LOS ANGELES, Dec. 29 -- Avatar: Fire and Ashretained the top spot at the North American box office after it debuted the week before, reeling in $64 million during the weekend after Christmas, industry estimates showed yesterday.

The third installment in director James Cameron's blockbuster series stars Zoe Saldana as Na'vi warrior Neytiri and Sam Worthington as ex-Marine Jake Sully, who must battle a new foe threatening their family's life on the planet Pandora.

The film grossed US$217.6 million at the box office worldwide during the current weekend, according to estimates.

Zootopia 2, Disney's feel-good animated film and an Oscar contender, rose to number 2 from 5 in the rankings, bringing in US$20 million, according to weekend estima...