Avatar 2 Re-Release Underwhelms at Box Office Despite Hype

As of October 5th, 2025, the re-release of James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water has struggled to captivate audiences at the North American box office. The film, which was re-released this past Friday with a sneak peek of the upcoming Avatar 3, collected just $1.1 million on its opening day, a disappointing figure considering it was shown across 2,140 screens, including premium format screens.

This underwhelming performance comes in contrast to the original Avatar's re-release in 2022, which earned $3.4 million over 1,860 theaters. Industry analysts now predict that Avatar: The Way of Water's re-issue will earn between $3 million and $4 million during its opening weekend, a far cry from the blockbuster numbers the franchise is known for.

One potential factor contributing to the muted response is the film's availability on Disney+, which may have dampened audience enthusiasm for a theatrical re-release. Additionally, the sequel is only three years old, unlike the original Avatar, which had a 13-year gap between its initial release and re-issue.

Looking ahead, the upcoming Avatar 3 is set to introduce a new antagonistic clan, the Ash People, led by the fiery tribe leader Varang. This new faction has allied with Jake Sully's enemy, Quaritch, as the conflict on Pandora escalates to devastating consequences. Fans of the franchise will no doubt be eager to see how this new dynamic unfolds on the big screen.