James Cameron’s much-anticipated sci-fi spectacle ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ has had a steady but slower-than-expected run at the Indian box office, falling short of the benchmark set by ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’.

The film, which opened to strong initial interest, was expected to dominate the holiday window but has seen a noticeable dip in collections as it entered its second week, according to a UNI report.

The film managed to hold its ground during the first week but began losing momentum from its second Monday onward.

As per industry tracker Sacnilk, ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ earned around Rs 5.25 crore on Day 12 (second Tuesday) in India, taking its total domestic collection to approximately Rs 148.15 crore. While the numbers remain respectable, they are lower compared to the earlier ‘Avatar’ sequel at a similar stage of release.

Trade analysts point out that ‘The Way of Water’ benefited from a unique set of circumstances, including a 16-year gap after the original ‘Avatar’, which significantly heightened audience anticipation. The 2022 release also enjoyed a relatively clear release window with minimal competition from major Indian films, allowing it to sustain stronger day-wise collections in its early run.

On the global front, ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ has fared better, grossing about USD 794 million worldwide so far. Of this, USD 216.91 million has come from the United States, while international markets have contributed USD 577.2 million, according to figures from Box Office Mojo.

Directed by James Cameron, the film features Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Kate Winslet, continuing the expansive world of Pandora. ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ released in theatres on December 19, 2025, and despite not matching the extraordinary pace of its predecessor, it continues to draw audiences with its visual scale and immersive storytelling.