Avatar 3 Picks Up Pace at India Box Office After Slow Start

By siliconindia | Monday, 22 December 2025, 08:55 Hrs

Avatar 3 records steady growth at the Indian box office over its opening weekend, indicating improving audience turnout
A strong Day 3 performance lifts the film’s three-day total collection to Rs 66.25 crore
Upcoming Hindi releases are expected to intensify competition and impact screen share in the coming days

James Cameron’s sci-fi spectacle Avatar: Fire and Ash has shown clear signs of recovery at the Indian box office after a modest opening. Released on December 19, the third installment of the Avatar franchise opened to decent reviews but lower-than-expected collections compared to Avatar: The Way of Water, which debuted with nearly Rs 50 crore on Day 1 in 2022.

Despite the slow start, the film gained momentum over its first weekend. Avatar 3 earned Rs 19 crore on its opening day, followed by a jump to Rs 22.25 crore on Saturday. On Sunday, collections rose further to Rs 25 crore, taking the three-day total to Rs 66.25 crore. The steady rise in footfalls signals growing audience interest and suggests a stronger run in the days ahead.

Historically, the Avatar franchise has relied more on long theatrical runs than explosive openings, and Fire and Ash appears to be following a similar pattern. However, the film faces stiff competition in India. Hindi action drama Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, continues to perform strongly and has emerged as a major challenger. The film reportedly earned close to Rs 95 crore in its third weekend, outperforming Avatar 3 during the same period.

Also Read: Wheel of Fortune Comes to India with Akshay Kumar as Host

Looking ahead, the Hollywood release may face another hurdle with the arrival of the Christmas release Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. The new Hindi film is expected to reduce Avatar 3’s screen count by nearly 30 percent, limiting its ability to fully capitalize on the holiday period.

Even so, with improving word-of-mouth and strong IMAX presence, Avatar: Fire and Ash is expected to maintain steady numbers in the coming week, relying on sustained audience turnout rather than an opening weekend surge.