The re-release of Avatar in the buildup to the highly anticipated James Cameron-directed sequel has been a large financial success for Disney and 20th Century Studios. The past weekend alone has brought in nearly $4 million from 51 different international markets. This moves the total earned to $23.3 million across North America and $71.9 million globally. Overall, this should be a promising sign that Avatar: The Way of Water can become another major needle-mover at the box office. It also has the best chance to beat out the current 2022 earnings record-holder in Top Gun: Maverick.
The success of the Avatar is good news for Disney in relation to the unmitigated flop that has been David O. Russell’s Amsterdam. Despite the star-studded cast led by Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington, the film has bombed internationally only earning $3.5 million in 30 international markets. And the domestic release has barely been any better in raking in only $6.5 million in North America’s opening weekend.
The biggest winners at the box office currently have been in the romantic comedy and horror genres. Ticket to Paradise, starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts, has met a respectable $60 million in international box office earnings. The movie continues the trend of romantic comedies mildly returning to prominence at theaters (i.e. The Lost City and Marry Me), though that is in relation to how much the genre has recently been in dire straits theatrically and is assumedly more boosted from the massive A-list talent starring in them.
Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures’ Smile has been the largest winner at the box office having earned $17.5 million globally, which is up 19% from its premiere. This totals the global earnings to approximately $90 million, which is a massive boon with the $17 million budget. Overall, it’s continued the trend of Paramount being far and away the biggest winner in the theatrical film industry in 2022.
Source: Variety
