What's happened
James Cameron’s 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' remains top at US box office, while '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' debuts strongly, surpassing expectations with $13 million. 'Zootopia 2' continues its global dominance, now the highest-grossing animated film of all time, as Hollywood's 2026 box office starts strong.
What's behind the headline?
The weekend's box office results highlight a shifting landscape in Hollywood. 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' continues its impressive run, reaffirming the franchise's global appeal and Disney’s stronghold in animated films. Its sustained performance, with over $342 million in North America after four weeks, demonstrates the franchise's resilience and the audience's loyalty.
Meanwhile, the debut of '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' signals a potential resurgence for horror franchises, especially with its strong opening of $13 million domestically. Its critical acclaim, with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score, suggests that quality content can still break through in a competitive market.
'Zootopia 2' exemplifies the power of franchise longevity, now the highest-grossing animated film of all time, surpassing 'Inside Out 2'. Its international success, with $1.7 billion grossed, underscores Disney’s global reach.
The overall box office increase of 23% from last year indicates a promising start for 2026, driven by anticipation of upcoming blockbuster releases. However, the industry remains cautious, noting that the long-term sustainability depends on continued audience engagement and the quality of upcoming films.
This weekend’s results suggest that franchises and high-quality sequels will dominate the box office, but fresh horror entries like 'The Bone Temple' could diversify the market and attract different audience segments. The industry’s focus on international markets will be crucial for maintaining growth, especially in regions like China where 'Zootopia 2' is a massive hit.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' remains the top film, earning $21.3 million in North America and surpassing $888 million globally after four weeks. It highlights the franchise's billion-dollar status and Disney’s animated dominance with 'Zootopia 2', which has grossed over $1.7 billion worldwide, becoming the ninth biggest global release of all time. The article notes the film's remarkable staying power and the industry’s cautious optimism for 2026.
AP News emphasizes the debut of '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple', which opened with $13 million domestically, trailing behind 'Avatar'. It also highlights the continued success of 'Zootopia 2' and 'The Housemaid', which has grossed nearly $250 million worldwide on a $35 million budget. Both sources agree on the strong start to the year, with industry analysts optimistic about future releases, but AP News points out the film's critical acclaim and the potential for 'The Bone Temple' to sustain its performance through word-of-mouth.
The NY Post adds that '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' has displaced 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' from the top spot, with a strong opening of $5.5 million on Friday. It underscores the film's twisted, brutal, and humorous approach, and notes the ongoing success of 'Zootopia 2' and other franchise films. The article also discusses the broader industry trend of increased revenues and the anticipation of blockbuster releases later in the year, emphasizing the importance of international markets and franchise strength.
Overall, these sources depict a promising start for Hollywood in 2026, driven by franchise films, high-quality sequels, and international markets, with horror films like 'The Bone Temple' showing potential for diversification.
How we got here
The film industry experienced a slow start in 2025, but recent releases and franchise continuations are boosting revenues. 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' has maintained its top spot, joining its predecessors as a billion-dollar franchise. Meanwhile, '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' marks a new horror entry, opening wide in theaters amid high anticipation. The success of 'Zootopia 2' continues to drive Disney’s animated dominance, with global gross exceeding $1.7 billion. The industry is optimistic about 2026, expecting major releases like 'Avengers' and 'Spider-Man' to sustain growth.
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