‘Avatar’ More Ash Than Fire? - Weeks 6-8

 The final films have descended at the box-office and descended may be the right words. Some movies aren’t as “hot” as they expected to be this winter season. 

Avatar: Fire and Ash had a lackluster $89.1 million debut weekend. Almost $45 million less than Avatar: The Way of Water began. That wasn’t necessarily a red flag, as the Avatar films have traditionally been more of a smaller start and continually strength over the long-haul performance. Still, the smaller the start, the less strength there is to build from.

Its second weekend dropped only 29%, which is great. Avatar 3 is now at $216 million after the long Christmas weekend. Obviously, still behind where Avatar 2 was, but still with an outside chance of catching the earlier November hits if it can keep momentum and, more importantly,  keep charging those premium 3D glasses ticket prices. 

The real winner of December has been Zootopia 2 which has been THE family hit of the holiday season even though it’s already been out since Thanksgiving. Weekends of $16 million and $20 million over the school break have pushed this film to $321 million so far and it could catch Wicked: For Good by this weekend. 

Speaking of Wicked: For Good, it may finally be showing its box-office strength is not as “unlimited” as Elphaba and Glinda. Sitting at $331.6 million so far, it looks like a final of $340 million might be where gravity sets in. 

Outside of the heavy-hitters, it’s hard to make much sense of the other films and where they may land. 

Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is at $118 million and doesn’t have many quarters left to play in the arcade. 

Predator: Badlands is the gate-keeper at #5 with $90 million and daring other films to pass it. 

Looking at what’s left, I’m not sure if any film can do that. David’s at $49.5 million. The Housemaid is at $46 million. SpongeBob is at $38 million. Marty Supreme is at $28 million. Anaconda’s at $23 million. Sing Song Blue is at $11 million. Ella McCay may be the biggest bomb of the year as a major studio release with only $3.8 million total… TOTAL!

So, honestly, out of that crew, I have no idea. Marty and David could have more groundswell in the coming weeks. And, to be fair to The Housemaid, it only dropped 20% from its first to second weekend, so maybe some buzz and more time for people to find the film could help it keep afloat longer than expected. 

This is where we are people and it may be where we stay… or everything could change. Gulp.   

The Top Five If Today Was MLK Day:

#1. Wicked: For Good - $331.7 million 

#2. Zootopia 2 - $321.2 million 

#3. Avatar: Fire & Ash - $216.9 million

#4. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 - $119 million

#5. Predator: Badlands - $90.1 million