Avatar: The Way of Water faces disappointing opening weekend at the box office, but experts say there's still a long way to go

Expectations for James Cameron's long-awaited and pricey sequel to 2009's Avatar were high but studio estimates show Avatar: The Way of Water made $US134 million in the United States and Canada in its opening weekend and $US300.5 million internationally, meaning it grossed $US434.5 million for its global debut.

The Avatar sequel reportedly cost more than $US350 million to make and expectations were astronomical and there was a huge amount of pressure on the film to make a splash.

Avatar: The Way of Water has tied with The Batman as the fourth-highest domestic debut of the year, behind Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, followed by Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Thor: Love and Thunder.

With a run time of three hours and 12 minutes, the Avatar sequel still has a way to go on its box office journey. The first film has had various re-releases, for example, contributing in some part to its position as the top-grossing film of all time.

Interestingly, the sequel has actually blown the $US26.7 million first-day-gross of 2009's Avatar out of the water.

In the United States, Avatar: The Way of Water was released in 4,202 theatres on more than 12,000 screens, 400 of which were IMAX 3D, with the studio and filmmakers betting big on the draw and higher prices of the 3D format and premium large screens.

It was also the first major Hollywood movie to be released in China since Minions: The Rise of Gru in August, which has aided the international box office. Production on Avatar: The Way of Water began five years ago and it's one of four Avatar sequels Cameron has in mind. Filming of the third movie, which was shot simultaneously with Avatar: The Way of Water is done, and it's expected to be released in December 2024.

Source: ABC News