‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Destroys the Greatest Sci-Fi Sequel of All Time at the Domestic Box Office

James Cameron has done it again — and this time, he’s taken down a legend. Avatar: Fire and Ash has officially surpassed Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back at the domestic box office, overtaking what many fans and critics still consider the greatest sci-fi sequel of all time. As of this weekend, Fire and Ash has grossed $306 million in North America, pushing it ahead of Empire’s long-standing total of $292 million.

The feat is especially striking given The Empire Strikes Back’s mythic status. Released in 1980 and re-released multiple times, it has long been treated as the untouchable gold standard of blockbuster sequels. Cameron’s film didn’t just creep past it — it powered through, continuing the Avatar franchise’s tradition of rewriting box office expectations.

Once again, Cameron has proven that betting against Avatar is a losing game. When the dust settles, Fire and Ash won’t just be remembered as a successful sequel; it’s just another in a long line of movies that the King of the Box Office has taken on headfirst — and taken down with his bare hands.

How Good Is ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’?

Right now, the film sits at a 67% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences are far more enthusiastic, awarding it a Verified Hot 90%. Long story short, people are still buying tickets to see the epic story and to return to Pandora. Collider’s Ross Bonaime reviewed the movie for the site and awarded it a 7/10, adding that, technically, the film remained utterly eye-popping, but that the meat of the movie provided issues.

“This third Avatar film might not have the groundbreaking impact of the first film, or the vast improvement that The Way of Water had over what came before it, but Fire and Ash is still an exceptional moviegoing experience that proves there’s still plenty of gas in this tank. This newest Avatar entry might show that history is repeating itself, and the franchise could start spinning its wheels, but Cameron and his team give plenty to explore in the world and open up to in future installments. Fire and Ash proves yet again that no one is making action films — and films in general — quite like James Cameron.”

Avatar: Fire and Ash will release in theaters on December 19.