In its second weekend, James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water has an appreciated success $855.4M worldwide until Sunday. Added the second session $168.6M at the international box office in 52 markets for a $601.7M running cume.
Also overseas, the highly anticipated 20th Century Studios/Disney sequel overtook Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Minions: The Rise of Gru to become the third-biggest Hollywood gross of 2022. It is also now the #5 studio title of of the pandemic era and will soon surpass No Time to Die’s $613 million.
The offshore decline since the opening weekend was 42% (-38% excluding China) and this is because Christmas Eve falls on a Saturday and today is Christmas Day. Business on the 24th is generally quiet with cinemas closing earlier in many markets while the UK traditionally closes on the 25th.
Some markets are up or down from the last session, notably Israel (+22%), Hong Kong (-4%), France (-7%), Korea (-7%), Indonesia (-8%) and of Ukraine (-9%).
Last week’s midweek was very strong, rising to 69% of last weekend’s Friday/Saturday/Sunday opening session (excluding China). The sci-fi epic is expected to continue that trend this week with holidays in full swing and plenty of holiday distractions to look back on.
China, the leading market so far, fell 55% this weekend and added $25.9 million for local sales of $100.5 million. The film had a strong Saturday/Sunday play compared to Friday and ticketing site Maoyan has upgraded its lifetime forecast to RMB1.11 billion (US$160 million). Still under the (unadjusted) run of the original film in 2010, but better than what we’ve seen in the market given Covid concerns.
KoreaAvatar: The Way of Waters #2 market, also had strong plays Saturday/Sunday and has grossed $53 million so far. France ($52.3M), India ($37 million) and Germany ($35.7M) round out the top five.
At IMAX, the Na’vi grossed $27.6 million worldwide, the format’s third-highest second weekend. Offshore revenue is $62.8 million for $97 million worldwide. Highlights of individual markets include China, where the IMAX total is $25.8 million, accounting for 26.2% of the total. In France and Korea, opening weekend IMAX sales were up; in France, Way of Water is the biggest IMAX title of all time, while it’s #2 in markets like India, Thailand and Vietnam. In the 10 to 12 days following its release, a total of 40 markets have already included Way of Water in the IMAX Top 10 charts.
After its early overseas debut, Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Puss in Boots: Last Wish added 28 markets for the Christmas session and scored at gross $16.5M 53 overall. Last weekend’s hold was +6% and the cume to Sunday is $32.5M Per $50.8M globally, including Monday domestic, that’s an estimated $57.2 million worldwide.
Exclusively Chinawhich had a soft start of $358k with strong Covid impact, opening markets are estimated on Sing 2, above Ferdinand and just below the first sing.
The top opener was Mexico at $3.1 million including paid previews. The market has been weak overall in recent weeks, with the focus on Christmas celebrations after two pandemic years that saw audiences face restrictions around the holiday. The school holidays run through January 9th and family audiences should be picking up after this weekend.
Germany has grossed $1.45 million including previews while Spain (with many theaters closed for Christmas) is $1.17 million. Friday there was well above Sing 2’s opening Friday and in line with Ferdinand, Encanto and Kung Fu Panda 3. Netherlands starts at an estimated $760,000 including previews.
France All leads are playing at $8.6M (+46% this session), followed by Mexico and Italy ($3 million). Tomorrow Australia starts with Korea, Brazil and Japan in 2023.
Meanwhile, Disney/Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has burgeoned with an estimate reaching the $800 million mark worldwide $799.5M until Sunday. Included in it $373.8M at the international box office and $425.7 million domestically. The top 5 markets are those United Kingdom ($38.5M), Mexico ($35.5M), France ($30.6M), Brazil ($20.8M) and Australia ($19.2M).
VARIOUS UPDATED CUMES/NOTABLE
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (DIS): $2.2M International Weekend (50 Markets); $373.8M International/$799.5M Global
Whitney Houston: I want to dance with someone (SNY): $2.6M International Weekend (31 markets); $2.6M international/$7.9M worldwide
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (SNY): $1.4M International Weekend (UK only); $19.7 million in the UK