“Avatar: The Way of Water” took an estimated $82.4 million during the holiday weekend in North America, passing the $1 billion mark globally in almost record time, according to market analyst Exhibitor Relations.
Only a handful of movies have surpassed the $1 billion mark in their first two weeks; the sci-fi film’s four-day domestic haul pushed its domestic total to $440.5 million, on top of $957 million garnered worldwide.
However, according to director James Cameron, the expensive 20th Century film has to earn twice as much merely to break even. The first “Avatar” set a record with its $2.9 billion revenue.
Second place in North American theaters went to Universal’s family-oriented “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” a computer-animated spin-off of the popular “Shrek” franchise. It took in $22 million for the Friday-through-Monday period.
Another blockbuster sequel, Disney’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” earned $6.5 million to place third; its domestic total rose to $439.6 million in its eighth week out.
In fourth place was Sony biopic “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” at $5.4 million. English actress Naomi Ackie portrays the late superstar.
And in fifth was Paramount’s comedy-drama “Babylon,” at $3.6 million. Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie star in director Damien Chazelle’s over-the-top tribute to an early Hollywood struggling with the transition from silent films to “talkies.”
Rounding out the top 10 were:
“Violent Night” ($2.8 million)
“The Whale” ($1.8 million)
The Fabelmans” ($1.6 million)
“The Menu” ($1.4 million)
“Strange World” ($747,000)
