Back in the day (read: three weeks ago), some people said James Cameron’s weird blue alien movie with its gimmicky 3D effects would flop at the box office. Heck, they had spent so much making this movie and so much marketing it last minute, that there’s no way it would succeed, right? It would never come close to the numbers that Twilight Saga’s New Moon made in November; It wouldn’t even compete against Sherlock Holmes.
Those people were all wrong.
After 17 days, including a December opening weekend record, a record for the largest opening of an original film not based on an existing property (novel, short story) or film (sequel, remake), the biggest second weekend of all time, the biggest third weekend of all time, among many other records, Avatar hit it big amongst critics, fans and the box office; And it’s only the beginning.
Did I mention that it was just 17 days? In 17 days, Avatar has helped James Cameron become the only director ever to have two films cross the $1 billion dollar mark.
Avatar is currently sitting as the 4th highest grossing film of all time, surpassing last year’s The Dark Knight over the weekend. Ahead of it, Cameron’s other money maker in Titanic stands high above the competition in the #1 slot. Between Cameron’s two movies sits Lord of the Rings: Return of the King at #2 and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest at #3 (those are both sequels by the way).
Here’s Box Office Mojo’s chart of the top 5 movies of all time (worldwide):
| 1. | Titanic | $1,842,879,955 |
| 2. | Return of the King | $1,119,110,941 |
| 3. | Dead Man’s Chest | $1,066,179,725 |
| 4. | Avatar | $1,018,811,000 |
| 5. | The Dark Knight | $1,001,921,825 |
Again, this is just after 17 days. Avatar will easily surpass ROTK and the disappointing Pirates of the Caribbean sequel for the #2 slot but it’ll be interesting to see if it keeps it up to pass Cameron’s other movie. If that’s not enough, Avatar will also no doubt be the biggest Blu-ray release to date when it comes to home video. Fox was right in investing in Cameron’s return to cinema and giving him all the time he needed to do it right.
It may be impossible to fairly compare box office earnings with different amounts of theaters screens playing the movie, ticket prices, etc., but that does not take away from the success Avatar has earned thus far.
On that note, we should point out the obvious fact that 3D and IMAX tickets cost more, which are helping the box office take, but there aren’t nearly as many 3D capable screens out there compared to standard format yet. There’s that and the fact that no other 3D film has earned nearly this much. The movie itself is what has kept it consistently making big numbers day after day and three weekends straight. Not many movies have ever had such strong word-of-mouth as this and at my workplace, folks who don’t usually see many films in theaters have made the effort to see this and have come back with praise (and that’s of the 2D version).
I believed Avatar would do well (and debated before, during and after the film’s release about it), but we never expected numbers such as this. If you’re still wondering whether or not to see Avatar (or see it again), here’s a snippet from my last discussion of Avatar‘s record-breaking numbers after its opening weekend:
Avatar is one of the greatest theater-viewing experiences I’ve ever had and something that I needed to see twice to fully appreciate. While some say the story is bland or character development isn’t as strong as could be, don’t buy into that. There’s as good a story and characters here than most films of 2009 (and I watched quite a few movies) and if there is one movie I had to recommend people go see on the big screen more than any other, James Cameron’s Avatar is it. It’s an experience and an event that must be enjoyed on the big screen.
There is no doubt more of a push on those discussions of an Avatar sequel now and I’m excited to see what Cameron will bring next. I expect he’ll take a different direction entirely as we saw with Aliens and Terminator 2 filmed compared to their predecessors, but that won’t be happening just yet; James Cameron has other projects on his plate first.
What do you think of Avatar’s success, and just how far will it go?
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@ Victor G
I didnt think anyone actually read those, its why I stopped doing them!
The SGU reviews are somewhere on my hard drive, I might just put up the one for Justice and continue on from there when the show starts again.
I love writing but anytime I’ve put it out publicly it goes largely unnoticed. I’m starting to get comfortable with the idea that even if it gets looked at once in a year, that’s still one more time than it would get read on my hard drive.
You’re smart to have your name linked to your website though. That way anyone who wants to look at your profile will also see some of your work.
I’ll check back occasionally if you decide to put more up though. Thanks.
I’m a little mixed on Avatar’s success. I was a uncertain whether it’d do well, but at some point you have to wonder the cause of it. I kind of think its success now has more to do with bandwaggoning than anything else. People leave the theater honestly having had a very different movie-going experience, and respond by wanting more of it. At least, that’s what I can gather of its success in the States. I’d be interested to hear analysis on the draw of the film in other countries.
