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The studios sat out New Year’s weekend, but moviegoers hit the multiplexes to celebrate  with holiday holdovers.

It was another reminder that moviegoing goes hand in hand with people wanting to have a good time. Whether it’s a holiday weekend, a birthday or just feeling good about something, seeing movies on the big screen with friends & popcorn is fun. Staying home and streaming alone is great if you’re down with the flu or a blizzard just put five feet of snow in your way!

James Cameron’s PG-13 AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH, from 20th Century Studios/Lightstorm Entertainment, easily held on to first place in weekend three with $40M (-36.6%) at 3,835 theatres ($10,430), per Comscore. It’s done $306M domestic & $1.083M worldwide. BUDGET BUZZ: $400M to produce.

A3’s solid hold attests to its good legs in the tradition of the franchise’s first two episodes. It’s also a reminder of the power of word of mouth for those who were ready to bury the picture when it opened to “just” $89.2M.

Domestic ticket sales for the first weekend of 2026 were $131.8M, according to Comscore Head of Marketplace Trends Paul Dergarabedian. That’s down 25.2% from the prior weekend, but up 26% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2026 at $156.99M, up 6.53% from $147.36M in 2025 — an encouraging start to the New Year. The prior weekend showed 2025 up 1.56% vs. 2024.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: Disney’s PG ZOOTOPIA 2 was #2 in weekend six with $19M (-4.4%) at 3,285 theatres ($5,784). It’s done $363.6M domestic & $1.588B worldwide.

Lionsgate’s R rated THE HOUSEMAID was #3 in weekend two with $14.9M (-2.9%) at 3,070 theatres ($4,842). It’s done $75.7M domestic.

A24’s R rated MARTY SUPREME, starring Timothée Chalamet, finished fourth in weekend three with $12.6M (-29.1%) at 2,887 theatres ($4,349).  It’s done $56M domestic. BUDGET BUZZ: $70M to produce.

Sony’s PG-13 action adventure comedy ANACONDA was #5 in weekend two with $10M (-31%) at 3,509 theatres ($2,850). It’s done $45.9M domestic. BUDGET BUZZ: $45M or more to produce.

Next weekend (1/9/26) 🐝🐝🐝🐝: Paramount’s R rated horror thriller PRIMATE is opening wide.

Directed by Johannes Roberts (RESIDENT EVIL: WELCOME TO RACCOON CITY), PRIMATE’s tracking below norm for first choice with all demo groups. Rotten Tomatoes critics are thumbs up at 92%.

. Lionsgate’s PG-13 sci-fi action adventure GREENLAND 2: MIGRATION is opening wide.

Directed by Ric Roman Waugh (GREENLAND), it stars Gerard Butler & Morena Baccarin, returning from the original GREENLAND, which opened 5/8/21 and did $52.3M worldwide on a budget of $35M.

G2 is tracking best for first choice with over-25 men (two points over norm).