The Walt Disney Company has officially claimed the crown as Southeast Asia’s number one Hollywood studio in 2025, and Malaysia has played a major role in that achievement.
Closing the year with a series of record-breaking releases, Disney continues its cinematic dominance with the explosive debut of Avatar Fire and Ash, which grossed an impressive US$2.3 million in Malaysia during its opening weekend.
This latest milestone adds to Disney’s already remarkable year. Globally, the studio has surpassed US$5 billion at the box office in 2025, making it the first and only Hollywood studio to reach that mark this year — and notably, the only one to do so in back-to-back years.
It is also Disney’s third time hitting the US$5 billion milestone since 2018, further cementing its position as the world’s most powerful entertainment studio.
A Blockbuster Year Driven by Iconic Franchises
In Southeast Asia, Disney’s dominance was powered by some of its most beloved franchises. Films such as Zootopia 2, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps emerged as the studio’s top-performing releases in Malaysia, drawing millions of fans into cinemas throughout the year.
Among these, Zootopia 2 stood out as a global phenomenon. It delivered the biggest global debut of 2025, became the fourth-largest opening of all time worldwide, and marked the largest animated launch in Disney history.
In Malaysia, it also became the second biggest release ever from Walt Disney Animation Studios — proof that the franchise continues to resonate strongly with local audiences.
According to Rachel Fong, Executive Director and Studio General Manager of The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia, Disney’s success is rooted in storytelling that speaks to universal values.
“Our enduring connection with fans in Malaysia is built on quality storytelling across our brands and franchises, delivering messages that resonate deeply, from the power of community in Zootopia 2 and Thunderbolts* to the importance of family in Lilo & Stitch and The Fantastic Four: First Steps,”.
Avatar Fire and Ash Ignites Cinemas
While Disney had already secured a strong year, Avatar Fire and Ash added a powerful final spark. Opening exclusively in cinemas worldwide on 19 December 2025, the third installment in James Cameron’s groundbreaking Avatar franchise returned audiences to the lush yet dangerous world of Pandora.
In Malaysia alone, the film recorded a US$2.3 million opening, reinforcing Disney’s leadership at the regional box office. This performance builds on the franchise’s already legendary track record across Southeast Asia.
Both Avatar (2009) and Avatar The Way of Water (2022) rank among the top ten highest-grossing MPA films of all time in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. In Singapore, both films were the biggest box office hits of their respective years.
The franchise has also dominated premium formats, with Avatar The Way of Water holding the title of the biggest IMAX box office hit of all time in both Indonesia and Thailand.
Bringing Pandora to Life in Malaysia
To celebrate the release of Avatar Fire and Ash, Disney went beyond the cinema screen with immersive, high-impact activations across Malaysia. Pandora was reimagined in a fiery new form through creative on-ground installations at high-traffic locations such as Sunlight Plaza, TRX Mall and The Campus.
Large-format digital out-of-home displays featured the burning “A” symbol and the intense presence of Varang, a new character who represents the rising conflict in the story.
These visually striking executions were designed to capture attention during the festive season, drawing in curious moviegoers and turning the film into one of the most talked-about releases of the year.
A New Chapter in the Avatar Saga
Directed by James Cameron, Avatar Fire and Ash continues the journey of Jake Sully, Neytiri and the Sully family as they face new threats and evolving challenges in Pandora. The film features a screenplay by James Cameron, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, with a story developed alongside Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno.
The star-studded cast includes Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Winslet, Stephen Lang, Edie Falco, David Thewlis, and many more, delivering another emotionally charged and visually spectacular chapter in the franchise.
With its powerful storytelling, stunning visuals and strong box office momentum, Avatar Fire and Ash not only strengthens Disney’s record-breaking year but also reinforces Malaysia’s role as a key market in Southeast Asia’s thriving cinema landscape.
Catch Avatar Fire and Ash exclusively in cinemas now and experience the next epic journey on Pandora.
Keywords :
- Disney Southeast Asia,
- Avatar Fire and Ash Malaysia,
- Malaysia box office,
- Disney box office 2025,
- Zootopia 2,
- Thunderbolts movie,
- Fantastic Four First Steps,
- IMAX Avatar,
- Pandora movie,
- Disney Malaysia cinema
