Avatar: Fire and Ash Retains Top Box Office Spot for Fourth Consecutive Weekend

2026-01-12 companies

Los Angeles, Monday, 12 January 2026.
James Cameron’s sequel generated $21.3 million domestically, becoming the first film since Barbie to lead for four straight weekends, driving global earnings past $1.23 billion.

Unprecedented Hold for the Na’vi

The Walt Disney Company (DIS) continues to reap significant rewards from its 20th Century Studios division, as Avatar: Fire and Ash secured the domestic box office crown for a fourth consecutive frame. For the weekend ending January 11, 2026, the sci-fi epic generated $21.3 million from 3,700 theaters [1][5][7]. This performance propels the film’s domestic total to $342.6 million [1][5]. Notably, the James Cameron-directed sequel has become the first film to maintain the number one position for four straight weekends since Warner Bros.’ Barbie achieved the feat in 2023 [5][8]. The film’s stability is further evidenced by its global cumulative gross, which has now surpassed $1.23 billion [1][8]. This sustained momentum suggests that despite initial market jitters, the franchise’s commercial appeal remains intact, providing a robust anchor for Disney’s theatrical revenues in the new year.

New Releases Struggle to Ignite

While the Na’vi dominated, new market entrants faced a challenging landscape. Paramount Pictures’ horror entry Primate debuted in second place, earning $11.3 million from 2,964 screens [5][7]. The film, which centers on a chimpanzee turned killer, managed a per-screen average of $3,812 and has secured $13.4 million globally to date [5][7]. Meanwhile, Lionsgate’s disaster sequel Greenland 2: Migration opened with a softer $8.5 million from 2,710 locations, landing in fifth place [4][5][7]. Analysts noted the start as flat, though international markets may provide a necessary boost for the Gerard Butler vehicle given the actor’s overseas popularity [1]. The disparity between the holdover champion and these newcomers highlights the current consolidation of audience attention toward established blockbuster IP.

International Strength and Holdover Resilience

Beyond North America, Avatar: Fire and Ash continues to demonstrate formidable strength, generating $65.6 million from 52 international territories over the weekend [5][8]. The film’s overseas total now stands at $888 million, with China contributing a significant $149 million to the tally [6][8]. This international performance is crucial, as the film accounts for a substantial portion of the overall market earnings; for the weekend of January 10, Avatar represented more than a quarter of the total box office revenue [5]. In the realm of animation, Disney’s Zootopia 2 continues to perform exceptionally well in its seventh week, adding $10.1 million domestically for a running North American total of $378.8 million [1][5]. Globally, the animated hit has reached a staggering $1.655 billion, cementing its status as the highest-grossing MPA animated international release of all time [6][8].

Sources

Entertainment Industry Box Office