Pre-sales for Avatar 3, officially titled *Avatar: Fire and Ash*, have started amid high anticipation, but early tracking suggests they may be underperforming compared to the previous installment, *Avatar: The Way of Water*. While Disney and 20th Century Studios have launched ticket sales across multiple premium formats such as IMAX 3D, Dolby Cinema 3D, and 4DX, the initial pre-sale numbers are reportedly trailing behind the strong benchmarks set by the last film[7][2][3].
Industry forecasts estimate the domestic opening weekend for *Avatar: Fire and Ash* to be between $135 million and $165 million, which is a solid figure but slightly below the $134.1 million opening of *The Way of Water* in 2022. This suggests that while the film is expected to perform well, it may not reach the blockbuster heights of its predecessor[4][6]. The film’s release date is set for December 19, 2025, and it has already received positive critical buzz for its visual effects and immersive experience, which are hallmarks of the franchise[1][5].
The pre-sale activity shows enthusiasm among fans eager to experience the new Pandora adventure, especially in special formats that enhance the visual spectacle. However, the pace of ticket sales is not as rapid as Disney might have hoped, raising questions about whether the franchise’s momentum is slowing or if other market factors, such as competition or changing audience habits, are influencing the pre-sale performance[1][7].
Despite these concerns, the film’s marketing campaign remains strong, with trailers and promotional materials highlighting the return of key characters and the continuation of the story. Disney is banking on the franchise’s established fan base and the technological advancements in filmmaking to drive box office success. The outcome of the pre-sales will be closely watched as an indicator of the film’s overall commercial prospects and its ability to sustain the franchise’s legacy[2][3][5].
Sources
https://www.chosun.com/english/kpop-culture-en/2025/12/05/BDUXIOKKAFBH5H2ICCKP4MQPVQ/
https://www.avatar.com/news/buy-tickets-now-for-avatar-fire-and-ash
https://sffgazette.com/sci_fi/movies/avatar-fire-and-ash-tickets-go-on-sale-with-new-teasers-featurettes-and-a-lot-of-posters-a9406
https://www.boxofficepro.com/long-range-forecast-avatar-fire-and-ash-tracking-to-exceed-the-way-of-waters-134m-opening/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar:_Fire_and_Ash
https://boxofficetheory.com/6-week-box-office-tracking-forecasts-avatar-fire-and-ash-95m-updates-early-forecasts-for-28-years-later-the-bone-temple-greenland-2-primate-and-soulm8te/
https://boxofficetheory.com/6-week-box-office-tracking-forecasts-zootopia-2-updates-fnaf2-35m-and-avatar-fire-and-ash-95m-pacing-off-from-predecessors-more-updates/
