The data indicating film performance at the box office for the 2022 holiday season has some unexpected results. One title is a sequel to one of the most successful films of all-time and many analysts predicted it could not reach the success of the original. It turned out to be a global phenomenon just like its predecessor and the film is just getting started as it continues to be released at theaters worldwide.
Avatar: The Way of Water drew an estimated $82M domestically over the four-day weekend.
The film has earned $287M domestically over its first two weeks in theaters, making it the fourth-best selling title within that time span in 2022 behind Top Gun: Maverick, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The new Avatar has been well received at the international box office as well. As of today, it is on track of reaching $890M worldwide, clearly putting it on track to be one of the most popular releases ever.
These numbers are particularly impressive in the United States as the film goers in many metropolitan areas were faced with blizzard conditions, preventing some from having the opportunity to get to theaters. One can only speculate what the numbers may have been if weather conditions were not so dire.
Other noticeable standouts domestically were Puss in Boots: The Last Wish at $12.4M and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody at $4.77M