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Story perspectives

Sequel Opens at #1, $77 M Domestic, $233 M Worldwide

5/3/2026

24 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The film opened at No. 1 in the United States with a $77 million domestic weekend.
It earned $233 million worldwide in its opening weekend, including $156.6 million from overseas.
The sequel cost about $100 million to produce and sets a $250 million break-even target.
Its $77 million debut already exceeds the original’s $27.5 million opening and approaches the 2006 film’s $326.5 million lifetime gross.

History

Historical Context

In December 2009 James Cameron’s Avatar opened on more than 14,600 screens, earning a $77 million domestic opening weekend and becoming the highest-grossing non-franchise film of its time. Its unprecedented 3D success spurred studios such as Warner Bros. and Marvel to budget $250 million-plus blockbusters, a trend that now drives the new sequel’s comparable $77 million debut, echoing Avatar’s box-office model.

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Story summary

The film opened at No. 1 in the United States with a $77 million domestic weekend.
It earned $233 million worldwide in its opening weekend, including $156.6 million from overseas.
The sequel cost about $100 million to produce and sets a $250 million break-even target.
Its $77 million debut already exceeds the original’s $27.5 million opening and approaches the 2006 film’s $326.5 million lifetime gross.

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