But behind the scenes, the moment was shot between actors Sigourney Weaver (who is now 76) and a then-underage Jack Champion (now 21). Given that portions of Fire and Ash were filmed as much as eight years ago, director James Cameron says Champion was only 15 at the time of shooting.

It may be unclear whether we will get more Christmas weekends like this, but for now, movie theaters will be getting the sort of variety and quantity they have been clamoring for from Hollywood to boost the box office.

Fire and Ash" writer, director, producer, and editor tells IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit podcast his techniques for maintaining the perspective of the audience and keeping his eyes fresh no matter how many years he works on a film.