I’ll agree that it’s introduced a new way of doing storytelling with CGI and 3D, but I walked out of Sherlock Holmes much more satisfied than I did with Avatar. That’s not a political thing, as my voting for Obama would work against the theory. Strangely, despite all the innovations in Avatar, I just thought Richie’s semi-period piece of Sherlock Holmes was a better story, which will always make the difference in my opinion.
To be honest the main reason is I have just been too busy, editing a book that is meant to be out in a few months, starting work on a new genre altogether, and then going to work five days a week. No wonder I never get any sleep!
@Victor G
“Yes, I liked it. I also like Captain Crunch cereal and that’s not a ‘quality’ product either.”
ROFLMAO! Dude, that comment totally makes up for your
“being on the attack.”
I’ll be honest with you and let you know I deleted your first comment because it was pretty aggressive, but I do understand as I have hot button issues that send me through the roof as well and sometimes I hit the “Post Comment” button and then think I shouldn’t have.
@ZoeyMars
You may be right about the demo of people who really dislike the film, but I’m seeing an almost Transformers 2 defense mechanism happening with Avatar – I gave it 4/5 stars, liked it, didn’t love it and that’s just about being treated as if I said it was the worst movie ever. Really some rabid defenders of this film out there as well as people who hate it for whatever reason.
Best regards,
Vic
I can’t give any stats like this any credit today. When we compare a movie that was 10-15 years ago to today, it is pointless UNLESS you factor in inflation of ticket prices. Titanic was probably $5 to go see vs today Avatar is $10. They should go purely off of tickets sold, but that is too easy and makes sense.
@histeachn
I agree with you on all your points. I also walked out of Holmes having enjoyed it a lot more.
Vic
” going to have to disagree with you. Take away the amazing eye candy and this was a middle of the road, predictable story”
Ditto.
Finally saw it last night, 1000 pm on a sunday night…SOLD OUT. 3 weeks out and still every imax 3d showing (granted there is only one in CT) was sold out all weekend. I have to say i enjoyed it.
I am not a Republican but I am a Conservative. I liked the character of Quaritch but I empathized more with Jake, the Na’Vi, the female pilot, and Weaver’s character. I read many of you saying that these characters didn’t elicit an emotion but for me they did, especially the Na’Vi. Cameron has done better movies (Aliens, T2) but I still liked this movie even though the story was a bit predictable. And like Rob, this is a movie I would highly recommend to people to see in the theater.
Also bear in mind how much it costs to see Avatar, at my local it was nearly twice as much as when I saw Sherlock Holmes.
To be brutally honest, I’m sick to death of hearing about the film, if it makes a fortune, good for Cameron he deserves it, but it will forever be a CGI extravaganza spectacle movie that is low on characters, their development and any vague sense of originality.
Enjoy it. If you can.
Hah, yeah, I’ve got to say I was rooting for the Colonel guy. Mostly because he does all the things the “gruff and tough” colonel guy doesn’t do in your average “evil aliens are going to kill you” movie. Like kicking open a door that separates you from the poisonous gasses to try and take down the bad guy.
If he were in Aliens 5, I’d want him on my side.
@Dr.SamBeckett
I have to agree. To me “Avatar” is the most over-rated film of the year.
I enjoyed it, but it gets to much praise.
Wow, so much anger and bickering over this movie lol! Honestly I thought it was awesome! As far as the predictable thing, I don’t care. I went in knowing it was going to be like that and that’s what I wanted. If jake didn’t tame the dragon beast thing or the Na’vi wouldn’t of won I think I would’ve been pissed. And when I walked out of the movie it made me wanna go out and enjoy nature and become part of it like the Na’vi do, call me a hippie but when a movie promotes me to be a better creature thats enough to merit a 5/5 rating. it had a good message and when people compare it to other movies it really is a pointless argument cause lots of movies are rehashes and are influenced by others, like music previous material will always influence the new.
Yeah K-Ro, when the Navi home tree was destroyed you had to feel something for these aliens. The did nothing to bring about an attack on their home.
As badass as the Colonel may be to some his actions made him despicable. I cheered out loud when he was killed and also cheered as the human fleet was being destroyed.
