Avatar: The Way of Water (Shutterstock photo)
‘Avatar 2’ Now Among Imax Top-Three All-Time Grossing Movies
January 17, 2023
Imax Corp. Jan. 17 announced that 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: The Way of Water is now the third-highest-grossing Imax release of all time with more than $215 million in global box office through Jan. 16 in its first full month of release.
With several weeks to go in its 3D theatrical engagement, director James Cameron’s sequel to his 2009 Avatar stands as the highest-grossing Imax release of all time in 44 countries and territories worldwide — claiming the top spot in more individual markets than any release in Imax history. The exhibitor has accounted for 11.2% of the film’s global $1.91 billion box office on only a fraction of total screens.
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“[The movie] is a global cultural event … and we are making the most of that opportunity,” Rich Gelfond, CEO of Imax, said in a statement.
Avatar: The Way of Water generated $139.3 million in international Imax ticket sales through Jan. 16, in addition to $75.7 million on screens in North America.
The movie continues to gain ground in China, where Imax screens have generated $47.6 million to date — good for 23% of the Chinese box office on only 1% of screens. The film’s run in China was extended through the Lunar New Year holiday, the perennial peak season for Chinese moviegoing.
The sequel will continue to play across Imax screens in most global markets into February.
Cameron and 20th Century Studios currently have three more films in the “Avatar” franchise planned through 2028.
