The Hollywood blockbusters 'Avatar: The Way of Fire' and 'Zootopia 2' swept theaters on Christmas Day, December 25, bringing a rare burst of energy to the box office. Thanks to the success of these two films, daily theater attendance surpassed 1 million for the first time this month.
According to the integrated computer network for box office ticket sales from the Korean Film Council on December 26, 'Avatar: The Way of Fire' attracted 640,000 viewers and 'Zootopia 2' drew 430,000 viewers the previous day. The total number of moviegoers visiting theaters that day reached 1.37 million, far exceeding the figures from the previous weekend-880,000 on December 21 and 820,000 on December 22.
'Zootopia 2' reached a cumulative audience of 7.03 million in just 30 days since its release, becoming the first film released this year to surpass 7 million viewers. This pace is 41 days faster than 'Elemental' (7.24 million viewers), which holds the fourth spot among the highest-grossing animated films in Korean box office history. It is now almost certain that a Disney animation will top the annual domestic box office for the first time ever.
'Avatar: The Way of Fire,' which claimed the top spot at the box office, has recorded a cumulative audience of 2.98 million. As of 7:30 a.m. on December 26, the film had 530,000 real-time advance reservations. It is expected to surpass 3 million viewers during the day and reach 4 million by this weekend.
'Avatar: The Way of Fire' depicts the hardships faced by Jake Sully's family as they confront a new threat, the 'Ash Tribe,' following the death of their eldest son. 'Zootopia 2,' the sequel arriving nine years after the original, follows Judy and Nick as they chase a mysterious snake named Gary who has shaken up the city.
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