James Cameron’s science fiction blockbuster Avatar is making a killing in various overseas markets as it prepares for its triumphant return to theatres this Friday. Internationally, the film has earned $877K so far. In five overseas markets—France, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the Philippines—the picture premiered early. Avatar’s re-release in France topped the charts, with the picture generating $513,000 on its first weekend—an increase of 8% above Titanic 3D’s 2012 theatrical re-release.
Making an extra $277,000, Avatar debuted in Korea at number three at the box office, behind two locally produced pictures. Additionally, the picture opened number one in Belgium and the Philippines, and number two in Saudi Arabia; however, exact results from these markets have not been released. As Avatar continues to dominate many countries, today marks its premiere in Mexico, Brazil, Italy, and Germany. When it finally launches this Friday in the United States and other international markets, the film’s distribution will increase to additional cinemas.
Avatar’s early success in other regions is promising, though it’s too soon to know how much this will mirror the film’s performance at the box office in the coming weeks. To mark the launch of the Avatar: Explore Pandora immersive experience, Shanghai Disney Resort also hosted a special screening of the film. However, Avatar will not be re-releasing in China before Avatar: The Way of Water because it was already re-released there last year, where it made an additional $58M. The re-release of Avatar in theatres coincides with the debut of its much-anticipated sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, on December 16.
Audiences will get a chance to relive the original picture, which is presently the highest-grossing film of all time, in a brand-new form now that it is returning to theatres. Avatar’s return to theatres, now upgraded in breathtaking 4K high dynamic range, may remind viewers why they loved the picture first and may also increase interest in the sequel, which is scheduled for release later this year. There has been a spate of theatrical re-releases of older films this year, including E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws in 3D, and an extended edition of Spider-Man: No Way Home, so Avatar is following in their footsteps.
It remains to be seen how the movie’s domestic success stacks up to that of the aforementioned flicks. However, if the overseas take is any indicator, the picture should do well when it returns to theatres this Friday. On September 23rd, Avatar will be shown in cinemas again.