Avatar: The Way of Water, the long-awaited sequel to James Cameron’s 2009 hit, has come in slightly below expectations at the box office. The film was expected to make between $450 million and $550 million globally after its first weekend, but this has now been revised to $410 million. The film has made $180 million worldwide so far, with $127 million coming from international markets and $53 million from the domestic box office.
While the film was released in a rare move for a Hollywood film in China, its performance there has been hindered by a new wave of COVID-19, leading to the closure of many theaters. Hollywood studios have spent the last decade trying to appeal to Chinese audiences, but government sanctions and the growth of the local industry have made imports less common.
The only other notable Hollywood film released in China this year was Jurassic World: Dominion, which made just over $150 million. The first Avatar remains popular in China and has grossed $200 million there over the years.
Despite the underperformance in China and domestically, Avatar: The Way of Water has still managed to perform well in other international territories. It is currently playing in 52 offshore territories and has received a strong reception in many of these markets.
However, it is unlikely to surpass Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness for the top global opening of the year. This is a disappointment for the filmmakers and studios, who had high hopes for the film’s performance.
There are several reasons why Avatar: The Way of Water may have underperformed at the box office. One possibility is that the long delay between the first film and the sequel may have dampened interest in the franchise.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the film industry, with many theaters closed or operating at reduced capacity. This may have affected the film’s performance, particularly in markets where the pandemic has been particularly severe.
Despite these challenges, Avatar: The Way of Water has still managed to perform well at the box office and is likely to continue to do so in the coming weeks and months. Whether it will be able to surpass the record-breaking success of the first film remains to be seen, but it has already made a significant impact on the film industry and will likely be remembered as a memorable addition to the Avatar franchise.
Avatar: The Way of Water was originally expected to bring in $100 million in its opening weekend in China, but these projections have since been revised downward. The film has only grossed $44 million in China so far, and this figure may not include all of the box office receipts, as not all of the money has been added to the official tally.
In addition to its performance in China, the film has also brought in $17 million in South Korea. To break even, the film will need to gross around $2 billion globally. The film was produced on a budget of somewhere in the realm of $400 million, so it will need to perform very well in order to be financially successful.
Despite the challenges that the film has faced, it is still performing well at the box office and is expected to continue to do so in the coming weeks and months.
What’s the lowdown on the Avatar Franchise?
The Avatar franchise is a series of science fiction films created by director James Cameron. The first film, simply titled Avatar, was released in 2009 and became a major commercial and critical success, breaking numerous box office records and winning three Academy Awards. The film takes place in the mid-22nd century and follows a paraplegic Marine named Jake Sully who is sent to Pandora, a moon in the Alpha Centauri star system, to participate in a mining operation.
While there, he is given the opportunity to transfer his consciousness into an Avatar, a genetically engineered body that allows him to experience life on Pandora as a member of the native humanoid species, the Na’vi. As he becomes more immersed in Pandora’s world, Jake must choose between his loyalty to his human superiors and his growing connection to the Na’vi and their way of life.
Avatar: The Way of Water is the sequel to the first film and takes place a few years after the events of the original. It follows Jake and his wife Neytiri as they try to save Pandora from a human-made environmental disaster. The franchise also includes a number of spin-off materials, including novels, video games, and theme park attractions. The Avatar franchise is known for its groundbreaking use of motion capture technology and its immersive and visually stunning world-building. It has been a major influence on the sci-fi genre and has a devoted fan base.
