Hollywood concluded a challenging year in 2025 with impressive ticket sales, driven largely by the release of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Marty Supreme.” During the busy Christmas weekend, James Cameron’s latest installment in the Avatar franchise topped the box office, generating an estimated $88 million over the four-day period from Christmas to Sunday.
Despite the dominance of Cameron’s film, the holiday weekend also saw notable success for the indie feature “Marty Supreme,” directed by Josh Safdie. Set in the 1950s, this table tennis drama earned $27.1 million, marking a significant achievement for the independent studio behind it. The combined success of these films has contributed to what is being celebrated as the best Christmas Day box office performance for Hollywood since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resurgence in ticket sales reflects a broader recovery within the film industry, which has struggled in recent years due to the lingering effects of the pandemic and shifting audience habits. Notably, this marks a positive end to a turbulent year for Hollywood, which faced various challenges, including competition from streaming services and changes in viewer preferences.
As audiences flocked to theaters, the success of both “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Marty Supreme” illustrates a renewed enthusiasm for cinematic experiences. Many industry analysts are hopeful that this trend will continue into the new year, encouraging studios to invest in original content and diverse storytelling.
With the holiday weekend serving as a barometer for future box office performance, the industry eagerly anticipates how upcoming releases will fare in a landscape that is gradually stabilizing. The positive reception of these films not only boosts ticket sales but also rejuvenates the communal experience of watching movies on the big screen, something that many have missed during the tumultuous past few years.
