Key Facts
- ✓ Avatar: Fire and Ash topped the box office on New Year's Eve with $8.1 million
- ✓ The film has earned just over $250 million during its first week of release
- ✓ Disney acquired the rights to all things Pandora when it bought Fox in 2019
- ✓ Domestic ticket sales ended 2025 with $8.9 billion
Quick Summary
Avatar: Fire and Ash dominated the New Year's Eve box office, earning $8.1 million on December 31. The film has become another holiday juggernaut for director James Cameron and Disney.
The sequel has earned just over $250 million during its first week of release. The film's performance contributes to a record-breaking year for the domestic box office, which ended 2025 with $8.9 billion in ticket sales.
New Year's Eve Performance
Avatar: Fire and Ash maintained strong momentum through the holiday period, securing the top spot on New Year's Eve with $8.1 million in daily revenue. The film's ability to draw crowds during the holiday week demonstrates the continued appeal of the Avatar franchise.
The film's daily performance contributes to its overall domestic earnings, which have reached just over $250 million during its first week of release. This figure positions the movie as a major box office success heading into the new year.
Franchise History and Studio Rights 🎬
The film represents another major success for director James Cameron, who has guided the Avatar franchise to become one of the highest-grossing film series in history. The franchise now includes three films, with the original Avatar and sequel Avatar: The Way of Water serving as previous benchmarks for box office success.
Disney currently holds the distribution rights to the franchise following its acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019. The purchase gave Disney control over all properties related to Pandora, the fictional world where the Avatar films take place.
2025 Box Office Context 📊
The film's strong start comes as the domestic box office concluded a record-setting year. Total domestic ticket sales for 2025 reached $8.9 billion, marking a significant milestone for the industry.
The success of Avatar: Fire and Ash suggests positive momentum for 2026 box office performance. The film's holiday release strategy has historically proven effective for the franchise, with previous Avatar films also performing strongly during year-end periods.
Conclusion
Avatar: Fire and Ash has established itself as a dominant force at the box office, generating $8.1 million on New Year's Eve and bringing its total to over $250 million domestically. The film continues the successful partnership between James Cameron and Disney, which gained control of the franchise through the Fox acquisition.
As the industry moves into 2026, the film's performance indicates continued audience interest in premium theatrical experiences. The $8.9 billion total for 2025 domestic ticket sales provides a strong foundation for the year ahead, with Avatar: Fire and Ash leading the charge.
