Avatar Opening Weekend Box Office Results

by pastapadre
Posted December 21st, 2009 at 12:06 pm

The final numbers are in for opening weekend of Avatar. The James Cameron film was able to pull in $77 million domestically and totaled $242 million worldwide. That is a good result but one that fell about in the middle of what was a wide range of industry predictions. Despite that the long-term outlook may be better than originally anticipated based on word-of-mouth that is proving incredibly strong.

The worldwide take provided Avatar the title of the biggest opening weekend of all time for a non-sequel. To that end it still hasn’t even opened in Japan and China yet. The “event” movies always draw well in foreign countries. Most recently 2012, which has made nearly $160 million domestically has grossed over $550 million overseas. Avatar, with the aid of higher priced 3D screens and better viewer response, should be able to easily exceed that and has the potential to blow by it.

The major winter storms over the last few days prevented Avatar from opening higher. A large portion of the Northeast was buried under heavy snowfall. Those people interested in Avatar will likely find their way to see it in the coming weeks. Unlike most movies that make a third or higher of their overall gross in the opening weekend Avatar is expected to have a much higher multiplier. The opening weekend will actually be less telling about its future than how it fares in the next few days and next weekend.

The buffer of a good portion of the country getting their first chance to see it could help significantly in preventing a drop-off. Fox has already floated the possibility out there that next weekend could come close to matching the $77 million it made this past weekend. This is telling as Fox tried to keep expectations low pre-release and now are clearly excited by its long-term potential.

In my initial analysis of the opening day for Avatar the word-of-mouth was primarily based on strong response on Twitter (which has become the #1 indicator in the last year), reviews, and general response around the web. There is much more evidence now though that supports this.

In an article today from the LA Times that questions whether Avatar could hit the $1 billion mark the CinemaScore rating is cited due to the A rating it has received. It got an A from every single demographic polled which is another critical ingredient to consider. The last “blockbuster” movie to have an A rating was The Dark Knight. Avatar is currently 21st on the highest rated movies of all-time on IMDB and has an A rating from users on Yahoo Movies.

Follow all the articles on Avatar’s box office on the tag page.

Tags: avatar, box office results

http://www.pulseprint.co.uk/ A.W.

Incredible film. Surprised it didn't open higher.
http://www.pulseprint.co.uk A.W.

Incredible film. Surprised it didn't open higher.
Ben

Ok, the story was predictable as balls. I knew exactly what was gonna happen in this movie the first time i saw the trailer. I won't say, because i don't want to ruin it for people who might be seeing it, but like a comment i saw on a different post on this site, it's pretty much Dances With Smurfs.
Ben

Ok, the story was predictable as balls. I knew exactly what was gonna happen in this movie the first time i saw the trailer. I won't say, because i don't want to ruin it for people who might be seeing it, but like a comment i saw on a different post on this site, it's pretty much Dances With Smurfs.
alexsherry23

BEST Movie Experience I have ever seen, it's one of a kind, I will never forget it and cannot wait to see it again!!!!!!!!!!!
alexsherry23

BEST Movie Experience I have ever seen, it's one of a kind, I will never forget it and cannot wait to see it again!!!!!!!!!!!
Jack15501

I love the people who try desperately to come up with negative comments about this film. They need to just keep watching their favorite films like "The Philadelphia Experiment ", "Broke Back Mountian" or the "Producer" Avatar is the best movie you will see simply because of the groundbreaking technology and the great imagination of the one of the BEST director's of all time. Anyone reading this blog needs to see this movie. Don't listen to the people giving this movie a negative or low rating. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE!!! Now, if Brokeback is your kind of movie, don't even go and see this movie. Save your comments for the Brokeback forums like these people should.
Jack15501

I love the people who try desperately to come up with negative comments about this film. They need to just keep watching their favorite films like "The Philadelphia Experiment ", "Broke Back Mountian" or the "Producer" Avatar is the best movie you will see simply because of the groundbreaking technology and the great imagination of the one of the BEST director's of all time. Anyone reading this blog needs to see this movie. Don't listen to the people giving this movie a negative or low rating. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE!!! Now, if Brokeback is your kind of movie, don't even go and see this movie. Save your comments for the Brokeback forums like these people should.
http://BookCodex.com/ Clarence

I'm 72 – see a lot of movies, and have been a few in my lifetime that I've walked out of. So I'm not real critical of movies. Avatar,3-D, is a great, great movie. I can't grasp the creativity that comes from Hollywood … I was awe stuck and just about spell-bound with Pandora. I'll probably have to get someone to explain the the relevance of the wheelchair bound character. The female natives (can't remember their names) were so feminine and graceful … Pandora is a beautiful conception. Was so very, very entertaining for me.
http://BookCodex.com Clarence

