Avatar movies in order – James Cameron's films, ranked and explained

The short version

The Avatar films are the easiest watch order there is: you watch them in the order they came out. Each film continues the story of the one before, and the characters and events carry over, so the first film has to come first. There are three so far, and two more have been announced.

There are two things that make this page worth having. The first is that “Avatar” is also the name of a very different franchise, the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, and a lot of people searching for one end up at the other. The second is our own view of the films, which is split in an unusual way: one of the best films we have ever seen, followed by two sequels that disappointed us.

The Avatar movies in order

#	Film	Released	Runtime	Our rating
1	Avatar	18 December 2009	about 2 h 42 min	5/5
2	Avatar: The Way of Water	16 December 2022	about 3 h 12 min	3/5
3	Avatar: Fire and Ash	19 December 2025	about 3 h 17 min	3/5

All three were directed by James Cameron and are rated PG-13. A marathon of the three films runs a little over nine hours, so plan it across a weekend, not an evening.

What each film is

Avatar (2009). The original, and for us one of the best films of all time. A former marine who cannot walk takes control of an avatar, a living body that looks like one of the Na’vi, and discovers a world he does not want to leave. It is visually overwhelming, the story is gripping, and the idea of the avatars is genius. We rate it 5 out of 5 and could not name a weakness.

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022). The sequel is set more than a decade later, with Jake and Neytiri’s family leaving the forest for a reef clan. It looks outstanding, but the plot and the characters’ choices did not hold together for us, and it was a real disappointment. A well-meant 3 out of 5.

Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025). The third film continues the family’s story and introduces the Ash People. It looks superb, but the same problem followed it, and we watched it at home instead of in the cinema. A well-meant 3 out of 5.

Why the order matters

The sequels are not standalone adventures in the same world. They continue the story and the people of the first film, and later films assume you know what came before. If you start with The Way of Water, you will see the spectacle but miss why the characters are where they are. Watch them in release order, and give the first film the evening it deserves.

If you only have time for one film, it is the first. It is also the one we would suggest if you are introducing the series to a teenager or a partner.

What is still to come

Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 have been announced, with reported release dates of December 2029 and December 2031. These dates were announced some time ago and have moved before, so treat them as plans and not promises. When they are confirmed or change, this page will be updated.

Are the Avatar movies a good family watch?

All three are rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi violence and peril. They suit teenagers and up better than young children, and they are long. A few practical notes:

• Younger children: the battles and the peril can be intense, so use your judgement.
• Length: each sequel is over three hours, so plan a break.
• Where to watch: availability changes. Fire and Ash was given a Disney+ date of 24 June 2026, and all three are available on digital and disc. Check the current catalogue before you plan the evening.

Watching them at home

These are films made for the biggest screen and the best sound you can manage, and that makes them a good showcase for a home cinema. If you want them on the shelf, the 3-movie collection has all three in one set, and the original on Blu-ray is the one to own if you only buy one.

For anyone who wants to know how the world was built, The Making of Avatar covers all three films.

Avatar or Avatar: The Last Airbender?

They are two different franchises that happen to share a name. James Cameron’s Avatar is a series of science-fiction films set on the moon Pandora. Avatar: The Last Airbender is an animated fantasy series with its own sequel series, Korra, a Netflix live-action series, comics and novels. If the animated one is what you were looking for, our Avatar: The Last Airbender watch order and our Avatar hub cover it.

The Dadnology verdict

The Avatar films are a series with a great first film and two sequels that did not live up to it, at least for us. The original is a clear 5, one of the best films of all time. The Way of Water and Fire and Ash look outstanding, but the story and the characters’ choices did not hold together, and we rate each a well-meant 3.

Our advice: watch them in order, give the first film its evening, and decide for yourself how far to follow the story. If you love the spectacle, you will get plenty of it. If you need the story to carry the spectacle, as we do, the first film may be enough.

What order should I watch the Avatar movies in?

In release order: Avatar (2009), Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025). Each film continues the story of the last one.

How many Avatar movies are there?

Three so far, all directed by James Cameron. Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 have been announced for December 2029 and December 2031.

Do I have to watch the Avatar movies in order?

Yes. The sequels continue the story and the characters of the first film, so the order matters.

How long are the Avatar movies?

Avatar runs about 2 hours 42 minutes, The Way of Water about 3 hours 12 minutes and Fire and Ash about 3 hours 17 minutes, so a full marathon is a little over nine hours.

Which Avatar movie is the best?

For us it is the original. We rate Avatar (2009) a 5 out of 5 and both sequels a well-meant 3 out of 5.

Is this the same Avatar as The Last Airbender?

No. James Cameron’s Avatar films and Avatar: The Last Airbender are two separate franchises that share a name. Our Last Airbender watch order covers the animated series, Korra, the live-action series and the comics.

Are the Avatar movies suitable for kids?

All three are rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi violence and peril. They suit teenagers and up better than young children.