ZAMM.COM

Moviegoers spent the weekend in front of a crackling FIRE at multiplexes worldwide.

James Cameron’s PG-13 fantasy action adventure AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH, from 20th Century Studios/Lightstorm Entertainment, opened #1 to $88M domestic at 3,800 theatres ($23,158), per Comscore. Hollywood handicappers initially expected a $90-105M domestic launch, but scaled it back mid-weekend to $85-90M. It did an outstanding $257M internationally — including $57.6M from China — for a worldwide cume of $345M.

Directed, co-written & co-produced by Cameron (TITANIC), it’s tracking best for first choice with men over 25 (18 points over norm) and should have long boxoffice legs like the first two AVATAR episodes. Although Rotten Tomatoes critics are unhappy at 68%, audiences love it at 91%.

The franchise’s previous episode, AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER, opened 12/16/2022 to $134.1M domestic and did $584M domestic & $2.3B worldwide on a production budget of $350M.

The weekend’s other major studio launch, Paramount/Nickelodeon’s PG animated comedy adventure THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS, was #4 with $16M at 3,557 theatres ($4,498), per Comscore.

Directed by Derek Drymon (SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS series), it’s tracking best for first choice with men under 25 (seven points over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics are thumbs-up at 88% and audiences are just okay at 77%.

The franchise’s last episode, THE SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE, opened 11/19/04 to $32M domestic and did $141.1M worldwide on a production budget of $30M.

Domestic ticket sales this weekend were $178.7M, according to Comscore Head of Marketplace Trends Paul Dergarabedian. That’s up 131.9% from the prior weekend and up 25% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2025 at $8.35B, up 1.02% from $8.27B in 2024. The prior weekend showed 2025 up 0.48% vs. last year. Comscore’s 2025 cume was up 26.08% on 6/8.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: Angel Studios’ PG animated faith-based drama DAVID opened #2 to $22M at 3,118 theatres ($7,061), per Comscore. It’s tracking for first choice below norm with all demos. Rotten Tomatoes critics are a ho-hum 67%, but audiences are cheering at 98%.

Lionsgate’s R rated thriller THE HOUSEMAID opened #3 to $19M at 3,015 theatres ($6,302). It’s tracking best for first choice with women over 25 (three points over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics are a blah 75%, but  audiences are very happy at 93%.

Next weekend (12/25) 🐝🐝🐝🐝: Focus Features/Davis Entertainment’s PG-13 music bio-drama SONG SUNG BLUE is opening at about 2,400 theatres.

Directed by Craig Brewer (HUSTLE AND FLOW), it stars Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson. BLUE is tracking below norm for first choice with all demo groups. Rotten Tomatoes critics are just 74%.