Avatar 3 Expected to Open Lower Than Part 2 Though Advance Interest Stays Strong

Avatar 3: Fire and Ash, scheduled to hit theatres on December 19, 2025, is already drawing attention across India. The franchise has maintained a strong fan base since its debut in 2009, and the first two installments remain the highest-grossing Hollywood releases in the Indian market.

Despite the excitement, early trade forecasts indicate that the third chapter may not outperform its predecessors. When Avatar: The Way of Water released in 2022, it opened at approximately ₹39.90 crore on its first day, becoming the second-biggest Hollywood opening in India after Avengers: Endgame.

Given the rise in ticket prices and the return of strong theatre footfall post-pandemic, many believed the new film would surpass previous opening-day numbers. But according to initial industry estimates, Avatar 3 might begin its run with ₹30–35 crore, which is noticeably lower than the expectations set by the earlier films.

Experts suggest multiple reasons for this dip in early predictions. A widely discussed point is the massive 13-year gap between the first and second films. That long wait, combined with the post-Covid eagerness for big-screen experiences, pushed audiences to theatres in 2022. This time, the pre-release enthusiasm seems slightly muted.

Even so, the movie still commands strong buzz compared to other recent Bollywood and Hollywood releases. Over 12 lakh users on BookMyShow have already marked themselves as “interested” in watching the film. Some analysts believe the movie could still touch ₹40 crore on day one and may even become the first Hollywood film to surpass ₹500 crore in India.

Regardless of whether the opening day collection falls a little short or unexpectedly rises, Avatar 3 is widely expected to be a major theatrical event. The series continues to rank among the most successful Hollywood franchises in India.

"Dream As One" (From Avatar: Fire and Ash) is now available. Listen now: https://t.co/vDRQMPYUin

Experience the film only in theatres December 19. pic.twitter.com/qg2MwAhWbi

— Avatar (@officialavatar) November 14, 2025