# Avatar (franchise)

Avatar is an American epic science fiction media franchise created by James Cameron, which began with the eponymous 2009 film. Produced by 20th Century Studios and distributed by Lightstorm Entertainment, it consists of associated merchandise, video games, and theme park attractions. Avatar is set in the mid-22nd century on Pandora, a lush habitable moon of a gas giant in the Alpha Centauri star system. The films' central conflict is between the indigenous Na'vi led by Jake Sully and Neytiri, and humans led by Colonel Miles Quaritch from the Resources Development Administration (RDA), a megacorp which has arrived on Pandora to colonize and pillage it for its natural resources. The title of the series refers to the genetically engineered Na'vi body operated from the brain that humans pilot to interact with on Pandora.
The first installment, Avatar, was released on December 18, 2009, and is the highest grossing motion picture of all-time when ticket price inflation is not considered. The second installment, The Way of Water, was released on December 16, 2022. The planned sequel series was announced by 20th Century Fox on December 11, 2009, one week before Avatar was released to theaters. 20th Century Fox had confirmed the series on January 15, 2010. The Avatar franchise is one of the most expensive franchises undertaken, with the combined budget of the first film and its four sequels estimated at $1 billion. The franchise has grossed more than $5.2 billion worldwide; it is the 15th-highest-grossing film series of all time.
Like the original film, the four sequels have "fully encapsulated" stand-alone plots that "come to their own conclusions". The four films have an overarching meta-narrative that connects them to create a large interconnected saga. Cameron described the sequels as "a natural extension of all the themes, and the characters, and the spiritual undercurrents" of the first film.

## Films

| Film | U.S. release date | Director | Written by | Written by | Produced by | Status |
| Film | U.S. release date | Director | Screenwriter(s) | Story by | Produced by | Status |
| Avatar | December 18, 2009 (2009-12-18) | James Cameron | James Cameron | James Cameron | James Cameron and Jon Landau | Released |
| Avatar: The Way of Water | December 16, 2022 (2022-12-16) | James Cameron | James Cameron, Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver | James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno | James Cameron and Jon Landau | Released |
| Avatar: Fire and Ash | December 19, 2025 (2025-12-19) | James Cameron | James Cameron, Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver | James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno | James Cameron and Jon Landau | Post-production |
| Avatar 4 | December 21, 2029 (2029-12-21) | James Cameron | James Cameron & Josh Friedman | James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno | James Cameron and Jon Landau | Filming on hiatus |
| Avatar 5 | December 19, 2031 (2031-12-19) | James Cameron | James Cameron & Shane Salerno | James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno | James Cameron and Jon Landau | In development |

### Avatar (2009)

Avatar was written and directed by James Cameron, The cast includes Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Lang, Joel David Moore, Giovanni Ribisi, CCH Pounder, Dileep Rao, Matt Gerald, Laz Alonso, and Wes Studi, and was set in the year 2154.
The story focuses on an epic conflict on Pandora, an inhabited Earth-sized moon of Polyphemus, one of three gas giants orbiting Alpha Centauri A. On Pandora, human colonists and the sentient humanoid indigenous inhabitants of Pandora, the Na'vi, engage in a war over the planet's resources (such as unobtanium) and the latter's continued existence. The film's title refers to the remotely controlled, genetically engineered human-Na'vi bodies used by the film's human characters to interact with the natives. The protagonist, Jake Sully, is a paraplegic young man who travels to Pandora from Earth. Assisting the corporate monolith known as the Resources Development Administration (RDA), he is given an avatar which he uses to interact with the story's heroine, Neytiri, as well as her clan known as the Omatikaya.

### Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

Avatar: The Way of Water was written and directed by James Cameron, The cast includes Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldaña, Joel David Moore, Sigourney Weaver, CCH Pounder, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Trinity Bliss, Jamie Flatters, Britain Dalton, and Jack Champion, and was set 13 years after the first film in the year 2170.
Set over a decade after the events of the first film, The Way of Water focuses on the return of the RDA, which prompts Jake's family to seek refuge in the water regions of Pandora in an effort to keep one another safe. Cameron said in an interview that while the first film was about the "awe and wonder", the sequel focuses more on the characters. The film was originally planned for a December 2014 release, but was delayed several times and released on December 16, 2022. Production began in August 2017. It wrapped in September 2020.

### Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025)

A third film is planned for release on December 19, 2025. Interviews in mid-2010 suggested that the third film would explore more of the Alpha Centauri system, but the script was not completed until late 2015. Fire and Ash started shooting simultaneously with The Way of Water in New Zealand on September 25, 2017; filming was completed in late December 2020. The film will introduce a new aggressive Na'vi clan known as 'Ash People' who reside near volcanoes. Cameron stated that Avatar: The Seed Bearer was being considered as a possible title for the film, but Landau debunked the rumor in December 2023.

### Avatar 4 (2029)

A fourth film is planned for release on December 21, 2029. Jon Landau said that, due to a six-year time skip in the first act, a third of Avatar 4 has already been filmed to account for the aging of the child actors, and on September 9, 2022, it was announced at the D23 Expo that principal photography had officially begun for Avatar 4. However, in January 2024, Cameron said that he will not start filming the remainder of Avatar 4 until after the release of Avatar: Fire and Ash. Cameron stated that Avatar: The Tulkun Rider is being considered as a possible title for the fourth film.

### Avatar 5 (2031)

A fifth and final film has been announced and is scheduled for December 19, 2031. Jon Landau stated that part of Avatar 5 will take place on Earth, with Neytiri visiting the planet. Cameron stated that Avatar: The Quest for Eywa is being considered as a possible title for the fifth and final film.

## Cast and characters

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in the franchise.
* An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
* $^U$ indicates an uncredited appearance.
* $^V$ indicates a voice-only role.
* $^Y$ indicates a younger version of the character.
| Character |
| Character | Films | Films | Films | Films | Films | Video game |
| Character | Avatar | Avatar: The Way of Water | Avatar: Fire and Ash | Avatar 4 | Avatar 5 | Avatar: The Game |
| Character | 2009 | 2022 | 2025 | 2029 | 2031 | 2009 |
| Jake Sully | Sam Worthington | Sam Worthington | Sam Worthington | Sam Worthington | Sam Worthington | |
| Neytiri | Zoe Saldaña | Zoe Saldaña | Zoe Saldaña | Zoe Saldaña | Zoe Saldaña | |
| Colonel Miles Quaritch | Stephen Lang | Stephen Lang | Stephen Lang | Stephen Lang | Stephen Lang | Stephen Lang |
| Parker Selfridge | Giovanni Ribisi | Giovanni Ribisi | Giovanni Ribisi | Giovanni Ribisi | Giovanni Ribisi | Giovanni Ribisi |
| Dr. Norm Spellman | Joel David Moore | Joel David Moore | Joel David Moore | Joel David Moore | Joel David Moore | |
| Dr. Max Patel | Dileep Rao | Dileep Rao | Dileep Rao | Dileep Rao | Dileep Rao | |
| Corporal Lyle Wainfleet | Matt Gerald | Matt Gerald | Matt Gerald | Matt Gerald | Matt Gerald | |
| Mo'at | CCH Pounder | CCH Pounder | CCH Pounder | CCH Pounder | CCH Pounder | |
| Dr. Grace Augustine | Sigourney Weaver | Sigourney Weaver | | | | Sigourney Weaver |
| Trudy Chacón | Michelle Rodriguez | | | | | Michelle Rodriguez |
| Eytukan | Wes Studi | | | | | |
| Tsu'tey | Laz Alonso | | | | | |
| Kiri | | Sigourney Weaver | Sigourney Weaver | Sigourney Weaver | Sigourney Weaver | |
| Ronal | | Kate Winslet | Kate Winslet | Kate Winslet | Kate Winslet | |
| Tonowari | | Cliff Curtis | Cliff Curtis | Cliff Curtis | Cliff Curtis | |
| General Frances Ardmore | | Edie Falco | Edie Falco | Edie Falco | Edie Falco | |
| Captain Mick Scoresby | | Brendan Cowell | Brendan Cowell | Brendan Cowell | Brendan Cowell | |
| Dr. Ian Garvin | | Jemaine Clement | Jemaine Clement | Jemaine Clement | Jemaine Clement | |
| Lo'ak | | Britain DaltonChloe Coleman | Britain Dalton | Britain Dalton | Britain Dalton | |
| Miles "Spider" Socorro | | Jack Champion | Jack Champion | Jack Champion | Jack Champion | |
| Neteyam | | Jamie Flatters | | | | |
| Tuktirey "Tuk" | | Trinity Jo-Li Bliss | Trinity Jo-Li Bliss | Trinity Jo-Li Bliss | Trinity Jo-Li Bliss | |
| Tsireya "Reya" | | Bailey Bass | Bailey Bass | Bailey Bass | Bailey Bass | |
| Aonung | | Filip Geljo | Filip Geljo | Filip Geljo | Filip Geljo | |
| Rotxo | | Duane Evans Jr. | Duane Evans Jr. | Duane Evans Jr. | Duane Evans Jr. | |
| Metkayina Interpreter | | CJ Jones | | | | |
| Varang | | | Oona Chaplin | Oona Chaplin | Oona Chaplin | |
| Peylak | | | David Thewlis | David Thewlis | David Thewlis | |
| Dr. Karina Mogue | | | | Michelle Yeoh | Michelle Yeoh | |

