Primate clawed its way to $13.4 million worldwide in its opening frame, yet James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash kept the crown for another weekend with $21.3 million added globally.
At a Glance
- Primate opened to $13.4 million worldwide, $11.3 million domestic
- Avatar: Fire and Ash pushed past $1.23 billion global, $342.6 million domestic
- Zootopia 2 now sits at $1.65 billion and is poised to top Inside Out 2 next week
- Why it matters: Horror fans showed up in January, but franchise giants still dominate box-office momentum
Paramount’s killer-ape thriller leaned into a theatrical-only message, running trailers ahead of major releases throughout 2024 and staging secret screenings to stoke word-of-mouth. One promo flat-out told moviegoers to “witness it for yourself,” underscoring the studio’s push for communal scares on the big screen.
Primate’s Numbers
| Region | Gross |
|---|---|
| North America | $11.3 million |
| International | $2.1 million |
| Worldwide | $13.4 million |
Critics and audiences have responded positively, keeping the film’s momentum alive as word spreads.
Avatar Stays on Top
Avatar: Fire and Ash crossed the coveted $1 billion threshold last weekend and continues to draw huge overseas crowds. Analyst Luiz Fernando notes the sequel remains 2025’s third highest-grossing title globally, trailing only China’s Ne Zha II and Disney’s Zootopia 2.
Domestic haul: $342.6 million
Global haul: $1.23 billion
Animation Showdown
Zootopia 2 keeps climbing, sitting at $1.65 billion worldwide. Fernando projects that by next weekend the talking-animal sequel will eclipse Inside Out 2’s $1.7 billion, claiming the all-time animated record for a Hollywood release.
January Horror Wave
Primate leads a packed month of fright flicks:
- January 17 – 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and Night Patrol
- January 23 – Mercy and Return to Silent Hill
- January 30 – Send Help and Iron Lung
Studios are betting that post-holiday audiences crave adrenaline, and early turnout for Primate suggests the appetite is there.
Key Takeaways
- Horror can still punch through in January when marketing hypes a theatrical experience
- Avatar’s overseas strength keeps it virtually unbeatable for now
- Animated sequels are on track to rewrite record books within days
- Genre fans have six major horror releases to choose from before the month ends
