Los Angeles, Calif. — The box office battle continues with “Avatar: Fire and Ash” maintaining its supremacy in its fifth consecutive weekend, outpacing new release “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.” The long-awaited sequel in the dystopian franchise underwhelmed, earning approximately $13 million over the weekend and an estimated $15 million across its four-day debut during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, falling short of expectations that ranged from $20 million to $22 million.

Despite favorable reviews and a solid 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, “The Bone Temple” could not replicate the success of its predecessor, “28 Years Later,” which opened to $30 million last June. The film’s global earnings, including $16.2 million from 61 international markets, pushed its total to $31.1 million.

Box office analyst David A. Gross noted, “This drop is substantially steeper than the previous installment. While critical acclaim and audience ratings are strong, the quick turnaround—only seven months since the last film—has likely affected ticket sales.”

Sony’s decision to release “The Bone Temple,” which is the most expensive installment in the series at $63 million prior to marketing, may be problematic. Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by series creator Alex Garland, the film features returning stars Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and Alfie Williams as they confront the ongoing fallout of a devastating Rage Virus in a post-apocalyptic Britain.

Meanwhile, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” continues to dominate, bringing in $13.3 million over the weekend and bringing its domestic total to $363.5 million, while accumulating $1.31 billion worldwide. Although its box office performance is impressive, industry observers note a faster decline in ticket sales compared to its predecessors, the groundbreaking “Avatar” (2009) and “Avatar: The Way of Water” (2022).

Further down the box office chart, Neon’s dark comedy “No Other Choice” opened with $2.2 million, while boosting its cumulative tally to $6.9 million amid a gradual expansion. Directed by renowned South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, the film is slowly capturing audience interest.

Chloé Zhao’s poignant adaptation, “Hamnet,” also continued to attract attention with $1.3 million over the weekend, bringing its domestic total to $15 million. The film, which earned critical acclaim and a Golden Globe, has garnered impressive initial international sales as well.

Newly released crime thriller “Dead Man’s Wire,” directed by Gus Van Sant, secured $1 million over the weekend, depicting a gripping 1977 hostage crisis. The film is Row K’s first national release, showcasing Bill Skarsgard in a compelling lead role.

Additionally, Fathom Entertainment’s 25th-anniversary re-release of Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy saw $8 million over the weekend, enhancing its nostalgic appeal at the box office. However, despite generating strong pre-sales, the re-release figures fell slightly below the previous year’s earnings.

January often sees a slowdown in box office activity, yet several films released during the holiday season continue to perform. “Zootopia 2” placed third in the rankings with $9 million, totaling $392 million domestically and making it the highest-grossing animated film to date.

In fourth place, Lionsgate’s “The Housemaid” surprised with $8.5 million, contributing to a robust total of $108.7 million domestically since its release. The psychological thriller’s success highlights an appetite for compelling storytelling during a challenging market for mid-budget films.

Completing the top five, “Marty Supreme” captured $5.4 million, making notable strides with a domestic total of $80.8 million. The film has proved remarkably popular, positioning itself as A24’s highest-grossing domestic title. As audiences continue to explore diverse cinematic offerings, the film industry looks forward to how these trends will evolve in the weeks ahead.