by James Cameron has become even wealthier as a result of the success of Avatar: The Way of Water, and he has moved up the list of all-time highest-grossing filmmakers.
A few months ago, several viewers opined that since the 2009 release of the first Avatar, nobody has cared about the film. While it undoubtedly seemed that way, it is now abundantly evident that the world has not moved on from Cameron’s space opera.
Amazingly, the second Avatar film needed to generate nearly $1.4 billion globally in order to even break even in theatres. The movie has already outperformed that sum in less than a month, surpassing Top Gun: Maverick as the year’s most profitable motion picture.
Gaining box office dominance
James Cameron’s ascent through the ranks of cinematic brilliance has continued with the triumph of Avatar: The Way of Water.
One of the most recent is how Cameron became the first filmmaker to have three films gross more than $1.5 billion globally. Cameron is now ranked second among all-time global top-earning filmmakers, narrowly behind Steven Spielberg and ahead of the Russo Brothers:
$10.65B Steven Spielberg
$7.88B James Cameron
$6.84 billion The Russo Brothers
Peter Jackson: $6.54 billion
Michael Bay: $6.5 billion
Yates, David – $6.35B
$4.96 billion Christopher Nolan
$4.65 billion J.J. Abrams
$4.41 billion Tim Burton
Ridley Scott: $4.37 billion
Given the success of Avatar and the two to three sequels already in production, Cameron will very probably surpass Spielberg’s enormous total over the coming several years.
The Russo Brothers, who are well-known for their work at Marvel Studios, are the only other directors, after James Cameron, with numerous films that have grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide.
James Cameron, Colin Trevorrow, Christopher Nolan, Peter Jackson, J.J. Abrams, Joss Whedon, Jon Watts, James Wan, Pierre Coffin & Kyler Balda, Michael Bay, and the Russo Brothers are just a few of the filmmakers with several films that have made over $1 billion.
Avatar: The Way of Water is now ranked ninth among the top 10 highest-grossing movies ever, globally:
Avatar ($2.92 billion)
Avengers: Endgame, $2.80 billion
Titanic: $2.20 billion
4.) The Force Awakens, Star Wars Episode VII – $2.07 billion
Avengers: Infinity War, $2.05 billion
Spider-Man: No Way Home ($1.92 billion)
Jurassic World – $1.67 billion
The Lion King, $8.6 billion
Avatar: The Way of Water ($1.56 billion).
The Avengers: $1.52 billion
The Avatar Franchise Is in for a Bright Future
The filmmaker previously claimed that given the popularity of the second film, “[he’s] sure… [he’ll] have a discussion soon with the top folks at Disney” about Avatar 3 and subsequent sequels.
Even so, a third feature was undoubtedly in the works; it has already been shot and is currently in post-production. The only aspects of the plot that are currently known are how the fire Na’Vi will enter the scene and maybe paint humans in a more favourable light.
Even though the fourth film hasn’t nearly been made, footage for it has been filmed. However, it’s difficult to imagine a time in the future without several further chapters.
The big issue is whether this momentum will continue into 2024, a year that is incredibly competitive and will likely feature Deadpool 3, Captain America: New World Order, and a potential fourth Spider-Man movie.
Currently showing in theatres all across the world is Avatar: The Way of Water.
