Avatar’s sequel crosses $700M mark over Christmas weekend…despite massive winter storm

The Avatar sequel The Way of Water took the top spot for the second week in a row with $19.5 million grossed over the holiday weekend.

Despite a frigid winter storm in the United States knocking out power to some theaters and closing roads, the highly anticipated sci-fi epic managed to cross the $700 million mark worldwide, according to the envelope.

The outlet reported that industry insiders predicted a higher total for the film in the past four days, after it grossed $434.5 million at the box office during its global debut.

Strong: The Avatar sequel The Way of Water held the top spot for the second week in a row with $19.5 million grossed over the holiday weekend.

Avatar director James Cameron said the film, which tied with The Batman for the fourth-highest domestic debut of the year, needs to earn $2 billion to break even.

The original Avatar didn’t have a monster opening weekend, opening in mid-December 2009 to $77 million… though it ultimately grossed a national record $749.7 million and a record $2.7 billion. (which has since grown to $785.2 million). domestic and $2.9 billion global with re-releases).

Some box office analysts predicted that Avatar: The Way of Water could be only the fourth December release to cross the $200 million threshold on opening weekend.

Impressive: Despite a frigid winter storm in the United States knocking out power to some theaters and closing roads, the highly anticipated sci-fi epic managed to cross the $700 million mark worldwide, according to The Wrap.

Two weeks in a row: The outlet reported that industry insiders predicted a “much higher” total for the film in the last four days, after it took in $434.5 million at the box office during its worldwide debut.

The only three films to achieve that feat were the 2021 Marvel blockbuster Spider-Man: No Way Home and two of the three Star Wars sequels: 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($248 million) and Star Wars: 2017’s The Last Jedi ($220 million). ).

Avatar’s original path to box office history was an unusual one, with most top-grossing movies achieving this with massive opening weekends.

In 2009, the opening weekend box office record was held by The Dark Knight, which opened to $158.4 million in mid-July 2008, topping $533.3 million domestically and just over $1 million. billion worldwide.

Avatar’s success was due in large part to consistent viewings at a level rarely seen at the box office, allowing it to hold the top spot for eight straight weeks.

Huge budget: Avatar director James Cameron has said the film, which tied with The Batman for the fourth-highest domestic debut of the year, needs to make $2 billion to break even.

While most movies drop 50% or more in their second weekend and beyond, Avatar fell just 1.8% in its second weekend and 9.4% in its third weekend, and never dropped more than 50% through weekend 16 of its 34 weeks.

Avatar: The Way of Water brings fans back to the magical world of Pandora, where ex-Marine Jake Sully has made a new life and a new family with Neytiri (Zoe Saldana).

Stephen Lang returns as Miles Quaritch with new cast members including Kate Winslet, Giovani Ribisi, Jemaine Clement and more.

Star-studded Cast: Avatar: The Way of Water brings fans back to the magical world of Pandora, where ex-Marine Jake Sully has made a new life and a new family with Neytiri (Zoe Saldana).