James Cameron’s highly anticipated film, “Avatar 3,” is scheduled for release at the close of 2025. This installment is part of a five-film series, following the massive success of the original “Avatar” in 2009. Cameron’s reputation as a box office titan is well-established, with three of his creations ranking among the highest-grossing films of all time, including the first two “Avatar” movies.
The first “Avatar” was the reigning box office champion for a decade before “Avengers: Endgame” dethroned it. However, the re-release of the first “Avatar” film surged it back to the top spot just prior to the premiere of “Avatar 2,” and it has maintained that position ever since. Encouraged by the success of “Avatar 2,” Cameron proceeded with his plan to release three more sequels. Nevertheless, the third “Avatar” faces a new challenge in the form of stiff competition.
When “Avatar 3” hits theaters at the end of 2025, it will go head-to-head with the beloved children’s franchise, “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.” Originally set for a May 2025 release, the SpongeBob movie was delayed to December 19, 2025, aligning with the release date of “Avatar 3.” This presents a unique challenge for James Cameron, as his previous two “Avatar” films had little competition during their releases.
While “Avatar 3” and the SpongeBob movie will likely attract distinct audiences, the enthusiastic following of SpongeBob SquarePants could affect Cameron’s box office dominance if its fans turn up on opening weekend.
SpongeBob SquarePants, which debuted in 1999, has been a cultural phenomenon, even extending its success to a Broadway run. The franchise has already delivered three feature films, with the 2015 release, “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water,” becoming the second-highest-grossing movie based on an animated TV show. The most recent installment, “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run,” faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic but still found success.
While it’s improbable that “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” will dethrone “Avatar 3,” it has the potential to impact the sequel’s opening weekend earnings and overall box office performance. The clash between these two releases will undoubtedly be one to watch, and it may test Cameron’s reign as the king of the box office.