The re-release of Avatar: The Way of Water is drawing attention in cinemas as it approaches a $700 million milestone in North America. Though the film originally debuted three years ago, its recent return to theaters features new footage from the forthcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash, sparking renewed audience interest and pushing box office earnings close to $10 million during its reissue period.
Performance Amid Post-Pandemic Box Office Landscape
Avatar: The Way of Water remains the top-grossing movie worldwide in the post-COVID era and ranks third overall for global box office success. Despite this status, its domestic re-release performance began outside the top five in weekend rankings. The film has opened again in 2,140 venues—including IMAX locations—providing a boost ahead of the next film by director James Cameron, Fire and Ash.
Re-release Opening Numbers Compared to Other Blockbusters
According to Box Office Mojo data, the film earned $3.2 million during its three-day re-release opening weekend across the 2,140 theaters, trailing behind the 2022 reissue of the first Avatar which brought in $10.5 million from 1,860 theaters. Additionally, this re-release’s numbers fall short when compared with other major titles like Spider-Man: No Way Home, which made $5.4 million, and Avengers: Endgame, which re-earned $6.1 million domestically during their reissues.
Projected Domestic Totals and Milestone Challenges
Following the re-release, Avatar: The Way of Water’s lifetime domestic gross stands at $687.6 million. Industry analysts express doubts about the sequel’s ability to exceed the $700 million mark in North America, meaning it likely will not surpass Black Panther’s $700.4 million domestic box office total.
International Re-release Figures and Global Box Office Impact
Launched anew on October 3 internationally, the film grossed $6.7 million overseas during its opening weekend. Globally, the re-release earned $9.9 million, narrowly missing the $10 million threshold. IMAX contributed $2.2 million alone, increasing Avatar: The Way of Water’s IMAX total to $257.8 million, securing its place as the second highest-grossing title in the premium large format. Overall, the movie’s worldwide revenue reaches $2.3 billion, and it will remain in theaters for only one additional week.
Current Box Office Breakdown
- North America – $687.3 million
- International – $1.6 billion
- Worldwide – $2.3 billion
Looking Ahead: What the Re-release Means for the Franchise
The reissue of Avatar: The Way of Water serves as a strategic move to sustain interest in the franchise, particularly in anticipation of James Cameron’s upcoming Fire and Ash. Although its domestic box office growth appears to be plateauing just shy of the $700 million benchmark, the strong international support and continued IMAX success underline the film’s global reach. The brief limited run suggests a focused push to maintain momentum rather than a prolonged theatrical presence.
