In brief
Hollywood opens 2026 on a high note with ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ topping the box office for three consecutive weeks, fetching over $1 billion globally. Meanwhile, Disney's ‘Zootopia 2’ holds strong in the top ranks, reflecting a rebound in audience attendance and ticket sales. The industry anticipates a strong year ahead, with a slate of franchise films set to dominate theaters.
NEW YORK (FlashPoint) — Hollywood kicked off the New Year powerfully, with 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' continuing to dominate the box office for the third straight week. This sequel to James Cameron’s iconic franchise has not only captured audience attention but has also reached a remarkable milestone of over $1 billion globally.
In its latest three-day weekend, 'Fire and Ash' banked $40 million from North American theaters alone, as reported by studio estimates. With an impressive $777.1 million collected internationally, Disney hailed it as a monumental achievement that sets a tone for an optimistic year ahead.
But it wasn't solely about 'Avatar'. With the holiday season bringing families to theaters, various other films saw strong performances. Notably, ‘Zootopia 2’ has shown remarkable longevity since its November release, securing the second position on the charts with $19 million, just a slight drop from the previous weekend.
In the competitive landscape filled with several new titles, other top contenders included ‘The Housemaid’, which earned $14.9 million, and Timothée Chalamet’s 'Marty Supreme' with $12.6 million over the weekend. With a range of genres captivating audiences, the film industry displays a notable resilience.
Overall ticket sales in U.S. and Canada witnessed a 26.5% increase compared to the same weekend last year, hinting at a potential rebound from a tough 2025 that saw ticket sales lag.
As studios eye upcoming releases from major franchises, hopes for 2026 are high, potentially marking the best box office year of the decade. Enthusiasm is building around blockbusters such as ‘Toy Story’, ‘Avengers’, and ‘Dune’, promising to keep the momentum going.
