Disney’s (DIS) “Avatar: The Way of Water” has grossed $2 billion U.S. at the global box office, making it the third film by Canadian director James Cameron to cross that threshold.
Only five other films have grossed $2 billion U.S. or more — the original “Avatar” and “Titanic,” which were also directed by Cameron, as well as “Avengers: Endgame,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” and “Avengers: Infinity War.”
“Avatar: The Way of Water” has now earned $598 million U.S. at the North American box office and $1.43 billion U.S. in overseas ticket receipts. The film is the sixth highest-grossing film of all time and likely to move up in the rankings as its theatrical run continues.
Cameron, who was born and raised in Kapuskasing, Ontario, has said that the Avatar sequel, which was in development for nearly a decade, needed to earn $2 billion U.S. at the box office just to break even.
Estimates for “Avatar: The Way of Water’s” production budget range from $250 million U.S. to $350 million U.S., not including marketing spend to promote the movie.
Reaching the $2 billion U.S. mark is a good sign for the Avatar film franchise, which has three more sequels coming to movie theatres over the next five years.
“The Way of Water” faces no competition in theaters until mid-February, when Disney releases its next big movie, “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.”
Disney’s stock is down 25% over the last year at $103.48 U.S. per share.
