> At a Glance
> – Avatar: Fire and Ash crossed $1 billion globally on Jan. 3, just two weeks after release
> – All three Avatar films directed by James Cameron have now surpassed the billion-dollar mark
> – The film has earned $306 million domestically and $777.1 million internationally
> – Why it matters: It cements Avatar as the most consistent billion-dollar franchise in cinema history
James Cameron’s latest sci-fi epic has delivered yet another box-office milestone, with Avatar: Fire and Ash smashing the $1 billion barrier faster than any 2025 release so far.
A Three-Week Sprint to Ten Figures
The film reached the coveted benchmark on Saturday, Jan. 3, after opening worldwide on Dec. 19. That 15-day sprint matches the pace set by 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water (14 days) and outruns the original Avatar’s 17-day dash in 2009.
20th Century Studios confirmed the split:
- Domestic total: $306 million
- International haul: $777.1 million
Franchise Milestone
With Fire and Ash’s ascent, every Avatar installment now sits comfortably among Hollywood’s top earners. The 2009 entry remains the highest-grossing film of all time, per Box Office Mojo, while The Way of Water ranks third globally.
Two other 2025 releases have also cleared $1 billion:
- Lilo & Stitch: $1.038 billion
- Zootopia 2: $1.51 billion (highest of the year so far)
What’s Next for Pandora
Fire and Ash is the longest Avatar chapter to date. It picks up after the death of Neteyam and finds the Sully family battling returning foe Miles Quaritch.
Cast includes Zoe Saldaña, Sam Worthington, Kate Winslet, Sigourney Weaver and newcomer Oona Chaplin.
Cameron has two additional sequels in development but admits continuation isn’t guaranteed:
> “I don’t know if the saga goes beyond this point. I hope it does,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “But, you know, we prove that business case every time we go out.”
Key Takeaways
- Avatar 3 hit $1 billion in 15 days, keeping pace with franchise history
- All three Avatar films have now crossed the billion-dollar mark
- Two more sequels are planned, pending financial viability
Avatar: Fire and Ash is playing in theaters now.
