After a decade sitting atop the mountain, James Cameron’s Avatar was dethroned as the highest-grossing movie of all time in 2019 by Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame.
However, thanks to a re-release in China this weekend, Cameron is now King of the World once more as Avatar has closed the $7.8 million gap between it and Endgame and surpassed the superhero epic to reclaim the crown.
With $12 million in takings (and still counting), Avatar now sits on $2.8 billion, inching it ahead of the superhero blockbuster’s $2.797 billion haul and prompting Marvel and Endgame directors Anthony and Joe Russo to offer their congratulations to the Na’vi Nation – whilst no doubt secretly convening to plot their own limited re-release…
Congratulations to @JimCameron ,@JonLandau , and ALL of Na'vi Nation for reclaiming the box office crown! We love you 3000. @OfficialAvatar pic.twitter.com/WlMWRcL15y
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) March 13, 2021
Passing the gauntlet back to you… @JimCameron
Thanks for the beautiful art @bosslogic. pic.twitter.com/URSxUMzf8D
— Russo Brothers (@Russo_Brothers) March 13, 2021
UPDATE: The full weekend numbers are now in, with Avatar pulling in $21.1 million across the Friday to Sunday period in China to take its global total to $2.811 billion.
SEE ALSO: Kate Winslet lost track of how many Avatar sequels James Cameron was making at once
Avatar 2 sees Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Matt Gerald, Dileep Rao, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi and Sigourney Weaver all reprising their roles from the 2009 blockbuster, while new additions to the cast include Kate Winslet, Oona Chaplin, Cliff Curtis, Britain Dalton, Filip Geljo, Jamie Flatters, Bailey Bass, Trinity Bliss, Jack Champion, Duane Evans Jr., Edie Falco, Brendan Cowell, Michelle Yeoh, Jemaine Clement, Keston John and CJ Jones.
Avatar 2 is set for release in December 2022, followed by Avatar 3 in 2024, Avatar 4 in 2026 and Avatar 5 in 2028.
