James Cameron Just Welcomed Iron Man to Pandora — Because 'Endgame' Took Back the Box Office Crown

James Cameron congratulated Marvel on Friday, October 16, after Avengers: Endgame retook the all-time worldwide box office crown from Avatar — and he did it by welcoming Iron Man to Pandora. Cameron shared original artwork showing Tony Stark in his Iron Man armor surrounded by Na'vi figures laying their hands on him in welcome, under the line "You are one of the people." His message read: "Congratulations to Marvel and the #1 'Avengers: Endgame: Encore' for bringing moviegoers to the cinemas!" He signed it simply: Jim Cameron.

What happened, in short

The record changed hands earlier this month thanks to Avengers: Endgame: Encore, an extended theatrical re-release that arrived in cinemas on September 25. As the re-release kept selling tickets, Endgame's lifetime worldwide total climbed to about $2.9255 billion — edging past Avatar's roughly $2.9237 billion, according to figures reported by Dark Horizons and TheWrap. That is a gap of only about $2 million between two films closing in on $3 billion each, as Fandomage, citing Variety's October 4 reporting, noted.

Why is this blowing up?

Partly, it is the sheer closeness of the race. Partly, it is Cameron's artwork itself. "You are one of the people" is not a throwaway line for Avatar fans — becoming one of the People is how the Na'vi accept an outsider into the clan, the honor Jake Sully earns in the 2009 film. Cameron was not just conceding a record; he was adopting his rival. Fans also love that this has become a genuine Hollywood tradition: as Dark Horizons points out, the practice of the dethroned director congratulating the new box office king goes back to Steven Spielberg congratulating George Lucas when Star Wars overtook Jaws in the late 1970s.

A crown that keeps changing hands

This is the third time the title has flipped between these two films. Avatar held the worldwide record for about a decade before Endgame first passed it in July 2019, during its original run. Cameron congratulated Marvel then, too, writing "Oel ngati kameie. I see you, Marvel," and crowning Endgame "the new box-office king." Then a 2021 re-release of Avatar in China put Cameron's film back on top — and Marvel and directors Joe and Anthony Russo graciously replied, "Passing the gauntlet back to you." Now the gauntlet has changed hands again, and the Russos have already thanked the fans who bought Encore tickets, closing their message with Marvel's signature sign-off: "We love you 3000."

Key facts

New No. 1: Avengers: Endgame, at about $2.9255 billion worldwide.
Now No. 2: Avatar (2009), at about $2.9237 billion across its original run and re-releases.
What tipped it: Avengers: Endgame: Encore, the September 25 re-release featuring new footage that sets up the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
Cameron's post: Shared Friday, October 16, showing Iron Man welcomed by the Na'vi under the words "You are one of the people."
The twist: Both films now sit under the same roof — Disney acquired Fox's film business in 2019, so Disney wins this fight either way.

What's next

If history is any guide, this is not the final chapter. Avatar retook the crown once before through a re-release, and Cameron's franchise is still very much alive. For now, though, the most successful filmmaker rivalry in box office history has produced another classy, meme-ready moment — and moviegoers, as Cameron himself noted, are back in cinemas to watch it happen.

FAQ

What is the highest-grossing movie of all time right now?

Avengers: Endgame is No. 1 again, with about $2.9255 billion worldwide, just ahead of Avatar at about $2.9237 billion. Totals are unadjusted for inflation and include re-releases.

What did James Cameron actually post?

On October 16 he shared artwork of Iron Man being welcomed by Na'vi figures under the line "You are one of the people," congratulating Marvel and the No. 1 Avengers: Endgame: Encore for bringing moviegoers back to cinemas.

How did Endgame pass Avatar this time?

Through Avengers: Endgame: Encore, an extended re-release that opened September 25 with new footage setting up Avengers: Doomsday. Its ticket sales pushed Endgame's lifetime total past Avatar's in early October.

Has Avatar ever taken the record back before?

Yes. After Endgame first passed it in July 2019, Avatar reclaimed the crown in March 2021 thanks to a re-release in China — which is why fans expect this rivalry to flip again someday.

Sources: TheWrap, Dark Horizons, MovieWeb