'AVATAR: The Way of Water' took in an estimated US$82.4 million (RM863 million) this holiday weekend in North America, pushing it past a global total of US$1 billion in near record time, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
The four-day domestic take for the sci-fi flick brought its domestic total to US$440.5 million, on top of US$957 million earned overseas; only a half-dozen films have passed the US$1 billion mark in their first two weeks.
The original 'Avatar' took in a record US$2.9 billion.
Second place in North American theaters went to Universal's family-oriented 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,' a computer-animated spin-off of the popular 'Shrek' franchise. It took in US$22 million for the Friday-through-Monday period.
Another blockbuster sequel, Disney's 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,' earned US$6.5 million to place third; its domestic total rose to US$439.6 million in its eighth week out.
In fourth place was Sony biopic 'Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody,' at US$5.4 million. English actress Naomi Ackie portrays the late superstar.
And in fifth was Paramount's comedy-drama 'Babylon,' at US$3.6 million. Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie star in director Damien Chazelle's over-the-top tribute to an early Hollywood struggling with the transition from silent films to "talkies." – AFP, January 2, 2023
