More than a week after its theatrical debut, Avatar: Fire and Ash continues to anchor the global box office, delivering massive holiday earnings and reinforcing the enduring appeal of director James Cameron’s blockbuster franchise.
Avatar Franchise Still a Global Force
Released just ahead of the Christmas holidays, Avatar: Fire and Ash opened to a staggering $345 million worldwide in its first three days. The film has since added another $415 million, bringing its global total to approximately $760 million following the four-day Christmas holiday period, according to industry estimates.
While those numbers trail slightly behind Avatar: The Way of Water, which reached about $850 million globally after two weekends, the third installment is still projected to cross the $1 billion mark by the end of its third weekend in theaters. The original Avatar (2009) remains the highest-grossing film of all time with $2.9 billion worldwide, while The Way of Water holds the third-highest global total at $2.3 billion.
Escalating Conflict on Pandora
Avatar: Fire and Ash continues the story following the events of the second film, with tensions on Pandora intensifying as the Sully family encounters a new and more aggressive Na’vi tribe. The expanded mythology and high-stakes conflict have helped sustain strong audience turnout during the competitive holiday window.
In a recent interview, Cameron acknowledged that the future of the franchise remains uncertain beyond the current film. “I don’t know whether the saga goes beyond this point,” he said, adding that box-office performance ultimately determines the fate of planned installments. Cameron has previously outlined ideas for Avatar 4 and Avatar 5.
Marty Supreme Posts Impressive Per-Screen Numbers
Outside the world of Pandora, filmmaker Josh Safdie’s sports drama Marty Supreme delivered a respectable holiday debut. Starring Timothée Chalamet as aspiring table tennis champion Marty Mauser, the film earned $27.1 million globally over its first four days. Prior to its wide release, Marty Supreme posted a record-breaking per-screen average of $145,900 across just six theaters, the highest of 2025 so far.
The Housemaid Exceeds Expectations
Also benefiting from the holiday crowds is The Housemaid, director Paul Feig’s mystery thriller based on Freida McFadden’s best-selling novel. Led by Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, the film earned $23.1 million in its first four days. After the holiday weekend, its worldwide total climbed to $46.6 million, surpassing initial projections.
Holiday Box Office Ends Year on a High Note
According to industry analysts, the strong performance across multiple releases underscores the importance of the holiday season for theaters. Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore, described the period as a stabilizing finish to an unpredictable year, adding that anticipation for the 2026 release slate is already building.
With Avatar: Fire and Ash leading the charge, the holiday box office has delivered a much-needed boost to the global film industry.
