‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Opening Box Office: Why Projections May Be Too Low

(Editor’s note: Grosses for films from 2019 and earlier are adjusted to approximate 2022 ticket prices, using 2019 ticket prices plus an estimated 20 percent increase to date.)It all starts for real with previews that begin today at 2pm Ct in the U.S./Canada.

In 14 countries, they’re already on day two; by the weekend, most other countries — including the critical China — will be screening “Avatar: The Way of Water” (Disney).

It’s the most-anticipated film of 2022; more importantly, it’s poised to make everyone forget the theatrical doldrums or die trying.Projections don’t guarantee the year’s biggest opening, but it should be in range.

Its competitors are “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (187.4 million) and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (181.3 million).

A year ago this weekend, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” opened to 260.1 million, second only to the 2019 “Avengers: Endgame” (420 million adjusted).A pre-Christmas weekend as blockbuster launchpad is not a James Cameron invention,

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