Avatar 3 Shatters Box Office as Composer Simon Franglen Responds

Just ten days after its theatrical debut, the third installment in James Cameron ’s epic saga is rewriting the record books. The film, released on December 19, 2025, has already pulled in a staggering $760 million worldwide, a feat that’s left its music composer, Simon Franglen, in disbelief.

Composer’s Surprised Reaction to Box Office Triumph

Simon Franglen, who crafted the score for the latest chapter, couldn’t hide his astonishment at the film’s rapid financial success. When the latest numbers hit social media, Franglen responded with a touch of humor:

Well this is awkward 🔥🌋

James Cameron has long maintained that the future of the franchise depends on the financial performance of each entry. Franglen echoed this sentiment, hinting that while the current film is a runaway hit, the next chapters in the saga may not arrive as quickly as fans hope.

Sequels on Hold: Updates on Avatar 4 and 5

Having composed music for both the previous and current films, Franglen is closely involved with the ongoing production. He recently confirmed that the next two sequels are still some distance away from entering full development. Cameron has previously stated that only a massive box office haul would justify moving forward with the next movies. Franglen shared his own perspective on the timeline:

Maybe it ’s good for me to do some other scores or concert pieces for a little while. 4+5 have a little while before they even need the early stuff.

Despite the wait, the composer may not be on the sidelines for long if the current film’s momentum continues. The franchise’s future seems bright as long as audiences keep showing up in droves.

Breaking Records and Outpacing the Competition

The film’s achievements are even more impressive considering the short time frame. In just over a week, it has reached a global total of $760 million, with $217 million coming from domestic audiences. This makes it the tenth highest-grossing film of 2025 in the United States alone.

It has already outperformed major releases like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Superman. Even more remarkable, its second weekend saw only a 28% drop in earnings, a better hold than the previous entry in the series. If this trend continues, the film is on track to hit the $1 billion mark by New Year’s Day 2026, and could even reach $2 billion worldwide, following in the footsteps of its predecessors.

Key Details and Current Status

Directed by James Cameron and starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, and Sigourney Weaver, the film currently holds a 7.5/10 rating on IMDb and a 67% critics score with a 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Produced by Lightstorm Entertainment, it remains a dominant force at the box office and is now playing in theaters across the United States.