Disney, 20th Century and Lightstorm released Avatar: Fire and Ash on a snowy Saturday. The film pulled in $36.5 million on its first day. That total includes $12 million from Thursday previews. By the end of the weekend the domestic box office reached $90 million. International markets added more than $100 million, with China contributing $17.7 million and France and Germany each delivering over $8 million.
Day One Numbers
Audiences rushed to theaters early. The strong opening day gave the movie a solid start for the holiday season. Analysts say the $90 million domestic opening places the film among the biggest releases of the year, even if it falls short of the $92 million opened by Jurassic World: Rebirth earlier this year.
How the Film Stacks Up Against 2025 Releases
Even though the opening does not break the top five domestic records, experts expect the holiday window to extend the movie’s earnings. The long holiday break usually helps movies keep strong daily totals for weeks. Because of this, Avatar Fire and Ash could finish with a higher domestic total than some movies that opened bigger, such as Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which opened with $117 million but is projected to finish lower.
Comparison with Jurassic World Rebirth
When we compare the two, Jurassic World: Rebirth still leads by a small margin. However, the new Avatar film benefits from a loyal fan base and a global marketing push. The worldwide opening is estimated at $340 million, a figure that rivals the best international launches of 2025.
Audience Reaction and Critical Scores
Fans responded positively. CinemaScore gave the movie an A grade. Rotten Tomatoes reported a 91 percent audience score. PostTrak recorded a 72 percent “definite recommend” rating, a slight dip from the 82 percent score for the previous sequel, The Way of Water. The numbers show that viewers still love James Cameron’s world.
CinemaScore and PostTrak Details
The high CinemaScore suggests that moviegoers left theaters satisfied. The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes confirms strong word of mouth. Even with a small drop on PostTrak, the film remains a must‑see event for fans of the franchise.
Overall, Avatar Fire and Ash is shaping up to be the highest‑grossing film of the year. Its solid opening, strong international performance, and positive audience feedback give it momentum that could outpace rivals as the holiday season continues.
Source: The Wrap
