While $88 million would normally be considered a slow start for a movie on the scale of "Fire and Ash," the box-office run for "Avatar" movies tends to be a marathon, not a sprint. The series is known for having significant staying power in theaters for several weeks.

Director James Cameron has promised a total of four 'Avatar' sequels, including the 2025 movie 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' The second movie in the franchise, Avatar: The Way of Water, was released in 2022, and the third movie, Avatar: Fire and Ash, premiered on Dec. 19, 2025

The third “Avatar” movie has also grossed over $257 million in international markets, for a combined total of $345 million.

It appears a third trip is one too many for some moviegoers, as Avatar: Fire and Ash has fallen short of industry estimates at both the domestic and international box offices this weekend.

A quick check on Rotten Tomatoes paints a picture of two completely different realities. Critics are calling it “repetitive” and slapping it with a franchise-low 67% score, while audiences are giving it a glowing 91%. Why the disconnect? I suspect it is because film critics are reviewing a movie. The audience is reviewing a video game.

The RT Popcornmeter rating for Avatar: Fire and Ash is still pending. The first Avatar movie nabbed an 82% “fresh” Popcornmeter based on 250,000-plus user ratings, while the second movie earned a 92% “fresh” Popcornmeter score based on 25,000-plus user ratings.

James Cameron has directed three Avatar movies so far: the original, The Way of Water, and Fire and Ash... but which one stands as the best overall?

"Avatar 3" director James Cameron unpacks "Fire and Ash" spoilers and why it's unlikely you'll see a fourth and fifth movie any time soon.

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" is proving popular among audiences, but that doesn't mean it lacks scenes that will definitely upset fans.