Avatar: Fire and Ash roars past $1.3 billion worldwide in week 4, cementing James Cameron’s Pandora trilogy as 2026’s undisputed box office monarch. Paul Feig’s glossy thriller The Housemaid surges to his second-highest grosser ever at $120M while 28 Years Later: Bone Temple bites $31M global debut—proving theatrical spectacle still reigns supreme.
Avatar: Fire And Ash – $1.3B Pandora Powerhouse
Week 4 holds with just 18% drop—$85M domestic (+$42M China fire) pushes James Cameron’s Na’vi sequel to $1.31B worldwide against $350M budget. IMAX screens report 78% occupancy; Pandora attractions see 240K daily visitors. China alone delivers $420M, proving cultural phenomenon transcends markets.
Fire Na’vi vs Ash clan’s volcanic battles mesmerize—practical flamethrower rigs, 12K Na’vi facial captures. Cameron’s motion-capture innovation (underwater volcanic sequences) earns scientific paper publication. $2B trajectory locks Avatar trilogy as top franchise ever.
Weekend Global Top 10: $1.7B Aggregate
| Rank | Film | Weekend ($M) | Total WW ($M) | Market Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avatar: Fire And Ash | $185 | $1,310 | China ($42M) |
| 2 | The Housemaid | $28 | $120 | Korea ($15M) |
| 3 | 28 Years Later: Bone Temple | $31 | $31 | UK ($12M) |
| 4 | Moana 2 | $22 | $982 | Family holdover |
| 5 | Wicked: Part Two | $18 | $456 | Musical legs |
Paul Feig’s The Housemaid Becomes a Breakout Hit
Not to be overshadowed by the giant Avatar, Paul Feig’s thriller The Housemaid has emerged as one of the biggest mid-budget success stories of the season. Starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, the film has grossed nearly $250 million worldwide, earning praise for its sharp performances and suspenseful narrative.
Sweeney’s housemaid seduction sequences drive repeat viewings; Feig’s comedic timing tempers R-rated tension. $180M+ trajectory locks Feig’s live-action record (surpassing A Simple Favor $97M). Netflix eyes $40M streaming rights.
28 Years Later: Bone Temple $31M Launch
Danny Boyle’s zombie prequel bites $31M WW debut ($12M UK, $6M US)—soft vs 28 Weeks Later $82M 2007 inflation-adjusted. Jodie Comer leads Bone Temple cult survivors; practical infected makeup earns gore awards buzz. $120M trajectory possible with China opening.
IMAX 70mm conversions boost per-screen averages 320%. Sequel trilogy greenlit regardless; Boyle experiments underground infected hive sequences terrify. Horror fatigue concerns linger amid $80M budget pressure.
China, Korea, UK Steal the Weekend
China: Avatar 3 fire ($42M), local sci-fi Creation of Gods II ($28M). Korea: Housemaid remake frenzy ($15M), Train to Busan prequel buzz. UK: Bone Temple patriotism ($12M), Paddington 3 family holdover ($8M). Japan: Detective Conan ($22M weekly).
France: Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez musical ($14M cumulative). Germany: IMAX Avatar dominance (92% screens). Global markets prove diverse tastes fuel $1.7B weekend aggregate—highest post-pandemic non-holiday frame.
2026 Box Office Crystal Ball
Avatar 3 eyes $2.1B finish. Housemaid $200M WW ceiling. Bone Temple trilogy $900M trajectory. Q1 pipeline: Superman ($180M tracked), Mandalorian & Grogu ($250M opening projection). Theatrical rebound accelerates—$12B domestic pace vs 2025’s $9.2B.
China policy thaw promises $4B+ annual market. Premium formats capture 32% revenue share. Studios pivot spectacle + prestige formula after pandemic pivot failure.
Final Thoughts
Avatar proves Cameron remains box office god—Pandora’s fire eclipses Way of Water spectacle. Housemaid validates sexy thrillers endure. Bone Temple launches Boyle’s zombie empire revival. $1.7B weekend screams cinema renaissance.
IMAX tickets NOW. Theatrical experience irreplaceable when filmmakers deliver innovation + emotion. 2026 shaping as greatest post-COVID year—screens matter more than ever.
