As Expected, ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Manages to Retain the Top Spot at This Weekend’s Box Office As Well: Here’s the Rest of Top 15

The first weekend of January 2026 has provided a clear picture of the current theatrical landscape as several major blockbusters continue their dominant runs. High-profile sequels and original dramas alike are competing for audience attention during the winter season. The domestic box office remains active with a diverse range of genres, from animated family adventures to intense psychological thrillers. These figures reflect the performance of the top fifteen films currently circulating in North American cinemas.

‘Is This Thing On?’ (2025)

‘Is This Thing On?’ brought in $242,702 during its third weekend, marking an 18.6% increase in performance. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, the film has now surpassed the $1 million mark at the domestic box office. The story is a comedy-drama that explores the intricacies of modern friendships and stand-up comedy. Rachel Sennott directed the feature and stars in the lead role, following her previous successes in the independent film scene.

‘The Plague’ (2025)

‘The Plague’ experienced a significant surge this weekend, earning $388,688 for a total domestic gross of $433,938. This psychological drama-thriller is the directorial debut of Charlie Polinger and features Joel Edgerton in a prominent role. The plot focuses on a socially anxious 12-year-old boy who becomes entangled in a harsh tradition at an all-boys water polo camp. Distributed by IFC Films, the production features performances by Everett Blunck, Kayo Martin, and Kenny Rasmussen.

‘Hamnet’ (2025)

‘Hamnet’ added $749,105 to its total earnings during its sixth week in theatrical release. The Focus Features production has now reached a cumulative box office total of $11,861,780. Directed by Chloé Zhao, the film is an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel about the life of William Shakespeare’s family. The narrative explores the emotional aftermath of the death of the playwright’s only son and how it inspired one of his greatest works.

‘No Other Choice’ (2025)

‘No Other Choice’ saw a 201% increase in its second weekend, earning $1,001,122 from a limited number of screens. The Neon release maintained an impressive per-theater average of $22,247 as it expanded its reach to 45 locations. The thriller follows a desperate protagonist who must make a series of impossible decisions to protect their family. Its domestic total currently stands at $1,990,093 as it continues to build momentum in the specialty market.

‘We Bury the Dead’ (2025)

‘We Bury the Dead’ debuted this weekend with $2,502,075 from 1,172 theaters across the country. This survival thriller, released by Vertical Entertainment, stars Daisy Ridley as a woman searching for her husband after a catastrophic experiment. The story is set in the aftermath of a biological disaster that has decimated the local population. The film marks a strong opening for the independent studio as it enters the competitive January market.

‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ (2025)

‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ continued its theatrical run by earning $2,686,035 during its fifth weekend. The horror sequel from Universal Pictures has now grossed a total of $125,206,695 domestically. Based on the popular video game franchise, the story follows a new security guard facing off against haunted animatronic characters. The film has remained a steady performer for the studio, appealing to the established fanbase of the original property.

‘Wicked: For Good’ (2025)

‘Wicked: For Good’ earned $3,261,440 in its seventh weekend, bringing its impressive cumulative total to $339,881,165. This Universal Pictures release serves as the concluding chapter of the cinematic adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. The film stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as they continue the origin story of the witches of Oz. Its long-term staying power in the top ten highlights the strong audience demand for the musical fantasy genre.

‘Song Sung Blue’ (2025)

‘Song Sung Blue’ brought in $5,869,975 during its second weekend, representing a modest 17% drop from its opening. The Focus Features drama has reached a domestic total of $25,002,985 after two weeks in release. Starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, the movie tells the story of a couple who form a Neil Diamond tribute band. The narrative is based on a true story and explores themes of resilience and musical passion.

‘David’ (2025)

‘David’ secured $7,684,119 in its third weekend, bringing its total domestic earnings to $69,794,528. This animated feature from Angel Studios offers a cinematic retelling of the biblical story of the shepherd boy who becomes king. The production utilized a massive grassroots marketing campaign to reach its target family and faith-based audiences. It remains a top choice for viewers seeking historical and religious epics during the early part of the year.

‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ (2025)

‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ earned $8,306,057 this weekend, maintaining its position as a leading family title. The Paramount Pictures release has accumulated $57,748,053 after three weeks of theatrical play. In this latest installment, the iconic characters travel to the depths of the ocean to recover their missing friend. The film continues the long-running success of the franchise by blending traditional humor with updated animation styles.

‘Anaconda’ (2025)

‘Anaconda’ took in $10,007,604 during its second weekend, pushing its total domestic gross to $45,868,249. This Sony Pictures release is a modern reimagining of the classic creature feature, starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd. The story follows a group of researchers who encounter a legendary giant snake in the remote wilderness. Despite a 31% drop from its debut, the film continues to draw audiences looking for action and suspense.

‘Marty Supreme’ (2025)

‘Marty Supreme’ earned $12,554,127 in its third weekend, bringing its cumulative total to $56,000,736. The A24 production stars Timothée Chalamet as a professional ping-pong player in the 1950s. Directed by Josh Safdie, the film captures the competitive atmosphere and unique subculture of the era. It has seen a steady performance at the box office, benefiting from positive word-of-mouth across 2,887 locations.

‘The Housemaid’ (2025)

‘The Housemaid’ captured $15,101,994 during its third weekend, showing strong legs with only a 1.4% dip in performance. This Lionsgate release has earned a total of $75,936,928 and continues to expand its screen presence. The psychological thriller follows a domestic worker who becomes entangled in a dangerous household. Starring Sydney Sweeney, the movie has resonated with audiences through its tense atmosphere and dramatic plot twists.

‘Zootopia 2’ (2025)

‘Zootopia 2’ earned $19,378,418 in its sixth weekend, bringing its massive domestic total to $364,038,444. The Walt Disney Studios sequel follows protagonists Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as they investigate a new mystery in the animal city. The film has demonstrated incredible endurance at the box office, dropping only 2.5% compared to the previous weekend. It remains one of the highest-grossing animated films of the season, appealing to both children and adult fans.

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (2025)

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ retained its top position by earning $41,419,407 during its third weekend of release. The 20th Century Studios epic has already amassed $307,677,102 domestically, continuing James Cameron’s successful sci-fi legacy. The story introduces the “Ash People,” a new clan of Na’vi that presents a different perspective on the world of Pandora. With 3,835 screens in operation, the film remains a dominant force in the global cinematic landscape.

Share which of these theatrical releases you are most excited to see in the comments.