Avatar 3 Smashes Records as Composer Left Gobsmacked
Avatar 3 is rewriting box office history, leaving composer Simon Franglen stunned. Ten days after its release, the film’s global earnings have soared, but there’s more to the story than just numbers.
It’s only been a short stint since Avatar 3 hit cinemas, but the numbers are already staggering. Simon Franglen, the bloke behind the soundtrack, has been left absolutely gobsmacked by the film’s runaway success. Released on 19 December 2025, the much-hyped third instalment has raked in a whopping $760 million worldwide in just ten days, according to Box Office Report. Franglen’s reaction? He couldn’t help but poke a bit of fun at the situation, posting,
Well this is awkward 🔥🌋
on social media.
James Cameron, the director, has made it clear he’s waiting for Avatar: Fire and Ash to pull in a serious haul before he commits to the next chapter. Franglen, who’s been in the thick of it with the last two films, reckons the next one’s not coming any time soon. He’s hinted that the follow-ups are still a fair way off, and he’s not in a rush to get started on the next score.
Composer Hints at Delays for Future Sequels
Having worked on both The Way of Water and Fire and Ash, Franglen’s got a front-row seat to the production process. Cameron’s been upfront: the next film needs to be a real money-spinner before he’ll dive in. Franglen’s on the same page, saying there’s still a long road ahead for the fourth and fifth films. He even joked,
Maybe it’s good for me to do some other scores or concert pieces for a little while. 4+5 have a little while before they even need the early stuff.
Still, if Fire and Ash keeps up its current pace, Franglen might not be waiting as long as he thinks. The film’s box office performance is already turning heads, and the momentum doesn’t look like slowing down any time soon.
Box Office Milestones and Local Reception
What’s really got punters talking is just how quickly Fire and Ash has hit these milestones. In only ten days, it’s pulled in $760 million globally, with $217 million coming from local audiences, making it the tenth highest-grossing film of 2025 in Australia. It’s already outpaced big-name releases like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Superman, and its second weekend drop was just 28%—better than The Way of Water managed.
If things keep tracking this way, the film’s tipped to crack the $1 billion mark by New Year’s Day 2026. Some reckon it could even reach $2 billion, following in the footsteps of its predecessors. The cast, led by Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, and Sigourney Weaver, has been a big draw, and the film’s ratings—7.5 on IMDb and a solid 67%/90% on Rotten Tomatoes—show it’s connecting with both critics and locals.
Key Details and What’s Next
Directed by James Cameron and produced by Lightstorm Entertainment, Fire and Ash is still screening in cinemas across the country. With the current box office figures still climbing, all eyes are on what records it’ll break next. For now, Franglen’s got a bit of breathing room before he’s called back for the next round, but with numbers like these, that break might not last long.