Avatar 3 surpasses $1 billion and tops the global box office

Legendary director James Cameron's science fiction epic continues its dominance of the global cinematic landscape, with "Avatar: Fire and Ash" surpassing the billion-dollar mark at the worldwide box office, reaffirming the captivating allure of the world of Pandora. According to industry estimates released Sunday, the third installment in the series maintained its leading position in North American theaters, adding $40 million to its growing tally.

New records for James Cameron

This achievement was more than just a fleeting milestone in cinematic history; it cemented director James Cameron's status as the "king of the box office." The film grossed $306 million in the United States and Canada, while earning $777 million internationally, bringing its total worldwide gross to $1.08 billion, according to data from Exhibitor Relations.

With this figure, "Fire & Ash" becomes Cameron's fourth film to surpass the billion-dollar mark, joining an elite group that includes the two previous "Avatar" installments and the timeless classic "Titanic." This continued success reflects the franchise's ability to appeal to audiences across cultures, thanks to its cutting-edge filming techniques and profound human stories.

Conflict is renewed in Pandora

The film continues the Sally family's journey, with stars Sam Worthington (as Jake Sally) and Zoe Saldana (as Neteri) returning to lead the crew. This installment revolves around facing new challenges and an enemy that threatens the safety of the family and the entire planet. It also introduces new dimensions to the world of Pandora, adding visual and dramatic depth to the series that began in 2009 and revolutionized 3D cinema.

Fierce competition at the box office

Despite the dominance of "Avatar," the box office is witnessing fierce competition, reflecting the resurgence of the film industry. Disney's animated film "Zootopia 2" debuted in second place, earning an additional $19 million. Notably, this Oscar-nominated film has been a smash hit, with a worldwide gross approaching $1.6 billion, making it one of the most successful animated films of all time.

In third place was the psychological thriller "The Housemaid," which grossed $14.9 million. Based on the bestselling novel by Frieda McFadden, the film stars Sidney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried in a story filled with secrets and mysteries about a young maid working for a wealthy couple.

The order of the remaining films on the list

The list was diverse, including dramas, sports, and comedies, satisfying various cinematic tastes. The ranking of the remaining top ten was as follows:

• Fourth place: “Marty Supreme,” a historical sports drama starring Timothée Chalamet, with revenues of $12.6 million.
• Fifth place: “Anaconda,” the action comedy reviving the 90s horror classic, starring Paul Rudd and Jack Black, earning $10 million.
• Sixth place: “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” ($8.2 million).
• Seventh place: “David” ($8 million).
• Eighth place: “Song Sang Blue” ($5.8 million).
• Ninth place: “Wicked: For Good” ($3.3 million).
• Tenth place: “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” ($2.7 million).