Avatar Fire and Ash box office collection Day 1 in India stands at Rs 20 crore. James Cameron’s film opens lower than Avatar: The Way of Water despite strong buzz.
Published: December 20, 2025 8:55 AM IST
James Cameron’s much-awaited sci-fi spectacle Avatar: Fire and Ash finally arrived in Indian theatres on December 19, backed by strong advance bookings and massive curiosity among fans. The film opened to good footfalls in metro cities, showing that the Avatar franchise still commands attention in India. However, while the opening buzz was strong, the film’s early critical response has been mixed.
The mixed response for Avatar: Fire and Ash
Upon release, Avatar: Fire and Ash received mostly negative reviews from critics, with many pointing out flaws in storytelling and pacing. Despite this, audience reactions have been more balanced. Several moviegoers feel the film must be experienced on the big screen to truly appreciate its visual scale, immersive world, and technical brilliance, which remain its strongest assets.
How much did the film rake in?
At the Indian box office, Avatar: Fire and Ash managed to collect Rs 20 crore on its opening day, according to trade reports by Sacnilk. While this is a respectable figure, the film has a tough benchmark to chase. The previous installment, Avatar: The Way of Water, had opened to a much stronger Rs 40.30 crore on Day 1 in India, setting high expectations for the franchise. The comparatively lower opening suggests that Fire and Ash will need strong weekend growth and positive audience word of mouth to close the gap.
The Dhurandhar effect on James Cameron’s visual spectacle
Another major factor affecting the film’s box office run is competition from the Bollywood espionage thriller Dhurandhar, helmed by Aditya Dhar. Starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, the film is currently in its third week and continues to attract audiences. Its steady performance has limited screen availability and audience share for the Hollywood release.
Despite the slower start, trade analysts remain hopeful. Avatar: Fire and Ash is expected to witness nearly a 50 percent jump in collections on Saturday, followed by further growth on Sunday. If this trend holds, the film could wrap up its opening weekend in India with collections ranging between Rs 75 crore and Rs 80 crore, giving it a much-needed boost.
More about Avatar franchise
Avatar: Fire and Ash marks James Cameron’s third film in the blockbuster franchise, following Avatar (2009) and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022). Sam Worthington returns as Jake Sully, while Zoe Saldaña reprises her role as Neytiri. The film continues to expand the world of Pandora with new challenges, emotional conflicts, and visually rich storytelling.
Also Read:
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: india.com
