“Fire and Ash Dominates Weekend, Outscores Primate, Greenland 2”

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” led the box office again this weekend, marking its fourth consecutive week at the top. Directed by James Cameron, the film earned $21.3 million from 3,700 theaters between Friday and Sunday. Its domestic total now stands at $342.6 million, with global earnings reaching $1.23 billion.

Competitor Films

The film’s success dwarfs that of the next highest earners, which include “Primate” and “The Housemaid.” Both films are in a close race for second place, each expected to generate about $11 million.

“Primate” Performance

• “Primate” debuted with $11.3 million from 2,964 theaters.
• It also grossed $2.1 million internationally, bringing its total to $13.4 million.
• The film received a “B-” grade from CinemaScore polls.
• It centers on a friend’s vacation disrupted by a violent chimpanzee.
• Paramount, in collaboration with 18Hz, is distributing the film.

“The Housemaid” Continues Strong

Lionsgate’s “The Housemaid” follows closely with an estimated $11.2 million. After four weeks in theaters, it has grossed $94.15 million in North America and $192 million worldwide, achieving solid returns on its $35 million budget.

Other Notable Releases

• “Zootopia 2” fell to fourth place with $10.1 million in its seventh weekend, totaling $378.8 million domestically.
• “Greenland 2: Migration,” starring Gerard Butler, rounded out the top five with $8.5 million from 2,710 theaters, garnering a B- CinemaScore.
• The sequel to the 2020 film, which cost $90 million to produce, had a modest international showing, reflecting a softer start.
• A24’s “Marty Supreme” earned $7.3 million and has surpassed $70 million in North America.
• “Is This Thing On?” generated $2.3 million, while “No Other Choice” brought in $1.3 million from limited theaters.

Future Outlook

Despite traditionally slower January box office numbers, this month could perform better than expected. Upcoming releases include:

• “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”
• “All You Need Is Kill”
• “Mercy” featuring Chris Pratt
• “Send Help” by Sam Raimi
• “Shelter” starring Jason Statham

Analysts like David A. Gross hope for a more robust box office than in the previous years. He emphasized the need for upcoming titles to perform well to restore pre-pandemic earnings.