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The cinematic landscape is vibrant as Disney’s Avatar: Fire and Ash maintains its stronghold at the box office in the U.K. and Ireland. In its second consecutive weekend, the film earned £6.1 million (approximately $8.2 million), bringing its overall total to £20.8 million, or $28 million, according to Comscore. This third installment of the popular franchise has emerged as a leading title during the festive season, outpacing numerous new holiday releases.
Meanwhile, Lionsgate U.K. launched a new title, The Housemaid, featuring performances by Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. This erotic thriller debuted impressively, securing the second spot with earnings of $6 million. In contrast, The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants opened in third place with $4.1 million.
Box office performance analysis
During the festive weekend, Disney’s Zootopia 2 slipped to fourth place in its fifth week, grossing $2.1 million, contributing to a total of $30.4 million. Close behind was the newcomer Marty Supreme, which opened at fifth with earnings of $1.9 million. This variety of films indicates a dynamic marketplace where established titles and new offerings coexist.
Competitors in the market
In sixth place, Sony’s Anaconda recorded a notable entry with $1.7 million, while Universal’s Wicked: For Good took the seventh position, adding $1.1 million to reach a substantial total of $60.3 million. This musical has firmly established itself as one of the major players of the year, highlighting its appeal to audiences.
Further down the rankings, Dhurandhar, a Bollywood sensation from Moviegoers Entertainment, occupied eighth place with $343,000, bringing its total earnings to $3.4 million. Additionally, Mubi’s Sentimental Value debuted at ninth with $339,000, narrowly surpassing the Malayalam-language comedy Sarvam Maya, which rounded out the top ten with $228,000.
Upcoming releases and expectations
As the New Year approaches, anticipation builds for the first major release of 2026. Universal plans to premiere the musical drama Song Sung Blue on January 1, featuring acclaimed actors Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Simultaneously, Viavix will present the Hong Kong drama No Time for Goodbye, directed by Don Ng and starring Lam Yiu-Sing and Kitty Yu.
Documentaries and anniversary releases
On January 2, film enthusiasts can look forward to Picturehouse Entertainment’s release of Peter Hujar’s Day, a docudrama by Ira Sachs. Additionally, BFI Distribution will launch Menus-Plaisirs: Les Troisgros, a culinary documentary by the renowned Frederick Wiseman. Fans of historical narratives will also be eager to see Trinity Filmed Entertainment’s Back to the Past, featuring a talented cast including Louis Koo, Jessica Hsuan, and Raymond Lam, which will debut across more than 25 locations.
Moreover, Park Circus is reintroducing two beloved classics to theaters: the animated favorite Happy Feet for its 20th anniversary and David Lynch’s iconic film Blue Velvet to mark its 40th anniversary, showcasing the lasting appeal of these cinematic gems.
As audiences continue to flock to theaters, the competition remains fierce, with established franchises and new narratives vying for box office supremacy. With the evolving landscape of cinema in full swing, it will be intriguing to observe which titles will capture the hearts and wallets of moviegoers in the weeks ahead.