James Cameron Set to Smash Box Office Milestone

James Cameron’s new blockbuster, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is rapidly approaching the billion-dollar mark at the global box office. This achievement would see Cameron notch up his fourth consecutive film to cross that threshold, a feat unmatched by any other director. His previous three hits—Titanic, Avatar, and Avatar: The Way of Water—all raked in over a billion dollars each, cementing his reputation as a box office heavyweight.

Box Office Records and Industry Comparisons

While Steven Spielberg has only managed to get Jurassic Park into the billion-dollar club, and Martin Scorsese hasn’t cracked that milestone at all, Cameron is on the verge of setting a new industry benchmark. The only other directors to come close are the Russo brothers, who delivered three Marvel films—Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame—each surpassing a billion dollars. If Fire and Ash continues its current run, Cameron will stand alone with four in a row.

Recent figures show the film pulled in $70 million globally on Friday, with projections suggesting it could reach $800 million by Sunday and hit the billion mark by the following Friday. Domestically, it’s already taken $84 million over four days, outpacing other end-of-year releases like Zootopia 2 and Marty Supreme.

Chasing the $2 Billion Mark

Despite a strong start, the question remains whether Fire and Ash can reach the $2 billion milestone. Its second weekend saw only a 33% drop in takings, a much better hold than Avatar: The Way of Water’s 52% drop in 2022, though not quite matching the original Avatar’s tiny 1.8% dip back in 2009. So far, the film has earned $153.7 million domestically and $390.6 million internationally, totalling $544.3 million worldwide. While impressive, the $2 billion target looks a bit of a stretch at this stage.

The film’s domestic opening of $89.1 million sits between the first two entries—less than The Way of Water’s $134.1 million, but higher than the original’s $77 million. The first Avatar soared to $2.9 billion off the back of glowing reviews, while The Way of Water managed $2.343 billion. Fire and Ash hasn’t enjoyed quite the same critical reception, which could make the $2 billion mark a tough ask.

Critical Response and Cameron’s Track Record

With a production budget north of $400 million, Fire and Ash is among the most expensive films ever made. Familiar faces like Zoe Saldaña and Sam Worthington return, joined by Oona Chaplin as Varang, leader of the Ash People. Despite the hype, it’s now Cameron’s lowest-rated film, holding a 66% score on Rotten Tomatoes from over 300 reviews. The site’s consensus reads:

Remaining on the cutting edge of visual effects, Fire and Ash repeats the narrative beats of its predecessors to frustrating effect, but its grand spectacle continues to stoke one-of-a-kind thrills.

Audience reactions have been much warmer, with a 90% score from punters. On Metacritic, the film sits at 62/100, with critics praising the visuals and action but finding the plot a bit thin. For comparison, Avatar scored 81% and The Way of Water 76% on Rotten Tomatoes. Cameron’s highest-rated film remains Aliens (94%).

Where Does Fire and Ash Stand?

Despite mixed reviews, some critics have called Fire and Ash the most emotional entry in the series, with heavy stakes and standout moments. The film is currently screening in cinemas, while the earlier Avatar films are available for streaming. Whether this latest chapter can join its predecessors in the $2 billion club is still up in the air, but Cameron’s run at the box office is already one for the record books.