“Avatar: The way of the water“ stands after last weekend with a worldwide gross of $2.174 billion. These are by no means numbers that director James Cameron or the distributor Disney should grieve over. But although the next record was broken in Germany on Saturday – “Avatar 2” beat the first “Avatar” in terms of sales – the peak now seems to have been clearly exceeded. Is it still enough for a real shot at the title of the highest-grossing film of all time?
“Avatar 2” no longer the king of the world
In the US, “Avatar 2” was dethroned by two other newly launched titles: “Knock on the hut‘by M. Night Shyamalan and the Comedy’80 for Brady” grossed $14.2 million and $12.5 million, respectively, topping the weekly charts, while “The Way Of Water” was “only” able to gross $10.8 million in its eighth weekend since the cinema release.
Not too many sales can now be expected in the US, especially since the competition will only get tougher in the coming weeks: next Sunday, the Super Bowl will lure people in front of their televisions at home and then the new Marvel movie “Ant – Man The Wasp: Quantumania” (German cinema release: February 15, 2023) claim a large part of the blockbuster audience and cinema halls for themselves.
James Cameron competes with himself
Outside the US, however, the triumph of “The Way Of Water” seems to be taking a bit longer – and not just in Germany. Than on the international stage, “Avatar 2 now has James Cameron’s”titanicsuspended. The 1997 megahit grossed $1.535 billion outside of North America, while “The Way Of Water” is now at $1.538 billion after last weekend.
If you count the United States, there are signs that the two Cameron films will go head to head next weekend. Than “Titanic” will be released on 9/10. Back in the cinemas in February 2023 and – fueled by “Avatar 2” – was able to wash the treasury again. There’s only $20 million between the two movies right now – that’s going to be exciting, especially since this is about number 3 on the list of the highest-grossing movies of all time.
And what are the chances of 2nd or 1st place? Especially given the declining box office results and ticket sales and the increasing cinema competition let’s bet that “Avatar 2″ won’t be enough in the end”Avengers: Endgame‘ (grossed $2.799 billion worldwide) or the first ‘avatar‘ (2.924 billion).
On the other hand, the success of “The Way Of Water” has once again shown that the old Hollywood wisdom is true: you should never bet against James Cameron…