Avatar takes The Dark Knight out at the knees
As it stands now, Avatar is only $74.9 million away from sinking Titanic to become the number one domestic grossing film of all time. Internationally, it is suspected to top Titanic's worldwide grosses of $1.242 billion this weekend. With an Oscar win suspected in the very near future, there is no telling how much money Avatar will rake in by the end of its theatrical run.
Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Peter Mensah, Laz Alonso, Wes Studi, Stephen Lang, and Matt Gerald, Avatar is still in IMAX theaters nationwide.
Avatar was released December 18th, 2009 and stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Joel Moore, Giovanni Ribisi, Michelle Rodriguez, Laz Alonso. The film is directed by James Cameron.
The Dark Knight was released July 18th, 2008 and stars Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Monique Gabriela Curnen. The film is directed by Christopher Nolan.
Comments (78)
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Remy72883
Like i said before Avatar was a good movie, its main appeal was the special effects, the story was basic enough a 5 year old could follow it, Ive watch Avatar i think 3 times, Ive watch The Dark Knight hell i lost count after 30, difference between these films ares simple, alot of people were getting high while watching Avatar amazed by all the pretty colors, While fans of The Dark Knight got so much more, We got a story, Great Action and brilliant effects, and i was born in 83, what does it have to do with the year your born to enjoy films, not really following that.
2 years agoby @remy72883Flag
Cyn
@Brian
Avatar isn't all that.
The FX were great. The 3D was a brief novelty. The movie not that great.
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Cyn
Just a pity it was the inferior film.
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Brian
God damn. Please stop comparing Avatar to The Dark Knight. The Dark Knight isn't all that... and most people who weren't born in the 90's agree.
2 years agoby @brianFlag
slysnide
You and me both. I analyzed those points in my review I posted yesterday. I gave it only 3/5. It lacked on too many levels.
2 years agoby @slysnideFlag
Rachel123
I'm just stating my opinion here, but I personally loved the visuals in The Dark Knight much more than Avatar. Batman looking over the city and buildings in The Dark Knight -- breathtaking. The visuals in Avatar were colorful and bright, but I didn't love them as much as The Dark Knight.
I don't understand why Avatar is making so much money. I guess it has to do with the same guy that directed 'Titanic'. Avatar has a nice story, simplistic, but I've seen this kind of story thousands of times before. It's just such a simple story for a 3 hour movie. Beside technically impressive, I just wasn't blown away by the movie. At the end I was like "Oh, that was nice." and that was it... it didn't stay with me for days on end like The Dark Knight did. I don't want to compare the two... both of them are good movies... but I kind of think it does The Dark Knight a disservice to compare it to Avatar like that. In terms of ACTING, especially DEEP, thought-provoking, and relevant themes, and AWESOME music, I thought The Dark Knight was way better.
It's not up to me. I don't care which makes more money... The Dark Knight will always be a favorite of mine, and I highly doubt I will purchase Avatar.
2 years agoby @rachel123Flag
Altrim
avatar is nothing compare with the dark knight.
2 years agoby @altrimFlag
slysnide
Here are the worldwide #s for those whom are interested:
#1) Titanic-----------------$1,842,879,955
#2) Avatar------------------$1,840,797,418
#3) Return of the King--$1,119,110,941
#4) Dead Man's Chest--$1,066,179,725
#5) The Dark Knight-----$1,001,921,825
Overall I think a lot of the success IS attributed to the fact that JC's last big movie was "Titanic" 12yrs ago, driving people's expectations through the roof about the fact that after so much time he'd have to have something amazing up his sleeve to wait 12yrs for his follow up to his box office/Oscar winning juggernaut "Titanic." If JC wasn't JC, then I highly doubt this film would've been nearly as successful given that it's essentially another remake of an idea recylced in books, movies, doc*mentaries, and history too many times for it to have any surprises besides how much of a juggernaut it's become.
2 years agoby @slysnideFlag
Titanictom
Stop using the term: OF ALL TIME!!! we're still going thru Time, Duh!!!
2 years agoby @titanictomFlag
Yahzee
So who actually cares? It doesn't matter how much money a movie makes. Titanic is, at least for a few days, the biggest money maker and that doesn't mean is the best movie ever. The Dark Knight's quality or reputation is not in question here, and while you can't deny Avatar is a wonderful movie, I don't understand the point in compraing them at any level. They're both diferent movies with different approaches. Serenity didn't made a lot of money and still is one of the best space sci-fi films ever.
2 years agoby @yahzeeFlag
Clockworkcookie
It's not like TDK has "lost" anything here, it still was the most successful comic book movie of all time right? And on top of that, it was probably the one with the best reviews, AND it won an oscar. For a movie about Batman it was pretty revolutionary too.
2 years agoby @clockworkcookieFlag
Frenzy2001
Remy, did you actually read my comment? I AGREE with you that The Dark Knight is a better movie, I'm just saying that Avatar is also a good movie. Special effects are not the reason I enjoy a movie, 80% of my favorite movies are gritty, dark, and visually underwhelming movies. The story and acting are way more important than the visuals in my opinion (again agreeing with you), but I don't see the reason to be so pissed that it grossed more than TDK.
2 years agoby @frenzy2001Flag
Dr.Carter
I do agree with Illumintai, at least it is Avatar and not a Harry Potter or Twighlight flick. But as you guys are saying TDK triumph was well deserved, it had a great story and cast and did not need to rely on the visual effects. I myself am a huge comic book fan especially when it comes to batman but I guess you win some you lose some.
