Could a zombie apocalypse finally dethrone James Cameron’s box office titan? That’s the bold question on everyone’s mind as Sony’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple gears up to challenge Avatar: Fire and Ash for domestic supremacy. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Avatar has dominated the charts for weeks, this gritty dystopian sequel is aiming to claw its way to the top with a projected $20 to $22 million four-day debut over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. Directed by Nia DaCosta and penned by franchise mastermind Alex Garland, The Bone Temple reunites Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and Alfie Williams in a post-apocalyptic Britain still ravaged by the Rage Virus. With a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score and glowing reviews—Variety’s Peter Debruge hailed it as a 'zombie movie with brains'—this installment is poised to capitalize on its fresh take and minimal competition. Yet, can it truly unseat Avatar 3, which, despite its $1.23 billion global haul, is showing signs of fatigue compared to its predecessors? And this is the part most people miss: while Avatar’s first two films reigned for seven weekends each, Fire and Ash might lose its crown after just five. Meanwhile, Chloe Zhao’s Golden Globe-winning Hamnet expands to 688 theaters, proving that January isn’t just about blockbusters. But let’s not forget Hollywood’s sky-high expectations for Avatar 3, especially after the first two films raked in $2.9 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively. James Cameron has even joked about holding a press conference to decide the fate of Avatar 4 and 5 based on this film’s performance. So, will The Bone Temple rise to the top, or will Avatar’s reign continue? What’s your take? Is this zombie sequel the breath of fresh air audiences crave, or will Avatar’s dominance prove unstoppable? Let us know in the comments—this debate is far from over!
