Avatar makes Hollywood History?

Sci-fi film Avatar, with its 3D effects and eco-friendly aliens, has helped Hollywood to its most successful and lucrative weekend ever.

The movie, made by Titanic director James Cameron, is at the top of the U.S. box office charts for a second week after selling $75milllion (£47m) worth of tickets.

The huge ticket sales and positive reviews vindicate Cameron, who spent an estimated $400million and a decade making the film. It was predicted by many industry insiders that it would be a flop and would never recoup costs.

Similarly, his 1997 film Titantic cost around $200million to make and it was feared that its three hour running time would turn off movie-goers. But it grossed $1.8billion worldwide and won 11 Oscars.

Avatar is now the front runner at the 2010 Oscars.

In its first weekend in Britain, the film grossed $13.6million (£8.5m) - a great success but less than vampire film New Moon.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1239215/Avatar-blitzes-box-office-leads-biggest-weekend-Hollywood-history.html#ixzz0bDCRXIP0