## Production details

Production details of Avatar films :
| Film | Composer | Cinematographer | Editors | Production companies | Distributor | Running time |
| Avatar | James Horner | Mauro Fiore | Stephen E. Rivkin John Refoua James Cameron | Lightstorm Entertainment Dune Entertainment Ingenious Film Partners | 20th Century Fox | 162 min. |
| Avatar: The Way of Water | Simon Franglen | Russell Carpenter | David Brenner Stephen E. Rivkin John Refoua James Cameron | 20th Century Studios Lightstorm Entertainment TSG Entertainment & Walt Disney Pictures | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | 192 min. |
| Avatar: Fire and Ash | Simon Franglen | Russell Carpenter | David Brenner Stephen E. Rivkin John Refoua James Cameron Nicolas de Toth | 20th Century Studios Lightstorm Entertainment TSG Entertainment & Walt Disney Pictures | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | TBA |
| Avatar 4 | Simon Franglen | Mauro Fiore | Stephen E. Rivkin James Cameron Nicolas de Toth | 20th Century Studios Lightstorm Entertainment TSG Entertainment & Walt Disney Pictures | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | TBA |
| Avatar 5 | Simon Franglen | Mauro Fiore | Stephen E. Rivkin James Cameron Nicolas de Toth | 20th Century Studios Lightstorm Entertainment TSG Entertainment & Walt Disney Pictures | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | TBA |

## Reception
### Box office performance

The first film grossed $2.92 billion worldwide and is the highest-grossing film in history. The second film, The Way of Water, has grossed $2.32 billion worldwide and currently ranks as the third highest-grossing film. The third, fourth, and fifth films in the series are expected to have a budget of $250 million.
Box office performance for Avatar films :
| Film | Release date | Box office gross | Box office gross | Box office gross | Box office ranking | Box office ranking | Budget | Ref. |
| Film | Release date | North America | Other territories | Worldwide | North America | Worldwide | Budget | Ref. |
| Avatar | December 18, 2009 | $785,221,649 | $2,138,484,377 | $2,923,706,026 | 4 | 1 | $237 million | |
| Avatar: The Way of Water | December 16, 2022 | $684,075,767 | $1,636,174,514 | $2,320,250,281 | 7 | 3 | $350 million | |
| Avatar: Fire and Ash | December 19, 2025 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | $250 million | |
| Avatar 4 | December 21, 2029 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | $250 million | |
| Avatar 5 | December 19, 2031 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | $250 million | |
| Total | Total | $1,469,297,416 | $3,774,658,891 | $5,243,956,307 | 17 | 14 | $1.337 billion | |

### Critical and public response

Critical and public response to the Avatar films :
| Film | Critical | Critical | Public | Public |
| Film | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore | PostTrak |
| Avatar | 81% (334 reviews) | 83 (38 reviews) | A | — |
| Avatar: The Way of Water | 76% (453 reviews) | 67 (68 reviews) | A | 91% |

### Accolades

Academy Awards received by the Avatar franchise :
| Category | Category | 2010 | 2023 |
| Category | Category | Avatar | Avatar: The Way of Water |
| Best Picture | Best Picture | Nominated | Nominated |
| Best Director | Best Director | Nominated | — |
| Best Cinematography | Best Cinematography | Won | — |
| Best Film Editing | Best Film Editing | Nominated | — |
| Best Original Score | Best Original Score | Nominated | — |
| Best Production Design | Best Production Design | Won | Nominated |
| Best Sound | Editing | Nominated | Nominated |
| Best Sound | Mixing | Nominated | Nominated |
| Best Visual Effects | Best Visual Effects | Won | Won |

## Music

* Avatar (Music from the Motion Picture) was scored by James Horner and released on December 15, 2009, by Atlantic Records and Fox Music.
* Avatar: The Way of Water (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) was scored by Simon Franglen and released on December 15, 2022, by Hollywood Records.
* Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (Original Game Soundtrack) was scored by Pinar Toprak and released on December 8, 2023, by Lakeshore Records.

