Coming out of its second weekend, james cameronit is Avatar: The Way of the Water collected about $855.4 million generally until Sunday. The second session added $168.6 million to international ticket office in 52 markets for a $601.7M running cume.

Overseas, too, the highly anticipated 20th Century Studios/Disney sequel has aired Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Minions: The Rise of Gru to become the No. 3 highest-grossing Hollywood of 2022. It is also now the No. 5 studio title of the pandemic era and will soon be at the top no time to dieis $613 million.

The drop overseas since opening weekend was 42% (-38% excluding China), and that’s with Christmas Eve falling on a Saturday and today being the day of Christmas. Business on the 24th is generally quiet, with cinemas in many markets closing early while the UK is traditionally closed on the 25th.

Some markets rose from the last session or saw single-digit declines, including Israel (+22%), Hong Kong (-4%), France (-7%), Korea (- 7%), Indonesia (-8%) and Ukraine (-9%).

Mid week last week were very strong, reaching 69% of the Friday/Saturday/Sunday opening session last weekend (excluding China). The sci-fi epic is set to continue that trend this week with the holidays in full swing and plenty of holiday distractions in the rearview mirror.

China, the top market to date, fell 55% over the weekend to add $25.9M on local consumption of $100.5M. The film had a strong Saturday/Sunday release compared to Friday, and ticketing site Maoyan increased its lifetime screening to 1.11 billion RMB ($160 million). Still below the run of the original (unadjusted) movie in 2010, but better than what we’ve seen given Covid concerns in the market.

Korea, Avatar: The Water WayMarket #2, also had strong play Saturday/Sunday and has grossed $53 million so far. France ($52.3M), India ($37M) and Germany ($35.7 million) complete the Top 5.

In IMAX, the Na’vi scored the 3rd highest 2nd weekend in the format with $27.6 million worldwide. The offshore accrual is $62.8 million for $97 million globally. Individual market highlights include China where the IMAX total is $25.8 million for 26.2% of the overall total. In France and Korea, IMAX sales increased on the opening weekend; in France Water Way is the biggest IMAX title of all time while it is No. 2 in markets like India, Thailand and Vietnam. Within 10-12 days of release, a total of 40 markets have already seen Water Way enter the Top 10 IMAX.

After debuting overseas, Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Puss in Boots: The Last Wish added 28 markets for the holiday session and reported $16.5M out of 53 in total. Last weekend’s holdback was +6% and the cumulative up to Sunday is $32.5M to $50.8 million worldwide, including Monday at the national level, that’s about $57.2 million worldwide.

Excluding Chinawhich had a soft start of $358,000 with a heavy Covid impact, markets open should be in line with Sing 2above Fernando and just below the first Sing.

The best opener was Mexico with $3.1 million including paid previews. The market has been broadly weak in recent weeks, with the focus on Christmas celebrations after two pandemic years in which the public faced restrictions around the holidays. School holidays run until January 9 and family audiences should resume after this weekend.

Germany grossed $1.45 million including previews, while Spain (with many cinemas closed for Christmas) is $1.17 million. The Friday there was well above the opening Friday of Sing 2 and in agreement with Fernando, Encanto and Kung Fu Panda 3. Netherlands opens with an estimated $760,000 including previews.

France leads all games at $8.6M (+46% this session), followed by Mexico and Italy ($3M). Tomorrow Australia opens with Korea, Brazil and Japan coming in 2023.

Meanwhile, Disney/Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has cozied up to the $800 million mark worldwide with an estimate $799.5 million until Sunday. Included in this is $373.8 million international box office and $425.7 million domestic. The top 5 markets are the UK ($38.5M), Mexico ($35.5M), France ($30.6 million), Brazil ($20.8M) and Australia ($19.2 million).

MISC UPDATED CUMES / NOTABLE

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (DIS): international weekend of $2.2 million (50 markets); $373.8M International/$799.5M Worldwide

Whitney Huston: I want to dance with someone (SNY): $2.6m international weekend (31 markets); $2.6M international revenue/$7.9M worldwide

Matilda the musical by Roald Dahl (SNY): $1.4m international weekend (UK only); $19.7 million in the UK