‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ leads New Year’s Eve box office as 2025 domestic ticket sales close just under $9 billion

Since opening, Fire and Ash has generated more than $250 million in domestic box office in under two weeks

James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash closed out 2025 by dominating the New Year’s Eve box office, finishing at No. 1 on one of the year’s final theatrical days and helping push domestic ticket sales to an estimated $8.9 billion for the year.

The latest installment in the Avatar franchise earned approximately $8.1 million domestically on New Year’s Eve, a strong showing for a night that traditionally sees lighter moviegoing due to holiday celebrations. The film has benefited from robust attendance throughout the holiday corridor, particularly in premium large-format theaters, including IMAX and 3D screenings.

Since opening in mid-December, Fire and Ash has generated more than $250 million in domestic box office revenue in under two weeks. Internationally, the film has continued to build momentum and is expected to surpass the $1 billion global mark early in the new year, reinforcing the franchise’s reputation as one of the most reliable box-office performers in modern cinema.

Despite the strong holiday finish driven by Avatar: Fire and Ash and other major releases, total domestic ticket sales for 2025 narrowly missed industry expectations. Analysts had projected the year could reach or exceed $9 billion, but the final tally landed slightly below that threshold. Still, the figure represents a modest increase over 2024 and signals gradual recovery for theaters amid changing audience habits.

New Year’s Eve rankings placed Fire and Ash at the top of the chart, followed closely by Disney’s Zootopia 2, which has continued to perform strongly in its own right. Other films rounding out the top positions included a mix of family titles and specialty releases, reflecting a diverse end-of-year slate.

The success of Avatar: Fire and Ash underscores the continued importance of event films in driving theatrical attendance. While the overall box office has not yet returned to pre-pandemic highs, Cameron’s visually immersive sequel has once again demonstrated that large-scale cinematic spectacles remain a major draw for audiences worldwide.

As 2026 begins, the film is expected to remain a dominant presence at the box office, providing early momentum for the new year and reinforcing optimism for the theatrical market moving forward.