Avatar: The Way of Water , the highly anticipated sequel to James Cameron’s record-breaking 2009 film, continues to dominate the box office as it enters its third weekend of release. According to projections , the 20th Century Studios production is expected to surpass the $400 million mark over the four-day New Year’s Day weekend ending January 2, 2023, thanks to a robust haul of $73.9 million at North American theaters.
‘Avatar’s Ticket Sales
The film’s impressive performance has not gone unnoticed, as it has already amassed over $1.1 billion in global ticket sales as of December 28. Overall, Avatar: The Way of Water appears to be displaying remarkable staying power and is on track to potentially surpass its predecessor’s staggering $2.9 billion in total box office revenue.
Cameron’s ‘The Way of Water’ Will Surpass Many Great Movies
As the weekend approaches, it appears that The Way of Water is poised to surpass Paramount Pictures’ Top Gun: Maverick in terms of international box office earnings, with current foreign revenue of $762.8 million.
Meanwhile, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is predicted to secure the second spot at the box office, appealing to families with younger audiences. This sequel to the 2011 hit is expected to bring in around $15 million in North America, bringing its total to over $61 million globally. It’s worth noting that both of these films will have to contend with the highly-anticipated release of The Way of Water , which is predicted to dominate the box office.
A Plethora of Records Already Broken
As we approach the end of the weekend, it’s becoming increasingly clear that 20th Century Studios/Lightstorm’s latest blockbuster has made a massive impact at the box office.
According to Deadline ‘s tracking, the film has set a number of daily records in 2022, including the top and second highest grossing Thursday, the second and third highest Mondays of the year, the first and second highest Tuesdays, and the first and third highest Wednesdays.
Avatar Has Amassed Over-the-Top Numbers for Itself
It’s no surprise that the film has attracted such a massive international audience, with a current global total of $1,100,800,853. It’s likely that this film will surpass the $1.2 billion mark by the end of the weekend, cementing its place as a true box office juggernaut.
Upon its release, Avatar: The Way of Water made a splash at the box office with a global opening of over $400 million, including a domestic debut of $134.1 million.
Will It Be An-All Time Highest-Grossing Movie?
With an estimated budget rumored to be among the highest of all time, Avatar: The Way of Water has a lot riding on its success at the box office. In order to turn a profit, it is believed that the film will need to rank among the top ten highest-grossing films of all time.
Will It Pull Through?
While its $134 million opening may not seem like the stuff of legend, it’s important to note that the original Avatar also had a relatively modest debut, but managed to maintain and even expand its audience throughout its theatrical run.
Additionally, Disney has invested heavily in the Avatar brand, incorporating Pandora-themed attractions at its theme parks, making the film just one part of a larger, multi-faceted experience. As such, it remains to be seen whether Avatar: The Way of Water will have the staying power to reach the heights of box office greatness.
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Passed With Flying Colors
Avatar: The Way of Water has garnered mostly positive acclaim from critics, with a Fresh rating of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus among reviewers is that, while the film’s narrative may be somewhat conventional, its visual impact is undeniable, offering a truly immersive cinematic experience.
Overall, it seems that Avatar: The Way of Water has impressed audiences and critics alike with its stunning visuals and engaging storytelling.
$700 Million in Sales
While this impressive start fell slightly short of Disney’s hoped-for $150 million opening in North America, the film has more than made up for it with its tremendous international performance, raking in over $700 million overseas to date. It’s no surprise that this blockbuster has become a cinematic behemoth, captivating audiences around the world with its stunning visuals and immersive storytelling.
Other Great Projects Incoming
Moviegoers in New York and Los Angeles will have the opportunity to check out a new offering this weekend, A Man Called Otto , a Tom Hanks-led adaptation of the novel A Man Called Ove , which received a Swedish adaptation in 2015.
Despite having only been reviewed by 32 critics so far, the film has received positive marks, with a Fresh rating of 72% on Rotten Tomatoes. This heartwarming dramedy will expand to theaters nationwide over the next two weeks, giving audiences across the country the chance to experience its charming tale of love and loss.
