The long-awaited sequel Avatar: The Way of Water should open in North American theaters on December 16 to at least $150 million-$170 million, according to early tracking.
The Way of Water hits the big screen 13 years after Avatar became the highest-grossing film of all time at the global box office
In addition to tracking on Wednesday morning, Disney said Tuesday night that The Way of Water has landed a coveted China release.
The first Avatar opened to $77 million over the weekend of December 18–20 in 2009, and then enjoyed exceptional legs.
Water Way is 30 minutes longer than Avatar, or three hours and 10 minutes, which means the sequel will have fewer showtimes.
Avatar 2 hopes to join an elite club of tall Hollywood tentpoles that have done blockbuster business in theaters, including Avengers: Endgame and Cameron's Titanic.
Disney inherited the Avatar franchise when it purchased 21st Century Fox, including 20th Century Fox.
This re-release grossed over $76 million at the global box office, bringing the film's current gross to over $2.92 billion.