Pandora's Box Office Magic: 'Fire and Ash' Lights Up Theaters
The newest addition to the Avatar universe, "Fire and Ash," has made a significant splash at the box office, raking in $345 million worldwide in its opening weekend. This places it just behind "Zootopia 2" for the year's highest debut.
- U.S. Opening: $88 million
- International Opening: $257 million
However, this is a notable drop from the previous Avatar film, "The Way of Water," which opened with $435 million globally three years ago.
Mixed Reception, Strong Word-of-Mouth
Critics and audiences have been mixed on "Fire and Ash."
- Rotten Tomatoes: 68% "Fresh" (the lowest in the series)
- CinemaScore: "A" (indicating strong word-of-mouth support)
The film's success will likely depend on its ability to maintain momentum over the coming weeks, especially with the holiday season approaching.
Avatar's Legacy: Strong Box Office Legs
The Avatar films have always been known for their strong legs at the box office rather than their opening weekends.
- First Film (2009): Opened with $77 million domestically, grossed nearly $2.92 billion worldwide.
- "The Way of Water": Opened with $435 million, eventually tallying $2.3 billion globally.
To reach these heights, "Fire and Ash" will need to keep drawing in audiences.
A Massive Production
Making these movies is no small feat. With a production budget of at least $400 million, "Fire and Ash" is one of the most expensive films ever made. Director James Cameron has stated that the film's success is crucial for future Avatar movies to be greenlit.
Premium Formats and International Success
"Fire and Ash" benefited from premium format showings, which made up 66% of its opening weekend sales.
- 56% of moviegoers chose to watch it in 3D.
- The film had its strongest opening in China, surpassing the previous two movies with $57.6 million.
Other Notable Openings
- "David" (Animated Biblical Retelling): $22 million (Best opening for Angel Studios)
- "The Housemaid" (Psychological Thriller): $19 million
- "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants": $16 million
A24's Record-Breaking "Marty Supreme"
Before expanding widely on Christmas, "Marty Supreme" opened in six theaters, grossing $875,000. This set a new record for A24, the film's distributor. The movie, starring Timothée Chalamet, is the most expensive ever for the company.
