Artman

I jotted down some wkly estimates for Avatar and I really don't see how it doesn't reach 550+ at this point...and that's with 30% drops. Amazing.

bunkaroo

Just to clarify, I am not a theater advocate and was not trying to argue for any other film. I'm just saying, with Avatar specifically, I think the 3D and IMAX element is a big factor is this movie doing well.

There are some people who will never go to the theater and are happy with bootlegs. I think this movie is like the Wii. People who wouldn't normally be bothered to go to the movies are going because of word of mouth and the "experience".

As far as the others, I don't know, maybe people wanted to be out during the holidays.

RichC2

I don't think anyone is arguging that. It is well publicized that Avatar's enormous numbers are in part to the increased ticket prices of 3D and IMAX. Also the appeal of 3D in general (my mom wanted to see Avatar based on the fact that it was indeed 3D... she loves 3D movies). Cameron mentioned, years ago, that he was going for tech demo over narrative this time around. As such, the plot was far better integrated than I originally expected, even if I've seen it many times before.

Aside from being more expensive at prime times (evening and weekend shows) most theaters don't offer cheaper matinee pricing for 3D features which gives the flick a big boost.

MrSmearkase

I was referring to Dileep Rao, not Cameron.

darqleo

all I got to say is... this movie is a must-see in IMAX 3-D.

Matthew Ackerly

Cameron is a money making machine. 2 films to hit the one billion mark. Amazing feat.

Supermallet

He's the first filmmaker to direct a film with over a billion worldwide box office, and now he's the first director to do it twice.

hardercore

Didn't more than one LOTR film make it to a billion? I'm sure Return of the King did, and I'm thinking the first one, Fellowship, might have?

Dr. DVD

While I don't see Avatar beating Titanic, it would be cool if it becomes #2 domestically, that way Cameron can have both the top spots. I wonder if he has a secret quest to conquer all top five of the spots?

Numanoid

According to BOM, only ROTK made it past $1B.

Solid Snake

I hope he makes a smaller budgeted flick. Something akin to his Arnold flicks. You know..great action and explosions. I'd almost wish to have another Cameron/Arnold R-Rated flick...just...just to relieve the old days...but..there's the Expendables for that too..possibly.

TomOpus

With all the talk about Avatar, just noticed something interesting. 2012 has quietly made almost 3/4 of a billion dollars:

$163 million (Domestic) + $572 million (Overseas) = $736 million.

superdeluxe

xiayun was the best BO predictor in 2009.

http://www.boxofficefollower.net/

OldBoy

considering there are only 5 all-time, that IS pretty amazing.

Michael T Hudson

He said the first not the only.

Daytripper

It's no surprise this film banked big time overseas. Most of Roland Emmerich's movies make nearly twice as much or more abroad. Except for "The Patriot". I laugh everytime I remember some film critic saying way back way, "'The Flintstones' is a blockbuster that no one loves". I think the same can be said for Emmerich's work. Heh. O.K., most film goers anyway....

PopcornTreeCt

What I find even more impressive about Cameron is that neither film is a sequel of another. The next Batman movie may make a billion dollars but that won't seem as impressive, at least to me.

CharlieK

Box Office Mojo clocks best 2nd weekend through 12th. Avatar is #1 for weekends 2 and 3, Titanic for all the rest.

Box Office Mojo

Deftones

the rest of the world loves to see movies where the USA gets destroyed.

Hokeyboy

General, everyday filmgoers LOVE Emmerich movies. Then again, they don't even know they are watching "Emmerich movies". You know what they call "Emmerich movies"? Movies.

Internet movie nerds are an extremely minimal but vocal cross-sample of people who watch movies.

superdeluxe

I think avatar will also get the 4th, 5th and possibly 6th weekends.

Supermallet

I think Avatar is even more impressive in that regard. While Titanic was an original story, it was based around a major historical event that would have been immediately familiar to anyone around the world. Avatar is the complete opposite, a totally unknown, unfamiliar IP. For it to cross the $1 billion threshold, and so fast, is an indicator of just how good Cameron it having his vision connect with audiences of all types.

TheMovieman

Really? I'd be impressed for any movie to make over $1B, especially a third Nolan Batman movie considering the expectations (and don't fool yourself, a good bit of TDK's gross was because of Heath Ledger's death). So if BB3 gets to $1B (which I doubt it will), that would mean Christopher Nolan would have 2 $1B films leaving him in very good, though different, company (as indeed Cameron's are non-sequels).

Matthew Chmiel

I'm going to go on a guesstimate and say Avatar will make anywhere around $8-10 million dollars per each week day this week; leaving the film with anywhere from $384-$392 million domestic gross before it heads into weekend four with $400 million domestic almost a lock for Friday.

I'm more curious to how weekend four will play out now that the holidays are over. Will Avatar still continue to take small drops within the box office or will we see a much larger one at play?

Teremei

I don't know but I'm going to see it again.