"Avatar: Fire and Ash", the threequel of the "Avatar" franchise, opened with $12 million from preview shows that started at 2 PM on Thursday.
This is lower than "Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)", which earned $17 million in previews and later delivered a strong opening weekend.
However, the slower start is not seen as a negative sign by some, though a section is stating that it is not a good start.
Those who are hopeful mention that the film has released close to the Christmas season, when audiences usually step out gradually due to holidays and travel plans.
Also, with a long runtime of 3 hours and 17 minutes, the film is expected to rely on strong word of mouth rather than quick numbers.
Industry tracking suggests a weekend collection between $90 million and $105 million in the USA. As seen with earlier Avatar films, real box office strength is judged over weeks, not days. The film is expected to sustain well, and hopes remain high for a long run.
The effect and performance of this film will have a direct impact on the subsequent fourquel and fivequel of the franchise.
