Avatar 3 hit theaters on December 19, 2025, and its opening weekend numbers stack up in exciting ways against the first Avatar from 2009. Avatar 1 pulled in $77 million domestically during its first three days, a huge win that made it the top opener of its time. It went on to smash records worldwide, earning over $2.9 billion total. Fast forward 16 years, and Avatar 3, subtitled Fire and Ash, grabbed $175 million in the US and Canada alone for its debut weekend, according to estimates from box office trackers. That’s more than double the original’s domestic start, showing James Cameron’s Pandora world still packs theaters.
Globally, Avatar 3 raked in about $385 million over the opening weekend, beating Avatar 1’s $318 million international launch by a solid margin. Early reports from Box Office Mojo highlight how China led with $55 million, fueling the surge. Avatar 2 from 2022 had set a high bar at $134 million domestic and $350 million worldwide for its opening, but Avatar 3 topped both predecessors right out of the gate.
Fans showed up in droves, with premium formats like IMAX and 3D driving ticket sales. Previews on Thursday alone brought in $37 million domestically for Avatar 3, topping Avatar 1’s entire Friday haul. The sequel’s visuals and Na’vi battles drew crowds despite holiday competition. Studios like Disney reported sellouts in key markets, per Deadline Hollywood. Avatar 1 benefited from being a fresh phenomenon with groundbreaking 3D tech, but Avatar 3 rides built hype from the franchise’s loyal base.
Inflation plays a role too, since movie tickets cost more now, but Avatar 3’s raw pull shines through. It outpaced Avatar 1’s per-screen average, with theaters averaging $45,000 per screen versus the original’s $32,000. Data from The Numbers confirms the edge in attendance adjusted for seats sold. Cameron’s team pushed immersive tech again, pulling families and superfans alike.
Sources
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1757678/
https://deadline.com/2025/12/avatar-3-box-office-opening-weekend-1236405123/
https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Avatar-Fire-and-Ash-(2025)#tab=summary
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0499549/