### Singles

* "I See You (Theme from Avatar)"
* "Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)"

## Other media
### Video games

| Title | Details |
| Avatar: The Game Original release date(s): WW: December 1, 2009 | Release years by system: 2009 – PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, iPhone 2010 – iPad, Android |
| Avatar: The Game Original release date(s): WW: December 1, 2009 | Notes: Published by Ubisoft for consoles and Gameloft for mobile devices. Acts as a non-canon prequel to the film, features Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and Giovanni Ribisi reprise their roles from the film. The casting and voice production for Avatar: The Game was handled by Blindlight. Third-person shooter action-adventure game |
| Avatar: Pandora Rising Original release date: US: January 22, 2020 | Release years by system: 2020 – iOS, Android |
| Avatar: Pandora Rising Original release date: US: January 22, 2020 | Notes: Developed by FoxNext Games Los Angeles and published by FoxNext Games Game was soft launched but never received a full release Real-time strategy game On February 11, 2022, it was announced the game would cease production and servers would be shut down April 4, 2022. |
| Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Original release date(s): WW: December 7, 2023 | Release years by system: 2023 – PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S, Amazon Luna |
| Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Original release date(s): WW: December 7, 2023 | Notes: Developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft Action-adventure game |
| Avatar: Reckoning Original release date(s): TBA | Release years by system: TBA – iOS, Android |
| Avatar: Reckoning Original release date(s): TBA | Notes: Developed by Archosaur Games and published by Level Infinite MMO role-playing third-person shooter game |

### Novels

Following the release of Avatar, Cameron initially planned to write a novel based on the film, "telling the story of the movie, but [going] into much more depth about all the stories that we didn't have time to deal with."
In 2013, this plan was superseded by the announcement of four new novels set within the "Avatar expanded universe", to be written by Steven Gould. The books were due to be published by Penguin Random House, but there has been no update on the planned book series since 2017.
In July 2022, the first graphic novel based on the Avatar franchise was announced.
| Title | Release date | Age category | Media type | Ref. |
| Avatar: The High Ground | December 6, 2022 – January 10, 2023 | 12+ | Graphic Novel | |
| Based on James Cameron original screenplay for Avatar: The Way of Water and serves as a prequel to the film. Written by Sherri L. Smith and Augustin Padilla Illustrated by Guilherme Balbi, Michael Altiyeh, Wes Dzioba, Michael Angel Ruiz, Diego Galindo, George Quadros, Gabriel Guzman, DC Alonso Published by Dark Horse Comics and Penguin Random House Three part series Volume 1, released on December 6, 2022 Volume 2, released on January 10, 2023 Volume 3, released on January 10, 2023 During the development process of creating the four Avatar sequels, a lot of new ideas and stories were created and discussed. One such original story idea that did not make it into the sequels was James Cameron's original story—"The High Ground." Cameron shared what he had written with Dark Horse Comics and it was then adapted into a graphic novel. |||||

### Books

The Art of Avatar is a film production art book released on November 30, 2009, by Abrams Books.
The World of Avatar: A Visual Exploration Is a book that celebrates, explores, and explains the spectacular world of Pandora. The book was released on May 31, 2022, by DK Books
The Art of Avatar The Way of Water takes an exclusive look behind-the-scenes on the production and creative process of James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water. It was released on December 16, 2022, by DK Books
Avatar The Way of Water The Visual Dictionary is a visual guide that showcases characters, vehicles, weapons, locations, and more from the movie, as well as many stunning exclusive details. This book was released on December 16, 2022, by DK Books

