Overview
- The film launched with about $88 million in North America and $257 million overseas for a $345 million global start, the second‑biggest worldwide opening of 2025 behind Zootopia 2.
- Premium formats such as IMAX and 3D generated roughly 66% of opening‑weekend revenue, signaling strong demand for higher‑priced screenings.
- The domestic debut fell short of pre‑weekend projections and trailed Avatar: The Way of Water’s $134 million start, while China led internationally with an estimated $57.6 million, the best opening there for the franchise.
- With reported production and marketing near $400–500 million and a 197‑minute runtime limiting showtimes, exhibitors and analysts point to post‑Christmas play as the key swing factor.
- James Cameron and Disney have linked continuation of planned installments to financial performance, with Cameron indicating a clearer read on the film’s trajectory by mid‑January.