Avatar 3 Box Office Collection Day 1: James Cameron’s highly awaited Avatar 3 (Avatar: Fire and Ash) has had a slow start at the Indian box office. Despite heavy pre-release hype and the franchise’s global popularity, the film underperformed on its first day. Advance bookings already indicated this result, and now the makers are hoping the weekend can change the story.
Avatar 3 Box Office Collection Day 1
As reported by Sacnilk, the film earned around Rs 20 crore on its opening day in India. This is nearly 50 per cent lower than Avatar 2: The Way of Water. Trade analysts had expected a much stronger start given the series’ huge fanbase and Cameron’s track record.
One key reason for the slow opening is stiff competition. Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar is drawing big crowds across cities. This clash has split audiences, especially in urban multiplexes, affecting Avatar 3’s potential.
Even so, the film did manage a decent start under the circumstances. Experts say the real test comes over the weekend. For momentum, the film needs at least a 50% jump on Saturday and steady growth on Sunday.
If that happens, the film could close its opening weekend in India at Rs 75–80 crore. Analysts note that without competing releases, the numbers could have been 15–20 per cent higher. The makers are also counting on the upcoming holidays to boost collections.
Advance bookings for the weekend have shown a rise, giving hope. However, walk-in audiences, positive word of mouth, and occupancy in premium formats will be crucial in the coming days.
Avatar 2 set a high bar by collecting Rs 48.75 crore on its first day in India. Matching that was always going to be difficult, and the gap makes the challenge steeper for Fire and Ash.
About The Film
Avatar 3 (Avatar: Fire and Ash) is the third chapter in Cameron’s sci-fi saga. This time, the story shifts to Lo’ak as the narrator. It introduces a darker, aggressive Na’vi tribe called the Ash People. Led by Varang, this volcanic-dwelling clan rejects Eywa (Pandora’s goddess), creating a new moral conflict.
The film has a large ensemble cast. Sam Worthington returns as Jake Sully, Zoe Saldana as Neytiri, with Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet reprising roles. New additions include Oona Chaplin, David Thewlis and Michelle Yeoh. The film is dedicated to late producer Jon Landau, who passed away in 2024.
With a budget of over $400 million, Avatar: Fire and Ash is one of the most expensive films ever made. To be profitable, it must earn around $1.2 billion worldwide. At over three hours, it is also the longest film in the franchise.
While the Indian opening was below expectations, the next few days will show if Pandora can still captivate audiences and perform strongly at the box office.
