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"Avatar: Fire and Ash" rang in the new year with a resounding victory, grossing $15.7 million domestically on New Year's Day. The sci-fi epic has generated $935 million globally to date, putting it on the cusp of crossing the coveted $1 billion mark in the coming days. The film's resurgence on the holiday, up 94% from its New Year's Eve Haul, cements its status as a critical financial pillar for Disney and director James Cameron.
The strong start to 2026 provided a much-needed jolt to the exhibition sector. Theaters in the U.S. and Canada reported an estimated $48.1 million in total ticket sales on Jan. 1, a post-COVID record for the holiday and a 12% increase over the previous year. It was a welcome rebound after the industry closed out 2025 with $8.87 billion in annual sales, missing the $9 billion target that many analysts had projected. While attendance still trails pre-pandemic highs, premium formats continue to do the heavy lifting, driving revenue even as foot traffic fluctuates.
Disney's "Zootopia 2" held onto the second spot, pulling in $6.7 million to push its domestic cume to $344.5 million. Meanwhile, A24's "Marty Supreme" capitalized on strong word-of-mouth, earning $4.4 million. The ping pong drama starring Timothée Chalamet has now grossed $43.4 million, a solid result for an indie production, though its $70 million budget means it still has ground to cover to reach profitability.
In fourth place, Lionsgate's "The Housemaid" saw a significant bump, taking in $4.6 million. The thriller has quietly amassed $60.8 million stateside. Sony's "Anaconda" reboot rounded out the top five with $4.06 million, bringing its domestic total to $35.8 million.
Elsewhere, Angel Studios' "David" added $3.5 million, raising its total to $62 million. The faith-based animated film has shown remarkable staying power alongside the major studio tentpoles.
As the holiday corridor concludes, studios are looking to January to maintain momentum. While "Avatar" continues to dominate, Paramount is hoping to court male audiences next week with the release of the creature feature "Primate," produced by Walter Hamada.