I'm 72 – see a lot of movies, and have been a few in my lifetime that I've walked out of. So I'm not real critical of movies. Avatar,3-D, is a great, great movie. I can't grasp the creativity that comes from Hollywood … I was awe stuck and just about spell-bound with Pandora. I'll probably have to get someone to explain the the relevance of the wheelchair bound character. The female natives (can't remember their names) were so feminine and graceful … Pandora is a beautiful conception. Was so very, very entertaining for me.
cooley

that was an amazing movie. lol dances with smurfs.
cooley

that was an amazing movie. lol dances with smurfs.
hanz

Avatar is just one of the best films I have ever seen in years. James Cameron did it again; its creativity dancing waltz with 3D technology. There was never a dull moment from start to finish!
hanz

Avatar is just one of the best films I have ever seen in years. James Cameron did it again; its creativity dancing waltz with 3D technology. There was never a dull moment from start to finish!
CrimsonVoodoo

Wow – alot of hating the haters from Jack –

My sense is that "these movies" – Dark Knight, Iron Man, Avatar do really well with the general populace because they become "event" movies amongst people that don't go to movies much, or certainly many genre movies. I liked Avatar, but am honest enough to say that the plot was simplistic and that Cameron is rehashing his other movies here. Good movie – but for the folks who are all BESTESTMOVIEEVAAAAH – either you don't go to many movies or have short memories
CrimsonVoodoo

Wow – alot of hating the haters from Jack –

My sense is that "these movies" – Dark Knight, Iron Man, Avatar do really well with the general populace because they become "event" movies amongst people that don't go to movies much, or certainly many genre movies. I liked Avatar, but am honest enough to say that the plot was simplistic and that Cameron is rehashing his other movies here. Good movie – but for the folks who are all BESTESTMOVIEEVAAAAH – either you don't go to many movies or have short memories
Amber

I have to say that I loved Brokeback Mountain as well as small indy films and usually roll my eyes at the "event" movies (although Iron Man and the X-Men movies are some of my favorites). I was not a James Cameron fan until I saw this movie. It has surpassed the Matrix and American Beauty to become my new favorite of all time. I guess it's kinda like the "Star Wars" of this generation with the amazing technology and ability with the 3-D viewing to literally transport you to Pandora. As far as the plot, I agree there were some cheesy moments and predictability, but this time, I was so engrossed I actually enjoyed those parts of it as well. To the haters, I honestly don't know what will impress you if this doesn't.
Amber

I have to say that I loved Brokeback Mountain as well as small indy films and usually roll my eyes at the "event" movies (although Iron Man and the X-Men movies are some of my favorites). I was not a James Cameron fan until I saw this movie. It has surpassed the Matrix and American Beauty to become my new favorite of all time. I guess it's kinda like the "Star Wars" of this generation with the amazing technology and ability with the 3-D viewing to literally transport you to Pandora. As far as the plot, I agree there were some cheesy moments and predictability, but this time, I was so engrossed I actually enjoyed those parts of it as well. To the haters, I honestly don't know what will impress you if this doesn't.
erick estrada

All I have to say this movie rocks and i have to give it to Cameroon just the creativity the detail man im thinking of goin and seeing it again. Oh by the way my girl she did not want to go but as soon as u saw the jaw awing landscapes and just the concept of another world just blew her mind and if cameroon can get her to like it its got no problem, im hoping for a sequel.
erick estrada

All I have to say this movie rocks and i have to give it to Cameroon just the creativity the detail man im thinking of goin and seeing it again. Oh by the way my girl she did not want to go but as soon as u saw the jaw awing landscapes and just the concept of another world just blew her mind and if cameroon can get her to like it its got no problem, im hoping for a sequel.
Raan

When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I was saying, "Wow, this looks really stupid, I am not gonna see this movie" Then at school a couple of friends were talking about it. I decided to look it up on the internet and watch a few clips. It looked amazing so I went to the theaters. I was not let down. It is an amazing movie. One of the better ones Ive seen in the past few years along with The Dark Knight and X-Men 3
Raan

When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I was saying, "Wow, this looks really stupid, I am not gonna see this movie" Then at school a couple of friends were talking about it. I decided to look it up on the internet and watch a few clips. It looked amazing so I went to the theaters. I was not let down. It is an amazing movie. One of the better ones Ive seen in the past few years along with The Dark Knight and X-Men 3
Bev

