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Library/Film/Avatar (2009)
Grade B20 sourcesHIS-01358

Avatar (2009)

Film · 2009 · Viral

74Editable slideCertificate

James Cameron's 3D film earned $2.74 billion worldwide in its original release.

Trailer · Avatar on YouTube
Clip · Saturday Night Live on YouTube
Avatar poster: a Na'vi face
Twentieth Century Fox (distributor); James Cameron / Lightstorm Entertainment
Frame from Avatar's official launch trailer
Avatar on YouTube
Trudy Chacón at the controls of her helicopter
Box Office Mojo
Neytiri draws her bow
Box Office Mojo
Ryan Gosling in SNL's Papyrus sketch
Saturday Night Live on YouTube
Chinese poster for Avatar's 2021 re-release
Deadline
James Cameron introducing Avatar footage at San Diego Comic-Con, July 2009
Natasha Baucas

Spread Score

How it works
Reach100Contagion45Breadth80Velocity38Longevity9174

Numbers

Lifetime worldwide gross; live total including reissues
$2.92B–$2.92B
As of Oct 22, 2026 · The Numbers
Seed to milestone
7 weeks
Dec 10 ’09 to Jan 25 ’10
Platforms
8
Started on Box office
Leverage
9.4×
$2.92B on $237M–$310M budget

Mechanics

  • Scarcity drop
  • Platform jumpPrimary
  • Press loop
  • Controversy
  • Revival

How it spread

Trace the origin

Fox promoted Avatar with free 3D previews before its London premiere. It opened to $77 million in North America and overtook Titanic worldwide. Fan forums and video criticism crossed into news; later reissues extended its run.

Documented milestone; not a measured attention peak.

Google searchesApr ’09SepJan ’10MarSepOct ’12Nov ’14Dec ’16Aug ’18Jan ’20May ’21MilestoneOpen webBox officePressXYouTubeRetailFacebookTV
Open webBox officePressXYouTubeRetailFacebookTV

12 more events on this chart

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Timeline (15)

  1. August 2009

    Twentieth Century Fox / Apple precursor · Aug 20 ’09

    Fox released the teaser on Apple; it later claimed over four million first-day streams.[1]

    Avatar poster: a Na'vi face
    Open the first post ↗

  2. Twentieth Century Fox / IMAX precursor · Aug 21 ’09

    Fox offered free 16-minute 3D previews; it later said reservations for all screenings were booked.[2][3][1]

  3. December 2009

    Twentieth Century Fox precursor · Dec 3 ’09

    Fox put production at $237 million versus the LA Times' $310 million, with $150 million for promotion.[3][4]

  1. seed · Dec 10 ’09

  2. commercial · Week of Dec 18, 2009

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Why it worked

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Origin
Mixed
Sector
Entertainment
Region
US
Lifetime worldwide gross; live total including reissues
$2.92B–$2.92B
As of Oct 22, 2026 · The Numbers
Evidence
Grade B

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