James Cameron’s third instalment in the Avatar franchise has made a powerful start at the global box office, earning around $345 million worldwide in its opening weekend, according to distributor Walt Disney.
The film, titled Avatar: Fire and Ash, performed in line with industry expectations, which had projected opening weekend earnings of at least $340 million. Disney said cinemas in the United States and Canada contributed $88 million to the total, while the rest came from international markets.
Directed by James Cameron, the movie continues the story of the Na’vi, a clan of towering blue beings who fight to protect their family and home planet. The lead characters are voiced once again by Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington, both returning to their iconic roles.
Avatar remains one of the most successful film franchises in cinema history. The original Avatar, released in 2009, still tops the all-time global box office with nearly $2.9 billion in ticket sales. Its sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, released in 2022, ranks third globally with earnings of about $2.3 billion.
With a strong opening and the franchise’s proven track record, Avatar: Fire and Ash is expected to continue performing well in the coming weeks as audiences return to theatres worldwide.
