong player Marty Reisman and set against a stylized mid-century backdrop. The film’s domestic total has reached $56,000,736, aided by a strategic expansion into 219 additional theaters. Its unique aesthetic and central performance have made it a standout title in the current competitive landscape.

‘The Housemaid’ (2025)

This Lionsgate thriller continued its strong run by earning $15,101,994 in its third weekend of release. Starring Sydney Sweeney, the story follows a domestic worker who uncovers the dark and dangerous secrets of the wealthy family she serves. The film showed incredible stability with a mere 1.4% decline in revenue, bringing its total gross to $75,936,928. It remains a popular choice for adult audiences looking for suspenseful, character-driven storytelling.

‘Zootopia 2’ (2025)

Disney’s highly anticipated animated sequel earned $19,378,418 in its sixth weekend, bringing its total domestic earnings to $364,038,444. The film follows protagonists Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as they investigate a new mystery involving a mysterious marsh viper. Despite being in theaters for over a month, the production only saw a 2.5% decrease in weekend revenue. This remarkable staying power confirms the film’s status as a major commercial triumph for the studio.

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (2025)

James Cameron’s third journey to Pandora maintained the top spot at the box office with $41,419,407 in its third weekend. The story introduces the Ash People, a more aggressive Na’vi clan, as the conflict for the moon’s future intensifies. The 20th Century Studios release has now reached a cumulative domestic total of $307,677,102. Its dominance in premium large-format theaters continues to drive significant revenue as it remains the primary choice for blockbuster audiences.

Share your favorite movie-going experiences from this weekend in the comments.