2 years agoby @dr-carterFlag
slysnide
Actually Paolo, the numbers are adjusted for inflation. "Titanic" only broke a billion by 200mil or so. By inflation it's 1.848bil. Otherwise if numbers weren't adjusted then a comparison wouldn't be possible. But I agree with Remy about the triumph of TDK story & acting wise in comparison to this thing. I wrote a ton on it on my review I posted this morning, referencing other films and historical events it mimicks.
2 years agoby @slysnideFlag
Illuminati
It finally happened! well, nobody can be surprised. This juggernaut has been crushing the competition before it even hit the cinemas, the hype alone was enough.
I'm 'clearly' a big batman & TDK fan. For me this doesn't take away anything from how good TDK was. I agree it's not a perfect film, but 'd rather have AVATAR take the number 2 spot than it's close contenders like HARRY POTTER, SPIDEY 3 or SHREK.
Good for cameron. Now they should give him SUB-MARINER and let's make something special with that!(too late for GREEN LANTERN:(
2 years agoby @illuminatiFlag
Remy72883
ok Frenzy2001i agree its like mixing 2 different type of movies and styles but you have to admit The Dark Knight had better story and overall acting, I got drag to avatar and besides the special effects i wasn't impressed. The Dark Knight has so much more and for people to say that it beats The Dark Knight is sad, You say im the mindless idiot here is just funny in its own way, its apparent your merely amused by nothing and not wanting anything in return when you leave the theater. But talking about the pretty colors and moving CGI. and thank you Paolo Sardinas its nice to see im not alone in the argument, and your right, its the story and acting that makes a movie, not the bullsh*t computer graphics that make up for a lack of story and acting.
2 years agoby @remy72883Flag
Paolo Sardinas
I have to agree with Remy down there. Avatar may have made more money than Dark Knight and yes it MAY be more technically impressive than TDK but its not even half the movie Dark Knight was in terms of story and acting. You know, the things that actually make movies.
2 years agoby @sardinasFlag
Paolo Sardinas
When you adjust these totals for inflation Avatar barely breaks the top thirty. The only reason why its made so much money is because of movie tickets being so expensive.
2 years agoby @sardinasFlag
slysnide
I just want to point out that these dethronings are domestic numbers, for TDK wasn't #2 globally. It was like #4 or something. There's decent lists online about these things. Though yes, just a matter of next Sunday till it's #1 globally. Too bad, I mean at least "Titanic" was the first of many before it to actually look good as opposed to this.
Point being that you're gonna be seeing several more remakes ordered and served up this next decade. So if we thought this decade was bad for too many remakes, then hahaha, wait till 2020 when we'll be regretting this juggernaut's success for bringing on the remakes. Boosting a bad industry type in a good one. Television at least makes episodes out of what used to be taboos in this culture 3 decades prior, if not 2. I bet they'd be better at writing an original piece.
2 years agoby @slysnideFlag
ZanyZap
I like pineapples more.
2 years agoby @zanyzapFlag
Frenzy2001
Wow Remy, calm down. The Dark Knight is one of my alltime favorite movies (it's a toss up for 1st with Cinderella Man for me), but Avatar is a phenominal movie that deserves all that it is achieving. Just because it makes more money, doesn't nessacarily mean it's a better movie as a whole. Besides, they are two completely different types of movies, it's comparing watermelons and pineapples, you need to appreciate each movie for what it is. The only "mindless idiot" here is you. To be bent so far out of shape over which movie makes more money is funny, sad, and radiculous all at the same time.
2 years agoby @frenzy2001Flag
Remy72883
i dont care what people say this is a movie for Stoner's and people who want to get f*ck up on acid and be dazzeled by pretty colors and blue people, just people that i call the masses, "mindless idiots" big f*cking deal, this movie might beat out The Dark Knight in numbers, But when it comes to a Story and Iconic characters it has nothing on it. THIS MOVIE BLOWS AND THE DARK KNIGHT WILL FOREVER ROCK, but just keep in mind this is my opinion on it.
2 years agoby @remy72883Flag
Clockworkcookie
It was expected. And Brian, that's open for discussion :P Technically, of course Avatar is better, but the plot and acting is much better in TDK (just my opinion).
2 years agoby @clockworkcookieFlag
Brian
I just want to point this out: Avatar is better than The Dark Knight.
2 years agoby @brianFlag
Brian
@mushy you sound full of it. Constantly!
2 years agoby @brianFlag
Mushy
Here is what I AM THATGUY says:
"The only person who can beat out cameron is cameron. C'mon Cameron, You can do it."
What a horses ass.
I think Avatar is going to probably rake in $2 billion.
However, it cost them $750,000,000 to make and market this picture.
So, in order to really see pay dirt... the film will have to make $3 billion at the box office.
Ain't gonna happen.
Also, profitwise, Fox recently announced that the film has made $100,000.
Check it out here at:
http://www.hotfoxnumbers.org
Thank you to all my readers.
-M '10
2 years agoby @mushyFlag
CelluloidDreams
WOW!!!
2 years agoby @2movieguysFlag
Avian
I just want to point this out: The Dark Knight is better than Avatar, but whatever.
2 years agoby @avian005Flag
justinishulk
by this week Avatar will knock down Titanic.... Avatar Domestic: $552,797,000 Worldwide: $1,836,143,000 Titanic Domestic: $600,788,188 Worldwide: $1,842,879,955.... so check this out http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic.htm
2 years agoby @justinishulkFlag
Dark enV
It broke it on saturday, can't really say I'm surprised that this happened. Don't really know how to feel, I loved the movie and it deserves to be where it's at but The Dark Knight is like my favorite film, so it's kind of bitter sweet. I just hope Avatar takes out Titanic, at least then we can have a movie up there that should probably be there. Avatar is very very close to taking out Titanic in worldwide and domestic box office. It's just funny that James Cameron has now made the two biggest films in history lol
2 years agoby @dark-envFlag