If you were one of those people who thought James Cameron’s Avatar that released in 2009 was simply a visually striking film and it was a fluke that the film made so money then I think the sequel’s performance has proved you wrong. Avatar: The Way of Water has somehow managed overcome the unrealistic expectations attached to it and find itself an audience that is willing to shower it with as much love if not more like its predecessor. The dominance of the sequel’s at the box office proves that audiences still care about Pandora and the stories that is has to tell. The Avatar movies are much more than just expensive theme parks films. Seriously, never bet against James Cameron. The Way of Water crossed the $1 Billion threshold in just 12 days, one of the only three films of 2022 to achieve this milestone.
The film is doing phenomenal business in regions like India where it has grossed more than $42.4 Million (350.5 Crores). The Chinese box office is suffering but the sequel has still managed to collect more than $152+ Million. While all these figures are huge but you have also have to consider another huge number that is the film’s budget which is easily around $460 Million that makes it the most expensive film ever to be produced in the world. However, the kind of business it is doing I think it is clear that the movie is easily going to be profitable. Although, all the records that the sequel has shattered until now is nothing in comparison to what it has achieved now.
Avatar: The Way of Water Becomes the Highest Grossing Film of 2022!
Avatar: The Way of Water is absolutely owning the box office as the film till Thursday collected $1.517 Billion as its worldwide cume. This means that it has officially surpassed Top Gun: Maverick’s $1.48 Billion and has become the Highest Grossing Film of 2022. These figures were provided by Entertainment Weekly. The film also becomes the first release of 2022 to collect $1 Billion from international markets ($1.051 Billion) while its domestic collection is $465 Million. These are staggering numbers.
The figures also point towards Way of Water’s official entry into the Top 10 Highest Grossing Films Ever beating out Paul Walker’s farewell Fast and Furious entry Furious 7 (which grossed $1.515 billion) of the overall Top 10. For now the film is on the tenth spot which is led why its predecessor-Avatar (2.92 Billion), but it is certain that it is going to climb up that list very soon. The films immediately above Way of Water are 2012’s The Avengers ($1.518 billion), 2019’s The Lion King ($1.663 billion), 2015’s Jurassic World ($1.671 billion), and 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home ($1.916 billion).
It is almost certain that the sequel will overtake these films based on the current trends. It will also cross the sacred $2 Billion threshold which was considered to be impossible in the post pandemic era. Even Spider-Man: No Way Home couldn’t cross it even though it became quite a sensation at the end of 2021, not playing China of course. James Cameron also updated us that his sequel doesn’t need to earn $2 Billion rather $1.5 Billion to break even, this means The Way of Water is already profitable.
After the $2 Billion, the competition that the sequel has is quite strong and there is no guarantee if it will be able to topple the top five, including 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War ($2.048 billion), 2015’s Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens ($2.069 billion), 1997’s Titanic ($2.201 billion), and 2019’s Avengers: Endgame ($2.797 billion). After $2 Billion I don’t know how much can the sequel pull through but if it is anything like its predecessor then it will hold strong and keep minting money.
James Cameron will become the first ever filmmaker to deliver three consecutive films to cross $2 Billion. Truly, a legend! Avatar: The Way of Water is also set to become the Highest Grossing Foreign film in India as it will beat Avengers: Endgame’s $44.4 Million (367 Crores) in the coming days.
Watch the Official Trailer For Avatar 2: The Way of Water on YouTube:
Avatar: The Way of Water is currently playing in theatres near you and is reportedly start streaming on Disney+ from March 17th 2023.
If you have any questions regarding Avatar: The Way of Water, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!
