The holiday Box office is shaping up for a fierce but friendly showdown, with Zootopia 2 poised to reclaim its crown just days before Avatar: Fire and Ash prepares to light up theaters with a potential nine-figure debut.

In a surprisingly strong pre-Christmas frame, two films are on track to pull in over $20 million each this weekend. Disney’s animated sequel, Zootopia 2, is expected to bounce back to the #1 spot with around $26 million in its third weekend, a solid -40% hold from its previous $43.4M performance. This surge will help it cross a monumental milestone: $1 billion at the worldwide box office (excluding Russia) any day now. This makes it only the third film this year, and the second major studio title after Lilo & Stitch, to join the billion-dollar club.

Hot on its furry heels is Universal and Blumhouse’s Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. The purely theatrical horror sequel is projecting a weekend between $16M-$20M. While its dedicated, frontloaded fanbase means a steeper drop, its current domestic total of $71M all but guarantees a final run well over $100 million. For comparison, the first film ended its North American run at $137.2M.

The New Challengers: A Brooks Comeback and a Grinch Reappearance

Not all newcomers are faring as well. Disney’s 20th Century Studios is also launching Ella McCay, the first directorial effort from 3x Oscar-winner James L. Brooks in 15 years. Despite a stellar cast including Emma Mackey, Woody Harrelson, and Jamie Lee Curtis, the political dramedy is facing a tough premiere. With a modest production budget of $35M, it’s only projected for a $4 million opening across 2,500 theaters, compounded by tough critical reviews sitting at 23% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Meanwhile, Universal is betting on nostalgia, re-releasing the 25th Anniversary edition of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey. A holiday staple, the original 2000 release famously became the highest-grossing film of its year with $261.3M domestic, even beating Mission: Impossible II. This re-release could be a quiet winner with families seeking classic holiday cheer.

The Calm Before the Avatar Storm

All of this activity is the prelude to the season’s main event. On December 19, 20th Century Studios will unleash Avatar: Fire and Ash, the long-awaited third chapter in James Cameron’s sci-fi epic. Industry hopes are set high, with tracking suggesting an opening north of $100 million. Its performance will be the true test of holiday moviegoing strength, potentially resetting the box office hierarchy through the New Year.

This weekend proves there’s ample room for both family fun and horror at the multiplex. While Zootopia 2 celebrates a billion-dollar victory lap and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 locks in profitability, all eyes are turning toward Pandora. The coming weeks will decide whether the holiday season belongs to animated animals, animatronic nightmares, or Na’vi warriors.

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