Credit: 20th Century StudiosJames Cameron’s return to Pandora is already proving that the Avatar franchise still plays by its own rules. Avatar: Fire and Ash, the long-awaited third chapter in Cameron’s sci-fi saga, crossed the $100 million mark internationally on Friday, landing at $100.4 million after just three days in release.
That puts the film firmly on course for a global debut in the $340 million to $350 million range (per Deadline)—slightly toward the lower end of pre-weekend projections, but very much in line with how Avatar films traditionally perform. Much like Avatar in 2009 and Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022, this is a movie that builds steadily, driven by repeat viewings, word of mouth, and holiday moviegoing rather than front-loaded hype.
That slower, sturdier climb is nothing new for the Na’vi. The first Avatar famously grew into a box-office phenomenon over weeks, eventually becoming the highest-grossing film of all time, while The Way of Water followed a similar trajectory, surpassing $2 billion worldwide despite early skepticism.
Fire and Ash appears to be cut from the same cloth. Social reactions overseas and domestically have been strong, and with the holiday corridor just beginning, Disney and 20th Century Studios are clearly banking on another long runway rather than a quick sprint.
The film is currently playing in nearly every major international market, with Hong Kong set to follow on January 8, and it has debuted at number one almost everywhere it has opened.
Earlier in the week, Fire and Ash delivered the biggest opening day of 2025 across major territories, including Australia, France, Germany, and Italy, then continued that momentum into Friday with top performances in Spain, the UK, and India (excluding local-language releases). The global rollout underscores just how deeply embedded Avatar has become as an international brand, particularly outside North America.
China, as always, remains a key piece of the puzzle. Through Friday, the film had earned $17.2 million there for a number-one start, a figure not included in the initial international tally. With Saturday’s estimates, China alone has risen to roughly $41 million so far.
South Korea, also excluded from the early overseas total, added a strong $4.3 million on Saturday, pushing the total to an estimated $9.7 million. These late-arriving numbers only strengthen the case that Fire and Ash is settling into a familiar Avatar rhythm rather than stalling out.
As of Friday, the film’s top international markets paint a picture of broad, consistent appeal. China leads the pack, followed by France and Germany, with Korea, Mexico, the UK, and Australia close behind. Italy, Indonesia, India, and Brazil round out the list, each contributing solid numbers that collectively reinforce Cameron’s reputation for delivering films that resonate across cultures and continents.
On screen, Avatar: Fire and Ash brings together a mix of familiar faces and newer additions to Pandora’s expanding story. Sam Worthington returns as Jake Sully alongside Zoe Saldaña’s Neytiri, with Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet continuing their roles from The Way of Water.
The ensemble is further bolstered by talents like Oona Chaplin, whose Varang adds a new dimension to the saga, as well as a broader supporting cast that reflects Cameron’s ongoing effort to deepen the world and its characters. With box-office momentum already building and a cast anchored by proven Avatar veterans, Fire and Ash looks poised to continue the franchise’s tradition of turning early patience into a massive global payoff.
When looking at Avatar 3 alongside Zootopia 2, which debuted during the Thanksgiving period with the force of a tidal wave, Disney’s animated sequel rolled out to a massive global opening. Exceeding $556 million over its first five days, with around $158 million domestically and roughly $401 million internationally, Zootopia 2 became one of the biggest openings ever.
That’s on an entirely different scale for opening frames: where Fire and Ash is pacing to a $340–350M global start, Zootopia 2 nearly surpassed half a billion in its first five days alone.
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