Avatar 3, titled Fire and Ash, has earned $137 million at the box office so far since its release on December 19, 2025. Directed by James Cameron, this epic science fiction sequel to Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water cost over $400 million to make, making it one of the priciest films ever produced. For context, the original Avatar from 2009 pulled in over $2.9 billion worldwide, smashing records as the highest-grossing movie at the time. Its follow-up, Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022, raked in more than $2.3 billion, reclaiming the top spot briefly before recent competition.
Fire and Ash opened with strong early numbers just two days into its run, but it trails far behind its predecessors in total earnings so far. Critics have cheered the stunning visuals, deep characters, solid acting, and thrilling action scenes. However, many point out issues with the plot, screenplay, and long runtime as weak points. The movie had its world premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on December 1, 2025, after years of delays due to extra work on writing, pre-production, and visual effects.
James Cameron’s track record at the box office sets a high bar. His 1997 blockbuster Titanic grossed over $2.2 billion, holding the record for years until Avatar topped it. Earlier hits like Terminator 2: Judgment Day in 1991 made about $520 million, and Aliens in 1986 brought in around $131 million after adjustments. True Lies from 1994 earned roughly $378 million. The Abyss in 1989 was more modest at about $90 million, showing Cameron’s range from underwater thrills to massive spectacles.
What makes Avatar 3 stand out in Cameron’s lineup is its massive budget and franchise potential. With two more sequels, Avatar 4 in 2029 and Avatar 5 in 2031, already in the works, its final tally could climb higher as it plays in theaters worldwide. Early buzz suggests the visuals continue Cameron’s signature style of groundbreaking effects that draw huge crowds. Compared to his past films, Fire and Ash starts slower but has room to grow against the giants like the first two Avatars and Titanic.
