New York — As Hollywood ushers in the new year, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” continues to dominate the box office, marking its third consecutive week at the top. Following a disheartening 2025, the industry’s hopes for a robust year are anchored in the success of this latest installment. The film, launched three weeks ago, has already grossed over $1 billion globally, cementing its status as a major player in the cinematic landscape.

In its third weekend, “Fire and Ash” earned an estimated $40 million in North America. The film has shown remarkable international success as well, raking in approximately $777.1 million from overseas markets. The Walt Disney Company heralded this milestone as another significant achievement for director James Cameron’s acclaimed franchise.

While “Avatar” reigns supreme, the holiday season has also propelled other films to success. The animated sequel “Zootopia 2” demonstrated impressive staying power, landing in second place with $19 million, reflecting only a 4% decline from the previous weekend. Over its six-week run, the sequel has accumulated $1.59 billion, making it Disney’s second highest-grossing animated film, trailing only 2019’s “The Lion King.”

Additionally, “The Housemaid,” starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, has emerged as a holiday favorite. With a weekend gross of $14.9 million, this Lionsgate release has brought in $75.7 million domestically over three weeks, marking a mere 3% decrease from last weekend. Internationally, the thriller has scaled $57.3 million, all while being produced on a modest budget of $35 million.

Star power has played a crucial role in the success of several films this season. Timothée Chalamet’s presence in “Marty Supreme” has bolstered its performance as well, generating an estimated $12.6 million during its third weekend. The A24 film has earned $56 million in North America after just two weeks of wide release, surpassing the box office take of the director’s acclaimed “Uncut Gems.”

Overall, Hollywood has kicked off 2026 on a strong note, with ticket sales experiencing a 26.5% increase compared to the same weekend one year ago, according to data from Comscore. This is particularly noteworthy as the industry is recovering from a challenging previous year.

In 2025, U.S. and Canadian ticket sales had reached $8.9 billion, marking only a 2% increase from the prior year. However, this figure remains around 20% below pre-pandemic levels, largely due to fewer tickets sold. The industry awaits a shake-up as Warner Bros. prepares for a potential $83 billion deal with Netflix, pending regulatory approval.

As anticipation builds, the outlook for 2026 appears promising, fueled by a lineup of high-profile releases, including new entries from major franchises like “Toy Story,” “Avengers,” and “Dune.” The industry might finally be on the path to revitalization with its slate of potential blockbusters.