Avatar", the new movie by "Titanic" director James Cameron, broke the US record for new releases in December, earning $77.3 million on its debut weekend, Twentieth Century Fox said Monday.

Previously the studio estimated that the film had earned $73 million, but an especially strong showing Sunday, fuelled by repeat viewers and strong word of mouth, significantly increased the films earnings, despite a strong snowstorm in the eastern US that kept many potential ticket-buyers at home.