Absolutely the best movie I have ever seen. It was truly amazing. You must see it at the IMAX for the full experience. I am like Clarence-a lively senior with lots of movies under my belt. Prior to this picture, Aliens, was my all time favorite-another James Cameron movie. He is "the king of the world!!!
I will see it at least 2 more times!!!! Than buy the Video….Can't believe someone would not like this film. If you haven't see it, go and see for yourself than make a decision….bet you will be hooked like the rest of us…Na'vis followers………..
Bev

Absolutely the best movie I have ever seen. It was truly amazing. You must see it at the IMAX for the full experience. I am like Clarence-a lively senior with lots of movies under my belt. Prior to this picture, Aliens, was my all time favorite-another James Cameron movie. He is "the king of the world!!!
I will see it at least 2 more times!!!! Than buy the Video….Can't believe someone would not like this film. If you haven't see it, go and see for yourself than make a decision….bet you will be hooked like the rest of us…Na'vis followers………..
Deaner

Ever seen Fern Gulley? look it up at imdb.com

It's a cartoon set in a lush jungle, where a man gets transformed into one of the native pixies, befriends the local (flying) wildlife, realizes the error in human slash-and-burn tactics, joins in the battle against the machines to save the rainforest?

This is that movie, intended for 6-10 year olds, but with better graphics. That's it. James Cameron came up with the idea for this movie while watching Fern Gulley with his grandkids.
Deaner

Ever seen Fern Gulley? look it up at imdb.com

It's a cartoon set in a lush jungle, where a man gets transformed into one of the native pixies, befriends the local (flying) wildlife, realizes the error in human slash-and-burn tactics, joins in the battle against the machines to save the rainforest?

This is that movie, intended for 6-10 year olds, but with better graphics. That's it. James Cameron came up with the idea for this movie while watching Fern Gulley with his grandkids.
Jim

I find it really funny when people get all worked up about how simple the plot is and how it's so much like "dances with wolves" or whatever. Well you know what i am pretty sure if you pick any movie made in the last decade we can find another movie before it that had a similar storyline. Do people not realize the concept of an age-old tale?!
Jim

I find it really funny when people get all worked up about how simple the plot is and how it's so much like "dances with wolves" or whatever. Well you know what i am pretty sure if you pick any movie made in the last decade we can find another movie before it that had a similar storyline. Do people not realize the concept of an age-old tale?!
Jeff

I had not walked out of a theater feeling like I did after Avatar since walking out after Star Wars in 1977.
Jeff

I had not walked out of a theater feeling like I did after Avatar since walking out after Star Wars in 1977.
esco

i want a blue gangsta ass girlfriend after watching the movie
esco

i want a blue gangsta ass girlfriend after watching the movie
WiLLiam D.

My family and I knew we wanted to see Avatar the moment we saw the 1st glimpes of it's trailer….It was absolutely worth every penney (quite a few) we spent to see it! Being a 'graphics/artist/type of guy' I was amazed by how 'natural' everything looked and 'felt.' Although I'm a HUGE fan of the Marvel/DC/Hasbro movies, this piece of work is in a class all by itself. As I've read, Mr. Cameron wanted the viewers to 'experience' this movie. What an experience it was! Indeed!
WiLLiam D.

My family and I knew we wanted to see Avatar the moment we saw the 1st glimpes of it's trailer….It was absolutely worth every penney (quite a few) we spent to see it! Being a 'graphics/artist/type of guy' I was amazed by how 'natural' everything looked and 'felt.' Although I'm a HUGE fan of the Marvel/DC/Hasbro movies, this piece of work is in a class all by itself. As I've read, Mr. Cameron wanted the viewers to 'experience' this movie. What an experience it was! Indeed!
Wadi

Great movie. What an experience. It will go along side the Star Wars Films, and Lord of the Rings Series, and the Best Sci-Fi films ever made.
Wadi

Great movie. What an experience. It will go along side the Star Wars Films, and Lord of the Rings Series, and the Best Sci-Fi films ever made.
Abby

when i saw this movie it inspired my imagination.i got lost in the movie.my friends said i was unresponsive and was in my own world :3afterwards i went home and began 2 draw my heart out.i tried 2 draw some of the animals but couldnt get it right.im thirteen so i have some skills 2 learn yet. :3
Abby

when i saw this movie it inspired my imagination.i got lost in the movie.my friends said i was unresponsive and was in my own world :3afterwards i went home and began 2 draw my heart out.i tried 2 draw some of the animals but couldnt get it right.im thirteen so i have some skills 2 learn yet. :3
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