### Comic books

In October 2015, Dark Horse Comics signed a 10-year partnership to publish Avatar comics.
On May 6, 2017, Dark Horse Comics published a Free Comic Book Day one-shot entitled FCBD 2017: James Cameron's Avatar / Briggs Land, which included a short story set in the world of Avatar entitled "Brothers". From January to August 2019, Dark Horse published a six-issue miniseries called Avatar: Tsu'tey's Path. Tsu'tey's Path was collected in trade paperback format on November 27, 2019, with "Brothers" included as supplementary material.
| Title | No. of Issues | Issue No. | Release date | Story | Art | Colors | Covers |
| "Brothers" | 1 | FCBD 2017 | May 6, 2017 | Sherri L. Smith | Doug Wheatley | Wes Dzioba | Dave Wilkins |
| Tsu'tey's Path | 6 | 1 | January 16, 2019 | Sherri L. Smith | Jan Duursema (pencils) Dan Parson (inks) | Wes Dzioba | Doug Wheatley Shea Standefer (variants) |
| Tsu'tey's Path | 6 | 2 | February 13, 2019 | Sherri L. Smith | Jan Duursema (pencils) Dan Parson (inks) | Wes Dzioba | Doug Wheatley Shea Standefer (variants) |
| Tsu'tey's Path | 6 | 3 | March 20, 2019 | Sherri L. Smith | Jan Duursema (pencils) Dan Parson (inks) | Wes Dzioba | Doug Wheatley Shea Standefer (variants) |
| Tsu'tey's Path | 6 | 4 | May 1, 2019 | Sherri L. Smith | Jan Duursema (pencils) Dan Parson (inks) | Wes Dzioba | Doug Wheatley Shea Standefer (variants) |
| Tsu'tey's Path | 6 | 5 | June 26, 2019 | Sherri L. Smith | Jan Duursema (pencils) Dan Parson (inks) | Wes Dzioba | Doug Wheatley Shea Standefer (variants) |
| Tsu'tey's Path | 6 | 6 | August 21, 2019 | Sherri L. Smith | Jan Duursema (pencils) Dan Parson (inks) | Wes Dzioba | Doug Wheatley Shea Standefer (variants) |
| The Next Shadow | 4 | 1 | January 6, 2021 | Jeremy Barlow | Josh Hood | Wes Dzioba | Guilherme Balbi with Wes Dzioba |
| The Next Shadow | 4 | 2 | February 3, 2021 | Jeremy Barlow | Josh Hood | Wes Dzioba | Guilherme Balbi with Wes Dzioba |
| The Next Shadow | 4 | 3 | March 3, 2021 | Jeremy Barlow | Josh Hood | Wes Dzioba | Guilherme Balbi with Wes Dzioba |
| The Next Shadow | 4 | 4 | April 7, 2021 | Jeremy Barlow | Josh Hood | Wes Dzioba | Guilherme Balbi with Wes Dzioba |
| Adapt or Die | 6 | 1 | May 4, 2022 | Corinna Bechko | Beni Lobel | Mark Molchan | Wes Dzioba |
| Adapt or Die | 6 | 2 | June 1, 2022 | Corinna Bechko | Beni Lobel | Mark Molchan | Wes Dzioba |
| Adapt or Die | 6 | 3 | July 6, 2022 | Corinna Bechko | Beni Lobel | Mark Molchan | Wes Dzioba |
| Adapt or Die | 6 | 4 | August 1, 2022 | Corinna Bechko | Beni Lobel | Mark Molchan | Wes Dzioba |
| Adapt or Die | 6 | 5 | September 9, 2022 | Corinna Bechko | Beni Lobel | Mark Molchan | Wes Dzioba |
| Adapt or Die | 6 | 6 | October 5, 2022 | Corinna Bechko | Beni Lobel | Mark Molchan | Wes Dzioba |
| The Next Shadow | 4 | 1 | January 6, 2021 | Jeremy Barlow | Josh Hood | Wes Dzioba | Guilherme Balbi with Wes Dzioba |
| The Next Shadow | 4 | 2 | February 3, 2021 | Jeremy Barlow | Josh Hood | Wes Dzioba | Guilherme Balbi with Wes Dzioba |
| The Next Shadow | 4 | 3 | March 3, 2021 | Jeremy Barlow | Josh Hood | Wes Dzioba | Guilherme Balbi with Wes Dzioba |
| The Next Shadow | 4 | 4 | April 7, 2021 | Jeremy Barlow | Josh Hood | Wes Dzioba | Guilherme Balbi with Wes Dzioba |
| Frontiers of Pandora - So'lek's Journey | 6 | 1 | February 28, 2024 | Ray Fawkes | Gabriel Guzman | Michael Atiyeh | Gabriel Guzmán |
| Frontiers of Pandora - So'lek's Journey | 6 | 2 | March 27, 2024 | Ray Fawkes | Gabriel Guzman | Michael Atiyeh | Gabriel Guzmán |
| Frontiers of Pandora - So'lek's Journey | 6 | 3 | April 24, 2024 | Ray Fawkes | Gabriel Guzman | Michael Atiyeh | Gabriel Guzmán |
| Frontiers of Pandora - So'lek's Journey | 6 | 4 | May 29, 2024 | Ray Fawkes | Gabriel Guzman | Michael Atiyeh | Gabriel Guzmán |
| Frontiers of Pandora - So'lek's Journey | 6 | 5 | July 17, 2024 | Ray Fawkes | Gabriel Guzman | Michael Atiyeh | Gabriel Guzmán |
| Frontiers of Pandora - So'lek's Journey | 6 | 6 | August 21, 2024 | Ray Fawkes | Gabriel Guzman | Michael Atiyeh | Gabriel Guzmán |

