During it’s opening weekend Avatar opened to $232 million worldwide, with $77 million of it coming from US audiences. This was a great result for 20th Century Fox. There are various reports on the films budget, however it probably earned half it’s budget back in it’s first few days of release. The big question, however, was whether the success would continue the following weekend with competition from Sherlock Holmes.
Holmes had a good opening in the US with $62 million, however it failed to topple Avatar from the #1 spot as James Cameron’s epic took $75 million, which is the highest-grossing second weekend ever, edging out The Dark Knight’s $75.2 million.
Those good with numbers will have worked out that Avatar made basically the same amount it did the previous weekend. It only had a 1.8% drop in the US, which is extremely rare. The film also had good legs worldwide and it’s current box office total stands at, wait for it, $623 million. I think it’s fair to say Avatar is officially a ‘hit’, and there is a chance it could join the billion dollar club.
I am very interested to see how well it does from here. It’s unlikely it will make another $70+ million next weekend in the US as it’s assumed everyone has seen it by now, however with strong word of mouth and repeat viewings it could rake in a nice amount.
Avatar 2 anyone?
