“Avatar: Fire and Ash” opened with $345 million in worldwide ticket sales during its debut weekend, according to studio estimates released on December 21 2025, marking the second-largest global opening of the year. The release strengthened the long-running franchise created by filmmaker James Cameron and reinforced the film’s position during the profitable holiday moviegoing period, when audience attendance typically increased across international markets.

Despite the strong launch, the opening performance reflected a measured decline from previous installments. Domestic earnings reached $88 million, while international markets contributed $257 million, with China leading overseas revenue. Industry analysts noted that the film’s reception was more tempered than earlier entries, as critical reviews showed greater variation and domestic earnings dropped compared with the prior release. Even so, the franchise continued to demonstrate enduring appeal due to its technological scale and global recognition. Analysts emphasized that the “Avatar” series relied less on immediate openings and more on sustained attendance, a strategic pattern that previously resulted in extended theatrical runs. With production costs exceeding $400 million, long-term performance remained essential, making continued audience interest a pivotal factor in determining future sequels. Early indicators such as premium-format attendance and positive audience scores suggested that the film maintained momentum in the weeks following its release as competition increased during the holiday season.