#### Collected editions

| Title | Release date | ISBN |
| Avatar: Tsu'tey's Path | November 27, 2019 | 9781506706702 |
| Avatar: The Next Shadow | August 11, 2021 | 9781506722429 |
| Avatar: Adapt or Die | February 22, 2023 | 9781506730714 |
| Avatar: The High Ground Library Edition | May 10, 2023 | 9781506710440 |
| Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - So'lek's Journey | December 18, 2024 | 9781506732237 |

### Live show

Toruk – The First Flight is an original stage production by the Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil which ran between December 2015 and June 2019. Inspired by Avatar, the story is set in Pandora's past, involving a prophecy concerning a threat to the Tree of Souls and a quest for totems from different tribes. Audience members could download an app in order to participate in show effects. On January 18, 2016, it was announced via the Toruk Facebook page that filming for a DVD release had been completed and was undergoing editing.

### Exhibition

Avatar The Exhibition is a touring exhibition based on the first film. It opened in Chengdu, China on May 1, 2021, and closed on December 31, 2021. It is currently touring Asia with future stops planned around the globe.

### Theme park attractions
#### Pandora: World of Avatar

In 2011, Cameron, Lightstorm, and Fox entered an exclusive licensing agreement with The Walt Disney Company to feature Avatar-themed attractions at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide, including a themed land for Disney's Animal Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The area, known as Pandora – The World of Avatar, opened on May 27, 2017. The themed land is set generations after the events of the films and features two attractions: Avatar Flight of Passage, a flying simulator attraction, and Na'vi River Journey, a boat dark ride.

#### Avatar Land

In February 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that a new attraction based on the Avatar films, named the Avatar Experience, would open at Disneyland. In August 2024, it was announced that the Avatar land will be built at Disney California Adventure. The land will be inspired by The Way of Water (2022), its upcoming sequel Fire and Ash (2025), and future Avatar films.

## Cultural impact
### Psychological impact

An observable phenomenon dubbed "post-Avatar depression (PAD), "post-Avatar depression syndrome (PADS)", "Avatar depression syndrome" or "Avatar blues" has been reported in the media, such as by CNN and The Guardian for Avatar 1 and Avatar 2. It was first brought up on Avatar websites and forums, such as in thousands of posts of people discussing their experience with depression after watching the first movie. It is not a recognized medical condition.
It is a sentiment reported by some people after watching Avatar movies. Reported "symptoms" include sadness, depression, a feeling of meaninglessness and a dissatisfaction with one's existence and the real world, and worries about the future of Earth and issues such as climate change. One user reported suicide ideation in the hope of reincarnating in a world similar to Pandora.
Avatar blues is thought to be caused by the longing for the utopian world and society of Pandora, which, unlike many other fictional settings, is a real-seeming alternate world. By contrast, Earth, the human race, and life's complexity and problems appear gray and non-idyllic. People with Avatar blues say they really want to live in Pandora, or wish to escape reality for a virtual reality. One fan estimated that 10-20% of posters on Avatar forums reported experiencing it.
To cope with the depression, Psychology today advised to maintain realistic expectations for the real world and focus on its positive aspects like people and hobbies, while Avatar fans organized group meetings to sometimes talk about their struggle.
Critics of the phenomenon argue that affected people may have already been melancholic or depressed before watching the movie, or that considering the large audience reach, some people were statistically going to become depressed. A depression expert called it an insult to depressed people and did not consider it clinical depression.

### Consideration of indigenous people

Some indigenous groups, including Native Americans, have called for a boycott of the franchise over "tone-deaf" handling of indigenous cultures and cultural appropriation. Both Avatar films have drawn criticism for casting several white and other non-indigenous actors in the roles of the alien native people. Cameron said he tried to move away from a white savior narrative. The film series was criticized for "romanticization of colonization" and putting forward a monolithic portrayal of Indigenous people.
Cameron faced criticism for comments made after the release of the first film. In 2010, Cameron and Avatar actors supported the Xingu peoples in opposing the construction of the Belo Monte Dam.
In 2012, Cameron said Avatar is a fictional retelling of the history of North and South America in the early Colonial period, "with all its conflict and bloodshed between the military aggressors from Europe and the indigenous peoples".