NEW YORK (AP) — 2026 has begun with a bang for Hollywood as 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' secures its place at the top of the box office for the third consecutive week. Grossing over $1 billion globally, the film, directed by James Cameron, raked in $40 million over the weekend in North America, highlighting its massive appeal.
Notably, 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' has been a hit overseas, contributing approximately $777.1 million to its total. The Walt Disney Company celebrated this achievement, citing it as another milestone for this groundbreaking franchise. Alongside 'Avatar,' other films like 'Zootopia 2' have shown incredible staying power, with 'Zootopia 2' earning $19 million this weekend and accumulating a staggering $1.59 billion so far.
Beyond these two giants, other films have also thrived during the holiday season. 'The Housemaid,' starring Sydney Sweeney, grossed $14.9 million, raising its domestic total to $75.7 million. Meanwhile, Timothée Chalamet's film 'Marty Supreme' brought in $12.6 million, standing as a testament to the star's drawing power.
Overall, box office sales in Hollywood surged by 26.5% compared to the same weekend in 2025, suggesting a promising start to the year. With an impressive lineup of upcoming releases, including new entries from the 'Toy Story,' 'Avengers,' and 'Spider-Man' franchises, optimism is in the air for a robust film industry comeback in 2026.