Usually in the past, I’ve cheered for the human characters when it comes to alien antagonist sci fi films, but the emotions of the Na’vi in Avatar were visualised in such a way that I had nothing but empathy for them.
Again Cameron turns the tables on the genre.
I have to say though, it is a shame that Holmes has to compete with this movie for box office numbers, it too is a great film.
And have to say: Holmes has a great story and a good script … Avatar has none of it… A movie should be more than bang-bang, CGI and advertising…
Avatar was good but not great. Anyone who says it was amazing is obviously a Cameron lover. C’mon it might not even be in my top 75 movies of all time and I love a good adventure.
@M-Cat: Avatar is GREAT. And I am NO WAY a Cameron lover per se. One reason I like Avatar’s success is because it’ll finally remove Titanic from the top spot, a movie I really dislike. And while not overly bad, even The Abyss left me quite unsatisfied. Aliens and T2 were basically all I really liked coming from this director until I saw Avatar!
Avatar becoming the highest grossing movie of all time,
would you look at that, style won out over substance after all.
im going to say 90% of everyone who has commented whether they be for the movie or against should take a deep breath and realize it wasnt the greatest movie of all time nor was it the worst, it was a pretty average movie with a bad ass antagonist and very cool effects.
I love Avatar and had already watched it twice and probably will watch it again a third time and buy the DVD when it comes out. Why? Because of the effects and CGI that enhances a story.
Every Avatar haters point out that the story is predictable. Duh! All Hollywood Movies are predictable!
If it’s horror, it’s almost certain that the hero will die or the evil is still alive.
If it’s action, there will be definitely be a lot of car crash, shooting, or robots bashing each other with a very thin or no plot at all.
If it’s romance. Of course the two leads almost always ends up with each other.
As for Drama- there will be a lot of gut wrenching scenes and problems that gets resolve in the end.
IF it’s mystery- there is always a crime and a list of suspects and of course it’s not always the butler who did it!
Every Movie is predictable. The only question is did you enjoy how it was presented? Did you empathize with the characters? Were you transported to another world? Did the movie made you forget for a moment your own personal problems? Did it make you want to see it again?
If you answer yes to all,then it’s the best movie! And Avatar has that effect on me. It is also the movie that made me go back to the theaters and spend my hard earned money. For me it’s really worth it!
@vic
“Transformers 2 defense mechanism”… Lol good one.
I thought it was a pretty good movie but at this point i’m kind of sick of it… I have seen it 8 times ( 3d, 2d, xpand 3d,2d mega screen, etc.). I had to translate it to friends and family thus the sveral viewings. Either way i do like that it made this much money because now with the sequels it could maybe focus on a less predictable story (read:better story).
@huntress
I don’t think all movies are predictable… But thats just me.
@Huntress
Every movie is most certainly NOT predictable.
Oh, and for everyone, I found this pretty funny:
http://www.epicponyz.com/2010/01/james-camerons.html
Vic
@ Vic
LAWLICON
although played out story to the Letter T. Even if u say stories like District 9 are similar theres ALOT of various.
But oh well…..
CGI > Plot I guess?
@ Vic Thank you for brightening my week. I was always trying to explain how Cameron did no work writing the script and does not deserve to be praised for his “original” story and now I have the perfect way to convince people.
Even the people hating on this movie knew it would do great at the box office. It also just so happens that it is a great movie!
@790 I totally felt somthing when they destroyed tree home. I love the outdoors, camping hiking and I’m an avid mt. biker so this movie really hit me close. I think all the haters of the “lack of substance” don’t get out much or appriciate nature. And that’s why the movie rocked. And I don’t wanna hear any of that crap bout how other movies have done that or told that story cause I could name a ton that are critically acclaimed that did that to.
Yeah Sully311, I think there’s a strong lack of attention span in a lot of Screen Rant readers. Those that hate this film are more or less the same that praise TDK up and down the block. (More or less)
^
I keep reading how Avatar’s story was simple. What’s the basis on that other then there’s similarities to other films?
I could make the same statement about District 9, or even Moon, if any of you have seen that simple story. I hope you don’t think Moon ripped its story off of 2001 a Space Odyssey…
The underlying messages and themes are the story in Avatar. Seriously can’t believe how this has gone over so many heads here.
The CGI is the new benchmark and everything works, what’s the prob and I don’t even give a
,,
This films works on many levels. That’s the reason its breaking record$…