Disney’s latest sequel, Avatar: Fire and Ash, has reached a global box office haul of $1.083 billion in just 18 days, with $306 million domestically and $777.1 million internationally. This performance makes Disney the only U.S. studio to deliver billion-dollar films in consecutive years, following Zootopia 2’s $1.59 billion in 2025. Fire and Ash ranks as the tenth highest-grossing domestic film of the year despite a late December release, contributing to Disney placing four titles in the top ten domestically and three globally in 2025.

Disney’s fiscal first quarter, covering October through December, will benefit directly from the box office surges of both Zootopia 2 and early Avatar: Fire and Ash results. Analysts from Benzinga Pro forecast quarterly revenue of $25.65 billion, up from $24.69 billion a year earlier. They project earnings per share at $1.57, compared with $1.76 in last year’s first quarter. Success in theatrical revenue is expected to drive year-over-year growth against a prior period that included Moana 2.

The original 2009 Avatar reached $1 billion in 17 days and ultimately $2.9 billion worldwide; its 2022 sequel hit $1 billion in 14 days before closing at $2.3 billion. Fire and Ash’s current pace trails those predecessors but positions it to challenge the $2 billion milestone achieved only by seven films to date, including the first two Avatar entries and three other Disney releases. Disney management is likely to comment on whether the new sequel can join this elite group.

Disney shares have gained 2.7 percent over the past year, trading within a 52-week range from $80.10 to $124.69. The stock finished Monday up 2 percent. Investors will be watching whether blockbuster theatrical results can translate into broader confidence in Disney’s growth trajectory, especially given the company’s mixed record in topping revenue estimates—four beats in the last ten quarters—versus a ten-quarter streak of earnings beats.