In the latest weekend box office showdown, 20th Century Studios’ highly anticipated film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, made waves with an impressive $12 million during its preview screenings. The previews began at 2 PM leading into the weekend. Although this figure is notably lower than the $17 million garnered by Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022, it sets the stage for a strong holiday performance.
Box Office Predictions and Comparisons
Industry experts have projected the film could achieve between $90 million and $105 million in its opening weekend, given the ongoing holiday season excitement. The three-hour and 17-minute film, co-written by James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman, and Shane Salerno, signals a hefty viewing schedule ahead for audiences.
For context, Fire and Ash’s preview revenue aligns closely with past sequels such as Warner Bros.’ Dune: Part Two, which saw $32.2 million in its full preview weekend. Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World also showcased strong opening numbers with $40.9 million in Friday previews.
Critical Reception
The critical reception for Fire and Ash sits at a 69% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to the original Avatar’s impressive 81% and Way of Water’s 76% rating.
The Housemaid’s Strong Preview Showing
Additionally, Lionsgate’s thriller The Housemaid, featuring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, is gaining traction with preview earnings between $2.25 million and $2.3 million. While industry forecasts suggested a weekend total over $20 million, Lionsgate remains optimistic for a performance in the teens. This R-rated thriller is based on a popular trilogy by Freida McFadden and received a solid critic score of 77% fresh.
Comparison with Previous Releases
- Preview revenue for The Housemaid is just shy of Hustlers ($2.5 million) and Don’t Worry Darling ($3.1 million).
- The film’s previews place it similarly to Where the Crawdads Sing, which earned $2.3 million in its initial screenings.
Other Noteworthy Releases
Angel Studios’ animated feature David opened at noon, yielding approximately $1.8 million in previews, with projections of $20 million to $25 million for the weekend. Critics rated it 63% fresh, while audience ratings soared to 97%.
Paramount’s fourth installment of the SpongeBob franchise, SpongeBob Movie: The Search for Squarepants, also joined the fray with $1.3 million in previews. Early forecasts suggest an opening weekend in the teens or potentially reaching $20 million, buoyed by its highest-ever Rotten Tomatoes score of 85%.
As this holiday box office battle unfolds, industry watchers will be keenly observing these films’ performances through the holiday season.
