‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Poised for $110M+ Opening, Box Office Tracking Strong
James Cameron’s highly anticipated sequel, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is showing strong early signs at the box office, with tracking numbers suggesting a $110 million opening when it hits theaters on December 19.
According to industry tracking, the film could land anywhere between $100 million and $130 million in its first weekend.
This kind of performance points to a “four-quadrant” appeal, meaning the film attracts both men and women across age groups. While the early numbers don’t quite match the initial tracking for 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water, which opened to $134.1 million, analysts say that’s expected.
Unlike many Marvel films that rely on Easter eggs and fan hype, Cameron’s Avatar movies are designed as appointment viewing, with audiences often seeking the best 3D, IMAX, or other premium large-format experiences, reports Deadline.
Industry observers note that the tracking for Fire and Ash is healthy. As one source explained, “For Avatar: Way of Water, the domestic opening was essentially the ceiling. Considering the 13-year gap since the first film’s $77 million debut, it performed fantastically. Fire and Ash is building strong interest early on, which is a good sign.”
Avatar: Fire and Ash is the third installment in Cameron’s epic sci-fi saga. He co-wrote the screenplay with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, based on a story they developed with Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno. The film reunites the cast from the previous movies, including Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Winslet, and others.
This world is much deeper than you imagine. Watch the brand-new trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash and experience it in theatres December 19th.
— Avatar (@officialavatar) September 25, 2025
Also, don’t miss Avatar: The Way of Water back on the big screen in 3D for one week only, starting October 3rd. pic.twitter.com/nB5nOcrQMx
The production of the sequels has been a long journey. Cameron announced plans for two sequels back in 2010, but expanding the series to four films and developing groundbreaking underwater motion capture technology caused significant delays. Filming for Fire and Ash started in New Zealand in September 2017 and wrapped up in December 2020, after more than three years of production.
The release of Avatar: Fire and Ash has been postponed multiple times, with the latest schedule set for a December 19, U.S. release. The world premiere is planned for December 1 at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre. Looking ahead, Cameron is also working on Avatar 4 and Avatar 5, expected in 2029 and 2031, respectively.
With these early tracking numbers, it looks like James Cameron’s next Pandora adventure is set to be a big draw for audiences this holiday season. The film’s combination of high-tech visuals, epic storytelling, and broad audience appeal could make it one of the standout releases of 2025.
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