Los Angeles — The domestic box office has kicked off 2026 on a high note, building momentum from the holiday season as audiences flock to theaters before schools and workplaces resume normal schedules. Initial estimates suggest that revenue during the New Year’s weekend may reach levels unseen since before the pandemic.
Leading the charge is “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” the latest installment in James Cameron’s blockbuster franchise, which has surpassed $1 billion in global ticket sales as of Saturday. This milestone reinforces Cameron’s reputation, as he has directed three of the four highest-grossing films in box office history, including the original “Avatar.”
By New Year’s Day, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” had amassed approximately $935 million worldwide, with $266 million coming from the domestic market and the remainder from international audiences. Following a domestic Friday haul of $14 million from nearly 3,900 screens, projections indicate that it will earn between $36 million and $38 million over the weekend, easily crossing the $300 million mark in North America.
This film is one of only three Hollywood releases in 2025 to reach the billion-dollar landmark, alongside other Disney hits, “Lilo & Stitch,” and “Zootopia 2,” the latter of which has brought in an impressive $1.51 billion since its Thanksgiving debut.
Continuing its strong performance, “Zootopia 2” is expected to see a modest drop in ticket sales of about 7% during its sixth weekend, potentially earning over $18 million. Earlier this week, it surpassed “Frozen II” to become the highest-grossing film in the history of Walt Disney Animation Studios. It has also set a record for the highest box office gross for an animated film in China, exceeding $560 million.
Disney’s success is evident, with total box office receipts reaching $6.5 billion in the past year, marking the studio’s best year since before the pandemic disrupted the industry.
Other films are also thriving this New Year’s weekend. Lionsgate’s thriller “The Housemaid,” directed by Paul Feig, is projected to earn around $14 million, bringing its domestic total close to $75 million. The film has resonated with viewers, particularly for its strong female lead, Sydney Sweeney, who has been under intense public scrutiny lately.
A24’s “Marty Supreme,” a biographical drama featuring Timothée Chalamet, is another holiday standout. After debuting with $27.1 million during Christmas, it is now set to gross between $11 million and $12 million in its second weekend. The film has been well-received, drawing attention away from other releases like Sony’s “Anaconda” and Focus Features’ “Song Sung Blue.”
Despite mixed critical reception, “Anaconda” remains competitive, likely finishing in the top five alongside Paramount’s “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” “David,” and “Song Sung Blue,” the latter based on a real-life Neil Diamond tribute band.
Universal’s “Wicked: For Good,” originally released during Thanksgiving, may land in ninth place, while the newly released “We Bury the Dead,” starring Daisy Ridley, is projected for a tenth-place finish with an estimated $2.7 million in ticket sales.
As the numbers continue to come in, the excitement around the New Year’s box office reinforces the recovering landscape of the film industry, with strong contenders appealing to a diverse audience.
