Avatar (2009)
Enter the world of Pandora.
In the 22nd century, a paraplegic Marine is dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission, but becomes torn between following orders and protecting an alien civilization.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 16 December 2009 |
| Genre | Science Fiction, Action, Adventure |
| Director | James Cameron |
| Starring | Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña and Sigourney Weaver |
| Runtime | 162 min |
| Rated | PG-13 |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes (average) 7.4/10 · Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze 83% · Metacritic 83/100 · Rotten Tomatoes 81% · TMDB users 7.6/10 |
| Budget | $237 million |
| Box office | $2.85 billion worldwide |
Where to watch Avatar
Avatar is streaming on Hulu ($18.99 a month) in the US. It is also on Disney+ ($15.99 a month). If that is the only reason to subscribe, one month of Disney+ is $15.99 at list price.
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What kind of watch this is
Avatar is a 2009 science fiction action adventure film directed by James Cameron. It runs 162 minutes, which is a long way to go for a story about a man learning to kick trees. The premise is a military mission gone sideways, but the execution is pure spectacle. It is built for anyone who wants the visual effects to do the heavy lifting while the plot takes a back seat. If you prefer your cinema to feel like a theme park ride that never stops, this is your stop.
What the critics said
Rotten Tomatoes sits at 81% positive as of January 2026. Metacritic gives it 83 out of 100. Critics praised the spectacle. Manohla Dargis of The New York Times called it "glorious and goofy." Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times compared it to his first viewing of Star Wars. Not everyone was converted. Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times found the visuals powerful but the dialogue flat. The technical breakthrough remains, even if the characters do not.
How it did with audiences
It cost $237 million and pulled in $2.8 billion worldwide, a margin that makes accountants faint with envy and studios salivate with greed. In the United States, it took $761 million, a number that swallows most blockbusters whole. TMDB users rate it 7.6 out of 10, a solid score for a film that mostly asks you to look at things. The math is simple: spend less, make more, repeat.
Awards
Avatar swept the 36th Saturn Awards, winning all 10 nominations it received. It took home 3 Academy Awards in 2010, including Best Cinematography for Mauro Fiore and Best Visual Effects for Joe Letteri. The film also claimed the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama. It collected 8 total awards from 10 nominations across the lists provided. The pattern of winning everything it touched is almost unfair.
What came next for the cast
Sigourney Weaver moved from the Alien franchise to Cabin in the Woods and Chappie. Zoe Saldaña went from The Terminal to Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers films. Sam Worthington stepped into Hacksaw Ridge and the Avatar sequel. The credits list these shifts but cannot prove the 2009 film caused them. It can only say what came next.
Where it left its mark
The debate over its cultural footprint is surprisingly loud. Some critics argued the film left almost no mark on pop culture, pointing to a lack of fandom or enduring merchandise. Others insisted it held up fine, while a few doubted anyone would care about sequels. The 2022 re-release forced a rethink. Scott Mendelson, who once called it forgotten, admitted audiences do care. Even Luc Besson watched it and realized the tech was ready for his own adaptation. The consensus is messy, but the technology it pushed forward is undeniable.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched Avatar.
Sources
- Avatar on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q24871 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “Avatar (2009 film)” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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