Avatar: Fire and Ash is gearing up for its December 19, 2025 release. Anticipation among Indian audiences is growing, as the franchise has remained a major Hollywood spectacle since 2009. The first two films are still the biggest Hollywood earners in the country.
Trade analysts, however, predict that this third installment may not match the commercial performance of the earlier films. When Avatar: The Way Of Water released in 2022, it collected around Rs 39.90 crore on day one, becoming the second highest Hollywood opening in India after Avengers: Endgame.
Many expected the third film to open even bigger. Ticket prices are higher now and audiences are more comfortable visiting theatres post Covid. But early trade reports suggest that the film may earn around Rs 30 to 35 crore on its opening day, which is lower than the last two films.
Several theories are being discussed about this drop in early predictions. One common point is that the second film arrived almost 13 years after the first Avatar. Critics felt the long wait and post pandemic excitement drove people to theatres. This time, the excitement appears lower.
Even with this setback, the buzz remains strong compared to recent Hollywood and Bollywood releases. Over 12 lakh people have marked the film as “interested” on BookMyShow. Some believe it could still cross Rs 40 crore on day one and might even become the first Hollywood film to earn Rs 500 crore in India.
Whether the opening is slightly below or above the last film, Avatar 3 is expected to be big. The franchise continues to stand among the top Hollywood openers of all time.
