Avatar: Fire and Ash Struggles to Hit 400M Dollars Worldwide
Updated on Dec - 24 - 2025, 07:19 AM
James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third chapter in the globally successful Avatar franchise, has recorded a slower-than-expected run at the worldwide box office during its opening days. While the film opened strongly over the weekend, its momentum dipped sharply on Monday, raising early concerns about whether it can match the record-breaking performances of its predecessors.
The film debuted with an impressive approximate worldwide opening of $347 million, reaffirming the franchise’s strong fan base and continued interest in the visually rich world of Pandora. However, by day four, the pace visibly slowed. On Monday, Fire and Ash earned around $13 million in the U.S. and Canada — a steep drop of nearly 45 per cent from Sunday’s collections. International markets added roughly $39 million the same day, pushing the film’s total global earnings to about $398.7 million.
This places the film just below the $400 million global milestone, a mark that seemed comfortably within reach during its opening weekend. Comparisons with Avatar: The Way of Water highlight the contrast even more sharply. The second installment crossed the $500 million mark within its first four days, making Fire and Ash nearly 25 per cent slower at the same stage of release.
Industry analysts point to several reasons behind the muted Monday performance. The crowded holiday release window, increased competition from other big-ticket films, and changing audience viewing habits have all reshaped theatrical performance trends. These challenges were less prominent when The Way of Water arrived in cinemas, giving the earlier film a clearer runway for sustained growth.
Despite the slowdown, Fire and Ash remains one of the strongest openers of 2025 so far, ranking among the year’s top global debuts. The film once again stars Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana as Jake Sully and Neytiri, while Oona Chaplin joins the franchise as a new antagonist. Visually, the film delivers the immersive spectacle audiences expect from the Avatar universe, while expanding its narrative with darker themes and new conflicts.
Looking ahead, box-office watchers will closely track the film’s performance through the remainder of the week and into the holiday period. Historically, Avatar films are known for long theatrical legs and strong word-of-mouth support. While Fire and Ash may not be racing ahead at the pace of earlier entries, its journey is far from over, and its final verdict will depend on how well it holds in the weeks to come.