The post-Christmas box office remains lively as moviegoers continue to flock to theaters during the holiday break. While several new releases entered the race, it was once again James Cameron’s epic sci-fi saga “Avatar: Fire and Ash” that ruled the charts, holding onto the No. 1 position for a second consecutive weekend. Strong family turnout, premium format screens, and holiday footfall helped the film stay ahead of the competition as newer titles battled for attention.
Avatar Continues Its Reign at the Top
Disney’s third installment in the Avatar franchise collected an impressive $22.6 million domestically on Friday, showing a reasonable 39% drop from its opening day performance. Given the scale of the franchise and its long theatrical legs, this decline is considered healthy, especially in the crowded holiday marketplace.
Since opening on Christmas Day, Avatar: Fire and Ash has amassed $46.6 million domestically, with projections indicating a $75–80 million total by Sunday. By the end of the current week, the film’s North American earnings are expected to reach approximately $176 million, further cementing the franchise’s reputation as a global box-office juggernaut.
James Cameron’s visually immersive storytelling, combined with large-format screenings such as IMAX and 3D, continues to draw audiences back to theaters, making Fire and Ash one of the strongest post-holiday performers in recent years.
‘Marty Supreme’ Serves a Surprise Hit for A24
Securing the No. 2 spot on Friday was A24’s “Marty Supreme,” which earned $6.73 million across 2,668 locations. The film has now collected $16.2 million since Christmas, with expectations pointing toward a $30 million domestic total by Sunday—a significant achievement for a character-driven sports drama.
Directed by Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme stars Timothée Chalamet as Marty “Supreme” Mauser, a fast-talking, fiercely ambitious table-tennis prodigy who claws his way to the top of the sport. The film blends sharp dialogue, kinetic pacing, and a stylized sports narrative that has resonated strongly with younger audiences.
What truly fueled the film’s momentum was its exceptional limited release performance earlier this month. Before its wide expansion, Marty Supreme earned $875,000 from just six screens, averaging $145,933 per theater. This marked the best per-screen average of the year, the highest in A24’s history, and the strongest platform release showing since La La Land in 2016.
Chalamet’s energetic promotional campaign—where he fully leaned into his character’s brash persona—played a major role in turning the film into one of the most talked-about holiday releases.
‘Zootopia 2’ Gets a Holiday Boost
Disney’s animated sequel “Zootopia 2” hopped up to third place with $6.7 million on Friday, rising from No. 5 the previous week. With schools closed and families seeking kid-friendly entertainment, the animated caper benefited heavily from the holiday break.
The film is expected to add another $20 million by Sunday, pushing its domestic total to around $308 million by the end of the week. Considering the movie debuted over a month ago, its continued strength highlights Disney animation’s enduring appeal during holiday seasons.
‘Anaconda’ Slithers into the Top Five
Sony’s horror-comedy “Anaconda” claimed fourth place with $5.4 million on Friday. The film, which acts as a meta remake of the 1997 cult classic, follows a group of amateur filmmakers attempting to recreate their favorite movie—only for chaos to ensue.
The film earned $9.1 million on Christmas Day alone and is on track to gross just over $20 million by Sunday. Its ensemble cast includes Paul Rudd, Jack Black, Steve Zahn, Thandiwe Newton, Daniela Melchior, and Ice Cube, who starred in the original film and returns here playing a self-aware version of himself.
The blend of nostalgia, self-referential humor, and horror elements has helped Anaconda attract audiences looking for something lighter and unconventional during the holidays.
‘The Housemaid’ Shows Strong Staying Power
Rounding out the top five was “The Housemaid,” which earned $5.2 million on Friday, up from $3.5 million on Christmas Day. The psychological thriller stars Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried and continues to draw steady adult audiences.
By Sunday, the film is projected to reach a $45 million domestic total, marking a solid performance for a thriller released amid blockbuster competition. Word-of-mouth and strong performances from its leads have helped the film maintain relevance during the crowded holiday window.
Holiday Box Office Outlook
As the year winds down, the box office remains robust thanks to a healthy mix of tentpole spectacles, family-friendly animation, and mid-budget counterprogramming. With Avatar: Fire and Ash continuing its dominance and films like Marty Supreme exceeding expectations, the holiday season is proving to be a lucrative period for studios of all sizes.
With New Year’s weekend approaching, industry watchers expect strong holds across the board as audiences take advantage of extended vacations and repeat viewings.