James Cameron's highly anticipated third Avatar film, "Avatar: Fire and Ash," launched its global box office run with an estimated $347.1 million over its opening weekend. The movie, released on December 19, 2025, quickly became the number one film worldwide, drawing massive audiences back to the alien world of Pandora. This strong debut establishes the film as a major player in the current cinematic landscape.^[1][2][3] ### Strong Global Performance The film's opening weekend saw it gross $89 million in the United States and Canada. International markets contributed a significant $258.1 million to the global total. Key territories showed particularly robust numbers, with China leading international sales at $57.6 million. France followed with $21.4 million, and Germany added $18 million to the impressive international haul.^[2][4][3] While "Avatar: Fire and Ash" had a powerful opening, its global debut was slightly lower than its predecessor, "Avatar: The Way of Water," which opened with $435 million worldwide in 2022. However, the new film surpassed the original "Avatar," which earned $232 million globally in its 2009 opening. The franchise's total box office now stands at $5.6 billion across all three films.^[2][4][5][6] ### A New Chapter on Pandora Directed, written, and produced by James Cameron, "Avatar: Fire and Ash" introduces a darker chapter to the saga. The story follows Jake and Neytiri's family as they encounter a new, aggressive Na'vi tribe known as the Ash People. This new clan, led by Varang, inhabits the volcanic regions of Pandora, adding a fiery element to the visually stunning world.^{[1][2][7][8][9][10]} The film, with an estimated budget exceeding $350 million, is one of the most expensive movies ever made. Its runtime clocks in at 3 hours and 17 minutes, offering audiences an extended journey into Cameron's intricate universe.^[8][3][9] ### Critical and Audience Reception Audiences have responded positively to "Avatar: Fire and Ash." The film earned an "A" CinemaScore, reflecting strong viewer satisfaction. It also holds a 91% Rotten Tomatoes Verified Moviegoers score and a 4.5/5 PostTrak score. Critics have praised the film's visuals, characters, performances, and action sequences.^[2] Director James Cameron noted his aspiration for the films. "I always think of the films as aspirational in the sense that, 'I'd love to go there!'" Cameron said.^[2] This sentiment seems to resonate with moviegoers, who continue to flock to theaters to experience the immersive world of Pandora. The strong opening for "Avatar: Fire and Ash" suggests continued success for the franchise as it explores new territories and conflicts.

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