The much-anticipated release of Avatar: Fire and Ash has made an impressive mark at the global box office, generating $347.1 million during its opening weekend. This achievement places the film at the forefront of international cinema, alongside the also successful Zootopia 2, which continues to dominate returns. The success of both films is crucial for Disney, particularly as the company prepares for a pivotal year in 2026.
Disney’s strategy for the final quarter of 2025 heavily relied on the international performance of these films, especially in China, which has become a vital market for Hollywood productions. Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, expressed optimism during the company’s Q4 Earnings Call on November 13, 2025, stating, “We’re very encouraged by the studio slate that is coming up. We finish the calendar year with ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash.’ Obviously, we have very, very high hopes for that.”
Following its release, Avatar: Fire and Ash set multiple records, marking its opening as the number one film globally, excluding Japan. It also achieved the second-highest international opening for 2025, with $258.1 million garnered outside of the domestic market. The film’s performance in China was particularly noteworthy, where it raked in $57.6 million, solidifying its status as the second-largest opening of the year in the region, trailing only behind Zootopia 2.
Both films have contributed significantly to Disney’s financial outlook for 2025, positioning the company to potentially reach global box office profits of $6 billion. This would mark the highest annual profit for any Hollywood studio since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the industry.
Record-Breaking Performances and Future Impact
The international box office success of Avatar: Fire and Ash underscores a continuing trend for the franchise, which has historically performed well in global markets. Previous installments, such as Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water, both surpassed the billion-dollar mark internationally, with respective earnings of approximately $2.1 billion and $1.65 billion. Analysts believe that Fire and Ash will follow suit, especially given its strong start and the momentum created by Zootopia 2.
Disney’s focus on the Chinese market has proven advantageous, as the immense popularity of Zootopia 2 has set the stage for Avatar: Fire and Ash to capitalize on its success. The combination of both films could significantly impact Disney’s overall strategy, particularly as the company aims to solidify its position in a challenging cinematic landscape.
Despite mixed reviews from critics regarding Avatar: Fire and Ash‘s domestic performance, the film’s international success is crucial. It has outperformed expectations and continues to drive interest, indicating strong “legs” for sustained box office returns in the coming weeks.
Disney’s Strategic Positioning in 2026
The dual success of these films arrives at a critical juncture for Disney. As preparations ramp up for upcoming releases, including the much-anticipated Spider-Man: A Brand New Day, the company seeks to leverage this momentum into a robust slate for 2026. Iger’s vision for Disney hinges on the success of these films, which are seen as essential to the company’s broader media strategy.
With Zootopia 2 now exceeding $1.276 billion globally, it stands as the highest-grossing animated film of 2025 and the second-highest in China, having amassed an estimated $539 million to date. This trend of successful animated sequels poses a challenge to Disney’s rivals, as the company focuses on creating high-quality content that resonates with audiences, rather than engaging in the competitive merger strategies being pursued by other studios.
Disney’s strong performance in the box office distinguishes it from competitors and supports its strategy of prioritizing theatrical releases over streaming-centric approaches. As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, the success of Avatar: Fire and Ash and Zootopia 2 may well redefine profitability benchmarks for the studio, enhancing its ability to invest in future projects that expand its already significant intellectual property portfolio.
Overall, the records set by Avatar: Fire and Ash and the ongoing success of Zootopia 2 not only highlight Disney’s powerful position in the film industry but also underscore a potential resurgence for theatrical releases as the company navigates the ever-changing media environment.
