“Avatar 2: The Way of the Water” continued to dominate the North American box office with more than $15 million in revenue this weekend, according to estimates on Sunday from the specialist firm Exhibitor Relations, becoming the fourth film most profitable of all time.
James Cameron’s feature film “has been number 1 for seven weeks (…), a feat that has not been equaled” since the director released the first “Avatar” in 2009, the firm said on Twitter.
Strong revenues in the rest of the world – including 237 million in sales in China – helped propel ‘The Way of the Water’ to the world’s fourth highest-grossing film spot, with 2.117 billion (unadjusted for inflation).
This means that James Cameron now has his name on three of those four highest-grossing films: ‘Avatar’, ‘Titanic’ and ‘The Way of the Water’. “Avengers: Endgame” from Disney and Marvel studios comes in second place on the podium.
The highly anticipated sequel to the 2009 sci-fi blockbuster is set more than a decade after the events of the first film and set in an aquatic space.
In second place this weekend is “Puss in Boots 2: The Last Quest,” with $10.6 million. In this children’s film from the world of the “Shrek” saga, the feline embarks on an epic adventure to restore its nine lives.
Third, “The World’s Worst Neighbor,” starring Tom Hanks ($6.8 million).
The thriller “M3GAN”, the story of a scary robot doll, is in fourth place after grossing $6.4 million.
Newcomer “Pathaan,” an Indian action film, climbed to fifth place, with $5.9 million.
Here is the rest of the Top 10:
6. “Missing: Ominous Disappearance” (5.7 million)
7. “Mayday” (3.8 million)
8. “Infinity Pool” (2.7 million)
9. “Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist” (2.3 million)
10. “The Wandering Earth 2” (1.4 million)