“Avatar: The Way of Water,” another epic blockbuster by James Cameron, has surpassed “Titanic” to become the third highest-grossing movie of all time.
“Avatar: The Way of Water,” the sci-fi sequel, has now become the third highest-grossing movie in history, surpassing “Titanic,” with a global box office revenue of $2.2433 billion, which is slightly higher than “Titanic’s” revenue of $2.2428 billion. The only films that have earned more are “Avatar” ($2.92 billion) and “Avengers: Endgame” ($2.7 billion). James Cameron is the only filmmaker who has directed three movies that have grossed $2 billion or more, and his films hold the top four spots on the all-time charts.
According to Shawn Robbins, the chief analyst at BoxOfficePro, James Cameron is constantly competing against himself on the box office charts and he has a clear understanding of how to captivate a contemporary audience.
Similar to the original “Avatar,” the success of its sequel can be attributed to its appeal that transcends generations, as well as the attraction of watching the film in premium and 3D formats. The movie has already earned over $250 million on Imax screens alone, which is more than what many movies make during their entire theatrical release.
“The Way of Water” has earned $657 million in North America so far, making it the ninth highest-grossing movie of all time in the region. In order to climb higher on the all-time domestic charts, the movie will need to surpass the earnings of “Titanic” (currently at No. 8 with $659 million) and “Avengers: Infinity War” (currently at No. 7 with $678 million).
“Avatar 2” has also achieved great success in international markets, surpassing “Titanic” to become the third highest-grossing international release ever with $1.585 billion. The only films that have earned more in overseas ticket sales are “Avatar” (released in 2009 with $2.1 billion) and “Avengers: Endgame” ($1.9 billion). The movie has performed exceptionally well in several countries, such as China ($242 million), France ($144 million), Germany ($135 million), and Korea ($106 million). In more than 20 countries, including France, Germany, Austria, and New Zealand, “Avatar 2” is the highest-grossing film of all time.
The production and promotion of “The Way of Water” cost Disney and the 20th Century around $460 million, making it one of the most expensive films ever made. Despite its long-delayed release in December, the sequel has been in the top five on box office charts for ten consecutive weeks. The movie features Zoe Saldaña and Sam Worthington in a sci-fi saga that revolves around family. A third installment is expected to release in December 2024, with plans for fourth and fifth entries in the upcoming years.
Taking place a decade after the events of the first Avatar, “The Way of Water” features a cast that includes Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet. The movie follows Jake Sully and his family as they venture into uncharted waters on Pandora and face a familiar enemy. Not only has the movie been a major success at the box office, it has also received four nominations at the 95th Academy Awards, including a nomination for Best Picture.
