Avatar reclaims top spot as highest-grossing film after China re-release

Sci-fi film, which debuted in 2009, overtook Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame

James Cameron’s blockbuster Avatar has once taken the spot of the highest-grossing film of all time after it was re-released in China over the weekend. 

Avatar, which debuted in 2009, held this position till 2019 when it was overtaken by Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame. In 2010, Avatar had passed Titanic to become the top grossing film of all time.

Cameron’s science-fiction movie was re-issued in China on Friday and has now earned $2.8 billion at the global box office. Avengers: Endgame’s total gross earnings stand at $2.797 billion. 

Disney owns both the films after it bought entertainment assets from Fox in 2019. 

Avatar’s producer Jon Landau expressed gratitude for the film’s Chinese audience and said the team was elated with the announcement. “We are proud to reach this great milestone, but Jim and I are most thrilled that the film is back in theatres during these unprecedented times, and we want to thank our Chinese fans for their support,” Landau said. 

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He added that the team was working hard on the next Avatar films. The second one is scheduled for release in 2022.

Marvel Studios congratulated Cameron and Landau on reclaiming the box office crown. 

Joe and Anthony Russo, directors of Avengers: Endgame, also congratulated Cameron.

Actor Zoe Saldana, who starred in both Avatar and Endgame, said in an Instagram post, “To know that I am a part of ‘The Two Biggest Movies Of All Time’ is humbling to say the least.”