For many, this was his return. James Cameron on the big screen and the futuristic planet Pandora he created. For others, the big bet is bringing the world back to cinemas.

Movie “Avatar: Path of Waterwas released in Greece and abroad in mid-December with high hopes of success at the box office.

And it makes sense since the first Avatar, originally released in 2019, generated $2.74 billion in ticket sales worldwide, rising to $2.92 billion after re-releases.

But perhaps more importantly, it set a new standard for blockbuster films.

It’s been 13 years since we got to know the blue aliens and the world they live in.

A world that, with impressive special effects, has taken the use of technology in cinema one step further, facilitating its harmonious interaction with directing and storytelling.

For the Oscar-winning director, the new blockbuster Avatar is the completion of a production that, according to the Los Angeles Times, cost no less $350 million and took five years, most of which was filmed underwater.

In domestic box office

Such a production, of course, also puts pressure on the box office. The first numbers that appeared at the opening of the film were positive both abroad and in Greece.

According to distribution company Feelgood Entertainment, Thursday 15-18 December“Avatar: The Way of Water” in 220 rooms which was broadcast throughout the country, cut 68,284 tickets.

“This film is of great interest to people, and the number of tickets in the cinemas where it is shown is already satisfactory,” says kathimerini.gr. Dimitris Gakasowner of the cinema “Athenaion”.

Indeed, the turnout in the first week of the show is reassuring, especially over the weekend when the minor final and the World Cup final were televised.

This figure gives theater owners a breather in the hope of increasing attendance.

“The film is doing very well and will be even better during the holidays,” says Irini SuganiduPresident and CEO of Feelgood Entertainment.

And he adds: “This is one of those extravaganzas that can only be enjoyed in a movie theater. We are talking not only about older viewers of the first Avatar, but also about younger people. It is a visual masterpiece that, upon seeing it, makes the viewer realize how different it is to watch movies in an indoor theater compared to a good home theater in a private setting.”

With the corona virus pandemic and the “boom” of streaming services in recent years, cinemas have taken a significant hit, and this can be seen every week at the box office.

As Ms Suganidhoo points out, “Movies have been slower to return to cinema than other shows, many have predicted over the years that it will close (with video streaming clubs, etc.), but that never happened.”

So the second Avatar movie has definitely been a lifeline for cinemas because audiences are re-living the 3D experience.

“And, of course, the number of tickets sold for a 3D movie is greater than for a 2D movie. Therefore, we need more such productions, ”adds Ilias Georgiopoulosowner of the Danaos cinema.

Abroad

Abroad, “Avatar: The Way of Water” was a great success, according to an LA Times article.

Film collected $134 million in his North American theatrical debut.

Elsewhere, the sci-fi epic grossed $301 million, bringing the worldwide total to $435 million.

Those ticket sales mark the third-biggest movie opening on the pandemic-driven weekend, behind Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ($442 million) and Spider-Man: No Way Home ($600 million).

“Return to cinemas is only a matter of time”

Regarding the fall in the number of tickets in Greece in recent weeks, Mr. Gakos says that this is normal.

“I’m not worried. Movies were postponed due to the pandemic, people still haven’t gotten rid of the fear of being locked in a room. And since he’s been in the house for a long time, when he wants to go out… he needs space outside. However, it will take time, so that the tickets return to their previous (pre-pandemic) state.”

Ms. Suganidhoo emphasizes that film industry workers are not worried that things are not going well in cinemas.

“With the investment made in Athens, we know that the image of cinemas will be renewed by attracting people. Movies like Avatar will surely revive the value of cinema. And we will have a lot of them next year,” he notes, saying that returning to the darkroom is only a matter of time.

“For now, we have two weeks of festivities ahead, where Avatar will monopolize interest, unlike in previous years when there were problems on the ground.”