Avatar: Fire and Ash Ignites $345M Global Debut as Pandora Returns to Theaters
James Cameron has once again demonstrated his box office prowess with the worldwide launch of Avatar: Fire and Ash on December 22, 2025. While the film’s domestic opening of $88 Million fell short of the industry’s $100M projections, it aligns with the franchise’s trademark long-tail performance. Globally, the movie blazed to a $345 Million opening weekend, securing the second-biggest worldwide debut of 2025 and the second-largest global start in Cameron’s illustrious career, surpassed only by The Way of Water.
Breaking Records Across the Globe
International markets continue to fuel the franchise’s success, contributing a whopping $257 Million to the opening weekend total.
- China Performance: Disney scored big in China, with the film raking in $57.6 Million. This not only outpaced The Way of Water‘s $56M opening but also saw a 25.9% increase in ticket sales, indicating an insatiable appetite for Pandora among Chinese audiences.
- European Dominance: The film claimed the highest MPA international opening of 2025 in France ($21.4M) and Germany ($18M).
- Asian Growth: Southeast Asia saw new records, with the film achieving unprecedented openings for an Avatar title in Indonesia and Vietnam.
The IMAX and 3D Spectacle
Audiences overwhelmingly chose to immerse themselves in Cameron’s vision through premium viewing experiences. Premium Large Formats (PLF) and 3D screenings accounted for an impressive 66% of the total box office.
- IMAX Milestone: IMAX theaters alone generated $43.6 Million globally, marking the biggest IMAX opening of 2025 and the fifth-largest in the company’s history. This proves viewers’ willingness to wait for optimal seating to experience the 3-hour and 17-minute spectacle.
- 3D Adoption: A slight majority (56% of moviegoers opted for 3D tickets, reinforcing the franchise’s status as the gold standard for 3D cinema.
A Critical Test for the Franchise
Despite its financial success, Fire and Ash faces a more divided critical reception than its predecessors, currently holding a 68% Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes—a series low. However, general audiences remain highly satisfied, awarding the film an A CinemaScore. With the holiday season in full swing, Disney executives anticipate strong momentum through January 2026, eyeing the coveted $2 Billion global milestone.
- James Cameron now lays claim to three of the top four highest-grossing films of all time. With the franchise’s total earnings surpassing $5.6 Billion, the performance of Fire and Ash in the coming weeks will likely shape the production scale and timeline for the already-planned Avatar 4 and Avatar 5.
