- By Swati Singh
- Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:23 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The 2026 Golden Globes nominations have stirred up some buzz, with Avatar: Fire and Ash snagging a spot in the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category—despite not having released yet, let alone earned a single box office dollar! The film joins a diverse lineup of nominees, including F1: The Movie, KPop Demon Hunters, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Sinners, Weapons, Wicked: For Good and Zootopia 2.
This nomination is possible because the Golden Globes consider projected box office performance for films released after November 22, banking on Avatar: Fire and Ash’s likely blockbuster success given its predecessors' track record. The category aims to recognie films with extensive global audience support and cinematic excellence, not just raw numbers.
The inclusion of Avatar: Fire and Ash in the Golden Globes' box office category sparked confusion since it hasn't released yet (it hits theaters Dec 19 in the U.S.) and has zero box office earnings. Given James Cameron's track record, the nod likely banks on its anticipated blockbuster success.
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Congratulations to the 83rd #GoldenGlobes nominees for Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement:
— Golden Globes (@goldenglobes) December 8, 2025
✨ AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH
✨ F1
✨ KPOP DEMON HUNTERS
✨ MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING
✨ SINNERS
✨ WEAPONS
✨ WICKED: FOR GOOD
✨ ZOOTOPIA 2 pic.twitter.com/MhlheU3geU
Why is Avatar 3 Nominated In Golden Globes' Box Office Category?
The Golden Globes' rules allow films released after Nov 22 to qualify for the box office category based on "projected box office performance"—so Avatar: Fire and Ash, expected to be a blockbuster, snaked in despite no earnings yet.
About the movie: Avatar: Fire and Ash is a 2025 epic sci-fi film directed by James Cameron, who co-wrote it with Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman, and Shane Salerno. As the third installment in the Avatar series and sequel to The Way of Water (2022), it's brought to you by 20th Century Studios and Lightstorm Entertainment.
The film boasts an impressive cast, with Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver and Kate Winslet reprising their roles, alongside newcomers and returning faces like Jemaine Clement and Jack Champion.