‘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 early January box office continues to show strong momentum as major blockbusters from the holiday season face off against fresh releases. While veteran franchises maintain their hold on theater screens, new entries in the horror and action genres are carving out significant space in the market. Audiences are showing a diverse interest in everything from animated family adventures to high-stakes science fiction sequels. This weekend’s results reflect a competitive landscape where established cinematic universes and original stories are both finding substantial financial success.
‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ (2025)
The sequel to the 2023 horror hit continues the haunting story of the animatronics at the center of a mysterious entertainment venue. During its sixth weekend, ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ earned $870,000, bringing its cumulative total to $126,924,850. The film saw a significant 67.6% drop in revenue as its theatrical run begins to wind down for Universal Pictures. This installment focuses on new characters and expanded lore from the popular video game franchise created by Scott Cawthon.
‘Wicked: For Good’ (2025)
Serving as the second half of the Broadway adaptation, this film concludes the origin story of the witches of Oz. In its eighth week of release, ‘Wicked: For Good’ generated $950,000 across 1,142 theaters. The Universal Pictures production has achieved a massive domestic total of $341,762,550 since its November debut. The narrative explores the complex relationship between Elphaba and Glinda as they face the Wizard’s growing influence.
‘I Was a Stranger’ (2026)
This debut feature from Angel Studios entered the market with a weekend total of $1,214,826. ‘I Was a Stranger’ follows a drama-driven narrative that emphasizes themes of compassion and the power of human connection. The film opened in 1,400 theaters, resulting in a per-location average of approximately $867. This marks the first week of theatrical performance for the faith-based project during the busy January season.
‘No Other Choice’ (2025)
In its third weekend, ‘No Other Choice’ experienced a 33.1% increase in box office earnings, bringing in $1,332,500. This Neon release centers on a suspenseful story where individuals are forced to make life-altering decisions under extreme circumstances. The film expanded its reach to 147 theaters, which significantly boosted its visibility and audience engagement. Its current cumulative domestic gross stands at $3,698,737 as it continues its specialized rollout.
‘Is This Thing On?’ (2025)
This comedy-drama directed by Bradley Cooper follows a stand-up comic struggling with professional setbacks and personal growth. The Walt Disney Studios release saw an explosive 888.9% revenue increase this weekend after expanding to 1,475 screens. It earned $2,400,000 during its fourth week, bringing the total domestic gross to $3,529,924. This performance reflects a strategic expansion by the studio to capture wider audience interest after a limited start.
‘Song Sung Blue’ (2025)
Directed by Craig Brewer, ‘Song Sung Blue’ tells the story of a husband-and-wife Neil Diamond tribute band navigating their musical dreams. The Focus Features production earned $2,980,000 in its third weekend, despite a 49.2% drop in ticket sales. It has accumulated $31,127,135 in total gross while maintaining a presence in 2,262 theaters. The film features a cast led by Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, drawing in fans of musical dramas.
‘David’ (2025)
This animated epic from Angel Studios provides a stylized retelling of the life of the biblical figure who defeated Goliath. In its fourth week, ‘David’ grossed $3,087,465 from 2,475 locations across the country. The film’s total earnings have reached $75,174,491, demonstrating its consistent appeal to family and faith-based audiences. It faced a 59.8% decline this weekend compared to the previous reporting period’s performance.
‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ (2025)
The latest cinematic outing for the residents of Bikini Bottom finds SpongeBob embarking on a journey to the depths of the ocean. In its fourth weekend, the Paramount Pictures release earned $3,800,000 despite losing over 600 theater locations. The film’s total domestic gross has reached $63,630,786, showing its resilience as a family-friendly option. This animated adventure continues to leverage the long-standing popularity of the Nickelodeon franchise.
‘Anaconda’ (2025)
This reimagining of the classic giant snake thriller stars Jack Black and Paul Rudd in a more comedic take on the survival genre. During its third weekend, ‘Anaconda’ brought in $5,100,000 across 3,075 theaters for Sony Pictures. The film has now grossed $54,272,789 in total, holding steady as a popular choice for action fans. It maintained a per-theater average of $1,658 while navigating a 49% drop from the previous weekend.
‘Marty Supreme’ (2025)
Starring Timothée Chalamet, ‘Marty Supreme’ is a fictionalized drama inspired by the life of a professional table tennis player in the 1950s. The A24 production earned $7,633,062 in its fourth week, contributing to a domestic total of $70,133,369. It currently plays in 2,512 theaters, though it saw a 39.3% decrease in attendance this reporting period. The film has been noted for its stylish direction and central performance as it moves through the winter season.
‘Greenland 2: Migration’ (2026)
This sequel to the 2020 disaster film follows the Garrity family as they emerge from their bunker to find a habitable environment. Opening this weekend, ‘Greenland 2: Migration’ earned $8,500,000 from 2,710 theaters nationwide. The Lionsgate release achieved a per-theater average of $3,136 during its initial three days of exhibition. Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin return to lead the cast through the challenges of a transformed world.
‘Zootopia 2’ (2025)
Disney’s return to the bustling city of Zootopia follows Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as they track down a mysterious new reptile. In its seventh week, ‘Zootopia 2’ earned $10,100,000, bringing its massive total gross to $378,844,584. The film remains a powerhouse in the market, playing in 3,200 theaters despite being several weeks into its run. It continues to attract broad audiences with its blend of social commentary and animated comedy.
‘The Housemaid’ (2025)
This psychological thriller from Lionsgate is an adaptation of the influential novel about domestic tension and class conflict. During its fourth weekend, ‘The Housemaid’ earned $11,200,000, which was helped by an expansion into 53 additional theaters. The film has reached a total gross of $94,154,153 while maintaining a high per-theater average of $3,586. Its steady performance highlights a strong interest in high-concept adult dramas during the early year.
‘Primate’ (2026)
Directed by Johannes Roberts, ‘Primate’ stars Troy Kotsur in a story that blends science fiction elements with intense psychological drama. The Paramount Pictures release debuted in second place this weekend with an opening gross of $11,300,000. It launched in 2,964 theaters, resulting in a healthy per-location average of $3,812. The film marks a strong start for new January releases looking to challenge established holiday hits.
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (2025)
The third chapter of James Cameron’s epic saga continues to dominate the charts as it explores the volcanic regions of Pandora. In its fourth weekend, ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ earned $21,300,000, pushing its domestic total to $342,590,528. The 20th Century Studios release remains in 3,700 theaters, though it experienced a 48.6% drop from the previous week. It remains the top-performing film of the season, showcasing the enduring appeal of the Na’vi narrative.
Please share which of these box office hits you managed to see this weekend in the comments.
