James Cameron's Avatar 3 Holds Korean Box Office Lead While Zootopia 2 Hits 8 Million Viewers
Disney blockbusters dominated South Korea's weekend box office as "Avatar: Fire and Ash" maintained its top position and "Zootopia 2" crossed a historic milestone.
Cameron's Sci-Fi Threequel Maintains Momentum
"Avatar: Fire and Ash" attracted 260,800 viewers on January 3, keeping its grip on first place at Korean theaters, according to the Korean Film Council. The film has drawn 5.36 million total admissions since its December 19 release.
The third chapter follows the Sully family as they face threats from the Ash People, a militant Na'vi tribe led by Varang. The film reached $1.08 billion globally during its third weekend, with Korea contributing approximately $44 million-making it the fourth-largest international market after China, France, and Germany.
Zootopia Sequel Reaches Major Milestone
Despite falling to third place with 98,413 daily admissions, "Zootopia 2" achieved a significant benchmark by surpassing 8 million viewers in Korea. The animated sequel's total now stands at 8.007 million admissions.
Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard's film follows rabbit officer Judy Hopps and fox detective Nick Wilde as they track reptile criminal Gary through unexplored areas of Zootopia. The sequel finished 2025 as Korea's top-grossing film with 7.7 million admissions and $51.26 million in revenue.
Globally, "Zootopia 2" has earned $1.58 billion, making it Disney Animation's highest-grossing film ever. In Korea, it ranks fifth all-time among animated releases behind "Frozen 2," "Frozen," "Inside Out 2," and "Elemental."
Korean Romance Takes Second
"Once We Were Us" climbed to second place with 100,812 admissions on January 3, bringing its total to 394,454 viewers since its December 31 opening. The romantic drama stars Koo Kyo-hwan and Moon Ga-young as former lovers who reunite after ten years apart.
Box Office Roundup
"Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight" held fourth position with 42,443 admissions, accumulating 613,708 total viewers. The youth drama features Choo Young-woo and Shin Si-ah in a story about a girl who loses her daily memories and the boy who helps preserve them.
The top ten was rounded out by "Choir of God," "Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers," "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants," "Tom and Jerry: Compass Chaos," "Pororo the Movie: Sweet Castle Adventure," and a special edition of "In the Mood for Love."
Both "Avatar: Fire and Ash" and "Zootopia 2" continue demonstrating the strong performance of franchise blockbusters in Korea's theatrical market throughout the extended holiday season.
