Fire and Ash Movie Previews: $12 Million Box Office Haul
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“Avatar: The Fire and ash” Sparks $12M in Early Screenings, Faces “Way of Water” comparison
What happened?
Disney and James Cameron’s “Avatar: The Fire and Ash” premiered in theaters on Thursday, December 7th, generating $12 million in domestic preview screenings. While a strong start, it trails behind the $17 million earned by “Avatar: the Way of Water” during its Thursday previews in 2022. Analysts predict a domestic opening weekend of at least $100 million for the latest installment.
Global Performance & Key Numbers
The film’s international performance is expected to significantly contribute to its overall success, with preview screenings already bringing in $43.1 million globally. This highlights the continued international appeal of the Avatar franchise.
| Film | Thursday Preview (Domestic) | Predicted Opening Weekend (domestic) |
|---|---|---|
| Avatar: The Fire and Ash | $12 Million | $100+ Million |
| Avatar: The Way of Water | $17 Million | $134 Million |
Why It Matters: The Stakes for Disney
“A lot is riding on the performance of ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash,’ and with less than two weeks remaining in the year, the film’s results will play a pivotal role in shaping the annual box office totals,” explains Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends at Comscore. The success of this film is crucial for Disney as it aims to bolster its annual box office revenue. The film’s performance will also be a key indicator of continued audience interest in the Avatar universe and the viability of further sequels.
Context & Comparison to “The Way of Water”
While “The Fire and Ash” didn’t match the preview numbers of its predecessor,”The Way of Water,” several factors contribute to the difference. “The circumstances surrounding each ‘Avatar’ film have been quite different,” notes Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory. “The first was a sleeper-turned-phenomenon during a pre-streaming box office heyday, the second a beneficiary of pent-up sequel demand and eventized-status in moviegoing.”
The current film market is also more saturated with streaming options, potentially impacting theatrical attendance. However, the strong international numbers suggest that the Avatar franchise retains a significant global fanbase.