‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Set to Crush Expectations in Second Weekend

This year, James Cameron’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” is expected to lead the holiday box office, but it will have company.

Over the Christmas weekend, three new films are vying for audience attention: A24’s R-rated ping-pong comedy “Marty Supreme,” Focus Features’ musical drama “Song Sung Blue,” and Sony’s jungle adventure comedy “Anaconda.” These films offer different genres and styles, giving moviegoers a variety of choices beyond Pandora.

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” is projected to earn $55 million to $65 million over the traditional weekend, and $75 million to $80 million across the four-day holiday period, according to box office tracking. This would be a 30% to 40% drop from its $89 million debut.

For comparison, “Avatar: The Way of Water” fell 52% in its second weekend after a much stronger $134 million opening. Despite the smaller drop, the franchise is known for its staying power, with the first two films each holding the No. 1 spot for seven straight weekends globally and earning over $2 billion worldwide.

The trailer for Avatar 3 is so cool!#AvatarFireAndAshTH #Avatar3 pic.twitter.com/cc5Q5RZvW3

— COFFEEhkf (@CoffeEhkf96945) December 14, 2025

Among the new releases, Sony’s “Anaconda,” starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd, is expected to perform strongest, with an estimated $20 million from 3,400 theaters during the four-day Christmas window. “Marty Supreme,” featuring Timothée Chalamet as the table tennis champion Marty Mauser, could earn between $12 million and $20 million, while “Song Sung Blue,” the Neil Diamond tribute story starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, is projected to take in $10 million to $14 million from 2,400 locations.

“Anaconda,” produced for $45 million, is a meta-reboot where two friends attempt to remake the 1997 classic while facing real danger from a giant snake. “Marty Supreme” had a strong start in limited release, taking in $875,000 from just six screens, giving hope for its nationwide rollout.

This holiday weekend will test whether audiences are ready to support a mix of blockbusters, comedies, and musicals. Will “Avatar: Fire and Ash” continue to dominate? Can “Marty Supreme” and “Anaconda” find their audience? Only time will tell if this Christmas season can lift the box office closer to expectations.

What do you think of this year’s holiday movie lineup? Will you be heading to theaters, or are streaming and home viewing still taking the lead? Share your thoughts in the comments.